Lifting Weights Makes Skin Thicker and Healthier
Resistance training rejuvenates aging skin by reducing circulating inflammatory factors and enhancing dermal extracellular matrices
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Resistance training’s 1.1% increase in dermal thickness was statistically non-significant (p=0.20), yet it was the only intervention to show this change—and it was biologically validated via gene expression and plasma transfer.
Most people assume only statistically significant results matter, but here, a tiny, non-significant physical change was backed by strong molecular evidence—suggesting the real effect may be subtle but real.
Practical Takeaways
Do 2–3 resistance training sessions per week (focus on compound lifts) for 16+ weeks to potentially thicken skin and reduce inflammatory aging signals.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Resistance training’s 1.1% increase in dermal thickness was statistically non-significant (p=0.20), yet it was the only intervention to show this change—and it was biologically validated via gene expression and plasma transfer.
Most people assume only statistically significant results matter, but here, a tiny, non-significant physical change was backed by strong molecular evidence—suggesting the real effect may be subtle but real.
Practical Takeaways
Do 2–3 resistance training sessions per week (focus on compound lifts) for 16+ weeks to potentially thicken skin and reduce inflammatory aging signals.
Publication
Journal
Scientific Reports
Year
2023
Authors
S. Nishikori, J. Yasuda, Kaoruko Murata, Junya Takegaki, Yasuko Harada, Yuki Shirai, S. Fujita
Related Content
Claims (6)
Working out with weights or cardio for 16 weeks can make your skin tighter and healthier-looking by improving the support structure underneath it—no magic creams needed!
After people lift weights, their blood contains special signals that tell skin cells to make more of the structural stuff that keeps skin firm and youthful—like a natural anti-aging boost from exercise.
Doing strength training for 16 weeks can make the skin of middle-aged Japanese women just a tiny bit thicker and boost a protein that helps keep skin firm—like giving your skin a little anti-aging boost.
Working out with weights may help your skin make more of a gooey substance that keeps it plump, while cardio like running or biking helps your skin make more of the strong fibers that give it structure—so different types of exercise might help your skin in different ways.
Working out—whether you're running or lifting weights—can make your skin firmer and more elastic by boosting the production of key skin-building proteins, and lifting weights does something extra: it actually makes the skin layer thicker.