How to Look Sexier
A Healthy, Glowing Skin may be a Turn-on
“In the animal kingdom, some primates produce reddened skin in order to show off and attract mates,” writes Shari Roan in The Los Angeles Times (April 4, 2009). Ms. Roan was writing about a study carried out at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Healthy Look More Sexually Attractive
However, humans also can change their skin colour as a way of sending social and sexual signals. Researchers published the findings of a study into this phenomenon in The Public Library of Science One on April 1, 2009. The paper is titled “Skin Blood Perfusion and Oxygenation Colour Affect Perceived Human Health.”
According to the paper, “Several species of non-human primates exhibit skin reddening that reflects aspects of physiological health, hormonal, and reproductive status. There is also evidence that conspecifics react to these skin colour cues.”
And, say the study's authors, the same may be true of humans.
Oxygenated Blood Gives a Signal
Study participants were given computerized graphics of young peoples’ faces to examine. They were then asked to change the colouring of the faces to make them look as healthy as possible. Overwhelmingly, participants chose to add oxygen-rich blood colour to increase the healthy appearances of the faces. As Shari Roan in The Los Angeles Times points out “A healthy appearance, the researchers note, has been shown to be a major characteristic of sexual attraction.”
“Parents and doctors know that when you get ill, you can end up looking pale,” lead author Ian Stephen said in a news release. “Our research goes further and shows that even young, healthy university students can benefit from a complexion reflecting more blood and more oxygen to the skin.”
Humans Copying non-Human Species
The paper notes that, “Several species of birds, fish, and primates display colourful ornaments or brightly coloured skin regions, the size and brightness of which reflect aspects of underlying physiology including immune, hormonal, or reproductive status, or social status.” These colourful displays can affect aggression in males, the feeding of offspring, and the suitability of a mate.
“Larger, brighter ornaments reflect better health status in the bearer and are preferred by, or solicit greater visual attention from, the opposite sex, suggesting that these ornaments act as a cue to mate quality.”
How to Increase Attractiveness
Ian Stephen gives advice on how to achieve that rosy-cheeked, healthy look: “Since your attractiveness relies upon how healthy you look, you might be able to make yourself more attractive by being kind to your heart and lungs in doing more exercise or quitting smoking.”
Or, try the shortcut and do what people have done for hundreds of years; apply a little rouge to achieve a similar effect.
Jogging for that Healthy Look
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