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- Mechanisms of Ageing and Development: Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Growth Hormone and Testosterone Levels in Young and Elderly Subjects
- Mechanisms of Ageing and Development: Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Growth Hormone and Testosterone Levels in Young and Elderly Subjects
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Does Exercise Increase Your Skin's Thickness?
Exercise has a number of benefits, and improving your skin is one of them. 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.
Connect with 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 due to the influence of increased collagen fibers present. Unfortunately, a short stint of exercise won't thicken your skin. It takes dedication to long-term training or prolonged exercise to stimulate collagen production.
- 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.
Stay Young with Human Growth Hormone
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Human growth hormone, secreted from the pituitary gland, diminishes with age. By the seventh decade of life, HGH production is only 25 percent of its production in your teen years. However, even though the years are advancing, exercise -- strength-training specifically -- increases production of human growth hormone, according to "Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Growth Hormone and Testosterone Levels in Young and Elderly Subjects" by Craig et al 1. Besides other youth-promoting benefits of HGH, skin becomes thicker with increases in this growth hormone.
- Human growth hormone, secreted from the pituitary gland, diminishes with age.
- However, even though the years are advancing, exercise -- strength-training specifically -- increases production of human growth hormone, according to "Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Growth Hormone and Testosterone Levels in Young and Elderly Subjects" by Craig et al 1.
How Much Is Enough?
You should also do aerobic exercises each week, at the intensity level of your choice. If you prefer moderate-intensity exercise -- such as walking, you should exercise 150 minutes per week. However, if you rev up your routine to vigorous-intensity aerobics, you can cut the time in half, to 75 minutes.
Be Sensible with Sensitive Skin
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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 instances, rashes or exercise-induced urticaria -- hives -- can occur after exercise.
- 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.
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References
- Mechanisms of Ageing and Development: Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Growth Hormone and Testosterone Levels in Young and Elderly Subjects
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need?
- Asserin, J., Lati, E., Shioya, T., & Prawitt, J. (2015). The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from anex vivomodel and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 14(4), 291–301. doi:10.1111/jocd.12174
- Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1):9-16.
- Cúneo F, Costa-Paiva L, Pinto-Neto AM, Morais SS, Amaya-Farfan J. Effect of dietary supplementation with collagen hydrolysates on bone metabolism of postmenopausal women with low mineral density. Maturitas. 2010 Mar;65(3):253-7.
- Czajka, A., Kania, E. M., Genovese, L., Corbo, A., Merone, G., Luci, C., & Sibilla, S. (2018). Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing. Nutrition Research, 57, 97–108. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.001
- García-Coronado, J. M., Martínez-Olvera, L., Elizondo-Omaña, R. E., Acosta-Olivo, C. A., Vilchez-Cavazos, F., Simental-Mendía, L. E., & Simental-Mendía, M. (2018). Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. International Orthopaedics, 43(3), 531–538. doi:10.1007/s00264-018-4211-5
- Hays NP, Kim H, Wells AM, Kajkenova O, Evans WJ. "Effects of whey and fortified collagen hydrolysate protein supplements on nitrogen balance and body composition in older women." J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Jun;109(6):1082-7.
- Kirmse, M., Oertzen-Hagemann, V., de Marées, M., Bloch, W., & Platen, P. (2019). Prolonged Collagen Peptide Supplementation and Resistance Exercise Training Affects Body Composition in Recreationally Active Men. Nutrients, 11(5), 1154. doi:10.3390/nu11051154
- Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-9.
- Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47-55.
- Tomosugi N, Yamamoto S, Takeuchi M, et al. Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2017;24(5):530–538. doi:10.5551/jat.36293
Writer Bio
Jen Morel has worked in the newspaper industry since 2007. An experienced backpacker, she is a contributor to "AMC Outdoors" and other hiking/environmental magazines. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in cognitive science and philosophy.