Social media is infamous for propagating misconceptions about fitness and beauty, but ‘Runner’s Face’ isn’t one of them – it’s real.
Running is a conventional exercise with several health benefits, as long as you follow the right practice and skincare routine. However, ‘Runner’s Face’ isn’t entirely avoidable.
Dermatologist debunks myth about Runner’s Face
Runner’s Face is a condition caused among people who run regularly and it’s believed to make a person look older than their actual age.
Dr. Dray on TikTok debunked the myth claiming that all long-distance running naturally contributes to aging as no evidence supports the widespread belief.
However, runners can look older than their staged age due to longer exposure to the sun, which can affect their skin if not taken care of.
The sun’s UV rays can make your skin age faster, thus making you look older. Also, consider environmental factors such as dust and pollution that prematurely age your skin.
The dermatologist further explains that runners tend to be lean as they burn calories on the long runs, making their faces look hollow due to fat loss.
However, she debunks myths that claim “running creates a lot of inflammation in the body and oxidative stress” that make one age a lot faster as they aren’t backed by scientific evidence.
Protect your skin while running
Dr. Dray says ‘Runner’s Face’ isn’t avoidable for the above practical reasons. However, you must protect your skin to minimize the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
This means, using dermatologist-approved sunscreen while running in the sun, using sun-protected clothing to reduce exposure to sun rays, avoiding running at midday when the sun is at its peak, and finding shade whenever possible.
Maintaining a healthy diet and quality sleep is also important for the longevity of your running career as skin health is directly impacted by what you eat and how well you’re rested.
Dr. Andrea Suarez is a Denver-based dermatologist with over 12 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2011 and has gained popularity over the years for her content related to all things skincare on social media. She boasts over 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.
