American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

Is your workout making you old?


I first thought about this question when I was in medical school. As an avid runner since I was 12, I have heard numerous myths about the bad side effects of running. My grandmother used to tell me that my uterus would become injured from all of the bouncing, and I wouldn't be able to have children. Another woman told me she heard running caused the development of jowls (also from the bouncing, I assume). Fortunately, the causes of aging aren't so simple.

As a plastic surgeon, frequently, my patients will ask about the factors related to facial aging. I usually explain that the two most important factors that you can control that contribute to the aged appearance of your skin and face are sun exposure and smoking. Sun exposure can cause decreased elasticity of skin, thinning of the dermis, and collagen degeneration. These factors, combined with the effects of gravity, help to make us look older. Wind and cold can also dry the skin and can contribute to an aged appearance.

Not surprisingly, plastic surgeons have studied the environmental causes of facial aging for years. Twin studies -- by studying twins, we can rule out the role that genetics plays in aging -- have shown that twins who smoke or participate in more outdoor activities appear older. These same studies have also shown that twins with a higher comparative BMI appear older when they are young, but younger when they are old. In other words, when you get older, a little more body fat makes you look younger.

In all likelihood, if you exercise regularly, you aren't smoking; but many athletes participate in outdoor athletic activities. And many athletes who exercise outside often forego the use of sunscreen (myself included). So running outside in the wind and sun, will affect our skin - causing blemishes and sun damage. In reality, all of us should use sunscreen every day - even in the winter and even on cloudy days.

Another issue is that not only do our body parts sag as we age from the effects of gravity, but we also lose volume - in other words we have less fat in our cheeks, and around our eyes. This loss of volume is the rational for fat grafting and other fillers to help restore the facial volume lost from aging. The assumption would be that athletes have a lower BMI and as they continue to exercise they may appear older than their stated age because of their lower body fat.

So how do we prevent these changes from occurring? I would definitely say to continue with your workout routine. Working out has so many health benefits for your emotional and physical well-being - I particularly live for the "runner's high." But make sure that you also protect your face the next time you head out the door - use a good sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 that will protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Also, take care of yourself, eat a healthy diet, and do everything in moderation!


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Logo

Surgeons In Your Area

Munique Maia Headshot

Munique Maia, MD

U.S. Board Certified
8100 Boone Boulevard, Suite 730
Tysons Corner, VA 22182
United States

7035744500

Amir Ghaznavi Headshot

Amir Ghaznavi, MD

U.S. Board Certified
STE 130, 13454 Sunrise Valley Dr
Herndon, VA 20171
United States

1703239-3190

Shlomo Widder Headshot

Shlomo Widder, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 630, 8230 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182-2641
United States

1703506-0300

Larry Lickstein Headshot

Larry Lickstein, MD

U.S. Board Certified
21021 Sycolin Road, Suite 001
Ashburn, VA 20147
United States

1571440-5005

Alex Mesbahi Headshot

Alex Mesbahi, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 400, 7601 Lewinsville Road
McLean, VA 22102
United States

1703287-8277

Reza Miraliakbari Headshot

Reza Miraliakbari, MD, MBA, FACS

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 310, 8501 Arlington Boulevard
Fairfax, VA 22031
United States

1703645-0077

Jamal Yousefi Headshot

Jamal Yousefi, MD

U.S. Board Certified
502 Maple Avenue W.
Vienna, VA 22180
United States

1703255-4922

Phillip Chang Headshot

Phillip Chang, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 350, 19500 Sandridge Way
Lansdowne, VA 20176
United States

1703729-5553

Logo

Patient Care Center