Most people take swimming as a lucrative activity. Swimming is an aerobic exercise that is even recommended for expectant mothers. Most of us, however, do not realise the actual benefits of swimming for skin. This luxurious and fun activity has well-recognized health benefits like Health Benefits of Fitness. Swimming also comes with a bonus package to our body generally and specifically to our skin. Below are the reasons to why people should consider swimming for the skin every now and then. There are a handful benefits of swimming for skin
1. Gives the skin a natural glow
Every dive you make into the water to swim flapping your feet, the heartbeat rate increases. It helps in increasing blood flow to the body which helps nourishes the skin cells. Hence boosting the metabolism. This internal process facilitates the removal of toxins.
Therefore, people should consider swimming for the skin since it acts as a cleansing therapy. As a result, it facilitates the opening of skin pores giving the skin a natural glow. Swimming helps in taking care of the skin just like Health Benefits of Jojoba Oil for Skin
2. Helps skin absorb vitamin D
Swimming is mostly a summer exercise since most people opt to swim on sunny days. This gives the skin full exposure to sunlight allowing it to absorb vitamin D. Vitamin D contributes to skin cell growth. It also optimizes the skins immune system and helps destroy free radical that can cause ageing.
Exposure of the skin to the sun for too long has a contrary effect as it can accelerate skin ageing, therefore it should be avoided. Interestingly spending only ten minutes basking in the sun after a swim can help the skin absorb the required daily dose of vitamin D directly through the skin just like Benefits of Taking Vitamin C Tablets for Skin and Health
3. Improves psoriasis
Swimming can take place in a swimming pool, a lake, a sea or even in an ocean where every water body has its own composition of salts. Natural water catchment especially the ocean is known for its natural minerals. Furthermore, it has long been used for balneotherapy which is a treatment therapy for psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition, which occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy body cell leading to skin rashes made of itchy scaly plagues. The ocean water has sodium and iodine which have antiseptic properties. They help kill bacteria and fungus on the skin just like Benefits of Carambola On Skin
4. Keeps the skin hydrated
Swimming in seawater has a benefit for people suffering from eczema. Eczema is an irritable, itchy inflamed skin condition. The sea water also has magnesium that improves moisture retention in the skin. This makes the skin strong and rigid keeping it less dry. Therefore improving the hydration and skin appearance making it feel soft and smooth. Take regular swims in the seas around and keep off that dry skin issue you got.
5. Heals bruises, cuts and sores
Swimming in oceans comes with a skin wound cleansing benefit as the salts in the water have an anti-bacterial property. A swim in an ocean will work a great deal in healing any cuts, bruises and sores on the skin.
It may be shocking how we at times avoid swimming in oceans if we are hurt but just not see the of benefit swimming to our skin. Swimming helps in maintaining healthy skin just like Benefits of Aloe Vera for Beauty (Natural Skin and Hair Care)
6. Improves acne and lessens scars
Sulphur also found in ocean acts as an antiseptic drying agent it helps in acne treatment hence reducing the breakouts and lessens scars. Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that results in nodules, cysts, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. It is not dangerous but results in skin scars.
Sodium chloride is effective in cleansing the skin and clearing mild acne. Chlorine contains antibacterial properties which can help in reducing the amount and size of acne. Chlorine is considered bad for the skin and it is for the same reason that makes it helpful for acne since it dries it out.
Recommendations
After swimming in a pool with chlorinated water, one should shower with cold water immediately after getting out of the pool since it helps in countering the chlorine. One should not shower with hot water since it enables the chlorine to be absorbed into the skin. To protect the skin, one should apply waterproof moisturizer and sunscreen lotions.
People should make a habit of swimming for their skin every now then. Swimming in natural waters{sea, rivers} is far much beneficial than pool water as it contains minerals like sodium, chloride sulphate, magnesium and calcium which are very useful in the treatment of skin conditions such as psoriasis.
Swimming in salt water has a hydrating effect that is good for the body but if the stay in the water is prolonged one gets dehydrates. Drinking a lot of water prior swimming can be of great help since it keeps a person hydrated. Avoiding long stays in the ocean can be of good help.
Caution
As the phrase says ‘too much of anything is a poison’, therefore swimming in a swimming pool for a long period of time is not recommended. Water found in swimming pools is treated with chlorine.
Swimming in a pool with chlorinated water for a long period of time can end up removing essential oils in the skin causing; acne breakouts, dry skin, rashes and sensitivity to the sun.
Also swimming in salty water for a long time is not recommended since a person may get dehydrated. Dehydration has numerous negative effects on a person. Dehydration may lead to headaches, confusion, and dry skin.