Saturday, October 10, 2009

Exercising Activity and Acne

By Jamie Fessenburg

A number of us who suffer from acne also happen to lead very active lifestyles. We like to engage in athletic activities whenever opportunities arise. Unfortunately, exercise and acne don't always make a good mix. Perspiration, which almost always follows intense periods of exercise can lead to problems like body acne.

Not too many people feel comfortable removing their shirts for others to see when they have pimples lining their shoulders or back. If you want to continue participating in various exercises of sorts without concern over acne, there are some easy steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Sweat that results from exercise is our main area of concern in preventing acne. The odor which is commonly associated with perspiration is produced by the bacteria found in the water-like residue, include p. acnes bacteria. To keep these contaminants from wreaking havoc, you are strongly advised to take a shower right after concluding your exercise session. The less time the sweat is allowed to stagnate on your back, the better. If you are unable to shower for whatever reason, at least change into clean clothes which aren't drenched with sweat.

Sweat also has an indirect effect on acne by encouraging us to touch our face following intense weight lifting or running. Of course, we don't think twice about where our hands have been before doing so. Perhaps, they were on those dumbells that ten other people had used prior to us. Or maybe they were on that basketball which touched the floor and other dirty hands. If you want to stay acne-free, you need to resist this impulse to touch sweaty skin. Use a clean towel if you must, but never place your bare hands on any part of your face unless you know for sure that they are clean.

Anyone who works outdoors for a living or participates in outdoors athletic activity should be familiar with hats. While useful for providing relief from sunlight, they can also pose a risk for acne. They gather sweat from our skin and oils from our hair and bring them to open pores as we readjust their position on our head. The best solution is to wash them regularly to remove any existing contaminants which may linger on them.

About the Author:

0 Comments: