Migraines are headaches that cause severe, pulsing pain. They can impact people in many different ways and last anywhere from several hours to multiple days. An estimated 39 million Americans get migraines yearly. Getting proper treatment for migraines is important, but you can also add steps to your daily routine that prevent migraines or make them less severe. These five skin care tips can help with migraines while also providing anti-aging benefits that promote healthy skin.
Consider Botox
One of the earliest uses for onabotulinumtoxinA – more commonly known as Botox – was to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. But as scientists studied the effects of the active ingredient botulinum toxin, they learned that it offered other health benefits. The FDA has since approved Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines.
Botox is thought to work by blocking neurotransmitters that carry pain signals between your brain and the nerves in your head and neck. It also relaxes your muscles and can smooth wrinkles.
It’s important to see a medical doctor for a migraine treatment plan – an esthetician is not licensed to provide this medical care. Also, talk to your doctor about potential side effects and risks.
Try an Ice Roller
Ice rollers are an easy, drug-free way to treat migraine headaches and improve the look and feel of your skin. Cooling down blood as it flows to your brain can reduce swelling and pain, which provides relief for tension and migraine headaches. Using an ice roller also improves circulation in your face to aid lymphatic drainage and get rid of excess fluids. The cold pressure also reduces puffiness around your eyes caused by fluid buildup for a healthy, radiant glow.
Sleep With a Reusable Gel Eye Mask
Similar to an ice roller, a reusable gel eye mask is a simple way to reduce stress while you sleep and relieve migraine headaches. Store your gel mask in the refrigerator so it can provide a cooling sensation around your eyes and reduce swelling and puffiness.
A mask also blocks out light for better sleep, which is another way to relieve tension headaches and migraines.
Stay Hydrated
About 1 in 3 people with migraine report that not getting enough water triggers headaches.
One possible reason dehydration can trigger a migraine headache is that a lack of fluids can cause your brain tissues to shrink and pull back from your skull, putting pressure on nerves. Another possible cause could be that dehydration makes you feel pain that's more intense.
Hydration is also one of the easiest (and cheapest) anti-aging remedies. Having the right amount of fluid in your body can help maintain the stretchiness of your skin and its pH balance while flushing out toxins that could cause skin damage and lead to acne breakouts.
Trade Fake Fragrances For Essential Oils
Synthetic or fake fragrances in various beauty products can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing issues. And for some people, these chemicals can also trigger severe headaches or migraines. Choosing fragrance-free products may help to prevent migraines
Another option is to use essential oils in your beauty routine. Look for these essential oils, which may offer anti-aging benefits as well as help with migraine:
Lavender can reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep, and research shows that it may help prevent migraines. When lavender is put on your skin, its antioxidants may also limit damage from free radicals that leads to wrinkles.
Rosemary may help with skin irritation and headache pain relief. It is also antimicrobial, preventing the growth of bacteria and other germs that could lead to acne, and it contains antioxidants that can help keep skin-damaging free radicals at bay.
Peppermint is used to soothe tension and migraine headaches. Peppermint also has anti-inflammatory benefits that reduce redness and irritation. And while that won’t prevent wrinkles, it can help your skin look and feel better.
Chamomile is often used to soothe pain or discomfort and relieve stress and anxiety that lead to headaches. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe skin irritation. Phytochemicals and polyphenols (natural chemicals found in plants that offer health benefits to people) that are in chamomile have been shown to increase cell regeneration and reduce the look of wrinkles and scars.
