The Body Language Of Blanching
Cue: Blanching
Synonym(s): Pale Face, Pale Skin, Pale Complexion, Turning White, Blood Rushing Out Of The Face.
Description: The surface of the skin appears to lose its colour and appears gray.
In One Sentence: When the surface of the skin turns white, it indicates that one is experiencing negative emotions.
How To Use it: As turning white is an autonomic process, it can not be feigned. However, one might use various concealers to add colour to the skin to hide the negative effects if one is experiencing emotional turmoil in one’s life. Chemotherapy treatment often turns skin whitish, so make-up can help hide the illness. Using bronzers and getting sunlight on the face can produce a more healthy looking appearance. However, others find the youthfulness of pale, clear faces to be particularly appealing as it indicates purity.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: “I’m scared and all the blood is rushing out of my face and into my core body and legs. I am ready to run.” “I’m sick and my body is not circulating blood well throughout my body.” “There’s nothing wrong with me, my skin is naturally fair-skinned.”
Variant: See Blushing for opposite cue.
Cue In Action: a) When the bad news was delivered, her complexion faded and she appeared faint. b) Due to fighting cancer, she lost most of her colour and appeared white as a ghost. c) Just a natural complexion or lack of sun exposure.
Meaning and/or Motivation: a) It is due to the presence of extremely fearful situations or high anxiety, which create a flight or fight response. The fear draws blood from the periphery and diverts it to the major muscles including the legs and core. It is the body’s way to prepare to escape or mount an aggressive challenge. b) Other times blanching is due to illness, as the body loses its ability to keep proper blood flow. c) Caused by genetics and thus simply a natural complexion in the absence of UV light exposure. This may reflect having few outdoor activities or lacking the superficial drive to use artificial tanning machines like tanning beds. Other reasons include: a health conscious attitude leading a person to protect their skin against harmful rays, a cold climate keeping a person indoors or when sun exposure is limited due to their geographic location.
Cue Cluster: When blanching is due to fear, watch for other stress cues such as an expressionless face, confusion, or bewilderment.
Body Language Category: Stressful body language, Fearful body language, Arousal, Autonomic signal, Emotional body language, Negative body language.
Resources:
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