Can Sex Make You look Younger?
Appearing younger and sexier is an appealing aspiration to everyone who is over the age of thirty. So it seems only fitting — if maybe a little unfair — that those of us who are having the most sex may be looking better as a result. According to Dr. David Weeks, a clinical psychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, regular sex can actually make you look younger, as a recent study found that men and women with an active sex life appeared five to seven years younger than their age.
This sounds great to us. But is this science or just wishful thinking?
Sex Makes Your Skin Radiant
Some of the side effects of sexual activity include boosting one’s immune system, increasing one’s circulation and sweating out one’s toxins; also, during coitus, our facial muscles can loosen our expressions. As a combinatory effect, your face and your face’s skin can get that “post-sex glow”, something which can plausibly retard facial wrinkles.
Sex Releases Anti-Inflammatory Molecules
Oxytocin — the hormone well-known for its anti-aging and anti-obesity properties — is released during sex, as are beta endorphins. As explained by Dr. Amy Wechsler, a holistic dermatologist, noted: “When you have sex, you’re bathing the skin in anti-inflammatory molecules such as oxytocin and beta endorphins. As we get older, we don’t heal as often as we repair. But having sex can turn the clock back on that.”
Sex for Skin Health
Study results have shown that sex helps people sleep better and reduces stress, and both can affect skin health. Furthermore, oxytocin and beta endorphins have been shown to treat acne as well. So not only is sex preventive skin care, it can be considered curative as well! Lastly, for women: regular sex increases estrogen levels, which can fight dry skin and can improve skin elasticity.
If ever there was a win-win, this has got to be it. Maybe that’s why they call it “getting lucky”!
And so this begs the question: how often does one need to engage in sexual intercourse in order to reap the rejuvenating benefits? Dr. Wechsler recommends at least two to three times a week. As for us, we think that sex is a healthy part of a youthful and energetic lifestyle, and should be entered into as a natural extension of such a lifestyle. Enjoy yourself, your partner, and your life together, and we think you’ll be just fine — and maybe save on a few bottles of ant-aging cream.