Exercise and the Skin

Thanksgiving was great, right?  The turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie.  It tasted so delicious, I inhaled it all.  But by the end of the meal, we all were laying back in our chairs, too full to move.  Belts were loosed, and waistbands groaned at the force of our bloated bellies.  I decided not to wait for New Year's - my resolution was happening early.  It was time to start a running routine.

The benefits of exercise for your heart, muscles, and bones are indisputable.  As I puffed along Turnberry circle, I started thinking about how exercise benefits skin, as well.

Sweat it out
When we run, bike, box, step, zumba, or spin, we sweat.  Sweat functions to cool our body off, but it also flushes and rids the skin of toxins, such as free radicals.  The increase in blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, as well.  But if sweat sits around on the skin, bacteria can follow.  For people with acne prone skin, cleaning your face/chest/back right after your workout, and removing sweaty clothing can help prevent a breakout.

Say ohm
There's no doubt about it: exercise reduces stress levels.  And if you haven't heard by now, too much stress is not a good thing.  Higher levels of cortisol (increased in stress) can worsen many medical conditions, including skin: eczema, psoriasis, acne, hives, etc.  (See my post on stress and the skin for more information).  Increased cortisol levels may also be linked to increased sebum and oil production, making acne worse.  Keeping levels low through diet, exercise, and breathing may help improve your skin's appearance and overall health.

Dimples
No, not the ones on the face.  I'm talking cellulite.  While nothing has been proven to get rid of it completely, tightening muscles and toning can improve the appearance of legs and derrier. 

But a caveat--  Exercising outside means sun exposure.  Avoiding peak hours (10 am - 3 pm), wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen, and sun protective clothing are all vital to help prevent skin cancers and sun damage. 

So who's joining me for a jog?