When the going gets tough

WORKOUT ONE
BLEMISH-FREE SKIN
The most common problems affecting gym-goers, says Cape Town dermatologist Dr Dagmar Whitaker, are fungal infections. It makes sense when there are lots of bodies sharing a warm, humid environment. "I see a lot of tinea versicolor, white spots appearing on the back and chest," says Whitaker. "They get it from using gym machines and wearing gym clothes made out of synthetics, which create a hot environment perfect for fungi.

"It needs to be treated with an anti-fungal treatment, and I advise my patients to use a bi-coloured towel (a different colour on each side). Always put the same side face down on the machine, and never hang the towel around your neck, as you spread the fungus." Also try natural cotton fabrics, which are more absorbent and "breathe" more effectively.

And then there's athlete's foot, picked up from the changing room and shower. Avoid it by wearing flip-flops, even when in the shower. And if you do get infected, you have two options, depending on the severity of the case: in the first instance, use Mycota powder. "Don't only treat the skin," Whitaker says. "Also treat your shoes, as spores lie in their lining, so you can re-infect yourself repeatedly." For more persistent cases, use Lamisol.

WORKOUT 2
COMING CLEAN
Of course you're going to shower after a workout, but there's a danger in washing too often. Say you shower in the morning, after a lunch-time session, and in the evening before going out – that's three times a day. "Soap strips skin of its protective oils," Whitaker points out, "leaving it vulnerable to dryness – it can become irritated, even eczematous". Save the day by using soap-free cleansers, and moisturise afterwards, Whitaker advises. The free soap in the showers can be harsh and drying, so bring along your own, such as Dove Body Wash, Palmolive Aromatherapy Shower Gel, or Johnson's new Baby Softwash.

WORKOUT 3
DEWY SKIN
Replacing lost moisture is vital. The salt in perspiration dries skin out, leaving it feeling and looking dehydrated. Swimmers may get dry patches from excess pool chlorine. Durban dermatologist Dr Ncoza Dlova says: "Chlorine irritates skin and causes atopic eczema and dryness. Shower and use emollients afterwards."

The sauna is another culprit. Use a good body nourisher such as L'Oréal Body-Expertise NutriTherapy Rich Repairing Anti-Dryness Body Cream or Innoxa One & All Vitamin E Therapy Nourish Body Cream. If you tend to have excessive dryness, eczema or psoriasis, use a fragrance- and colourant-free cream such as Eucerin or Clinique Water Therapy Whipped Body Cream.

WORKOUT 4
FACE FACTS
The same principles apply to cleansing and moisturising your face as to your body. But are we not overdoing it by washing and moisturising at least twice a day, especially if we use highly active treatments like night creams? No, say the experts. Debbie Wolfendale, training director for Clarins, says: "There's no evidence the skin becomes depleted. In fact, more nutrition, moisture and oxygen are fed to the skin from heightened blood circulation. The skin is a major excretory and secretory organ, so it's bound to have toxins or debris on it after a workout."

As long as you're drinking enough water to replace what you're losing, she says, and the skin is properly and gently cleansed, you're helping, not harming. Whitaker points out that she gets many male patients with severe facial dryness, but not many women, as they generally moisturise their skins.

Besides all the soap-free facial cleansers out there, we recommend the multi-talented options: Clarins One-Step Cleanser, Dermalogica Skin Purifying Wipes, Simple Revitalising Double Action Wipes (exfoliates and cleanses), and Garnier Skin Naturals Purifying Cleansing Wipes Express 3-in-1 (cleanse, tone, mattify). To minimise the baggage, go for moisturisers that have a built-in sunscreen. We like Neutrogena Moisture Oil-Free Moisturiser SPF15, Olay Total Effects, Estée Lauder DayWear Tinted SPF15, Clarins Moisture-Quenching Hydra-Balance Lotion SPF15, and RVB Moisturising Cream SPF25.

WORKOUT 5
COMING UP ROSES
Perspiration and gym sessions go hand in hand, but body odour doesn't belong in this equation. Obviously, showering is the first step, but then we need deodorants – and here lies the rub. We've all seen the scares about antiperspirants causing cancer, so won't it be worse if we're using more than most people? Is there, once and for all, any truth to this, we asked Dr Whitaker?

"Antiperspirants use aluminium chloride," she says, "an irritant that destroys the duct of the sweat gland, which is not a great problem." You'll know if you've over-used it, she says: duct damage will result in it becoming painful and red. "If this happens, stop using antiperspirant and use topical cortisone until it heals. There is no evidence, however, that using antiperspirant could cause cancer."

Shouldn't we then just use normal deodorant? "Deodorant is pure fragrance; it does nothing but mask smell. It doesn't damage sweat glands, but most allergies are triggered by fragrance."

The solution, then, if you have a reaction, is to either use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free deodorants, or use antiperspirants less frequently. Gentle deodorants that use natural extracts include Dermalogica Environmental Control Deodorant, Dr Hauschka Deodorant Fresh, and Clarins Eau Ressourçante Deo Spray. Antiperspirant deos we like: Mitchum for Women Unscented Clear Gel, and Johnson's Shower to Shower.

WORKOUT 6
FEEL-GOOD HAIR
Are you damaging your precious locks by washing it every day or more? Shelene Shaer, co-owner of Tanaz Hair, Body and Nails in Johannesburg, says: "Washing hair once a day is fine, but if you do it twice a day, you start removing nutrients, and your sebaceous glands don't have time to do their job, which is to protect and nourish. This leads to loss of moisture and protein, which I see as very dry, dull, limp hair with brittle ends. If you're going to wash frequently, condition your lengths and ends every time, because this seals the cuticle and replaces lost nutrients.

"If your hair is coloured, you will need more protein; and dry hair would need moisture. If you blow-dry, use a heat-styling protectant." If you're unsure about the condition of your hair, ask your stylist to analyse it for you and to recommend the right treatments. And what about the scalp? Whitaker says: ‘‘Overuse of shampoos is disastrous for it. I see lots of eczemas and atopic dermatitis." If you swim lots, wear a swimming cap. If you don't, Shaer recommends wetting your hair with tap water before you get in the pool, so your hair is already saturated with clean, rather than chlorinated, water. Apply a conditioner immediately after you get out to stop the chlorine reaction on your hair. Then shower and wash. Also: