![\"sex\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1636912909_414_E8f4Wm5WYAE76nl-Copy-696x378.jpg\" "\\"sex\\"\/")
Most people probably think of their sex life and their beauty regimen as two completely separate self-care practices. But as it turns out, the two actually go hand-in-hand.<\/p>\n
The increase in the hormone estrogen through orgasm, as well as the physical activity involved in sex, can promote healthy skin, hair, and overall healthy aging. We chatted with holistic dermatologist\u00a0Keira Barr, M.D.,\u00a0to explain some of the beauty benefits of sex:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Sex promotes skin and hair vitality<\/strong><\/p>\n Studies have shown that women who are sexually active (including solo sex, which is one of many great\u00a0benefits of masturbation) tend to have higher levels of estrogen since the\u00a0hormone levels increase during orgasm.\u00a0According to Barr, estrogen is key for the normal functioning of the skin, blood vessels, hair follicles, oil glands, and melanocytes (aka pigment-producing cells).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Overall, she says estrogen promotes skin health, hair health, and vitality. \u201cIt also plays a role in supporting normal skin barrier function, maintaining skin hydration, keeping oil gland production at bay, improving wound healing, and modulating\u00a0inflammation,\u201d she adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Sex supports youthful, supple skin<\/strong><\/p>\n Maintaining a robust\u00a0sex life throughout adulthood\u00a0might help you feel young in spirit, and the estrogen production will also promote healthy aging of the skin.\u00a0\u201cEstrogen increases collagen production, skin thickness, and hyaluronic acid production, giving skin a youthful and supple appearance,\u201d Barr tells mbg.<\/p>\n Additionally,\u00a0orgasms release oxytocin, which lowers stress levels. Less cortisol leads to\u00a0less breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to fewer wrinkles, Barr adds.<\/p>\n One study\u00a0on over 3,000 men and women even found those who had sex three times a week appeared seven to 12 years younger than their actual age<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Sex might make your hair grow<\/strong><\/p>\n Not only does it enhance the skin, but \u201cestrogen also helps keep your hair in the growing (anagen) phase, which helps you have those luscious locks,\u201d Barr says.\u00a0While studies haven\u2019t looked at the effects of sex on hair growth specifically, pregnant women who have\u00a0increased levels of estrogen have been shown to have thicker, fuller hair.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Sex can make your skin glow<\/strong><\/p>\n Since sex can be a form of physical exercise (and yes,\u00a0sex burns calories, too), it can also boost the release of nitric oxide, which increases blood flow and oxygen throughout the body, Barr tells mbg. This is what leads to an\u00a0after-sex glow.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat helps create that after-sex glow is that nearly every cell in the skin can make nitric oxide, which is key for maintaining blood flow,\u201d Barr says. \u201cBut it also helps bolster the skin\u2019s barrier function, boosts its microbial defenses, promotes wound healing, and buffers the harmful effects of environmental exposures like UV radiation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With naturally flushed cheeks and a little tinge of dewy sweat, who needs makeup?\u00a0<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Sex reduces stress, which can reduce acne<\/strong><\/p>\n Research has shown that couples in satisfying relationships who engage in\u00a0healthy, consensual sex, have lower stress levels.<\/p>\n When people are stressed, Barr says the \u201chypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).\u201d When CRH is produced, it\u00a0increases the production and growth of oil glands, as well as inflammation.<\/p>\n \u201cOil gland secretion and inflammation are two of the primary contributors to acne formation,\u201d Barr says.\u00a0In other words, managing stress may lower the chance of developing stress-induced breakouts.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0Sex may speed up acne healing<\/strong><\/p>\n Since\u00a0stress impairs college synthesis and repair, Barr says by lowering stress, regular sex might even promote wound healing, including acne lesions. So long,\u00a0dark spots!\u00a0<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0It may help manage menopause symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n Since estrogen levels naturally decrease during menopause, having orgasms may increase the production, thereby keeping menopause symptoms at bay.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout estrogen\u2019s influence to help produce hyaluronic acid and collagen, the skin loses its firmness and begins to sag; fine lines, wrinkles, and jowls appear; and pores and pigmentation become more prominent,\u201d Barr says. \u201cIn fact, studies show that\u00a0women\u2019s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause\u00a0and about 2% of their collagen every year after\u00a0for the next 20 years,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n This thinning of the skin not only happens externally but also in the vagina, which can lead to pain during sex. Having sex more frequently can promote estrogen production and elasticity in the vagina, so tightness and pain may be reduced, according to gynecologist\u00a0Lynley Durrett, M.D.\u00a0In fact, research has shown that\u00a0having sex regularly may even delay menopause.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0Sex might make your boobs look bigger<\/strong><\/p>\n For those who are into this sort of thing: The breasts can swell up to 25% during sex, according to internist\u00a0Michael Roizen, M.D.\u00a0This change occurs due to increased blood flow during sexual activity. They\u2019ll generally go back to their normal size following an orgasm.\u00a0Nipple height can also increase\u00a0(aka become erect) through stimulation.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0Sex can increase overall confidence<\/strong><\/p>\n Spending time with your naked body can increase confidence and\u00a0may make it easier to enjoy sex.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not used to doing this, clinical sexologist\u00a0Cyndi Darnell, recommends spending conscious, intimate time with your body. \u201cIt could be as simple as creating space in your week to lie in bed and run your hands over yourself, either for pleasure or simply for exploration,\u201d she once told mbg. This can support your\u00a0sexual self-esteem\u00a0and overall confidence.<\/p>\n Key takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n A healthy sex life can do a lot more than\u00a0promote intimacy with a partner. It may also promote healthy skin, hair growth, and even play a role in managing menopause symptoms. And you don\u2019t have to be partnered up to get these bonus benefits\u2014so go ahead and add orgasm to your beauty routine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n