Is There a Link Between Acne and Exercise?

Since the beginning of time, there have many countless rumors about the cause of acne, especially in young people. People have said that acne breakouts can occur or be made worse by eating chocolate or greasy foods, being under a lot of stress, and excess sweating from exercise or other physical activity. Although science has proved that chocolate and greasy foods have little or no impact on acne, many people still have differing opinions on the link between sweating and exercise. Many people believe that exercise can cause or make an acne problem worse. Still others say that exercise can help an acne problem. To be able to make sense of these differing claims, you must first understand what causes acne.

Acne breakouts occur when pores in your skin become clogged by excess oil production. This excess oil collects in your pores where a bacteria called p. acnes grows and feeds on the oil trapped underneath your skin. All types of acne, whether they are whiteheads, blackheads, or lesions, all develop in this manner. Blackheads get their name because of their characteristic black color. Blackheads become black because the pore, although clogged, is open and the presence of oxygen turns it black. Whiteheads are basically the same as blackheads, but the pores affected by whiteheads are closed, which means that the bacteria is not exposed to oxygen, causing it to remain white. Lesions are similar to whiteheads, but they develop deep underneath the skin and can take a long time to heal. Each different form of acne is caused by a clogged pore that has bacteria growing in it. Various acne remedies address each issue separately, the clogged pore and the presence of bacteria, and treat them for the acne.

It is easy to see how some people can draw a link between exercise and acne helping reduce acne or cause it. People who believe exercise aggravates acne often point to teen athletes for supporting evidence. While it is true that many teen athletes do have excessive acne on their face and back, there are other factors that cause this acne. The overproduction of oil is cause by excess amounts of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone levels have been linked to aggressiveness and behaviors that are considered masculine. If teen athletes actually have more acne problems than other teens, it may be because of the overabundance of testosterone, not because they sweat more. There are many teens who have little physical activity and severe acne problems, so sweating and exercise cannot be the sole cause of acne. Clinical studies have shown that exercise does not cause or aggravate acne. There has been a link between wearing heavy sports equipment, like should pads, and acne in those areas. Also helmets and sweatbands as well as someone who just walks around with a backpakc in summertime This is because the skin in these areas is compressed and has sweat trapped next to it. This effect can be combated by cleaning such sport equipment often with and an anti-bacterial cleaning product that is safe for the skin.

Some people also speculate that exercise will help improve acne problems. It is thought that since physical activity increases blood flow, exercise can deliver more blood to the capillaries of the face and other affected areas, allowing them to function more efficiently. In addition, these people believe that because exercise makes you sweat, the pores will open up and push out the oil and bacteria that is causing the acne, as well as removing other toxins from your skin. However, studies show that exercise does not help improve acne either.

Many acne myths have been disproved over the years, and beliefs about exercise effecting acne may be the next to go. It appears at this time that exercise does little to cure or encourage acne in teens or adults. While exercising will improve your health, and people who exercise do have a tendency to feel better about themselves and who they are, it will not affect your acne problem.