It’s not a good feeling to see red bumps and experience other skin issues like rashes, itchy spots, skin dryness, etc. after working out. The thing is, our skin is more vulnerable and prone to issues like those mentioned after exercise. If you want to know how to limit and decrease your chances of experiencing skin issues then keep reading this article to find out.
1. Don’t use dirty workout clothes
Sometimes, you may think that you don’t need to wear clean workout clothes since it’s going to be wet due to sweat anyway. But this is very unhygienic and can clog your pores due to the buildup of unwanted oils, dirty bacteria, and dead skin cells. Clogged pores can result in zits, and that’s something you want to avoid as much as possible.
2. Use a headband
Using a headband will prevent sweat, dirt, and any residue from hair products that you used before your workouts from getting on your face. If you don’t want to irritate your face with undesirable irritants and other skin-provoking particles, then make sure to wear a headband for added protection.
3. Wipe off your sweat using a clean towel/handkerchief
Not using a clean towel or handkerchief to wipe the sweat off your face and other body parts will cause accumulated dust and dirt to transfer to your skin. This is another unsanitary thing to do that you should avoid at all costs as it can cause nasty breakouts.
Also, don’t just place these items in any random place to avoid cross-contamination. Make sure the area where you will be placing it is clean so that grime and other icky stuff won’t stick to your towel and get transferred to your face.
4. Wipe down/sanitize shared gym equipment
If you’re used to just grabbing or using different gym equipment without wiping them down first, then it’s time to ditch this bad habit for good. Want to know why this is so important? It’s because the gym is home to some of the filthiest machines and equipment.
An equipment review site conducted an eye-opening study that solidified just how much cleanliness is a must. This particular study revealed a lot of interesting yet terrifying information that some of us may not be ready for.
The researchers of this study collected bacteria samples from 27 different kinds of gym equipment at three different gym locations, and the results are shocking.
They found out that the typical free weights have 362 times more germs than a toilet seat, the popular treadmill for running contains 74 times more bacteria than a typical public bathroom faucet, and the average exercise bike harbors 39 times more bacteria than a cafeteria tray.
What’s more frightening and alarming is that some of the disease-causing bacteria that are present on this gym equipment are resistant to antibiotics!
Yes, you read that right! So, if you want to limit your exposure and avoid skin infections, we strongly advise you to start wiping down/disinfecting gym equipment right away.
5. Keep your hands off your face
Touching your hands without rinsing off bacteria is definitely a big no-no! Always remember that if you haven’t thoroughly and carefully washed your hands with soap and water, then you should refrain from touching your face, no matter how itchy it feels.
Exercising offers a lot of benefits, but you don’t have to stop this activity, especially if this is the culprit of your skin issues. There are certainly a lot of ways to prevent infections, and one of the most important factors you should always be on top while working out is personal hygiene. Apart from that, being mindful of what you touch, where you place your stuff, what products you are using, and your surroundings will truly help reduce your chances of experiencing post-workout skin issues.
Reference:
https://www.fitrated.com/resources/examining-gym-cleanliness/
