Forget chemical peels and laser treatments.
Want to stay younger for longer? Science says exercise is the way to go!
But not pilates, running on the treadmill or ‘soul cycle’. It’s lifting weights!
For all the mums out there who want to keep those crow’s feet at bay and maintain a glowing, youthful complexion well into their sunset years, it’s time to get swole!
Harvard-trained, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr Daniel Sugai, explains that it all has to do with how the body reacts to physical activity.
We’re so used to hearing about endorphins and runner’s high, but exercise apparently also releases anti-aging hormones.
Not me doing squats while editing this video 
Exercise: The New Anti-Aging Regime?
Skincare may be the top dog of the longevity industry, but science reveals that the fountain of youth may not be found at a drugstore.
Instead, it lies at the gym.
This 2023 paper did a study on 61 healthy, sedentary, Japanese women in their late 40s to study the effects of exercise on skin health.
The women were separated into two groups: those who did endurance training and those who did resistance training.
At the end of the experiment, the women who did resistance training were found to have more anti-inflammatory markers in their blood and more growth factors in their skin than those who did endurance training.
The resistance training exercises included a simple weightlifting routine such as chest press, shoulder press, arm curls, rowing and leg curls, done twice a week for sixteen weeks.
Lifting Weights for Better Skin
If you think working out is only good for building muscle and staying fit, think again.
We often thing about how physical activity can prolong our life. But that same benefit also extends outward.
As the research suggests, resistance training does two things: reduce inflammation and boost growth factors.
When you reduce inflammation, you reduce cell damage.
This allows important proteins in the skin such as elastin and collagen (which are responsible for keeping skin youthful) to replenish naturally without breaking down too quickly.
When you increase growth factors, your complexion becomes thicker and plumper because there are more skin cells.
Thus, resulting in a fuller, tighter appearance.
This leads to fewer lines and wrinkles, overall.
Important Note
While exercise may be the new anti-aging miracle pill, that is not to say you should skimp out on skincare entirely.
Especially sunscreen, which is the first line of defence against the UV rays of the sun, and retinol, which helps keep skin youthful through rapid cellular turnover (just be sure to avoid it if you’re pregnant or TTC).
As a side note, remember to eat healthy, nourishing meals and cut out any processed foods high in inflammatory ingredients like refined sugar, which can accelerate skin aging.
So, what are you waiting for ladies?
It’s time to hit the gym—it may just rewind the clock and take years off your face.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!