As any healthcare professional including Dermatologist in Lahore, would tell you, exercise is great for the whole body—including the skin. In fact, anything that improves circulation and flow of nutrients to the skin can enhance the glow and appearance of skin. According to dermatologist Dr. Ellen Marmur, exercise keeps the skin healthy and vibrant.
What are the top skin benefits of exercise?
As dermatologist Dr Amy McClung puts it, exercise is not only important for people with healthy skin, but also for people with skin concerns. This is because of the numerous benefits of exercise, as mentioned below:
Increased blood flow to the skin
The increased heart rate, cardiac output and vascular dilation during exercise improves the blood flow of the whole body. This, in turn, enhances the supply of nutrients and oxygenated blood to the skin. Often, people feel a ‘glow’ on their face after a workout, which is due to this improved blood flow. Blood nourishes the skin, and give the cells oxygen to support them.
Removal of toxins
As the blood vessels dilate due to improved blood flow secondary to exercise and cardio, the toxins in the cells also leave the cells more efficiently. According to Dr. Amy McClung, the bloodstream is the highway for the nutrients as well as the waste products of the cells. When the nutrients use this highway to get more adeptly to the cells during exercise, so do the toxins and waste products, which leave the cells quicker.
More restful sleep
Exercise researchers agree that physical activity is not just for burning calories but also for bolstering the fitness and benefitting every organ system of the body. Exercise manages stress and improves the quality of sleep, which keeps the internal clock of the body regular and healthy, and gives a radiant glow. No more signs of sleepless nights on the skin with exercise!
Reversal of aging
As little as thirty minutes of cardio every day can make the skin look younger and healthier. In a recent study, individuals aged 65 and above were asked to maintain a route of moderate aerobic exercise for a period of three months. Skin testing afterwards revealed that those who were exercising had skin closely resembling that of individuals between 20 and 40 years. This data supports the theory that exercise turns the clock back for the skin and gives a youthful appearance. At the same time, it’s important to wear sunscreen and protect the skin from sun damage if exercising outdoors.
Better outcome for chronic skin conditions
Chronic skin conditions, particularly those that are aggravated by stress, improve with regular exercise. Stress triggers acute inflammatory responses in people with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. This, in turn, can cause breakouts, allergic reactions and inflammation. These flare-ups and acute reactions can minimize if one exercises every day and keeps the stress in check. Additionally, exercise keeps the immune system healthy, which reflects better on the skin, and the whole body.
In some people, these conditions can worsen upon starting exercise, however, in the long run these conditions improve. To combat these short-term negative effects, one must take a shower immediately after exercising so the sweat doesn’t clog the pores. Its best if one dresses in loose-fitting clothing to avoid chaffing and rashes. In particular, such individuals must wear sweat-resistant sunscreen to minimize sun damage, and reapply it every two hours if need be. In case there is a flare-up, professional help from a skin specialist like Skin specialist in Karachi should be sought.
