We’ve all experienced it at some point. After finishing a gym class or returning from a run, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and notice your face is bright red. It can be a bit embarrassing.
But don’t worry, this is a completely normal response to physical activity. Dr Donald Grant, a GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, explains: “This reaction is referred to as ‘flushing’ or ‘blushing,’ and it happens because of increased blood flow and heart rate.”
He further clarifies: “When we exercise, our body temperature rises, prompting blood vessels to expand as a way to cool down. This surge in blood flow can result in a reddish complexion, which is a natural response after working out.”
It’s worth noting that some individuals may not appear as flushed as others. Dr Grant notes: “A combination of factors can influence how red people turn following exercise. Firstly, genetically, some people have more blood vessels that dilate easily in comparison to others, quickly giving them a redder appearance.
“Furthermore, people who suffer from rosacea might experience more intense flushing than others. People with rosacea tend to have more sensitive blood vessels, leading to a very red appearance following exercise. Other contributing factors include skin colour, exercise intensity and the environment’s temperature.”
More often than not, the red flush will fade within an hour. “Typically, it takes around 30 minutes to an hour for this physiological response to subside.
“However, some factors can prolong this reaction, including how warm it is and the intensity of the workout,” says Dr Grant. “For example, people who exercised intensely in hot conditions could expect the redness to remain for longer than usual, however, this very rarely exceeds two hours.”
Your choice of workout might also have a bearing on your flushing. According to Dr Grant, cardio-based exercises like running, cycling and swimming are more likely to induce it. He says a sauna session or hot yoga class could also lead to more intense flushing because it increases the body’s natural temperature.
But Dr Grant firmly believes that a post-workout flush is something to be worn with pride. “The most important thing to keep in mind is that this reaction is completely natural. Going red after exercise is actually a good thing and means that people have engaged in a sufficient workout that pushed their limits.
“Anyone who feels self-conscious about flushing should come prepared – be sure to take a cold water bottle and cool compress, and don’t be afraid to speak up if exercising in a group.”
It’s not something you can necessarily prevent, either. “As flushing is a natural physiological reaction, it can be difficult to prevent,” says the expert. “However, people can reduce the likelihood of experiencing this by avoiding exercising during the hottest periods of the day, opting for a morning or late evening workout instead.”
Staying hydrated and keeping a cold towel on hand to provide a cool compress can also help people reduce their redness by quickly returning to a natural temperature. He adds: “Turning red following exercise is generally not a cause for concern, but prolonged redness could indicate an underlying condition. Firstly, it could indicate rosacea, a skin condition causing inflammation, which also causes redness.
“However, one thing to look out for, especially as temperatures rise throughout spring or summer, are heat-related illnesses. Conditions such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke can cause prolonged redness. If someone is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or difficulty breathing, they should seek urgent medical attention.”
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