I want to discuss dry skin, dry scalp, and breakouts.
The last two weeks I have fasted for 36 hrs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while eating within a 12 hr eating window Tuesday and Thursday. I’ve lost my first ten pounds in two weeks (PCOS and birth control so it is a win for me). Additionally, I’ve started walking 2 miles most days of week.
Last Tuesday, I noticed some pimples popping up on my face and dry patches on my arms. I generally have normal skin and even when my PCOS symptoms were more active, acne was never a prominent symptom. Additionally, my scalp is dry and itchy, again not normal for me. I’m wondering if it is the sweating from exercises more, the fasting, or both.
I hesitant to start a new skin care routine because it’s expensive and difficult to get right.
What have your experiences been with a new fasting routine? Have you experienced dry skin or other skin issues? Did they resolve themselves after a few weeks?
Update: I stopped exercising and continued to fast to see what was causing my skin issues. It is the exercise. Since I stopped exercising all skin issues immediately cleared up. Pimples cleared up, dry patches are gone, and my scalp feels normal. I’m not sure if it is the sunblock, sweat or a mix of both. My plan is to walk at night without sunblock to isolate and treat any reoccurring symptoms. I’m moving my post to r/xxfitness because my issue is not fasting related. Take care and keep fasting!
For me, I get issues with my scalp from sweating in a hot environment. My derm said it was due to over active fungus. I now rinse my scalp with a 50/50 mixture of ACV and water and don’t feel it as much.
In regards to the pimples, if they’re white it’s probably you’re skin purging; good thing to have. White with a red ring is purging and inflammation; possibly fungal acne. Pure red is a sign of something internally being off balanced. Whichever one of those will lead you as to how to treat it.
I have seen some other PCOS girls post literature about when losing weight with PCOS, excess hormones stored in fat cells are released. If this is true, then all of your symptoms might be caused by it.