The outflow of blood from the neck is provided by the external jugular vein. The internal jugular vein collects blood from the head and neck. Its tributary, the facial vein, carries blood away from the face. The direction of blood flow is from top to bottom. Venous blood removes all metabolic waste from the tissues.
Abstractly, metabolic waste can be called slags and toxins, and specifically they are : carbon dioxide, ketone bodies and fatty acids (the result of debilitating low-calorie diets), lactic acid, liver pigments (indirect bilirubin and bile acids, products of lipid peroxidation). All these wastes are highly toxic. If the outflow of blood is disturbed, they accumulate in the tissues. As a result, local immunity suffers, microflora changes, infections begin to develop. Acidosis, or “acidification” of tissues, can occur and have serious consequences. Often, common pimples, age spots, dark spots, and a pale complexion indicate circulatory problems rather than hormonal issues. As a result, the more effectively these toxins are removed, the more youthful your face will appear.
If the movement of blood through the arteries depends on the contractile function of the heart, then the movement of blood through the veins is ensured by the operation of a complex mechanism. This fantastically complex mechanism of fluid circulation is designed to prevent swelling and puffiness of the face. The most important “engine” of the outflow is the right ventricle of the heart. It is much weaker than the left one: this is also why the speed of blood flow in the veins is lower than in the arteries. In order for the outflow of fluid to be effective and we do not swell, it is assisted by auxiliary mechanisms of blood circulation.
The first auxiliary mechanism is the work of the muscles, the muscular-venous pump. When we use our muscles, like when we walk, the muscle pump works as an extra pump to move blood from the legs, pelvis, and abdominal cavity to the heart. For the face, this mechanism is also relevant, although not so clearly expressed. If the facial muscles are in the right tone, they will help the outflow of blood.
Thus, we can say that the human muscular system is a peripheral “heart” for the venous system. The more coordinated the work of the muscles, the more elastic and strong they are, the better the pump works and the more actively the blood circulates in your body and face. And vice versa: if you do not “turn on” the muscles, edema may appear.
The second auxiliary mechanism is the valves in the veins. They prevent the backflow of blood, close and prevent fluid from draining down.
In the veins of the brain and face, unlike other venous vessels, there are no valves. Blood flows from the head to the heart without effort, under the influence of only gravity, and also due to the negative pressure that is created in the chest (the third mechanism, we will talk about it below). Blood can move in both directions: from the brain to the face and back.
But there is a catch in the same mechanism: the infection spreads very quickly through such vessels. The brain is anatomically located close to the face – infectious agents can freely get to it. Here’s another reason why you should be very careful when doing “bloody” facial procedures: your actions can cause serious side effects.
The third mechanism in this work is the “respiratory pump,” or sucking action of the chest. When inhaling, the diaphragm contracts, the ribs rise, and the chest expands. A pressure drop is created above its surface, it decreases – and the blood rushes to the heart. The better the “respiratory pump” works, the better the blood moves through the venous vessels from the head to the heart.
And the fourth important mechanism is anastomoses. These are bypass ways of blood circulation, which are formed when several vessels are connected into one network. Most often, the anastomoses are closed, but with increasing physical activity, they open to increase the volume of blood circulation in the desired area. Due to the developed anastomoses, wounds on the face heal faster than on the body. And how to develop them? For example, through massage. The opening of anastomoses is a universal mechanism that allows bypassing obstacles (compressed or clogged vessels) to ensure normal blood supply.
This entire complex structure functions under one crucial condition: physical activity. This law that cannot be bypassed. Ideally the person’s active lifestyle should initiate a muscle pump, a respiratory pump, and capillary activity.
When the muscles do not contract during the day and the volume of respiratory movements is reduced due to stoop, the anastomoses close, the vein valves do not close completely, and the entire load falls on the right ventricle of the heart.
Even a healthy right ventricle of the heart under such a load will not be able to fully contract and pump out all the blood from the organs of the chest, abdomen, arms and legs.
Therefore, blood stagnates either in the legs and in the abdomen, or on the arms, neck and face. Add here the accumulation of abdominal fat, leading to a decrease in the movement of the diaphragm, an uncomfortable static posture at the computer, chronic stoop and we get a persistent edema.
Please note that the outflow of blood through the veins is the same process for all organs. All the mechanisms described – the work of the right ventricle, the muscle pump, the suction action of the chest, anastomoses, the presence of powerful jugular veins with a pronounced muscular layer that can “push blood” with effort – work both for the face and for the body. This means that in order to deal with swelling of the face, nasolabial folds and bags under the eyes, it is not enough to “pump out” swelling locally. It is important to systematically and daily make sure that all of these mechanisms work correctly. All over the body!
