Athleisure fans warned not to wear sweaty gym gear

Spending the day in workout gear may have become socially acceptable thanks to the thriving athleisure trend popularized by models such as Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

But US medical experts have warned that living in sweaty fitness clothes may have unpleasant consequences.  

Failing to wash properly immediately or changing clothes immediately after exercise could lead to acne, fungal and bacterial infections or inflamed follicles. 

Unhygienic: Experts warned athleisure fans – a look popularized by Kendall Jenner, pictured left, and Gigi Hadid, right – that wearing sweaty gym gear may have unwanted consequences

Breakouts, dullness and unhealthy skin 

Celebrity skin care expert and esthetician Renée Rouleau said dehydration during exercise can lead to dead skin cell buildup which can result in unhappy skin. 

To combat this, she recommends washing skin with a mild gel cleanser and an alcohol-free toner and applying a lightweight moisturizer before exercising.

‘Leaving skin bare can lead to dehydration causing dead skin cell buildup which can then lead to breakouts, dullness and unhealthy skin,’ she told Daily Mail Online.

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Impact: They said failing to wash and change after working out can lead to ailments including acne, pictured, conjunctivitis and fungal infections

Clogged pores

While it might be tempting to apply make-up for the gym, Dr Rouleau said it is vital not to.

She advises removing all make-up before working out to avoid clogged pores.

‘It’s important that you have the skin free of foundation, as it’s best to let the skin breathe,’ she added.

Clogged: Allowing sweat to linger could cause blocked pores which could result in pustules, pictured

Cystic body acne

Oil – which the body produces more of during exercise – is a ‘breeding ground for bacteria’ that can worsen acne, said Dr Rouleau.

She recommends ‘always’ washing the face and body after exercise using a mild sulfate-free cleanser to remove dirt, oil and bacteria.  

‘When you exercise, sweat combined with increased oil production can cause problems for the skin,’ she said. 

Wash: Celebrity skin care expert and esthetician Renée Rouleau says oil – which the body produces more of during exercise is a ‘breeding ground for bacteria’ that can worsen acne

Body odor

The apocrine glands can only be found in the armpits and pubic region.

These are responsible for the ‘milky sweat’ responsible for encouraging bacteria growth and body odor, said Dr Rouleau. 

‘Therefore it is important to cleanse skin after working out,’ she added. 

Pungent: The apocrine glands produce ‘milky sweat’ during exercise which encourage bacteria growth and body odor

Inflamed hair follicles 

Wearing sweaty clothes for long periods of time can lead to follicullitis – leading to spots on areas including the back, shoulders and glutes – dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse told Redbookmag.com.

They can also be caused by touching bacteria and yeast-covered gym equipment, he said.

Painful: When bacteria gets into the hair follicle it can cause boils, pictured

Conjunctivitis

Even the eyes are at risk of redness and inflammation from poor gym hygiene.

If bacteria finds its way to the face, fitness fans could find themselves with a red or swollen eye. 

‘It is possible that the gym and your clothes has transferred bacteria into your eye,’ dermatologist Dendy Engelman told the website. 

Red: If bacteria from the gym or clothes gets to the eye it may cause conjunctivitis, pictured

Fungal infections

Tinea fungal infections come in different forms – including ringworm, fungal nail infection, athlete’s foot and jock itch – depending on the area of the body.

This can be avoided by changing out of damp clothes and showering, said Dr Engelman. 

‘When the protective barrier of the body is compromised, it allows overgrowth, like yeast infections,’ she added. 

Good hygiene: Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can be avoided by changing out of damp clothes and showering

Bacterial infections

While wet and warm clothes allow bacteria to multiply, gym equipment and even lockers can be responsible for bacteria’s spread.  

Dr Engelman said: ‘This increases your risk of an infections, such as staph, which can be dangerous if you have an open injury.’

Multiply: Warm and sweaty clothes can act as breeding grounds for bacteria

Sneaker odor 

Bacteria and yeast thrive in ‘warm damp environments,’ Darrell S. Rigel, clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center, told Daily Mail Online.

He advises wearing clean socks before a workout and carrying an antibacterial shoe spray to avoid the spread of infection and the production of pungent gas that causes odor.

Ew! Wearing clean socks and spraying shoes with antibacterial spray can help spread infection and the production of pungent gas that causes odor

The 20 minute rule 

By showering within 20 minutes after exercise, Dr Rigel said that most of these can be avoided.

‘Make sure you shower within 20 minutes of working out with an antibacterial soap…Don’t sit in sweaty clothes all day, that’s not the move,’ he told Daily Mail Online.

He warned against using a bar of soap – to avoid spreading bacteria – advising people to go for an antibacterial liquid soap instead.