Does Exercise Increase Your Skin's Thickness?

Regular exercise contributes to the development of thick and healthy skin. It stimulates the production of collagen and increases the quantity of human growth hormone released by the body. Collagen keeps your skin firm and ensures constant renewal of your skin cells. The production of collagen slows with age resulting in thinner, wrinkled skin. Exercise leaves your skin thicker and feeling refreshed.

  1. Blood Flow

    • Changes in blood flow throughout your skin can affect its thickness. Blood supplies oxygen and nutrients such as glucose or fatty acids to the dermis of your skin. The dermis is the middle layer of your skin, below the epidermis but above the subcutaneous layer. The dermis contains collagen, capillaries and blood vessels that provide the skin tissues with necessary nutrients. During exercise, your heart rate increases rapidly in proportion to your exercise intensity. This increases the rate of skin blood flow. When blood circulates faster, your skin's nutritional value is enriched, making it thicker in the process.

    Hormones

    • Hormones are chemicals produced in organs such as ovaries, adrenal glands and thyroid glands. Exercise affects the rate and quantity at which your body produces some hormones. Epinephrine -- also known as adrenaline -- estrogen and insulin are good examples. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism in your body. According to the Dermal Institute, estrogen affects skin thickness, wrinkle formation and skin moisture. Estrogen increases collagen production in the skin, where it maintains epidermal thickness and allows the skin to remain plump. Epidermal thickness is the length of your skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. Moderate exercise helps your body to stimulate the adrenal gland to release more estrogen.

    Stress

    • Depending on your age as well as exercise and fitness levels, stress can affect your skin's thickness and general health. Stress increases the production of cortisol, which in turn increases oil production. This leads to oily skin, acne and other related skin problems. Having a healthy and problem-free skin contributes to the development of a thicker skin. Regular workouts can help you feel energized but relaxed, counter depression, provide stimulation and dissipate stress. Living without stress helps you to develop a thicker skin.

    Warnings

    • Excessive exercise can inhibit the development of a thicker and healthier skin by lowering the production of estrogen. Reduced estrogen may result in decreased collagen production. Avoid vigorous exercises such as cycling for 10 miles or more, hiking uphill, heavy gardening and race-walking. Exercises recommended for thickening your skin include walking briskly, playing musical instruments, domestic cleaning, playing badminton and moderate cycling. Extremely thickened skin may cause scleroderma diabeticorum or digital sclerosis, diseases that make your skin look rough and pebbled.