Exercise has a number of benefits, but one that you might not often consider is its ability to improve your skin. Regular exercise stimulates collagen production and increases the amount of human growth hormone released by your body. Both of these factors can make your skin healthier and thicker. However, some people have skin conditions that are aggravated by exercise.
Collagen
Exercise stimulates the formation of collagen, a protein that comprises most of the connective tissue in tendons, ligaments and bones. Collagen is responsible for supporting the skin, and its production slows the aging process by countering the formation of wrinkles. Producing more collagen makes your skin thicker since its size depends in part on the amount of collagen fibers present. A short stint of exercise won't thicken your skin; lengthy training or prolonged exercise is necessary to stimulate collagen production.
Human Growth Hormone
Exercise increases blood flow to the skin, providing it with more oxygen and nutrients, which increases the secretion of human growth hormone. This hormone regulates cell activity and prevents wrinkles. Some people inject human growth hormone directly as an anti-aging technique to thicken skin and reduce wrinkles.
Dehydration
Dehydration can reduce the thickness of your skin and counter the positive effects of exercise. The skin contains a reservoir of water, and the more water you drink, the thicker your skin will become. Athletes who don't drink enough water place themselves at risk of dehydration, which could reduce their skin thickness rather than increase it.
Warning
Although exercise is beneficial to most people's skin, it can also exacerbate certain skin conditions. If you suffer from rosacea or have reddish skin, the increase of blood flow caused by exercise can worsen the condition. Exercise can also aggravate acne or cause skin irritation in rare circumstances, such as rashes or the condition exercise-induced urticaria, which causes you to break out in hives after you exercise.
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