7 Surprising Benefits of Silk - Skin and Beauty Center - Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Skin & Beauty
7 Surprising Benefits of Silk
Silk can improve your skin, appearance, and overall health. Make this affordable luxury a beauty mainstay. By Elizabeth Shimer BowersMedically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPHReviewed: September 26, 2013Medically ReviewedActress Jane Birkin’s mother may have been onto something when she told her daughter, “When you’ve got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk underwear and start reading Proust.” Silk underwear — or silk anything, really — is a small luxury, but it has big benefits. The soft, strong substance not only makes great protection for a silkworm’s pupal stage but also has tremendous effects on women’s health. When spun into sheets, pajamas, and scarves, silk may help ease menopausal hot flashes, prevent the effects of aging, and relieve certain skin conditions. Read on to find out more about why silk may be the other fabric of our lives. A Cool Haven From Hot Flashes
Hot flashes, that sudden warmth in the face, neck, and chest, are among the most common — and uncomfortable — symptoms of menopause. They’re caused by fluctuating hormones and by a lower threshold for heat that occurs as women age, says Charla Blacker, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. For the 75 to 85 percent of women who suffer from this women’s health issue, she suggests sleeping in light, breathable silk pajamas or on cool silk sheets to help turn down the heat. A Youthful Glowing Complexion
The tightly-woven, smooth fibers of silk help keep moisture close to the skin, says Jennifer Peterson, MD, a dermatologist at the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston. When you wake up after sleeping on a silk pillowcase, your face will be better hydrated than if you slept on cotton. This is a great beauty tip for those with dry, flaky skin. As a bonus, she says, hydrated, plump skin cells show fewer fine lines (wrinkles!) and more luminosity than dehydrated skin cells. Relief for Skin Irritation
"Multiple studies have pointed to the antimicrobial properties of a special European silk fabric called DermaSilk," Dr. Peterson says. Dermasilk differs from regular silk in that it's free of sericin, a protein produced by the silkworm. Sericin and other protein or bacteria can aggravate eczema and other skin conditions, so antimicrobial agents help skin stay clear and free of irritation. "One particular study showed improvements in patients with the skin condition eczema who used Dermasilk, but not in those who used cotton," she adds. Additionally, because it is composed of long, smooth, natural fibers tightly woven together, silk helps decrease skin's loss of moisture and is better tolerated than other fabrics by people with sensitive skin, Peterson says. Stay away from synthetic fibers, wools, and even some cottons that may contain small, stiff, woven fibers that can cause irritation. Help for Vaginal Yeast Infections
In the area of women’s health, new Italian research shows that silk underwear may reduce itching and redness associated with recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Half of study participants wore briefs made from Dermasilk, and the other half wore cotton. After six months, 90 percent of the silk group had fewer symptoms, and recurrences were decreased by 50 percent. “DermaSilk’s antimicrobial properties and unique fiber weaving prevent it from accumulating too much moisture, one of the risk factors for recurrent vaginal yeast infections,” Peterson says. A Break From Allergies
“People are very rarely allergic to silk,” says Neal B. Schultz, MD, a New York City dermatologist. This is because silk is free of any potentially irritating added chemicals and contains natural substances that ward off various environmental allergens (and resulting skin conditions), including dust mites, mold, and fungus, he explains. Healthy Shiny Hair
“Silky smooth” isn’t just an expression. Beauty experts claim that the luxurious fabric can help keep your hair soft, moisturized, and free of pesky tangles. “Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase will cause hair to bunch, knot, and get staticky,” says New York City salon owner John Corbett, who recently founded the nonprofit Hair2Help for cancer patients and their caregivers. “On a soft silk pillowcase, however, hair will slide, which is much less damaging.” Silk may also help preserve your style while you sleep, he adds. Decades ago, women slept on satin pillowcases or wrapped their heads in toilet paper to preserve their teased and tortured hairstyles. The modern-day equivalent is to sleep on — or in — silk. “One of my favorite beauty tips for women is to wrap a silk scarf around your head when you sleep,” Corbett says. “The oils won’t increase as much in your hair, and you’ll be able to hold on to your blowout for an extra day or two.” A Good Night' s Sleep
According to the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health, 30 to 40 percent of Americans have problems sleeping. And experts say that bedding may be at least partly to blame in some of these cases. Sheets that irritate your skin, bunch up, or invite dust mites in will interfere with a good night’s rest. Silk, with all its aforementioned benefits, is the fabric that will dress your bed for the sweetest possible slumber. “There are also pretty good studies showing that what we call ‘sleep wrinkles’ form on the side of your face on which you sleep,” says Jeffrey Spiegel, MD, a facial plastic surgeon and professor at Boston University. One way to prevent them? Use a silk pillowcase, which is gentler and less likely than cotton to resist the face and cause wrinkles. Talk about beauty sleep! Most Recent in Skin & Beauty
11 Potential Causes of Hair Loss and Baldness
Best and Worst Drinks for Psoriasis
Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss 9 Things You Need to Know
Painless Bloodless Tattoos Possible With New Microneedle Technique
NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Skin & Beauty
7 Doctor-Approved Ways to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation
Sunspots, acne scars, and big brown patches are all signs of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Try these hacks for a more even skin tone.By Jennifer BenjaminSeptember 15, 2022 Which Wrinkle-Reducing Option Is Best for You
By Jessica MigalaSeptember 13, 2022 Is This Onion Water Hack the Secret to Healthy Hair
Hair experts weigh in on this unusual beauty practice touted by musician Cardi B.By Marisa PetrarcaSeptember 9, 2022 Healthy Hair A Guide to Getting Full Shiny Strong Locks
By Leslie BarrieAugust 10, 2022 Why Using Calamine Lotion as a Makeup Primer Is a Bad Idea Dermatologists Say
Plot twist: Calamine lotion isn’t just for treating bug bites — at least not according to some influencers on TikTok. Real skin-care pros, dermatologists...By Hilary I. LebowAugust 4, 2022 Is Natural Deodorant Actually Healthier for You
Maybe you’ve heard that conventional deodorants and antiperspirants are linked to diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Here’s what the research actually...By Christine ByrneAugust 2, 2022 Stretch Marks Why They Happen and How to Treat Them
By Ashley WelchAugust 1, 2022 Banana Boat Sunscreen Recalled for Traces of a Carcinogen
Three batches of the product were found to contain benzene, which can cause cancer with long-term exposure.By Rachael RobertsonAugust 1, 2022 Caffeine in Skin Care Does It Actually Work
Perk up your skin-care routine with this trendy ingredient — dermatologists say there’s real science behind it.By Hilary I. LebowJuly 25, 2022 7 At-Home Sunburn Treatments to Save Your Vacation
Get a little too much sun on your beach vacation? These treatments, from hydration to cool compresses, can help salvage the rest of your trip.By Krisha McCoyJuly 22, 2022