Can you believe that exercising can make you look older? Losing weight can also take a toll on your face as you age. Why? Think about the “baby fat” we all have as infants and toddlers. This fat keeps our faces looking young. As we age, we lose that fat. And unfortunately, this attractive, youthful fat continues to disappear with age. Looking “hollow” or “skeletal” makes the face look older.

So how does exercise make the face appear to age faster? Most commonly known as “runners face,” it can happen to any athlete or “fit” person. Your face needs fat to fill out wrinkles and look young. When you exercise to stay in shape (or if you are a professional athlete or runner), you not only lose weight in your body, but you also burn off fat that you want to keep in your face. This causes your face to look bony, sunken, and can even cause or deepen more wrinkles. Even folks in their twenties who exercise to stay healthy and lean can also develop the hollow cheek appearance.

A quick natural fix to this problem is facial fillers. Dr. Chow recommends a combination of Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse and/or Sculptra for a natural looking solution uniquely designed for your face. Fillers are minimally invasive and they are also a quick office procedure. You can even fix the “runner’s face” on your lunch break! Be healthy and look great! Regardless of whether it is because of aging or exercising, you don’t need to make any sacrifices for beauty.

Image obtained from Women’s Health.