Hypermobility and Flawless Skin
Hypermobility is a condition that affects the joints, making them more flexible than usual, allowing their joints to extend beyond the normal range of motion, sometimes causing instability or pain.
Hypermobility is sometimes called “double-jointed” in casual conversation, though it’s much more complex than that. While a number of factors can cause hypermobility, at its core, it often stems from a deficiency in collagen production. Collagen is the protein responsible for providing structure and strength to connective tissues, including skin, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
For people with hypermobility, the body produces less collagen, which results in looser, more elastic joints but weaker connective tissues. While this may sound like an advantage when it comes to flexibility, it can have profound effects on the body, particularly in the joints and muscles.
The lack of sufficient collagen means that the body’s connective tissues can’t maintain their strength or stability as they should. This results in chronic pain, joint instability, and a higher risk of injury. Individuals with hypermobility often experience symptoms like joint dislocations, sprains, and strains more frequently than the average person, and many have to deal with pain daily.
Even simple movements can become a challenge, and the wear and tear on joints can lead to conditions like osteoarthritis at an earlier age.
Despite the appearance of “flexibility” or “looseness” in the joints, the pain is very real. The muscles work overtime to stabilize the unstable joints, leading to tension, fatigue, and discomfort. For some people, this becomes a lifetime struggle. It’s frustrating, too, because on the outside, it can look like the person is thriving with their hypermobility, especially since they often seem to have that enviable ability to bend, twist, and stretch in ways others can’t.
There’s an unexpected upside to this: hypermobility and flawless skin. Yes, the same collagen deficiency that leads to chronic joint pain also results in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Collagen is one of the key proteins responsible for the elasticity and structure of our skin. People with hypermobility often have naturally plumper skin that appears more youthful and less prone to wrinkles. This is why you might see someone with hypermobility and wonder how they look so youthful despite the chronic pain they endure.
Their skin may seem radiant, smooth, and free from the typical signs of aging, even as they struggle with the internal pain that comes from weakened joints and overstretched connective tissues. This paradox is where confusion often arises. While they may appear healthy and flawless to the outside world, they might be battling the exhausting consequences of a body that doesn’t produce enough collagen to maintain joint integrity.
The problem with having both hypermobility and flawless skin is that it leads to the perception that someone with this condition is thriving. People may assume because someone looks good, they’re not experiencing pain or discomfort. It can be hard for those around them to understand. This lack of understanding only exacerbates the isolation and frustration many people with hypermobility feel.
It’s a cruel irony: while their skin may appear flawless, their body silently works against them. They often have to navigate life carefully to avoid injury, to deal with the constant strain on their muscles, and to protect their joints. But because their pain isn’t always visible—it’s not as easily noticeable as a cast or a limp—their struggles can be invalidated or overlooked.
For those living with hypermobility, it’s essential to recognize both the visible and invisible aspects of their experiences. While their flexible joints may be enviable, the reality is that hypermobility is a complex condition that requires understanding and support. People with this condition don’t just need recognition of their beauty; they need recognition of the pain they endure to look and feel the way they do.
In a world that often values outward appearance over internal health, it’s time to understand that just because someone looks “good” doesn’t mean they feel good. To that end, hypermobility and flawless skin is both a blessing and a curse.
As always, in my world, the goals are to improve posture by aligning the bones to take stress off the muscles and joints, to change movement patterns for the better so we use the body’s design to the best of our ability, and finally to learn to exercise correctly to build supportive muscle.