Even tough women love glamour

Even tough women love glamour

Here's why Serena Williams, and decked up women at gyms, should consider a clean start 

As tennis star Serena Williams demolished Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the US Open on Monday, her goth eyeliner, and pencil-filled eyebrows grabbed as much attention as her aggressive moves on court. While rivals have taken digs at Serena's obvious penchant for war paint, she isn't alone in her love for glamour while sweating it out. 

Olympic long-jumper Jade Johnson was in the news last year, for turning to permanent make-up to stay good-looking while competing. "I'm an Olympic athlete but I'm also a woman. I love makeup, lashes and getting my hair done so I look good on and off the track." 

Women in Mumbai feel the same, we'd say, because fitness trainers claim it's not uncommon to see female gym rats dolled up for glam workouts like zumba and barre. Personal trainer Sanjay Patel, who once worked with actor Deepika Padukone, says, this is more common among evening gymmers, since some women make their way for a workout straight from work. "They don't bother removing the make-up, and I often see them hitting the treadmill with foundation and blush on," he adds. 

Dermatologists say this could prove problematic for your skin. 

Ready for acne? 
When we exercise, the body temperature rises. As the skin starts to sweat, our pores get enlarged, allowing the chemicals in cosmetics to enter your bloodstream. "Blood vessels dilate during a workout — which is what gives your skin the healthy, flushed look — and wearing make-up could mean that the harmful chemicals in the cosmetic are making their way straight into your bloodstream," says Dr Bindu Sthalekar, consultant dermatologist at Harkisondas Hospital. 

Even if you are armed with good quality make-up, you could end up with a bout of acne. Packing on cosmetics while exercising, say dermatologists, is akin to donning a scuba diving suit while sweating it out. "Make-up forms a waterproof, almost plasticlike layer on your skin, trapping in sweat and toxins that are released while working out. The skin reacts to the mix of sweat, bacteria and make-up, causing allergies and patches," says Dr Sthalekar. 

Dr Jaishree Sharad, medical director and cosmetic dermatologist at the Vashi-based Skinfiniti Aesthetic Skin & Laser Clinic, adds that hair follicle openings on the skin's surface get clogged by makeup, increasing the risk of bacterial infection and boils. Another common problem, she says, is milia — tiny white nodular cysts on the skin — caused by blockage of sweat gland ducts. 

But the dangers of wearing make-up while working out are far greater than an acne farm on your face. And here's the clincher. You could just be defeating the very purpose of working out (if fighting of ageing is your concern) because clogged pores interfere with the anti-ageing benefits of exercise. "If not allowed to breathe, pores enlarge further, and when toxins enter them, they damage the collagen and elastin in your skin, quickening ageing," Dr Sthalekar says. 

Go minimal 
However, if bumping into your gym-enemy (the woman who flaunts her great body and luminescent skin while lifting weights) sans make-up gives you the heebiejeebies, then chuck the powder and instead, opt for a light, oil-free moisturiser, says super facialist Debbie Thomas in an interview to an international fashion magazine. But, Thomas adds, cleaning your face immediately after the workout is an equal must. 

Not all instructors look down on exercising in make-up, though. Simi Melwani, a 25-year-old yoga and zumba instructor at a south Mumbai studio, says she's fine if light make-up helps build a client's confidence. "I too use light kajal and lip-gloss." 
For Melwani and Williams, ophthalmologist Dr Girija Suresh has a piece of advice: "If you must use eye make-up, avoid metallic liners. Go for chemical-free, waterproof products." 

Save your peeps 
If runny mascara gets into your eyes, it could cause irritation, infection, even conjunctivitis, says Dr Girija Suresh, an ophthalmologist from Mulund's Fortis Hospital. 

Your ideal skin regime pre workout 
- Scrub your face clean. If you don't have access to a shower or a basin, carry face wipes. 
- Hydrate your skin with a hydrating gel or a mild moisturising serum to prevent the skin from getting infected. 

Post workout 
- Head for a shower to rid yourself of bacteria build-up and change into fresh clothes. Wearing the sweaty gym kit for long could give rise to fungal infections. Use a mild shower gel. 
- Wash your face with cleansers and splash on some cool water to close the pores. 
- Once dry, apply a moisturiser since all that sweating has dehydrated your skin. 
- Wait another 15-30 minutes, allowing for blood vessels to constrict and pores to close, before applying fresh make-up
.