Acne- Schmacne

Dear Jamie,

I have a question... Since I started working out again I keep breaking out!!! Any tips to help with that?? I wash my face with cold right after to help close the pores, but that is not working!

N.C.

Dear N.C.,

You are not alone!! This happens to a lot of people, including your's truly. First let me give you a little background on what's going on-

Breakouts (aka blackheads, pimples, etc) occur when the subaceous glands that produce sebum (oil that keeps skin lubricated, moisturized) get clogged by dirt, dead skin, etc.  During the day your skin gathers toxins and grime from tons of different sources which can clog up these pores.  Once clogged, bacteria can thrive inside and the body responds with inflammation and immune cells that produce pus.  One of the things that helps flush these pores is exercise. It does this by removing both the layer of film and the foreign particles that can cause the immune response that can lead to inflammation.  (can you tell I'm married to a med-student, lol)

"Hold up Jamie!! If exercise is good for my skin why am I breaking out still??"

Here are some of the reasons you might be breaking out:

-Wearing make-up during your workout. It will clog your pores. Wash your make-up off before your workout. I know you want to look good everywhere, but it's not hot when you have make up dripping down your face ladies.

-Wash your hands before and after workout. You pick up all kinds of bacteria and toxins on your hands while working out (ewe! Try not to think of it too hard, it will gross you out).

-Touching your face during workout- I'm super guilty of this!! Carry a CLEAN workout towel with you if you must wipe your sweat, pat it every so often but don't over do it-remember you skin is trying to get rid of the junk.

-Keeping the sweat around too long- Change out of sweaty clothes and shower ASAP. Like I said before the sweat helps get toxins and yuck out, but letting the sweat dry on your skin can leave salt and bacteria around that can clog your pores. Wash with warm water to get the pores washed out and then rinse with cold water to close them.

-Exercising changes normal skin bacteria - Your skin always has bacteria on it - called normal flora.  Exercise can change the proportions of this bacteria and cause more breakouts.

-Sun Damage- wear an oil free moisturiser with sunscreen everyday. Keep that precious skin safe from the sun!!

What to do about it... (Straight from 1/2 Dr. Walpole's typing fingers)
The recommended treatment for mild to moderate breakouts, and something that we've found that works for us, is Benzoyl Peroxide.  It kills the bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) that it implicated as a cause of blackheads, pimples, etc.  It is also the main ingredient for treating acne in Proactiv.  It is in some of the Oxy and other acne products - check the back to make sure it is the active ingredient.  Rub it on the trouble areas after washing, it can take a little rubbing to get it in.  Also, you will want to apply a lotion after the benzoyl peroxide because it tends to dry your skin.  Use a non-comedogenic lotion.  Works great for me!

N.C. Hope this helps!

Warmly,
Jamie