Running is an excellent way to stay in shape and improve cardiovascular endurance. But running does come with various maladies, such as plantar fasciitis and shin splints; however, the most noticeable is the runner’s face, and it may also be the one you’re least familiar with. But what exactly is a runner’s face?
Runner’s face is a term coined to describe the effects that happen on a runner’s skin over a prolonged period. This can include; saggy-looking skin on the face, premature wrinkles, a worn appearance, and sunken eyes.
This article will discuss what runners face is and how to avoid it. So keep reading! We have everything you need to know about runners’ face and how you can reduce the effects through simple practices.
What Exactly Is Runner’s Face?
Running does terrific things for your body, keeps you healthy, and gives you a chance each day to sweat various toxins out of your body. However, while there are endless benefits to this method of exercise, there are a few downsides such as runners face.
Runners face is the term used to describe various changes in the skin that occur in lifelong runners. It typically includes leathery or saggy-looking skin on the face, sunken eyes, and premature wrinkles and can leave your face with a gaunt appearance.
What Causes Runners Face?
The term runner’s face was probably coined by various plastic surgeons during their early boom a few decades ago as they were trying to flood the market with injectable fillers, botox, radiesse, and Restylane. However, the causes are very natural ones, such as sun damage, low body fat, and free radicals.
Sun Damage
Sun damage is one of the major reasons why various runners will end up with runners’ face. Over the years, running without the proper UV protection will result in premature wrinkles, thick skin, sunspots, sagging skins, pre-cancerous spots, and even skin cancer.
A Low Level Of Body Fat
Having a high level of body fat can add a certain plumpness to the skin on our faces and even fill in some of the wrinkles. So, because runners typically have very low levels of body fat, the skin lacks the collagen and elastin to tighten our facial skin, leading to saggy skin.
Free Radical Exposure
Free radicals are known as various unstable atoms that can damage you on the cellular level and are produced when the body is under stress. Runners are generally more exposed to these free radicals as exercising in this manner places the body under stress.
The body will try to fight against these free radicals with various antioxidants, but if it doesn’t have enough, then there is an imbalance within the body known as oxidative stress. This can lead to small health problems such as illness and early aging, which include wrinkles and sagging facial skin.
How To Avoid Runner’s Face?
There are various ways in which you can protect yourself from and reduce the effects of runners’ face, and we will give you a list of the best options below:
Don’t Run In The High Sun
Running during the high hours of the day will certainly lead to a runner’s face, so try planning your runs for the early morning in the late afternoon, just as the sun is beginning to leave for the day. On top of this, you can use sunscreen, sunglasses, and UV clothing.
Apply Moisturizer Everyday
Prevention is always better than a cure, and this is the case with reducing your chances of runners’ face. Applying a good layer of moisturizer every day will give your skin enough minerals to help with elasticity.
Eat Your Antioxidants
You now know that oxidative stress is one of the major causes of runners’ face, and the only way to combat this is by increasing your antioxidant intake. So, eating a diet full of foods such as berries, greens, broccoli, pumpkin, dark chocolate and drinking hibiscus tea will ensure you receive enough to fight off the free radicals.
Stay Hydrated
One of the most important ways to ensure that you reduce your chance of runners’ face is to stay hydrated. Water is critical in maintaining the monsieur and elasticity levels of your skin which prevents sagging and wrinkles.
Take Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide is an over-the-counter Vitamin B3, which has been shown in scientific research to aid in repairing damage caused by the sun. So, this is an excellent supplement for those who run in the sun.
Final Thoughts
Just like every activity has its own unique injuries, runners are particularly susceptible to a condition known as “runner’s face.” So what is runner’s face? It’s a constellation of wrinkles and sagging skin that can develop around the eyes, cheeks and mouth from all that repetitive motion. The good news is that there are ways to prevent or even reverse runner’s face.
Avoid the sun, keep moisturised, eat antioxidants, stay hydrated and take nicotinamide to prevent getting runners face.