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Bodybuilding Skin Care and Hair Removal Tips
Brass Tack Beauty
No Fluff. No Fads. Just the Facts.
w / Alex Bloomquist
Q ~
Dear Alex,
I have a competition coming up and I'm breaking out badly on my forehead and upper back. I've tried everything. I've gotten a new body and face wash. I think it's making things worse! Nothing seems to work!
Help! - Going for Gold
A ~
Hello, Gold!
A clue to what will clear up acne problems is where the acne is located on your body. Forehead and upper back acne is often a symptom of residue from cleaning products. Yes! The very thing you are using to wash yourself and your laundry could be causing issues!
The first step is to check your skincare products. Sensitivity to even the most 'gentle' of cleansers is quite common. Check your face wash, shampoo, and body wash. You are looking for anything that has sulfate in it. This is a great ingredient to create a thick, stable, and foamy cleansing texture. It's fine to be on the skin, just not left on the skin. It has amazing 'grabbing' power, so it's really hard to rinse off completely. The best idea is to just cut it out of your routine altogether.
Most liquid body washes will include some form of sulfate. Bar soaps, by nature of their composition, do not. Also switch to the most gentle, unscented laundry soap you can find. You might even be sensitive to 'natural' ingredients. So look for limited ingredients and no fragrance. If you're traveling for competitions, hotel laundry can flare up any sensitivities you may have. Consider traveling sheets that you know have been washed in your special, sensitive skin detergent. Here is a great article from Travel Fashion Girl to help you choose.
Be Golden and Good Luck!
Q ~
Dear Alex,
I need your help with hair removal tips! I have tried shaving, waxing, and creams. Everything I use gives me ingrowns! How can I get ready for the stage when I'm fighting these ugly bumps!?
Any ideas? - Ready. Not Ready
A ~
Hello, Ready!
So great to hear you are READY! But, yes ingrowns are not fun and can be quite distracting! Let's get you really ready!
Ingrowns are one of the most common issues with hair removal. Ingrowns can pop up in almost any place on the body. Course, curly hair in body areas that 'fold over' like underarms and bikini lines are the most susceptible to this problem. This skin is prone to sweat, being warmer, and has the added friction of skin-to-skin contact, tight clothing, elastic edges, and such. No wonder
Curly hair in these areas can easily curl back into the skin rather than breaking free as it begins to grow back. Speaking of grow-back, know that every hair follicle on your body is growing every day (unless it's in a short 'dormant' state). Dead skin is also building up every day. These two things combined very often create a block for freshly cut, waxed, or dilapidated hair from breaking free of the skin's surface - thus creating an ingrown hair.
Exfoliation is the key. Quick, daily exfoliation will keep grow back on track and not ingrown. Physical exfoliation with dry body brushing is satisfyingly effective. Use a brush with short, natural fiber bristles (not plastic) to target areas prone to ingrowns. This is also a great way to boost your immune system as brushing at pits and groin areas will stimulate your lymph system.
Add in a second step overnight: Spray on an enzymatic exfoliation with Alpha Hydroxy Acids to break the bond of dead skin to keep skin surface clear. A, for Alpha - meaning 'on top'. Add to that a Beta Hydroxy Acid which will deep clean inside the pores and hair follicles. Think B, Beta = 'bottle cleaner' for inside the pore. When you can get both of these together, you have exactly what it takes to eliminate and prevent ingrowns, bumps, acne, and congested skin.
Get all of these tricks together in a great kit from Bikini Kitty or Dirty Dog Shave Gear. Their Duo Kit comes with a natural fiber dry body brush and an organic enzymatic exfoliation spray in 2oz or 4oz spray. With targeted use on areas prone to ingrowns, you'll be READY for any competition!
Take good care of the skin you're in!
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