Post-workout self-care rules: what to do with your skin and hair

Post-workout self-care rules: what to do with your skin and hair

11 specific recommendations from a doctor that will help you maintain your beauty and health.

Exercise helps us keep our bodies toned, but can negatively affect the condition of hair and skin. Together with the expert we have highlighted the main problems and collected recommendations on care for all those who regularly exercise.

MD, sports doctor, sports expert

Athletes need to take even more care of their skin and hair.

Skin problems in athletes

The main peculiarity of athletes’ physiology is increased sweating as a result of intense physical exertion. The skin is constantly damp, in places of folds or close contact with clothing – steamed, which creates ideal conditions for the spread of skin diseases such as fungal infections and inflammation of the follicles.

The second important factor becomes the environment – the dust of streets and sports facilities, exposure to sunlight, wind. The skin burns, thinning. The reaction can be unpredictable and manifest itself with hives, sunburns and pigmentation, rashes.

Skin care recommendations:

• choose a complete skin care regimen for your skin type with your dermatologist (all steps in facial care should be present – sensation, toning, care, and body skin care if required);
• before training, clean your face, use a serum or light cream according to your skin type without aggressive components (retinoids, acids, vitamin C), apply a protective cream with a high degree of protection (not lower than 50, even in winter). Do not forget about additional protection of lips, ears, brushes. Apply the cream not earlier than 30 minutes before going outdoors in cold weather;
• try not to use decorative cosmetics. Do not touch your face or body with your hands during exercise and before you wash your hands;
• shower immediately after your workout with a gel with a gentle pH. In order to wash off the cream with SPF, it is necessary to use hydrophilic oil (it is almost impossible to wash it off with conventional products);
• apply a light day cream.

Playing team sports can also be the cause of hair loss on the background of stress. In most cases, intensive training improves hair quality due to increased blood flow in the scalp and sweating. Dull and lifeless hair can indicate a deficiency of amino acids (protein in the diet), B vitamins, magnesium and zinc in food.

In addition, hair suffers from tight rubber bands and headbands, as well as from direct sunlight during street workout season.

Hair care tips:

• apply dry shampoo to your scalp before working out, it will help absorb sweat;
• avoid hair coming into contact with the skin on the face and neck. Use headbands made of natural fabrics that won’t pull your hair over or break it. A great example is silk or fine cotton. The bandage will also help absorb sweat and protect the skin;
• open hair should be treated with protective hair sprays with SPF factors;
• do not touch your hair during the workout (do not brush, do not change your hairstyle);
• wash your hair twice (not per week, not per day, but twice in a row during one wash) immediately after your workout. Once every 1-2 weeks, use a scalp exfoliant to cleanse the keratinized layer of the scalp;
• add physical therapy methods – cold water rinse (contrast shower, darsonval for the scalp.

These tips will help minimize the damage we can do to our skin and hair with intense physical activity.