Truth or Fiction? Exercise May Slow the Aging of Skin

Who doesn’t want youthful skin? Along with well-proven advice, such as sun protection, a good cleansing and moisturizing regime, high-quality skincare treatments, and—the habit that underlines them all—drinking plenty of water, it seems there may be another to add to the list: regular aerobic exercise.

Strange as this might sound, it appears there’s growing evidence of a solid connection between exercise and skin condition.

Read on to find out why donning your trainers and sweats might be just what you need for younger-looking skin.

Exercise and Skin Condition: The science behind the rumors 

• Exercise and skin condition research

Exercise and skin condition research

To fully appreciate the exercise-skin condition relationship, it’s first necessary to determine why the skin changes over time. The very top layer of skin—the stratum corneum, the part of the epidermis that we see and touch—is composed mainly of dead skin cells and some collagen. Once we pass the age of 40, this outer layer starts to thicken and become flaky and drier. In conjunction, the layer below (the dermis) becomes thinner, less elastic, and can sag and become more translucent. This happens naturally and doesn’t take into account any accelerated signs of aging through sun damage or other means.

However, in a recent study carried out at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, it was shown that those who carry out three episodes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week can alter this natural aging process in a quite considerable manner.

In the first tranche of the study, it was shown that after the age of 45, those who undertake regular exercise have skin that’s more akin to those in their 20s and 30s. The outer layer is thinner and the dermis beneath remains thicker, with more structure. 

Great as that might sound, the good news doesn’t end there. The second element of the study looked at a group of sedentary volunteers aged 65 years and above. Their skin was analyzed to be average for their age. They then undertook a new exercise program, working out by jogging or cycling twice a week for 30 minutes at a moderate intensity. This was done for three months. 

After this, skin samples were taken that showed the skin structure had altered dramatically, reversing to that which is typically seen in those aged 20-40. The link between exercise and the reversal of skin aging is, it seems, inexorably linked.

Young or Old: The youthification benefits for all

• It’s never too old to benefit from the link between exercise and skin condition

It’s never too old to benefit from the link between exercise and skin condition

As already mentioned, it appears that age has nothing to do with how beneficial exercise is to help roll back the years. Excitingly, it seems that a couple of moderate exercise sessions per week is all that’s needed to have a dramatic effect on the skin.

While science is yet to fully understand why this occurs, it appears that this is down to a substance called myokines, a product of exercise created from the body’s muscles. These enter the bloodstream and cause positive changes in many of the body’s cells. One myokine, called IL-15, was found to be greatly elevated in the skin cells of the volunteers studied. While this can’t go any way to repairing premature skin aging from the sun or to reduce wrinkles, when it comes to the natural aging process it appears that it really is possible to run your way to a more youthful appearance.

Add in all the other great health benefits and it adds even more weight to the theory behind exercise and longevity, youth, and living your best life.

Combine Exercise & Skin Condition Benefits with the Ultimate Treatment from Bayou City Dermatology

Of course, exercise should only make up one element of great skincare. Clients of Bayou City Dermatology enhance every aspect of their skin, thanks to the expertise of their practitioners. From sun-damage treatment to dermal fillers, acne solutions to laser hair removal and more, you can rest assured of the very best skincare advice and options.

Visit https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com to find out more and get in touch to discuss your requirements today.