CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta – Crying is very important for eye health because it is a natural biological process that helps a person to express and process pain and emotions. However, is crying also good for the skin?
In fact, practicing certain habits during and after crying can make a difference in skin reactions. Experts say that good hygiene and grooming can keep skin clean and healthy.
1. The effect of crying on the skinFor most people, crying is unavoidable. There are those who wipe their tears using a tissue, there are also those who wipe them with their sleeves so that their faces experience mild irritation after crying.
One reason for this mild irritation, according to Melanie Palm, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Art of Skin MD, is that tears are isotonic (close to normal saline used in intravenous fluid preparations), but the pH of our tears is higher than that of the skin. “Tears are usually closer to 7, and skin closer to 5.5 or 6,” said Palm.
So short-term exposure to tears is harmless. While long-term exposure can cause changes in skin hydration or mild irritation due to differences in pH. But it’s not the pH that matters, what you do during and after crying can make a difference.
Angie Seelal, PA-C, of Advanced Dermatology PC says rubbing your eyes or using certain wipes to wipe your face can affect the skin and cause inflammation, darken the skin, and even irritate acne in some cases.
2. The production of tears and their discharge has an effect on your entire face.When you cry, the blood vessels around your eyes, face, and nose become dilated with increased blood flow causing swelling, and redness. Dagny Zhu, MD, an ophthalmologist says to help constrict blood vessels and reduce symptoms after crying, it is recommended to wash your face with cold water or apply a cold compress over the eyelids.
Crying makes you dehydrated because you lose electrolytes, so after crying it’s better to drink water and apply moisturizer. She recommends using a moisturizer with squalene, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and reduce irritation.
Read: Olivia Munn’s Struggle to Breastfeed Her Son, Ever Cry and Feel Failed
