Is it bad if my face turns red when I'm doing exercise?

I'm not one to share post-workout selfies on social media because the only time I've done it, I've received a ton of people commenting, "What's up? what's going on with your face? " and "how are you?" My face becomes incredibly red and it stays like that for a while after I've trained, especially in the summer. It's great fun to go somewhere like to the grocery store after an intense workout of CrossFit and ask people to do a double take. I had another mother who said, "My face becomes like that too," which made me feel better. So what's the problem? Is it serious if your face becomes red beet after exercise?

What are the causes of a red face when exercising?

The dermatologist Rick Woodin, of ZO Skin Health UK, has badured me that "if your face turns bright red or deep red when you are exercising, it is a normal reaction to it." ;physical activity". He explained that as you train, your lungs work harder to give more oxygen to your bloodstream and your heart rate accelerates to increase your blood flow to the muscles. "Vasodilation occurs when the blood vessels and pores of the skin expand to provide oxygen to the muscles.Your face blushes as more blood is carried by the capillaries under your skin." said Dr. Woodin.

In simple terms, when you're hot, your body redirects heat to the skin, said Daniel Atkinson, general practitioner in the UK. Your blood vessels are dilating and there is more blood flowing through the vessels of the face, he added. It's a way to help regulate your body temperature, added Adarsh ​​Vijay Mudgil, MD, who is certified in dermatology and dermatopathology (skin diseases).

Is it bad if your face turns bright red during exercise?

Your face may look super red, but it's simply a natural side effect of your body's internal cooling system. So that's a good thing! Dr. Woodin said that facial redness is not a concern unless it accompanies other symptoms of concern to your health, such as dehydration, nausea, irregular breathing, and fast heart rate, which can be additional signs of your health. you overwork during exercise.

"Everyone should pay attention to heat exhaustion when one is getting into the heat," warned Gretchen Frieling, MD, a dermatologist in Boston. She said to make sure to hydrate well before, during and after training to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Why does not everyone have a super red face when exercising?

If your complexion is clear, congratulations, you are more likely to have redness in the face, said Dr. Woodin. Indeed, the pigmentation of your skin is not dark enough to cover the redness. For some people with good physical condition, their bodies may not need to cool as much on the surface. Kate Huether, MD, founder of The ReKovery®, added that you might be more sensitive to strawberry-red complexion if you present more facial hair or if you suffer from a skin condition such as rosacea, aggravated by a increase of the body. Temperature.

However, Dr. Woodin would like to point out that "having a red face does not mean that you are unfit, it simply means that you have more blood on your face." Everyone's body is different and it is an "involuntary and uncontrollable reaction to adopt". So, the next time you'll be aware of yourself after a hard workout, do not be! Take this sweaty selfie and proudly show off this beet red face.