My face gets BRIGHT red when working out. Help!

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Eskimopie
Eskimopie Posts: 235 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So much so that I can see other gym goers sneaking peaks...of concern or disdain, I don't know. Though I try to exercise pretty hard and am starting a running program, I'm not gasping for air or about to keel over. But my face makes it look like I am. I'm fair skinned and a redhead who blushes easily.

Is this ok? Or am I pushing too hard without realizing it? Any tips on minimizing this (or the embarrassment?)
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Replies

  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
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    Ha! After I run, especially, I am as red as a beet. Makes me a little self conscious and one old man asked me if I needed oxygen or something...you're there to get a good workout, so just ignore everyone's stares ; )
  • Plumpqt
    Plumpqt Posts: 156
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    This happenes to me too, it sucks but there is really nothing we can do about it, it's the fair skin :blushing:
  • Eskimopie
    Eskimopie Posts: 235 Member
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    Okay, I thought it might be the fair skin. Thanks guys :) Good to know I'm not actually about to have heart failure...
  • MyNameIsNotBob
    MyNameIsNotBob Posts: 565 Member
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    This happens to me when I jog... I don't worry about what other people think.
  • CassieLEO
    CassieLEO Posts: 757 Member
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    I am the SAME way! I turn beet red and it doesnt go away for a while after working out! I also am not a huge sweater, no matter how hard im working. So here I am hardly sweating, with a beet red face. LOL! So your not alone! LOL!
  • igora_soma
    igora_soma Posts: 486
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    I'm in the same boat, red hair and pale skin. I've read that taking antihistamines helps, but I don't think it's worth it. I usually just go with it. I figure that I probably look weird, but they're probably just jealous at how awesome my workout is :P

    Plus red hair is awesome :P
  • summrrskinny
    summrrskinny Posts: 10
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    It's nothing wrong, in fact it means that what you are doing is working,
    don't worry too much about it, in the gym i don't think anyone else is thinking about what each other look like, more about there own sweatiness :)
    you could always put a layer of foundation with a green based primer on before you workout, although choose one that isnt going to make obvious run marks down your face when you sweat.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
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    I have always gone very red and blotchy while exercising. I think some people just do. Even when I am not working that hard I look knackered. It's rather annoying!
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
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    It's OK and quite common in very fair-skinned people.

    Working on that tan is the only thing that will change it!
  • jojopel
    jojopel Posts: 348 Member
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    I'm the same - I once had an instructor ask if I was OK. It's our skin tone.
  • alyssa92982
    alyssa92982 Posts: 1,093 Member
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    Ha! Me too! My face gets super red too! Its so embarrassing! Glad I'm not the only one!
  • katie9730
    katie9730 Posts: 24
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    Ah, that happens to me within about five minutes of any moderate kind of exercise. It's just from having pale skin.
  • JPayne53
    JPayne53 Posts: 235 Member
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    Happens to me every time I workout! I'm not too fair skinned.. but it's just something that happens to some people when they get warm/hot.. good blood flow.. think about it, the same thing happens to me when I blush! :blushing:
  • believetoachieve
    believetoachieve Posts: 675 Member
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    Take an antihistamine right before working out. It works on the blood vessels to keep you from turning red. I read that trick in either fitness magazine, or women's health (cant remember which!). I'm very fair skinned too :flowerforyou:
  • Eskimopie
    Eskimopie Posts: 235 Member
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    It's OK and quite common in very fair-skinned people.

    Working on that tan is the only thing that will change it!

    Hahahahahaha a tan! In my dreams maybe. :)

    Just another annoyance for us fair people I guess.
  • mustangurl
    mustangurl Posts: 104 Member
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    my face turns red at the slightest bit of exertion, i also blush REALLY easily. my nose and cheeks are always red anyways, are yours?
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
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    I am the same way.. when my trainer is working me really hard, I turn bright red and look like I'm about to hit the floor even though I'm perfectly fine.
  • lnadeau66
    lnadeau66 Posts: 135 Member
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    Thanks everyone, I get red too, and it last for several hours. :embarassed:
  • stephc71885
    stephc71885 Posts: 50 Member
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    me too! my parents are english so i've got that very fair skin. antihistamines do help, if you can tolerate them (i'm going to be a pharmacist in one month!). they tend to make most people drowsy (not the best thing when you're trying to work out!). i say where the red-face proud! it shows you've done some great work :)
  • jewels319
    jewels319 Posts: 72 Member
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    Oh My God......I dont get completely red faced...but my skin on my whole body gets very splotchy red........almost like its saying hey...your allergic to the treadmill stop......doc says its just a different way your body is reacting to the vigorus blood flow and how your muscles are suckin in oxygen. How true....who knows.....but I havent dropped dead yet so i ignore it.

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