Working out and Acne

[GBirdie]

Hi there, just have a kinda difficult question to ask u guys for advice on.


I'm 22 this year and am still prone to having acne (sort of cystic sometimes) breakouts at certain periods of time.

I'm not absolutely sure about this, but my main question is, is it possible for working out in the gym to somehow be a cause for acne breakouts?? Due to hormonal imbalance or other internal factors (not environmental/external such as sweating, dirty equipment and so on, I don't think I have those issues)

The reason I'm suspecting this is because I've had fairly good skin in my younger days, but when I was around 17 I started working out and I kinda started having acne at the same time, I can't pin point the exact timings and dates, so it might just be a coincidence or puberty related.

Then again, I've been working out on and off since then and so have my acne been coming and going at times. I didn't suspect my working out could be the cause of my acne, so I never bothered to track down the period I started working out in relation to breakouts, until last month.

My skin was recovering a bit for about 2 months, and I'd stopped going for the gym for about 2 months due to work factors which made it inconvenient. But just a month ago I started working out again. 2 weeks after that, my skin started having problems again, and a week ago, several cystic pimples returned on my cheeks and other places.


I don't take whey protein (too expesive ) and obtain my protein sources from foods, especially soy bean milk, eggs, fish, other meats.... My diet MIGHT be affecting my facial condition, but I don't think it affects that much, because I still take vegetables, rarely (if ever) take junk food and maintain a healthy diet.

I'm actually considering to stop working out for a while, maybe a year or so... and see how things go, but I just don't want to lose all that hard work I put into getting my body into shape. I love working out, but I don't want to have scars all over my face either. Would it be advisable for me to actually give up working out and attempt to let my face heal first (no guarantee)??


But then again, the core of my question is "Could working out cause some sort of hormonal imbalance, or other bodily changes that might lead to acne??" and possibly, how high are the chances of this happening?


I hope you guys can give some advice. I'm kinda in need of it. Thanks =)

 

[flechaverde]

Generally, working out is supposed to actually help you fight acne. Exercise helps you fight stress which causes outbreaks. It flushes your body of toxins and sweating helps clears out your pores.

Now, with all that being said, if you're not showering after working out, then you're leaving all that sweat, dirt and buildup on your skin and in your pores.

Also, if you're wearing things like lycra or nylon, it could be trapping all the heat and sweat against your skin, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

I've been told by one of the instructors at my gym that you should also always wipe with a towel when sweating since you're essentially rubbing more dirt in with your sweat and aggravating your pores doing it.

I dunno if that will help, but best of luck!

 

[justsimon]

This happens to me, too if I haven't worked out properly in a while. Once I get into a regular routine it stops. Make sure to drink lots of water and shower right away.

 

[GBirdie]

Generally, working out is supposed to actually help you fight acne. Exercise helps you fight stress which causes outbreaks. It flushes your body of toxins and sweating helps clears out your pores.

Now, with all that being said, if you're not showering after working out, then you're leaving all that sweat, dirt and buildup on your skin and in your pores.

Also, if you're wearing things like lycra or nylon, it could be trapping all the heat and sweat against your skin, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

I've been told by one of the instructors at my gym that you should also always wipe with a towel when sweating since you're essentially rubbing more dirt in with your sweat and aggravating your pores doing it.

I dunno if that will help, but best of luck!

Most of the time I shower immediately after workout, as for my clothing I don't use lycra or nylon either. Besides, I'm referring to facial acne, I don't have acne any other places besides on my face. My back/shoulders are fine.

So hygiene wise, I don't actually think I have an issue, unless I don't know about it. I'm a clean guy as far as I know But I'll pay more attention and see if I missed out anything.

thanks for the advise

 

[GBirdie]

This happens to me, too if I haven't worked out properly in a while. Once I get into a regular routine it stops. Make sure to drink lots of water and shower right away.

I see... How long does it take after getting into a regular routine for the problems to subside?? I actually kinda have an irregular working schedule right now, because I'm an engineer so I have to go outstation sometimes and upon short notice.... so at times I don't get to work out for a month or more. Maybe it's better that I stop working out and let everything stabilize instead first? let my skin recover maybe.

 

[KaraBulut]

It is possible that sweat or excessive sebum production could be triggering a flare-up of your acne. Unless you can attribute it to something specific- like the shower gel at the gym, it is more likely that you had the acne before starting to go to the gym and something about working out makes your acne worse.

You should keep working out but see a dermatologist. Cystic acne can be and should be treated.

 

[justsimon]

I see... How long does it take after getting into a regular routine for the problems to subside?? I actually kinda have an irregular working schedule right now, because I'm an engineer so I have to go outstation sometimes and upon short notice.... so at times I don't get to work out for a month or more. Maybe it's better that I stop working out and let everything stabilize instead first? let my skin recover maybe.

A week or so.

 

[RaKroma]

I would not stop working out because of acne. You can continue working out and at the same time trying different methods to control your acne flareups. Lots of guys have acne related to working out due to increase in sweat, irritation, testosterone and/or supplement use. You did not mention what regimen of products you use to fight your acne? What works and what didn't work?

 

[cocksucker4use]

Dude, I am a hella lot older than you and way far away from hormonal induced acne. However, when I do spin classes and/or work out on cardio equipment and sweat like a pig, I still have the occasional lesion. I would recommend using one of the antimicrobial face scrubs in the shower or at the sink while still a the gym. Clogged pores from sweat and grime post work out can only provoke your natural propensity for acne.

 

[morgaes]

I'd go see a dermatologist. I started getting acne when I was around 15 and at 21 (last fall) I'd had enough and went to see a derm. He told me that having acne at that age is not really normal (unless perhaps if you started puberty very late). He put me on antibiotics which did no good and then eventually Accutane which cleared me right up.

I'm not advising you to run off and take meds, just that seeing a professional can safe you a lot of grief in the long run

 

[palemale]

Working out increases testosterone, and I believe higher levels of testosterone may increase acne. Therefore, it is important to shower as soon as possible after working out. I would not use a harsh soap, though. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser specifically for the face.

It may be your skin care products, too. I'm 50 years old, and have no acne problems, haven't since I was a teenager. I use sunblock moisturizer every day. I recently used a new product, and developed acne after a week. Stopped using the new product, and it cleared right up.