Why is your face red after exercising?
Regular exercise is good for body and mind, that is beyond dispute. Sometimes, however, your face turns red during overly strenuous exertion. But where does that redness come from? Should you worry about it? And what can you do about it?
A red face after physical exertion can seem alarming. Usually, however, it simply indicates the way the body handles the extra heat from prolonged exertion. When you exercise, many changes take place in your body, and these actually contribute to your body functioning well.
Why does your head turn red during exercise?
During exercise, your breathing speeds up to provide your blood with maximum oxygen. At the same time, your heart beats faster to ensure a better supply of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles.1
When you move, your body temperature rises and blood moves to the surface of your skin. This causes you to perspire in order to cool your body down (this is thermoregulation).1 This process—which is very important for a body in balance—can be accompanied by facial redness. In certain people, this occurs more frequently than in others, especially those with very fair skin.2
Redness from exercise is harmless: it is a natural process
Is turning red dangerous?
In general, you can consider facial redness during exercise as normal. However, when exercising in very hot weather, this redness can be an early warning sign of heat exhaustion or even indicate heatstroke.2,3
Other symptoms of heat exhaustion may include: excessive perspiration, nausea, and dizziness. Heatstroke occurs when the body can no longer compensate for excess heat. Therefore, stay vigilant and do not overexert yourself in hot weather.3
Can you prevent your head from turning ‘as red as a tomato’?
Although you cannot stop this natural process or make it ‘disappear’, you can ensure that the redness bothers you less:
- try to exercise in a cool environment;
- use a facial spray to refresh yourself, or take a cool shower immediately after exercising;
- wear light and loose-fitting clothing;
- drink plenty of water to prevent heat exhaustion; do not exercise during the hottest hours of the day if you are working out outdoors;
- apply a cooling serum.
Do you turn red? Have confidence!
Some people are simply more prone to turning red—even very red—due to exertion. Ignore curious stares or misplaced comments from grumpy passersby. It is simply a natural process, and it does not indicate lower physical capacity or poorer fitness. There is therefore no reason to be ashamed if you turn red. On the contrary, it shows that your body is working well!
Scientific references
Product mentioned in this article
EnergQ Coenzyme Q10 30mg + Magnesium 150mg
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