What Are the Best Ways to Improve Circulation in the Skin?

 

It happens to all of us sometimes, regardless of how well we look after our skin: Some days you wake up, and your complexion just looks lifeless, sallow, and dull. Although environmental causes like pollution, dry weather, or prolonged sun exposure could be giving your skin a dehydrated or uneven quality with a buildup of dead skin cells, your overall internal health is often just as much to blame if your skin seems unbalanced. Poor circulation is a common cause of a myriad skin problems, such as changes to skin tone, dark circles around the eyes, and eczema flare-ups. Blood flow helps to keep the skin healthy, as the blood vessels carry oxygen and essential nutrients to the internal layers of skin while removing toxins. The circulatory system also boosts the skin’s healing processes after trauma. To get blood flow to the surface layers and restore glowing, vibrant skin in a short amount of time, you can follow the suggestions below from the dermatology team at New Jersey’s South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center:

1. Ramp Up Exfoliation

Cleansing and moisturizing are a normal part of many skin routines, but giving the skin an extra buff with an exfoliate is one aspect that’s often overlooked and not done often enough. Face scrubs not only give your skin a smoother, softer feel and more uniform tone by sloughing off dead skin, but they also stimulate better blood flow. Depending on your skin type, you might want to try exfoliating at least once or twice a week.

2. Do Yoga Inversions

Though it might seem strange or a little intimidating at first if you’re new to yoga, inversion poses like headstands, downward-facing dog, and bridge pose are good for your overall health. Blood flow goes to the face, restoring a youthful, rosy hue to your cheeks. You can even just hang upside down against a wall or over the side of your bed for a few minutes each day and reap the same benefits. Along with making your skin appear more rejuvenated, the increased blood flow can also improve brain function and reduce mental stress.

3. Try a Facial Massage

There are many types of facial massages that you can do by yourself or have done by a professional, including lymphatic drainage massages, acupressure, gua sha, and more. These massages are not only relaxing, but also are believed to make your skin healthier and relax the facial muscles. Massages boost blood flow to the face. They can help to make your skin firmer while reducing tension in your muscles. Some studies have even suggested that facial massages have anti-aging effects on the skin and can reduce symptoms associated with scars. You can use oils, serums, cleansing balms, or jade rollers to massage your face for a few minutes each day.

4. Get a Microneedling Treatment

During an in-office cosmetic treatment called microneedling, the surface of your skin is pricked with lots of very tiny needles attached to a roller that create microscopic injuries. This process promotes the healing process of your skin, encourages collagen production, and also enhances blood flow to the skin at the same time. Microneedling is an ideal choice if, aside from bad circulation, you also want to correct fine lines and wrinkles, scars, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, and other tone and textural issues.

5. Stop Smoking ASAP

We’ve all heard about how bad smoking is for the skin, but quitting this addictive habit can be challenging. Smoking not only speeds up premature aging, but the chemicals also give your skin an unhealthy grayish or orange tone and inhibit wound healing by constricting blood vessels.

6. Exercise

The key to giving your skin an energized look may be simply getting your blood pumping with an intense workout at the gym. The heart rate increases and causes blood vessels to expand in the body after exercise.

Want to instantly brighten up your complexion? For more dermatology tips from skin-focused practitioners and advice on cosmetic treatments, talk to the team at South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center. Call (856) 810-9888 to request a consultation, or submit a contact form to get started today.