Why is my sports bra causing acne breakouts and how to cure it?

This is a frequently asked question that can't be answered in 2 or 3 sentences.

Your sports bra is not the only blame of your acne.

It's actually a type of acne called Acne Mechanica. It's a a form of acne caused by aggravated heat from exercise by covered skin from a sports bra (less air circulation).

Constant repetitive "friction" and pressure causes Acne Mechanica. Tight clothing, such as sports bras that are made with synthetic fibers as opposed to breathable cotton, don't allow the skin to breathe, thus causing Acne Mechanica to form.


Fitness lovers wearing tight headbands, sports bras, bikers'shorts, helmets and backpacks are most likely to get Acne Mechanica.

The best way to avoid this acne is to get a better fitting sports bra. Your sports bra is not suppose to move or "bite into" the skin. You may need to switch from your current brand. A better fitting sports bra will stop the "friction" caused by constant movement of the bra thus causing this acne.


The most popular class of athletes who become victim to Acne Mechanica are runners, triathletes, sports players who wear shoulder pads and/or helmets, hats and (cyclists) have this acne on buttock area from the bike seat.

When you have Acne Mechanica, you should use a liquid cleanser that is not formulated for masses of people, but one that is formulated for a post workout and will return skin to it's proper PH after exercise. Use dermatologist recommended the Stellar Performance Post Workout Cleanser by Motion Medica. This cleanser has a complex formula to kill bacteria causing acne from sweat. Over time, if Acne Mechanica is left untreated it can cause permanent skin scars.

By Sandy Alcide. Sandy is a Biochemist and President of the American Athletic Skin Care Association. Athlete Skin Consultant Founder of Motion Medica skin care. Pioneer of fitness beauty products. Sandy is an esthetician specializing in skin disorders.Copyright 2010 All rights reserved. You may use this article for your blog, website or newsletter or portions of it but you must include this paragraph and a link to www.MotionMedica.com

What is the best vitamin for your skin?

Vitamin A.


New dermatological studies researched by the American Academy of Dermatology, Duke University about the power of vitamin A for your skin.

Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins for skin. Not only does it work as an anti-oxidant it also helps to fight free radicals. Vitamin A plays a strong role in strengthening the protective tissue of your skin and repairing skin tissue. Skin tissue protects the body from water loss and dehydrated skin. The skin tissue also uses specialized pigment cells called melanocytes to protect the body from ultra-violet radiation and helps regulate body temperature and metabolism.

Vitamin A is also known to help fight off damaging effects from physical stress on the body and sun exposure that is common with an athletic lifestyle.


If your skin is dry or rough with a combination of acne, white/blackheads you are probably lacking sufficient vitamin A. For persons 18 years and older the daily recommended dosage of vitamin A is 10,000 IUs.

The best sources of vitamin A include animal products such as oily fish, eggs, cheese and non fat milk.

Vegetables, provide carotenoids which the body can transform into retinol (a vitamin A acid). The best sources of carotenoids include yellow, red and dark green plants such as carrots, spinach, bell peppers, kale and turnip greens.

MYTHS ABOUT SKIN CARE

The following are some top myths about skin care which can make your skin care lifestyle choices less confusing.

BREAKOUTS ARE NOT CAUSED BY WHAT YOU EAT-FALSEAs fitness minded people its common we eat clean and nutritious. However, during holidays and off training times we may want to "live a little" with some forbidden food.

Many recent studies have shown eating a high-fat diet (even occasionally) can increase your skin's sebum output, leaving skin unnecessarily oilier. Pizza and cookies have a high glycemic index of carbohydrates which quickly convert to glucose, raises blood sugar level that releases insulin and androgen-the hormones that signal our sebacious glands to get into high gear producing more oil than needed, thus leading to possible breakouts-regardless of what your age is. Some persons tend to eat or binge on the wrong foods while under stress, then lead to believe its the "stress" causing their breakouts.

IF YOU WEAR SUNSCREEN, YOU WON'T GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D-FALSEVitamin D helps to boost the immune system and absorption of calcium. new studies have shown it also helps with depression. You can get plenty of benefits of vitamin D without going unprotected with sunscreen. Choose a multi-vitamin that has 1000 I.Us of vitamin D low fat milk fortified with vitamin D. The rumors of vitamin D deficiency were proven to be exaggerated with many diagnoses were the result of lab errors!

APPLY SUNSCREEN 30 MINUTES BEFORE GOING IN THE SUN-FALSEThis statement always bewildered me. You don't have to wait 30 minutes to head outdoors after applying a sun block.

"Physical" blocks, which contain titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide are almost instantly effective. It is vital to apply your sunscreen before you go outside even if its a five minute walk to your car, the tennis court or a run. In only the five minutes you are unprotected, the rays of the sun can cause damage, and, make a habit of all your unprotected 5 minute walks the time adds up for the sun to cause havoc. Before you get dressed in your workout attire, bathing suit, or clothing dot your sunscreen on and remember-the sun can penetrate through light colored clothing.

SPRITZ YOUR FACE WITH WATER WHEN ON A PLANE-FALSE
A BIG no no! Yes, most of us make an effort to combat the low humidity and poor air quality on a plane. But, spritzing your face with water in this environment can actually make your face drier!

The water evaporates and takes with it any moisture that is already on your face. If you like using a water bottle spritzer, be sure to incorporate some liquid aloe vera into the bottle which will give the moisture it's staying power. Your key defense against airplane air quality is drinking lots of bottles water and no alcohol beverages during flight.