Khaberni - Blushing is a sign of feeling embarrassed or shy, where a sudden warm flush appears that creeps up to the neck and cheeks, and as the person ponders the issue, their face becomes increasingly red and warm. And if someone asks "Are you embarrassed?" the embarrassment intensifies.
However, the degree of cheek redness and its visibility do not apply to everyone. This report explains the differences between types of facial redness, and who are more susceptible to it.
When we are indeed unaware of our emotions, this involuntary reaction can seem like an additional punishment. However, evolutionary biology suggests that blushing may have social benefits.
What is blushing?
According to "Medical Express," blushing is an apparent physical reaction when we experience emotions such as embarrassment or shyness, or self-unawareness.
It results from a temporary increase in blood flow to the skin of the ears, face, neck, or chest.
When an emotion triggers blushing, the sympathetic nervous system - which controls automatic bodily functions - activates, releasing adrenaline (epinephrine), leading to the relaxation of the tiny muscles in the blood vessels.
Adrenaline effect
In the body, adrenaline narrows the blood vessels, but in the face, the opposite occurs – they expand. This means more blood flows to the skin, causing a sensation of warmth.
The face reddens as a result of this sudden surge of blood near the skin’s surface.
This redness appears more pronounced in people with lighter skin. For those with darker skin, the change might be less visible, but the same physiological process occurs.
Regardless of whether others notice it or not, you will feel warmth or tingling in your face.
Social signal
People's faces turn red when they feel extreme embarrassment, typically as a result of unwanted social attention.
So, although the "fight or flight" system plays a role, facial blushing is not a readiness for danger. Instead, scientists believe it has evolved as a social signal, a way to show our awareness of a mistake or feeling embarrassed.
Honesty and integrity
This can help build trust, as people often see facial blushing as a sign of honesty and integrity, especially since it is involuntary.
Facial blushing may signify a non-verbal apology for a social faux pas, helping to maintain social bonds after any transgression.
Blushing from shyness and anger
Various emotions can cause facial blushing, but the mechanism is the same: increased blood flow to the face and a feeling of warmth.
The difference is that while facial blushing from anger, for example, arises from arousal and frustration, blushing from embarrassment comes from self-consciousness and social discomfort.
For instance, one study found that children with social anxiety blushed more from exaggerated praise compared to moderate praise or receiving no praise at all.
Narcissism
In a subsequent study, researchers found that children who scored high on a narcissism scale - meaning they have an exaggerated self-importance, a desire for admiration, and lack empathy - only blushed when receiving moderate praise.
The researchers noted that the reason for this is that the praise given did not match the child's belief that they had performed well.
Who is most prone to blushing?
Women and young people tend to blush more than others. This might explain why blushing is often associated with youth, vitality, and fertility.
People who suffer from social anxiety are also more prone to blushing.
However, as we grow older and gain more life experience, our faces blush less. This may indicate that we are more aware of social norms, or less disturbed when exceeding them.
As for those with chronic facial redness, this condition can have various causes, including rosacea, allergic contact dermatitis, allergic reactions to medications, and systemic lupus erythematosus (a chronic autoimmune disease).
