:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dotdash-VWFit-the-proper-use-of-belts-during-weight-training-3119447-v12-cfb40f7402594e03b2de6fb91edb79a7.jpg "Can lifting weights protect your skin?")
The fact is confirmed by Nick Blackmer
Main conclusions
Endurance and aerobic exercise can keep skin healthy, according to new research.
Resistance exercise, such as weight lifting, can provide additional anti-aging benefits, such as increased skin elasticity and thickness.
Exercise is good for your heart and mind, but it can also prevent skin aging, according to a small study published in Scientific Reports .
The second layer of our skin, the dermis, thins as we age. We also lose proteins such as collagen and elastin, which cause wrinkles and sagging skin. This natural process, along with environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors, influence how we look as we age.
Many skin care products and supplements promise to delay skin aging. However, new research shows that aerobic and resistance exercise can also improve skin elasticity and the structure of the upper dermis.
According to the researchers, resistance training, such as weight lifting, increases skin thickness more than other types of exercise. Resistance exercise can increase the activity of certain genes that make proteins to strengthen connective tissue.
But some health experts aren't so convinced that exercise alone will give everyone a natural makeover.
Only 56 women between the ages of 41 and 59 living in Kusatsu, Japan participated in the study.
According to Janien Luke, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Loma Linda University School of Dermatology, differences in sun exposure, pollution, diet, and other health behaviors can affect how these findings apply to other population groups. . Drugs not included in the study:
"It is often difficult to generalize these findings to a larger population," Luc Verrivel said by email. "Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of exercise on skin aging."
Speaking of topic. Strength training can help lower your blood pressure, especially if you're over 50.
The link between exercise and skin health
Previous research has shown that resistance exercise, such as running and cycling, also has anti-aging effects on the skin.
The researchers hypothesized that levels of the hormone interleukin-15 (IL-15) increase after exercise. According to Luke, IL-15 can act as a "messenger" that stimulates mitochondrial synthesis, also known as a cellular battery. Mitochondria can use glucose (blood sugar) and oxygen to generate energy for cells to do their job properly, and they play an important role in skin function.
Research has shown that mitochondrial damage in skin cells accumulates with age, sun exposure, and environmental pollution. But IL-15, which can be stimulated by exercise, can increase mitochondrial activity and thus protect skin tissue.
However, the mechanisms and effects of IL-15 on skin and muscle tissue remain unclear and more research is needed, Luke said.
On the topic, running is good for you. But research says you should also lift weights.
Are some exercises better for the skin than others?
While several studies have shown that aerobic exercise can protect skin from aging, some doctors argue otherwise. One plastic surgeon said long-distance runners often have an "old bumpy face" and recommends low-impact or no-impact training.
But getting some exercise that you enjoy is probably better for your skin than no exercise at all.
Exercise can improve skin elasticity and texture by reducing inflammation.
"Aerobic exercise is better for turning off inflammatory signals, while resistance exercise is better for turning on anti-aging signals," Ploch told Verivellu in an email.
Future research could provide more data on which type of exercise is best for improving skin condition, but the science isn't quite there yet. For now, Ploh said both aerobic and strength training have their benefits for the skin, and it's important to have a balanced exercise routine.
Read Next: 7 Best Quad Exercises To Strengthen Your Hamstrings
what does this mean to you?
Weight training can strengthen muscles and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Research shows that it may also benefit skin health by improving the elasticity and structure of the upper dermis.