Aging skin & exercise.

Along with a healthy diet, lots of water, supplementation, stress management, and sun protection, staying active is an important and integral part of staying healthy. When related to the aging of our skin and preventing the early signs of aging, there are some things about exercise that you may want to consider.

Can Exercise Fight the Signs of Aging?


It can certainly help - if not directly, then at least by promoting other parts of a healthy lifestyle that directly fight the signs of premature aging. Exercise improves circulation and invigorates skin, helps supply oxygen to skin cells, and is great way to combat stress. All of these are factors when trying to maintain a youthful appearance.


There is a consensus, however, among skin-care providers that too much exercise can actually promote the signs of premature aging, so be careful not to overdue it. Factors involved with exercising that may cause premature aging involve weight loss and a decreased resistance or exposure to free radicals. A large amount of weight gain or weight loss as a result of a rapid change in lifestyle and exercise patterns can cause the skin to loose its elasticity, resulting in wrinkling - so moderation and slow, progressive changes in exercise programs are recommended.


Things to Consider In Your Exercise Program


Some factors to consider that may not have occurred to you about your exercise program is how they affect your skin. If you exercise outdoors, for example, it is important to consider that you are exposing your skin to not only the effects of pollution but to sun damage as well. Even on cloudy days, an estimated eighty-percent of the suns UVB and UVA rays make it through to penetrating our skin. To help fight the negative effects of this exposure, experts recommend applying an SPF 15 or greater that protects against both types of rays at least 30 minutes prior to working out and wearing a hat that limits the amount of direct sunlight.


It is also recommended that individuals who engage in large amount of outdoor cardiovascular activity supplement their diets with Lipoic acid, Ascorbic acid, and Glutamine fifteen minutes prior to exercise to help ward off the vulnerability to oxidative damage .


If you are a swimmer or spend large amount of time in the water as part of your exercise program, you know that the chemicals in water can wreak havoc on the balance of skin. It is important to wash the skin immediately after working out to prevent the damage these chemicals can do and follow up with a chemical-free, fragrance-free moisturizer.


The best bet for avoiding irritation or damage to your skin during exercising is to try to make sure it`s clean by washing it before you begin working out as the rise in temperature will help any harmful agents sink deeper into our pores. If you must wear make-up during a workout, make sure it`s an all-natural, mineral and water based foundation. And, of course, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout to prevent dehydration and those pesky little wrinkles!

Giggles,
eleena