Page 63 - RPA May 2020

Ms Mahoney points especially to the circulation that comes from exercise, which increases blood flow, repairs damage and makes for firmer muscle tone that shows itself in firmer skin.
The way it works is that blood transports oxygen and nutrients to working cells the body over. Exercise increases blood flow, including to the skin, which nourishes skin cells with hormones, nutrients and increased oxygen, and removes waste products.
Some believe circulation helps to repair damage from the sun and the environment, says Ms Holmes.
“I’m not sure about that but I know that vitamin E intake, [from food sources that include] almonds, aloe vera juice and lemons, helps repair sun damage,” she said. “I couldn’t believe the impact almond oil had on my sunspots.
“Generally, though, anything that promotes healthy circulation will keep skin looking healthy and vibrant. But if someone has a dermatological condition like acne, rosacea, psoriasis or eczema, they need to take special care when exercising because overheating won’t be good for these skin conditions.”
Circulation is also where the skin’s role as a detoxifying agent can be acknowledged, as perspiration or increased blood flow to the dermis sweats out toxic materials, which improves skin texture and tone.
That’s not to undermine the role of a healthy liver, which is essential for detoxifying the body and balancing hormones that can take their toll on the skin if out of whack.
“Overall, our bodies are well designed to eliminate toxins and maintain health,” Ms Holmes said. “Exercise definitely accelerates this process, especially the circulation of lymphatic fluids through the body, which removes harmful materials
from it.”
Exercise negatives for skin
Vasodilation, which occurs when blood vessels widen due to exercise, can also trigger inflammation, which, in combination with a higher body temperature, can aggravate conditions such as rosacea. In fact, anything that promotes blood flow to the skin can bring with it a red tinge to the skin, says Ms Mahoney.
She also points out that excessive perspiration, as well as the build-up of oil, dirt and bacteria on skin, can lead to acne and an acne-like eruption, folliculitis, which results from a clogging of the sweat glands and body hair follicles.
Clogged hair follicles can also activate blackheads or whiteheads, which can morph into acne if infected or inflamed, which means cleansing the face before exercise is always advisable.
Ms Mahoney cautions, though, that negatives such as folliculitis, acne and rosacea can be caused by exercise but their conditions for arising are multifactorial.
On the other side of the coin, a cardiovascular workout is also said to reduce inflammation, which is a major factor contributing to acne, says Ms Holmes.
However, she maintains there are better ways to reduce inflammation, such as maintaining gut health and
adhering to hygiene practices.
“Germs thrive in gyms, not to mention all the excessive
sweating that leads to oil, dirt and bacteria build-up, and blotchy feeling skin,” Ms Holmes said. “This means good hygiene practice around exercise is important to prevent clogged pores and the spread of harmful bacteria. Because of good hygiene practice my daughter can now control her eczema when she goes to gym, whereas yoga made it worse when she was younger.
“However, it remains that eczema can be aggravated by sweat, which can erode the skin barrier and aggravate itching. Wearing loose clothes during exercise could prevent this from happening, compared with tight clothes.
“As to blackhead and whitehead eruptions, it depends on the exercise and whether the person already has problems with their skin.”
Sweat from exercise can also negatively impact the skin’s microbiome, say the duo.
The microbiome comprises many different types of living microorganisms or bugs, including bacteria, viruses and fungi which, when in balance, equal a balanced skin and a barrier between the body and outside elements and protection against infection.
Sweat left on the skin for a prolonged period after exercise can result in a yeast overload, which disrupts the skin’s microbiome and can result in a scaly and itchy rash on the skin, says Ms Mahoney.
However, she adds that a “dichotomy” is evident between those who have over-treated their skin through over-cleaning, over-creaming, over-medicating and over-exercising, and those who have treated their skin only minimally.
“Most people are smack in the middle where good habits help the skin, and that’s a good place to be,” Ms Mahoney said.
Ms Holmes emphasises that the skin’s microbiome shouldn’t be “demonised”.
“We need it as an integral part of the functioning of our skin,” she said. “It also works with our tissues and interacts with our immune system for our general wellbeing. So, I don’t believe in using all that antibacterial stuff and getting rid of microbes.
“What is required is a healthy balance of the unhealthy and healthy that make it more of an ecosystem that works properly.”
At the end of the day there’s no doubt about the skin being better due to exercise.
Researchers at the UK’s University of Birmingham and King’s College London compared a group of older people who have exercised all their lives with a group of similarly aged adults and younger adults who don’t exercise regularly.
The results showed that those who have exercised regularly have defied the ageing process. The research findings are detailed in two papers published in the scientific journal Aging Cell in March 2018.
Ms Mahoney concludes that pharmacists and pharmacy assistants should use their unique positions in the community to hold a conversation with their customers.
A deeper conversation, she says, will help them to manage their skin conditions more optimally compared with “immediately becoming problem solvers following [simply acquiring] some brief background”.
SKIN FIX 61
“Overall, our bodies are well designed
to eliminate toxins and maintain health.
Exercise definitely accelerates this process.”
RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2020