Swimming and effect on skin...

[jhmaeng]

Hi guys,

Having a slight problem with swimming and skin issues - Started swimming again 3 weeks ago, after a 2 year break (going very well too). All is fine except two potential issues with the skin -

1. The skin all over seems very, very dry afterwards - to the extent of stinging and prickly when in bed or stretching. Is this normal? (and no, I don't moisturise the whole body although my face becomes impossibly tight so I do have to dab some cream on afterwards)

2. Even after taking a proper shower with shower gel and all, I still stink of chlorine the next day as soon as steam hits my skin. I'm not too bothered about the actual smell, but I wonder whether all that chlorine will be harmful in the long term given that your body can absorb the chlorine through your skin?

Am I fretting over something that's quite normal for someone swimming every day, or is my gym going a little OTT with the chlorine? I've only taken 4 days off in the last 3 weeks and spending more and more time in the pool (2.5km in the last 2 sessions) so opinions will be very helpful...

 

[king_kenny]

i have a bath instead of a shower, have a nice long soak and use a nice bath scrubber to get rid of all the dead skin and i just use normal soap no shower products. , plus i use moisturise on legs arms hands and face afterwards as sometimes my skin can become dry.

 

[Lt. Manlove]

i have a bath instead of a shower, have a nice long soak and use a nice bath scrubber to get rid of all the dead skin and i just use normal soap no shower products. , plus i use moisturise on legs arms hands and face afterwards as sometimes my skin can become dry.

 

[The_morrell]

Back in the days when I used to train this used to happen to me, like kenny said try to have a bath in the evenings .

Also if you have a health suite nearby use that, saunas and hot tubs really help with this.