Beauty for Health and Longevity: Insights from Wellbeing, Neuroscience, and Epigenetics

Yamada H

Published on: 2024-05-03

Abstract

This review explores the relationship between beauty and anti-aging from the perspectives of wellbeing, neuroscience, and epigenetics. Contrary to the conventional notion that "health makes you beautiful," it proposes that "beauty makes you healthy and slows down aging." The pursuit of beauty may contribute to extending a healthy lifespan and rejuvenation through brain activation and epigenetic mechanisms. Wellbeing, which encompasses physical, mental, social, and environmental health, is closely linked to beauty. The perception of beauty activates the brain's reward system, stimulating positive emotions, memory, and thinking. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs, play a significant role in the aging process and may be influenced by the experience of beauty. The growing demand for aesthetic medicine in modern society is highlighted, along with the need to address challenges such as the excessive pursuit of beauty and ethical concerns. Future aesthetic medicine should consider individual differences and provide comprehensive care based on scientific evidence. Long-term follow-up studies, clarification of individual differences, and establishment of ethical guidelines are identified as future research priorities. Insights from aesthetics, including neuroscience and epigenetics, can contribute to evidence-based aesthetic medicine and effective anti-aging strategies.