How to Clear Acne

If you’re an athlete that suffers from acne, you should know that there are ways in which participating in sports can contribute to acne. You should also know that there are ways to clear acne caused by sports, and ways to help prevent new acne from forming. If you’re an athlete looking to clear acne, here are some tips.

How to Clear Acne Caused by Sports: Know Your Acne

If you suspect that your acne is caused by sports, you probably have one of two different types of acne: acne mechanica or acne vulgaris. Acne mechanica is more of a skin irritation than the skin lesions associated with standard acne, while acne vulgaris usually refers to the traditional red bumps that we know as pimples. As an athlete, a major outbreak on your skin like areas that are normally covered by pads, such as the back or the chin, probably signals acne mechanica. However, a large pattern of acne vulgaris on the back is not uncommon among athletes.

How to Clear Acne Mechanica

Acne mechanica is caused by repetitive friction on a certain area of the body. This type of acne is sometimes called sports acne because it is so common among athletes who sweat and move around in pads or uniforms that repeatedly rub against the skin. The solution to clear this type of acne is actually quite simple. Wearing a cotton undergarment in between the pads or restrictive clothing and the skin should absorb the sweat and prevent excessive rubbing. Whenever possible, wear less restrictive clothing while exercising.

How to Clear Acne Vulgaris

Despite what you may have heard, excessive sweating does not cause acne. That being said, athletes who sweat more than others can still see increased acne outbreaks because dirt and oil can more easily become trapped in the skin when clothing sticks to the skin because of sweat. Again, a cotton undergarment to act as a barrier can be very helpful. Also, it is important to shower immediately after vigorous exercise, and it will be helpful to use an exfoliating scrub as well.

To clear existing acne and help prevent new outbreaks, you can use a benzoyl peroxide solution on the affected area. Since you may be treating a large area, you will probably want to order a complete acne care system that uses benzoyl peroxide in sufficient quantities to cover the amount of skin that is prone to outbreaks. If you use such a system regularly for several weeks, you may see a significant reduction in acne that should continue for as long as you use the system. If you opt for this approach, make sure to schedule your treatments with your workouts or sporting events in mind. That is to say, exercise, shower, and then apply your treatment, rather than the other way around. This will make it less likely that the treatment will come off before it has a chance to work.