Health / Tue, 11 Jun 2024 India Today

Can lifting weights clear out your skin?

But what if we tell you that lifting weights can help you clear up your skin and get rid of those persistent breakouts you’re dealing with? We know, at first glance, the idea of lifting weights and having clear skin might seem unrelated. She tells us that lifting weights can positively affect your skin, but it's not a ‘direct cause-and-effect relationship’. Lower stress levels from regular exercise and lifting weights can reduce the occurrence of stress-related skin issues, including wrinkles. Lower stress levels from regular exercise and lifting weights can reduce the occurrence of stress-related skin issues.

Working out, and especially lifting weights, comes with tons of benefits. It is not only good for your heart, but also for your brain and mental health.

But for some, (guilty) these health benefits are sometimes not motivating enough to push them to work out. But what if we tell you that lifting weights can help you clear up your skin and get rid of those persistent breakouts you’re dealing with?

Motivating enough?

Connection between lifting weights and clear skin

We've all seen those transformation videos where fitness enthusiasts achieve a glow-up after a year of consistently working out and eating clean.

However, apart from their physical features, there's another noticeable change: their face. In simple terms, in these videos, the person undergoing the transformation generally achieves much clearer skin. Reason? They say it's their working out and lifting weights.

We know, at first glance, the idea of lifting weights and having clear skin might seem unrelated.

However, lifting that 20kg barbell is not only building your muscles; it might also give you that glow, according to some fitness experts on social media.

Have a look at some of the videos:

But what do experts have to say?

Dr Rinky Kapoor, a cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics, Mumbai, tells us that indulging in regular exercise or weight lifting can not only improve our health but also make our skin look healthy and clear.

She further adds that physical mobility can improve blood circulation, which can result in smooth and flawless skin.

“Exercise can be stress-busting and releases feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin, which can be highly rewarding for your skin and overall health,” says Dr Rinky. Working out can lead to a denser and more elastic dermal layer. Photo: Unsplash

Dr Shaurya Thakran, a skin and laser expert and founder of Rakshaa Aesthetics, New Delhi also agrees. He adds that resistance training, like weightlifting, can improve skin health by increasing blood flow and promoting collagen production.

“This can lead to a denser and more elastic dermal layer, which can reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin health,” Dr Thakran says.

‘There is no direct relationship’

Dr Mikki Singh, a dermatologist and founder medical director of Bodycraft, however, has a different opinion on this. She tells us that lifting weights can positively affect your skin, but it's not a ‘direct cause-and-effect relationship’.

She explains that it's not just lifting weights, but rather the combination of regular exercise and weight lifting that can improve overall blood circulation, which in turn can promote healthier skin by delivering more oxygen and nutrients.

“This enhanced circulation helps remove toxins and cellular debris from the skin, potentially leading to a clearer complexion. Moreover, physical activity can reduce stress, which is a known trigger for acne and other skin conditions,” she adds.

Dr Mikki is also right. Regular exercise and weight lifting can improve the overall blood circulation. Photo: Unsplash

A 2014 study shows that physical activity has long been considered beneficial to health and regular exercise is purported to relieve stress.

The study aimed to assess multidimensional responses i.e., physiological (heart rate, blood pressure, salivary cortisol) and psychological (anxiety, positive mood) to compare the stress levels of a healthy person to that who reported regular physical exercise.

And they found that the stress levels were significantly higher in the former.

Another recent 2017 scientific study showed that stress can worsen your acne.

Does it also help with wrinkles?

Wrinkles are one of the first signs of ageing and experts believe that working out can be a good way to fight wrinkles (which means you can look younger if you work out).

Dr Singh tells IndiaToday that exercise can stimulate collagen production, which is vital for maintaining skin elasticity and reducing the formation of wrinkles. He also says that:

Working out means better blood circulation, which causes your skin to receive more oxygen and nutrients, which can help keep it looking youthful.

Building muscle through weight lifting can provide a firmer base for your skin, making it appear tighter and less saggy.

Lower stress levels from regular exercise and lifting weights can reduce the occurrence of stress-related skin issues, including wrinkles.

What about gym acne?

Not everyone who starts working out gets glass-like skin. Some people actually experience something called "gym acne"—acne that appears once they start working out. However, experts explain that gym acne has nothing to do with working out or lifting weights. It is generally caused by negligence during workouts. Lower stress levels from regular exercise and lifting weights can reduce the occurrence of stress-related skin issues. Photo: Unsplash

For instance, Dr Kapoor suggests removing sweat from the face, so that it does not lead to any breakouts.

“If sweat stays on your face for too long, it can get mixed up with bacteria and oils, further leading to clogged pores, skin irritation, inflammation, and severe acne. It is vital to keep wiping your sweat from time to time while working out to avoid skin-related problems,” he adds.

Another reason why people get gym acne, according to experts, can be because of touching the face while working out, that causes the transfer of bacteria and oils from dirty equipment to your face.

Here are some tips to keep gym acne at bay:

Shower immediately after working out: Cleanse your skin to remove sweat and bacteria.

Cleanse your skin to remove sweat and bacteria. Wear clean workout clothes: Use fresh, breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from the skin.

Use fresh, breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from the skin. Avoid touching your face: Keep your hands off your face to prevent transferring bacteria and oils.

Keep your hands off your face to prevent transferring bacteria and oils. Use a clean towel: Wipe sweat with a clean, soft towel instead of your hands.

Wipe sweat with a clean, soft towel instead of your hands. Remove makeup: Take off makeup before working out to let your skin breathe.

Take off makeup before working out to let your skin breathe. Clean equipment: Wipe down gym equipment before and after use to reduce bacteria.

Wipe down gym equipment before and after use to reduce bacteria. Use non-comedogenic products: Choose skincare products that don't clog pores.

Choose skincare products that don't clog pores. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins and keep your skin healthy.

Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins and keep your skin healthy. Exfoliate regularly: Gently exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.

BRB, time for my workoutâæ

Published By: Dristi Sharma Published On: Jun 11, 2024