Exercise does lots of great things for your body. But it\u2019s not always kind to your skin. And we\u2019re not just talking about pore-clogging sweat or bacne. Even if your gym looks clean and shiny, it\u2019s probably crawling with microbes that can lead to infections, rashes, foot fungus, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, we talked with dermatologists to learn their top tricks for healthy, radiant, gym-proof skin. Here\u2019s what they want you to know.<\/p>\n
Your gym is a giant petri dish<\/h2>\n
Why is the gym so germy? \u201cBacteria thrive in warm, moist places making the gym the perfect environment for bacteria,\u201d says Michael Horn, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago, IL. \u201cStudies show that 70 percent of bacteria on fitness center equipment could potentially harm humans.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The locker room and shower are obvious offenders. But the workout area is equally problematic. From treadmill and elliptical handles to CrossFit boxes, gym-based microbes are so widespread that one recent study of 16 fitness centers found that 38 percent of surfaces swabbed contained S. Aureus,<\/em> the bacterium responsible for staph infections. And nearly 12 percent harbored antibiotic-resistant MRSA.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wiping down exercise equipment with a sanitizing wipe can go a long way in guarding against bacteria and fungi. But don\u2019t stop there. These are the biggest gym-based skin hazards to look out for, plus tips to prevent them.<\/p>\n Your outfit. <\/strong>Skin troubles often start before you set foot in the gym, beginning with your workout clothes. \u201cMany gym goers wear tank tops or cut off shirts which expose more skin to [bacteria-covered] surfaces in the gym,\u201d says Dustin Portela, DO, a dermatologist with Treasure Valley Dermatology in Boise, ID. \u201cYou\u2019ll be better protected if you wear a shirt with sleeves and shorts that are just a bit longer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re thinking of wearing the same outfit to run errands afterward? \u201cWearing sweaty clothes post work out won\u2019t kill you, but it can wreak havoc on skin,\u201d says Horn. \u201cOil and dirt can become trapped in wet fabric and may lead to clogged pores and bacne, plus bacteria in there can cause itchy rashes like folliculitis.\u201d<\/p>\n Loose hair. <\/strong>\u201cWhen you\u2019re working out, sweat and dirt can get transferred from your hair onto your face,\u201d says Horn. \u201cSo, it\u2019s a good idea to keep hair out of your face by styling it into a bun or rocking a dry and clean sweatband.\u201d Also, go easy on the hairspray, which can migrate onto your skin and mix with sweat during exercise, leading to clogged pores, irritation, and breakouts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Your towel. <\/strong>As convenient as towel service may be, you might be better off without it. \u201cThe so-called \u201cclean\u201d towels at the gym may be delivered by the same transport as the soiled ones,\u201d says Horn. \u201cIt\u2019s wiser to bring a towel from home to cover mats and exercise balls while you use them.\u201d There\u2019s another nice thing about using your own towel, he says. You can mark the side that you usually lay on the equipment with a \u201cD\u201d for dirty with a Sharpie. That way, you\u2019ll always know which side is safe to keep in contact with your skin and which side to avoid.<\/p>\n Supplements. <\/strong>Adding a scoop of <\/strong>protein powder to a shake or smoothie may be great for building muscle but not for your complexion. That\u2019s because protein supplements, particularly whey protein, can act like androgens, hormones that may trigger acne, says Portela.<\/p>\n The locker room. <\/strong>At one point or another, 70 percent of us will contract athlete\u2019s foot. Wearing flip-flops in the locker room and shower is an excellent first line of defense. Horn also recommends clipping your toenails short to prevent fungi from getting trapped in the crevices. He\u2019s also a fan of draping a towel over the locker room bench to protect from any microbes that may have taken up residence there.\u00a0<\/p>\n Your gym bag.<\/strong> When you\u2019re done working out, it can be tempting to pop your used gym clothes into your gym bag to wear again next time around. Not so fast, says Portela. Even if you didn\u2019t sweat much\u2014or your outfit is made from anti-stink material\u2014it\u2019s likely picked up a lot<\/em> of bacteria. Instead, place dirty clothes into a plastic bag before putting them in your gym bag, so they don\u2019t coat it with germs. Then, toss them in the wash when you get home and pack a nice clean outfit for next time.<\/p>\n Delayed showering. <\/strong>The sooner you can shower after your workout, the better, says Portela. Ideally, he recommends using body wash and a clean towel. But if you don\u2019t have time? \u201cPick up some acne cleansing wipes with a low percentage of salicylic or glycolic acid to help remove excess sweat and oil from your skin, as well as to neutralize harmful bacteria and fungus,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Finally, don\u2019t forget to moisturize. \u201cSkipping this essential step can unknowingly dehydrate your skin, causing oil glands to overcompensate by producing an oversupply of oil,\u201d says Horn. \u201cUse a moisturizer that\u2019s been produced for your specific skin type and condition immediately after cleansing for the best results.\u201d Then enjoy the glow!<\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tKaren Ansel, MS, RD, CDN, is a nutrition consultant, journalist, and author specializing in nutrition, health, and wellness. Her latest book is Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger, Live Longer.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\nSkin SOS<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tKaren Ansel, MS, RDN\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
![\"karenansel\"](\"https:\/\/blog.fitbit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/KarenAnsel_Headshot.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n