How to Avoid Blushing at Inappropriate Times

Co-authored by Diane Martinez

Last Updated: September 28, 2022 References Approved

Blushing is often the result of being embarrassed or stressed, which causes your sympathetic nervous system to widen your face's the blood vessels. Your blood flow increases to your face, resulting in the redness related to blushing.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Being red in the face only adds to our embarrassment. Fortunately, there are many of things you can do to stop blushing.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preventing Blushing

1
Be prepared. Blushing can happen at the most inconvenient times, such as when you're making a big presentation or having an important conversation. If you feel confident and ready, the chances that you will stumble over your words--which could lead to a blush--will greatly decrease. Make sure that you are ready for the big event and that you are prepared to face any possible scenario.
- For example, if you are preparing for a big presentation there are several ways to make sure you nail it. Organization is key. Make sure that you have all the materials that you will need (notes, visual aids, etc.) Also, don't forget--practice makes perfect. Rehearse your presentation several times so that you feel extremely comfortable with the material. Practice in front of an audience, and don't forget to have good posture!^{[2]
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2
Be more confident. Important moments do not just happen at work--our social lives are filled with potential for having one of those awkward moments where blushing could happen! If you are able to feel more confident in social settings, you will be able to greatly reduce those awkward moments. Make sure you feel good about your appearance before leaving the house, and give yourself a pep talk. If you convince yourself that you are looking and feeling great, others will notice. Appearing confident can go a long way towards preventing embarrassing situations.
- Going on a date is a great example of a social situation with high potential for blushing. To turn the odds in your favor, try to relax before the date. Call a friend for support. Crank some feel good music. Prepare some interesting topics of things to talk about in case the conversation lags. Now you're ready! Head out with confidence, knowing you can handle it.
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3
Relax. Managing your stress level can go a long way towards reducing your tendency to blush. The more anxious we feel, the more red our faces become. So it's best to try to relax, particularly if you are in a situation where it is important that you avoid blushing. For example, if you are meeting with your boss to ask for a raise, you want to appear as confident as possible. And often that means avoiding the blush.^{[3]
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- There are several ways that you can help your mind and body relax. Try deep breaths, meditation, or simply thinking positive thoughts. All of these can help you feel more calm and confident. For relaxation techniques to be effective, it is important to practice them.
4
Cool down. Your body temperature is related to blushing. If you are a bit too warm, it is more likely that your face will appear flushed. Before entering potentially stressful situations, take a minute to cool off. Take a few sips of cold water, or even take a moment to stand in front of a fan.^{[4]
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5
Retrain your mind. Blushing is often the result of feeling nervous. Many times, those nerves are brought on by the very thought of blushing. Try a bit of simple self-hypnosis to change the way you think about blushing. When you are relaxed, picture your self blushing. Accept this image. Practice this technique until you find that it is easy to accept the occasional blush. You may find that they happen much less frequently!
- If you practice yoga or any type of regular meditation, this would be a great time to try self-hypnosis.
6
Avoid triggers. The next time you blush, pay attention to your situation and surroundings. Are you feeling stressed? Are you simply too warm? Understand your personal triggers, and learn how to avoid them. Fore some people, stress is the most obvious trigger. But for others, triggers can be things such as sunlight or eating particularly spicy foods.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
7
Embrace the blush. Instead of trying to avoid blushing, you could try to view it as a positive. Many people find it charming to see someone blush! Others say that they are more likely to trust a blusher. People are less likely to confront someone who is blushing. Blushing could actually save you from having an unpleasant argument!^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Blushing

1
Put on make-up. This is a great excuse to head to your local beauty supply emporium. Using cosmetics is one of the simplest ways to cover up blushing. Try using a primer to make sure that the rest of your make-up goes on smoothly. Then, choose a foundation that is right for you. Avoid one that is too heavy, or you will risk looking overly made-up. Instead, choose one that is lightweight but offers a high amount of pigmentation. This will give you the coverage that you are looking for.
- This would be a great time to enlist some help. Go to your local department store and wander around the cosmetics counters. Enlist the aid of a salesperson to help you try out some different options until you find the one the foundation or concealer that is right for you.
2
Ask your doctor about medicinal options. If your blushing is related to social anxiety, it is possible that your doctor will be able to help you. Certain medications can reduce mild anxiety, and therefore, reduce your blushes. Often, these are beta blockers or a type of SSRIs. Consult your doctor to see if this option might be right for you.^{[7]
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3
Consider therapy. Seeing a therapist can be a great way to conquer anxiety issues. If you know that blushing is caused by stress, you should consider therapy as a way to learn to work through your condition. Your therapist can help you identify your triggers and then help you learn to utilize methods to either avoid them or deal with them more confidently.^{[8]
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- Medication only covers the symptoms, but does not resolve the root issue. Going to therapy will help to address the root issue.
4
Be kind to yourself. Treating your blushes might be a lengthy process. It is important to remember to try to take some of the pressure off of yourself. Remember, blushing is common. You are not alone in dealing with this condition. The less you stress about blushing, the less it will occur.^{[9]
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5
Learn about surgical options. Surgery is a last resort, and used only for very extreme cases. But it has successfully helped individuals greatly reduce their tendency to blush. Typically, the surgery is called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. It involves cutting the nerves that cause the blood vessels in the face to widen, which is what causes blushing. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, so make sure to talk to your doctor about all of the possible outcomes.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Knowing the Causes

1
Learn to deal with unwanted attention. Understanding why you blush can help you understand how to most effectively deal with it. For many people, the most common reason that they blush is when they are put on the spot. Unexpectedly being the center of attention can cause even the most confident person to go red in the face.^{[11]
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2
Try not to feel nervous about blushing. The more we worry about blushing, the redder our face grows. This is one of the most common causes of a flushed face.Try to focus on something--anything--other than your fear of blushing. The less you think about it, the less it will happen.^{[12]
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3
Address anxiety. Anxious feelings are a major reason that blushing is a problem to many people. Anxiety can cause a lot of negative physical and mental reactions, and blushing is one of the most common. It is possible that blushing is a symptom of a larger issue like a type of general anxiety disorder, social phobia, or an irrational fear of blushing.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} It is important to seek psychological treatment for any of these root issues.
4
Understand how to deal with a medical condition. Blushing can also be caused by medical issues that are not related to anxiety. One of the most common examples is a condition known as rosacea. Rosacea is a skin disorder that causes redness and inflammation. Doctors can provide specific treatments for rosacea. Another common physical cause of blushing is menopause.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
5
Know it is normal. When you're working to understand why you blush, it is useful to remember that you are not alone. Most people blush! Furthermore, most everyone has been embarrassed at some point in their lives. They're not likely to judge you for something it is pretty much a universal human experience.