Plastic Surgeon‘s Claim That Running Ages You sparks Debate
NEW YORK, NYโข – September 26,โ 2025 – A New York plastic surgeon’s assertion that running accelerates aging has ignited a controversy online, pitting his claimsโข against the experiences of long-time โฃrunners and the opinions of other medical experts. Dr. Gerald โIbbner, an anti-aging specialist, statedโ in a recent TikTok video that while running is โข”good exercise,” it damages joints and contributes toโฃ sagging skin and a prematurely aged โฃappearance.
According to Dr.Ibbner,โฃ the constant impact of running can even lead to a reduction in height. He explained that repetitive shock exercises like running apply pressure on the spine, accelerating the โฃaging process, and described โtheโ effects as โฃ”quite expensive” to reverse. He โqualified his โฃstatement, suggesting thatโ running “a little bit every day or aboutโ twoโ or three miles a week” is acceptable, but exceeding that could “promote aging.” He further advised opting for cycling rather, stating, “Have you ever seen a long-distance runner who doesn’t lookโ old?”
The video quickly โdrew mixed โreactions. One TikTok user, a โ72-year-old marathon runner of 43 years, countered, “I’m not unhealthy and full of vitality. There’sโค no orthopedic problem.” Another 42-year-old user claimed to be perceived as being in thier mid-20s and intends toโฃ continue running. Others expressed agreement with Dr. Ibbner, noting runners often appear older than their age and advocating for swimming as a superior exercise.
Though, Dr. Ibbner’s claims have been challenged by other medical professionals. Dr. Boris Pascober, a facial plastic surgery and reconstructor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, acknowledged that high-intensity aerobic exercise can reduceโฃ body fat, but stated, “There is no objective clinical basis that supports the argument that shaking the bodyโฃ while running increases skin aging.” He characterized Dr. ibbner’s video as “commentary above all,”โข emphasizing โขa lack of scientific verification.
Dr.โ Freeman ofโข the Denver National โฃHealth Research Institute further supported the benefits โof running, citing its positive impact on blood pressure, cholesterol, and mental health. “If you don’t exercise at all, the result is terrible,” he said, โฃadding thatโค societies โwith more active populations haveโ lower rates of heart disease. He stressed that appropriate exercise levels vary individually, noting,โ “Some peopleโ can run โhundreds of miles without any side effects, but some people are not.”
bbo@heraldcorp.com
