Are couples having less sex? Study concludes
Couples are having less sex, whether they want to or not. Here are some ways to improve your sex life.
USA Today
Orgasms have a variety of health benefits: they can help you relax, sleep better, and improve your heart health.
But can they heal aging skin and reduce the need for anti-aging procedures like Botox?
The jury’s still out on this one, but some doctors are apparently more convinced than others. Dr. Gouri Rocco, a physician in family medicine, regenerative, anti-aging, and functional medicine and author of “Growing Younger,” praises the estrogen released during orgasm, for example, for making skin look younger. Research suggests that estrogen helps halt the loss of collagen.
But dermatologist Dr Anthony Rossi points out that the “glow” you get after sex is “probably due to increased blood flow and endorphins. Does it prevent wrinkles? Honestly, I’ve never seen it.”
The bottom line? You shouldn’t rely on orgasms alone to improve your skin health, but having more frequent orgasms won’t harm your health.
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“You might have more wrinkles”
Doctors are skeptical of claims that orgasms reduce wrinkles, mainly due to a lack of research.
“I don’t believe this is a widely held belief among board-certified dermatologists because there are no peer-reviewed studies to back it up,” says dermatologist Bruce Brod, M.D. “In my own practice, I would never advise patients that orgasming daily or frequently would lead to a reduced need for cosmetic medical or surgical procedures.”
Plus, during sex, “you’re actually moving your muscles more because of the amount of facial movements and contractions you’re making,” Rossi says, “so theoretically, that could lead to more wrinkles.”
Still, the hormones released during sex, like oxytocin and endorphins, might make you think you look better. “There’s always that saying about glowing skin,” says Rossi. That’s not harmful, per se, but it’s not magical either.
Do you suffer from acne? These skin care tips are dermatologist approved.
More Tips for Healthier Skin
So what do medical experts recommend?
- Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. “Any skin type, whether you have light or dark skin, can benefit from simply using sunscreen in some form,” says Rossi, and the benefits are clear when you don’t wear it: “Younger skin has bounciness and elasticity — it’s not in the sun. But people who have leathery skin look older.”
- Healthy eatingAlcohol and smoking are just as bad for your skin as the sugars in processed foods. To promote healthy skin, eat foods high in vitamin A, such as fruits and vegetables. “Regular use of topical agents, such as vitamin A acid derivatives, can help reverse photoaging,” adds Brod.
- Moisturizes and hydrates. Don’t overcomplicate it: Use a good moisturizer that contains peptides (to boost collagen production) and retinoids (to speed up skin cell turnover), and be sure to use one at night too to help remove damage from the day and lock in moisture while you rest.
- Beauty sleep. “Sleep is essential for beautiful skin,” says Rocco. “Beauty sleep is no joke.”
Think of orgasms as another tool in your skin’s health, but don’t use them as an excuse to skip sunscreen or moisturize.
