Athletes, like the rest of us, have a special relationship with their skin. However, due to the nature of their activities, their skin faces additional challenges that deserve special care. One of the main problems athletes face is prolonged exposure to the sun. Whether running outdoors, training on fields, or participating in water sports, the skin often faces ultraviolet rays, increasing the risk of sun damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer.
In addition to the sun, sweat is another factor. Although sweat is a natural function of the body to regulate temperature, constant accumulation can clog pores, leading to acne breakouts and other skin irritations. Sports that require equipment, such as helmets or vests, can also cause friction, resulting in calluses, blisters, or other skin injuries.
What factors affect the skin when doing sports?
Environmental factors
- Sun
- Cold
- Wind
- Pollution
- Moisture
Sun
We have already talked about the importance of sunscreen recently, but it is imperative to remember that the sun can have serious effects on our skin. Sun exposure can cause sunburn, and premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Cold
can dry our skin and make it feel tight and uncomfortable. In addition, it can aggravate problems such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Make sure you keep your skin hydrated.
Wind
can expose our skin to dryness and irritation. It can also be especially harmful to people with sensitive skin, exacerbating redness and inflammation. Try to protect your skin with a bandana or scarf in windy weather.
Pollution
can clog pores and increase the risk of skin problems such as acne. It can also cause inflammation and damage the skin barrier. To protect your skin, be sure to cleanse it carefully every day and use skin care products rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
Moisture
It can make our skin feel soft and silky, but it can also cause problems if combined with sweat and friction. Excess moisture can lead to contact dermatitis and other problems. If you play sports in humid climates, be sure to clean and dry your skin well after exercise.
Physical agents
In addition to environmental factors, we also have to take into account the physical agents inherent to our bodies, such as the beard or body hair, and external ones, such as the equipment, the surfboard, or even the clothing we use. Some sports such as cycling, rowing, or rugby can cause friction and chafing on the skin, especially in areas where there is constant contact with sports equipment, such as thighs, chest, armpits, groin, feet, and hands, among others. Sweat can also be an important factor to consider, as it can clog pores and cause acne breakouts.
Therefore, athletes need to take steps to protect their skin before, during, and after exercise. This may include wearing appropriate clothing and equipment to protect the skin from sun exposure and friction, as well as using skincare products.
To further strengthen our athletes health, taking care of the largest organ in the human body is necessary. Therefore, we selected some skin care tips for athletes. Come check!
Keep your skin very clean
Before starting, the skin must be free of traces of makeup, because if the pores are clogged, it is difficult for sweat to evacuate naturally, which will promote irritation and inflammation of pimples and blackheads. If you train in the morning, it is enough to wash your face thoroughly with a suitable cleanser; At night, it may be necessary to thoroughly cleanse the skin, particularly using a toning lotion.
It is important to avoid clogging pores, keeping your face clean at all times, but without removing the skin’s natural protective barrier. In addition to promoting intense and purifying cleansing, it helps remove oil retained in pores caused by residues of pollution, sunscreen, and makeup. In other words, the product cleanses without drying out or irritating the face.
Choose clothing that facilitates respiration
Avoid pants and t-shirts that are too tight, as well as fabrics that retain moisture, as they prevent your skin from breathing properly. After physical activity, it is best to remove sweaty clothing as soon as possible: keeping it on for too long blocks the skin from breathing and closes the pores.
Drink plenty of water
Perspiration is a very important natural reaction of our body during physical exercise, but it also implies a consequent loss of water. This dehydration of the body can also damage our skin, leaving it unprotected and therefore more likely to dry out. Not only does your skin require specific attention regarding its hydration level, but so does your entire body.
Take a quick shower
If you sweat a lot during exercise, we advise you to take a quick shower with warm water and a hydrating shower gel right after, especially if you have obligations ahead and therefore do not have time for other care. This way, you make sure your body is clean and hydrated without wasting time!
Make hydration must
After your post-exercise shower, remember to moisturize your face and body. Apply a moisturizer while your skin is still damp, using circular motions from your neck to your feet. For your face, once clean, tone and hydrate the skin. After washing and drying your face well, invest in a good Vitamin C. This antioxidant will work to prevent skin aging, leaving it well protected from internal and external agents, in addition, this vitamin is powerful in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles.
Don’t forget to exfoliate
Many athletes find that exfoliation can irritate the face, causing itching, redness, and a feeling of tightness in the area. The ideal way to avoid all this is to choose the product carefully, observe its formulation, and apply it once a week or every 15 days. Chemical exfoliation is more suitable than physical exfoliation.
Use appropriate supplementation
No matter how much the athlete tries to maintain a balanced diet, some nutrients are difficult to replace with food. In this sense, the best thing to do is to supplement. In other words, ingest, in capsules, what is not possible to consume with meals.
Supplements eliminate liquids and toxins from the body, neutralize free radicals, and contribute to weight reduction and measures, in addition to preventing aging. Vitamin Supplement improves skin health, reduces swelling, improves bowel function, helps combat cellulite, and gives more energy and stamina, among other benefits.
Use sunscreen
Practicing sports can cause irreparable damage to the skin, especially when carried out outdoors and without protection. This is because exposing yourself to the sun without adequate protection can cause premature aging, burns, allergies, and even malignant lesions, such as skin cancer.
To avoid harming the athlete’s performance, it is recommended to use sunscreen on exposed areas 15 minutes before starting outdoor activities. At least SPF 30 is a must depending on the weather. before buying, check the protection factor carefully. But, if you think that only the sun is the big villain in this story, you are wrong: digital light also favors blemishes, wrinkles, and expression lines, stimulating the production of free radicals
Conclusion
Taking care of your skin is not just a matter of aesthetics and beautification; It has to do with comfort and well-being, which favors sports performance and overall health.
When it comes to health, no one is better than athletes to show us the best body care practices. They eat well and at the right time, avoid bad habits, have an adequate sleep routine, and maintain a constant training schedule to increase body conditioning and improve endurance and strength. To be an athlete one should follow a few things such as proper cleaning, hydration, exfoliation, sunscreen, and others that have been mentioned. To have beautiful, healthy skin, look for the right products and in the right criteria. Healthy skin for all.
