Does your face get as red as mine when you run?

I can't believe I am posting this pic, but I wanted you to see how crazy red my face gets after I run.

Folks, this picture was taken ONE HOUR after I finished running a 5K. No wonder people ask me if I'm OK when they see me out for a run! I look like I am about to have a heart attack!

I recently received some information about this very issue from Dr. James Marotta.

Ever wonder why your face gets so flushed after you workout, and why this seems to happen to some people and not others? Moreover, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do about it.

Patients who get pink in the face following exercise usually have more superficial blood vessels in the skin of the cheeks and chin. Exercise causes blood vessels to dilate all over the body including the face.  The result is that temporarily more blood is flowing through these superficial vessels resulting in a pink or ruddy complexion.  Rosacea is a common condition which causes more of these blood vessels to form in the face.  This condition is primarily related to accumulated sun damage.  Intense pulsed light or laser treatments can diminish the overall number of blood vessels, rid patients of unwanted spider veins, and diminish overly ruddy or reactive facial skin.

Here are some quick facts/solutions:

-Avoid things that cause facial vessels to dilate like alcohol, heat, or getting overheated.
-Ice or cool could alleviate the problem but only temporarily.

-Intense pulsed light can diminish the size and number of these blood vessels leading to less redness.

– Dr. James Marotta, dual board certified facial plastic surgeon, Marotta Facial Plastic Surgery, Long Island

Dr. James Marotta is a dual Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery with particular expertise and interest in minimally invasive (endoscopic) facial plastic surgery and facial rejuvenation/anti-aging (surgical and non-surgical). He attended Columbia University and graduated as president of the medical honor society at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. He trained at Yale University in head and neck surgery and was consistently recognized as the top head and neck surgeon in the program. He achieved board certification upon completion of his residency. Dr. Marotta then completed additional subspecialty training as a fellow in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery at one of the leading facial plastic fellowships in the country.