For a long time it has been thought that the more stress you go through the more it can affect the rate at which you age. There has been some interesting research into this fact in Korea showing that this age old statement is likely to be true, showing that stress is one of the major aging contributory factors. Acupuncture has been used to help alleviate stress from different parts of the body, but now it has been shown that it could also help decrease aging signs restoring a more youthful look. This type of acupuncture is often referred to as cosmetic acupuncture
When we age the muscles in the face get shorter and become straighter, which is also something that can be caused by stress.As a result the tone of the muscles when at rest increases which means that the elasticity is depleted causing the facial shape to change along with skin sagging.
Our facial aging can actually be seen through the rate at which we age!
When there is more muscle tension there is also a greater heat emitted which can cause the skin to dry out. This adds to the lines and wrinkles we see as signs of getting older.
During the research they wanted to examine how cosmetic acupuncture affected the muscles when placed in areas where the main muscles are located. The results were that the tension in these muscles was greatly reduced which led to greater elasticity.
The cosmetic acupuncture was also able to reduce the amount of heat produced which meant that there could be more moisture. By increasing natural water and oil production a youthful glow was also returned as well as increased elasticity.
The overall research showed how successful acupuncture was in reducing aging signs including fine lines and wrinkles as well as being beneficial as a preventative measure.
Through this type of research it has shown that other relaxation treatments could also benefit in reversing and treating signs of aging.
Massage has already for many years been used to help muscles relax and reduce the amount of tension built up. You can have a facial massage at a clinic or do it yourself at home by using your fingers. The Jade roller has been also shown to be beneficial in facial massage making it easier to massage without needing to train first.
Other types of relaxation treatments and methods could also be help to relax facial muscles to improve signs of aging. Treatments including yoga, meditation and tai chi can be used as treatments to combat aging signs. Also having a caffeine free cup of tea could assist the relaxation and further decrease the rate of aging as could a simple break from the everyday routine.
In this day and age it has become common for most of us to experience stress that is unavoidable. As this research as shown how stress can affect muscle tension it is definitely work exploring how using techniques for relaxation could also benefit your appearance. This could be through changes in the way we live our lives as well as complimentary therapies like acupuncture and massage.
Research like this is another indicator into how stress can affect our physical appearance and another way to show you why you should take time out for yourself when you feel the need without feeling guilty.