Wong says that cold weather promotes blood circulation in both the face and body, having a magical effect on reducing inflammation and swelling to the eyes and face. 4. It can keep you looking younger. Cold weather enhances the complexion and rejuvenates skin, Wong says.
Slows Down Aging
Cold weather enhances the complexion and rejuvenates the skin. In a way, it slows down the aging process by keeping skin tight, vibrant, and radiant. Think of a free cryotherapy spa treatment the next time you step outside and feel a chill.
Body temperature is one of the most well known and important factors involved in lifespan; increased body temperature has been shown to negatively associate with longevity (i.e. earlier death) and conversely, lower body temperature is associated with increased longevity and reduced aging.
Cooler weather can act as a tonic or astringent – reducing clogs and keeping pores less visible and refined. Cold weather also slows down and prevents the secretion of sebum, which waterproofs the skin and hair, keeping shine at bay and reducing acne.
The cold weather months can greatly compromise skin health, triggering such conditions as xerosis (dry skin) or eczema (itchy, dry, reddish patches or lesions on the skin) which can vary in severity.
The lack of moisture from the cold causes dry and dull hair. As the temperature goes down, the air gets drier, which spells trouble for your mane and leaves it brittle and lacking in moisture. Combat this by conditioning your hair daily to protect and seal that much-needed nourishment.
The blood vessels in your skin constrict or narrow in cold surroundings, this reduces the amount of heat lost through your skin in an attempt to maintain your internal temperature. Because of this the skin receives less blood and turns a bluish hue.
When it comes time for the warmer months of summer, many of us notice a newfound glow to our skin. Our skin becomes so much more clear all of a sudden and a lot easier to manage in general. The humidity in the air can soften up our skin, and all that moisture that lacked in the winter is back again.
“The optimum environmental temperature for skin (and for the human body) is around 64.4°F – 71.6°F. This allows for optimum heat exchange between the body (at 98.6°F) and the outside. “Dry skin is an issue related more to humidity (and dew point) rather than temperature itself.
Lukewarm water is advisable to wash your face with, but cold water has its benefits, too. Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed. It also helps boost your circulation, which can help give your skin a healthier appearance, albeit temporarily.
When the arrector pili muscles contract and cause pores to shrink, this may also cause a tightening effect that reduces wrinkles, again, temporarily. However, Torbeck says, there is not enough evidence to prove that cooling products are treatments or preventative measures for wrinkles.
Drinking enough water each day replenishes your skin's tissue and cells, allowing for younger and healthier looking skin. Another key to maintaining a youthful appearance is to simply get some rest! When you sleep, your body continuously releases hormones that promote cell turnover and renewal.
Just like rubbing an ice cube on your face is a skincare must for many, so is washing the face with cold water. Both of these techniques can make your skin look younger. Simply splashing your face with cold water can reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on your face considerably.
Chilling the skin causes blood vessels to contract, shrinking pores and reducing puffiness immediately. Then, when the cold source is removed, blood and oxygen rush to the surface of the skin as it returns to its regular temperature, providing an overall tightening and glow-boosting benefit.
your skin appears to age faster in the desert). Contrary to a humid climate where the loss of water is replaced by water from the humid air, in the desert your skin pulls water from inside (the dermis) by increasing its Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF).
Anti-Aging: Lack of moisture tends to showcase the effects of aging, creating deeper lines and less plumped skin. So, for those concerned about fine lines, wrinkles and other premature signs of aging, humidity can help the complexion appear more supple, radiant and youthful.
“In the winter, the amount of UV radiation reduces significantly, so the melanocytes stop putting out so much pigment.” Over the course of weeks or months, the more heavily pigmented skin cells mature and fall off.
Cold weather has been shown to dry out your skin and make it more susceptible to wrinkles and other signs of aging. It also makes your skin more vulnerable to infection and inflammation, which can lead to redness or irritation.
It's all about moisture. Because winter's cold air contains less of it, your skin has to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Without proper care, skin can become dry and itchy, and in some cases, even crack and bleed. Dry skin also makes fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.
However, when it is cold, your body will try to retain as much heat within to keep yourself warm. So what you may see as “flatter” is really your body tightening and there is less blood supply. Cold weather will keep your core body temperature stable, also known as homeostasis.
According to a study conducted by Olay, not only does the look of fine lines and wrinkles worsen when temperatures drop, but every passing winter actually makes us look older.
It's Dry When It's Cold
The hot, dry air literally leaches moisture from the upper layers of your skin in a process known as transepidermal water loss. Moisture is essential to skin elasticity and firmness. When skin loses moisture, wrinkles are emphasised and top layers of skin become flaky and itchy.
Hair growth is mainly determined by genetics, and on average a person's hair will grow ½” per month. So whether you live in a hot climate or a cold climate, the rate in which your hair grows will not be affected by the weather.
“Hair does not grow quicker in winter, at least not on humans,” says John DeSpain, a dermatologist at DeSpain Cayce Dermatology Center & Medical Spa in Columbia, Missouri.
The hair of all mammals follows this growth cycle, but we humans are unique in that our hair doesn't shed during hot weather and grow thicker during cold weather. In fact, in terms of hair growth at least, it appears that the opposite is true.