Frowning, smoking, gravity and the passage of time - all of these factors can contribute to signs of aging. But is it possible that your workout regimen is also making you look older than your years? According to Shape, there may be some exercises that create less-than-appealing changes in the body.
A warning for runners
Have you heard of "runner's face?" Some people say that joggers may find that the activity has an impact on the elasticity of their skin. However, it's not the act of pounding the pavement that creates sagging skin, but the free-radical damage from an increased intake of oxygen that contributes to wrinkling, explained the news source. However, studies have shown that it takes very strenuous exercise to increase cell damage, so jogging a few times a week isn't going to cause too much of a change in skin tautness.
Bouncing workouts and breasts
"High-impact exercise, like running and jumping rope, can contribute to premature sagging by stretching out the ligaments in your breasts," Sabrena Merrill a personal trainer told the news outlet. Fortunately, sports bras can help reduce the impact that such activities may have on one's breasts. If that's not enough, some women may choose to undergo a breast lift, which, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), can result in a "more youthful breast contour."
That dangerous sun
Fitness fanatics who love working out in the great outdoors put themselves at risk of sun damage, which can cause an array of skin problems, including premature wrinkling. That's why it's always important to wear sunscreen, even if you're going out for a jog in the winter. If the sun is out, it can negatively affect your skin, so make sure to slather on a lotion that has an SPF of 30 or higher when heading out for some fresh air.
Of course, hindsight is always twenty-twenty, so even if you start protecting your skin now, failing to do so in your younger years could mean that you have to deal with wrinkles on your face. Fortunately Botox injections and chemical peels can help treat these premature signs of aging to help your exterior match the youthfulness you feel on the inside.
For more, visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website at http://www.surgery.org/