The Ugly Side of Exercise and What You Can Do About It
Exercise, no matter what form, is beneficial for the body. From helping manage your weight to elevating your mindset, from keeping your heart healthy to help normalize your insulin levels, the benefits are across the board. Those benefits also encompass your skin. But, like most things, too much of a good thing can be bad. So it is with your exercise and your skin.
When Exercise Harms Your Skin
Below is a list of the most common cosmetic problems resulting from doing too much exercise:
“Runner’s Face”
This is particularly common among those who run long distances or run almost every day. Prolonged periods of running can lead to sagging facial skin or an emaciated appearance, as too much fat is lost. These problems can be remedied with dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm Voluma which contain hyaluronic acid.
Sun-Damaged Skin
This is more common in those who regularly exercise outdoors for long periods of time. While the skin does a good job of regenerating collagen and elastin for that plump and naturally youthful look, it may not be able to keep up with consistent sun exposure. The result can be sunspots, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Apart from wearing sunscreen, we suggest having regular chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing procedures, or dermal fillers to improve the appearance of dull or damaged skin.
Acne
Excessive sweating from exercise can cause an imbalance in the bacterial environment on your skin resulting in breakouts. Beyond the face, other common areas for breakouts due to exercise include the neck, shoulders, and back. Our skincare services such as facials, chemical peels, and microneedling can help you deal with acne and acne scars.
Skincare for Athletes
At K Plastic Surgery, we offer a variety of non-surgical procedures that can rejuvenate your skin and maintain your skin’s health. Exercise is important to stay healthy, but let us give your skin an extra health boost with services like chemical peels, customized facials, and dermaplaning. All of these treatments are non-invasive and require no downtime so there will be no interruption in your exercise routine. We can also recommend skincare products from ZO Skin Health to help you maintain healthy skin at home.
Schedule a Consultation
You do not have to give up exercise. Let us help you find treatments to help you deal with its adverse effects on your skin without sacrificing your fitness. Give our office a call today or fill out an online contact form to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kayastha, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Albany, NY.
Dr. Kayastha is a board certified plastic surgeon who serves Albany, NY and the entire Capital Region. Dr. Kayastha completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and graduated with distinction in all subjects. He then attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. During his time in Buffalo he also completed a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park. Following medical school Dr. Kayastha gained a much sought after position in the Michigan State-Grand Rapids integrated plastic surgery residency. After finishing residency training Dr. Kayastha completed a one year fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the Buncke Clinic in San Francisco. To round out his training before starting private practice Dr. Kayastha spent an additional 6 months learning from some of the best cosmetic surgeons in San Francisco. Dr. Kayastha is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.