Lifting = Acne?

Green Kool Aid · #1 05-29-2007, 10:36 AM

I have had relatively clear skin since I was 18 or so (I'm 21 now). In the past ~3 months of lifting, my skin really started to break out as badly as it did when I was a ~16 year old. I have taken the last eight days off to see if lifting was the problem, and my skin has cleared up almost completely. One thing to note maybe is that a lot of the acne was on my neck.

Has anyone else encountered this problem, and if so, what solutions beyond basic facewash do you use?

I lift mostly for looks, so this sucks.

Whose2know · #2 05-29-2007, 11:15 AM

I just splash some water on my face during after workouts to help clean up sweat. Make sure you wash your hands before doing so.

SmileyEH · #3 05-29-2007, 11:27 AM

I've noticed an increase in zits on my back with lifting. I'm 21 so it sucks, but really not that big of a deal.

AZK · #4 05-29-2007, 01:08 PM

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I've noticed an increase in zits on my back with lifting.

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Rootabager · #5 05-29-2007, 01:30 PM

it's all that extra testosterone.
no really i have no clue

avfletch · #6 05-29-2007, 03:49 PM

I read somewhere that it's caused by sweating out extra toxins than normal. But I have no idea where I read it or how true it is so don't put much faith in it.

Jaycee07 · #7 05-29-2007, 04:42 PM

I've also found this...Yet I thought it was also possible due to steam room/sauna use?

'Chair · #8 06-02-2007, 11:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
it's all that extra testosterone.
no really i have no clue

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
A related problem is pimples. When your skin is damp for a long period of time you can get pimples. I've been able to deal with this by showering after working out and making sure I dry my whole body. It's easy to forget to adequately dry your behind/back of thighs after showing which seems, in my experience, to cause pimples.

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My experience leads me to believe its a combo of the above two...increase in testosterone levels (as negligible as it may seem) and hygiene.

Big Poppa Smurf · #9 06-02-2007, 01:40 PM

I never dry my back off because I'm lazy and I like to airdry, but I've been doing it lately and my bacne has decreased. Also getting some sun and going swimming in chlorinated water has always helped too.

Bobby Digital · #10 05-29-2007, 11:47 AM

Wearing a headband seemed to help me, especially for my face.