10 Sneaky Ways Your Workout Can Mess With Your Skin
Lifestyle - News
By MARICA LAING
UV exposure
While fresh air and exercise are incredibly healthy, working out in the boiling sun can cause premature aging and cancer in the skin. Exercise before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., cover exposed skin with a water-resistant sunscreen of SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply sunscreen every two hours to protect yourself.
Scalp damage
Sweating can give rise to yeast build-up on the scalp, which causes dandruff and acne if not washed away thoroughly. The best way to deal with this is to eliminate excess oil from your scalp, but don't wet-wash your hair in the shower after every workout; try using dry shampoo occasionally.
Skin conditions
Exercising results in increased blood flow, which can cause inflammation for people with skin conditions like rosacea. Try to alleviate this effect by applying a cool cloth to the face when you get hot, keeping your environment cool, or switch to an exercise like swimming, which keeps the skin cool throughout.
Acne breakouts
Working out can open up your pores, inviting bacteria and sweat to enter. To mitigate breakouts, get rid of makeup on your face before beginning your workout, avoid contact between your hair and face by pulling your hair back, and properly cleanse your skin with acne-busting cleansers post-workout.
Clogged follicles
While sweating is beneficial, it can also clog hair follicles and sweat glands, resulting in a condition called folliculitis. Wear loose clothes while exercising and wash them regularly, and opt for a body wash that contains bacteria-busting ingredients like glycolic acid; this may help prevent clogging.