How to Take Care of Your Skin When Practicing a Combat Sport?

When it comes to protection and combat sports, we think of mouthguards, groin protectors, gloves, helmets, or shin guards. However, the first part of the body to get injured when practicing boxing, MMA, judo, or karate is the skin!

Why is it important to take care of it? How to preserve your epidermis and help it repair itself if necessary?

The Damage to the Epidermis, Our First Barrier Against Infections

From tatamis to rings, all combat sports are contact sports. They come with their fair share of impacts, falls, and hits. And, of course, the first to suffer is your skin. It can tear and open. But it’s our first line of defense against infections and foreign bodies. In the often warm and humid environments of dojos or boxing gyms, fungi, bacteria, and other microbes are not in short supply. So, in addition to being painful, cuts can pose a serious risk that shouldn’t be overlooked. Preventing and treating them properly can help limit herpes virus and dermatophyte issues.

That’s why it’s essential not to take what may seem like harmless little injuries too lightly. After each training or fight, be sure to clean and disinfect any lesions thoroughly. Gently dry them with a clean towel before applying a treatment that will help your skin heal under the best conditions while soothing burning sensations: for this, Bye Bye Burn balm is ideal! If your wounds are on the thinner skin of the face, you can treat them with After Sport Ritual care.

Martial Arts Clothing: Be Aware of Irritations

Aikido, Taekwondo, Judo, Karate… Martial arts clothing can cause irritations. This is especially true when the garments are heavy, loose, and have multiple seams that rub against your skin with every hold and movement. In most cases, these burns are harmless, but they can be bothersome, painful, or even downright disabling. The Shock and Roll roll-on has been specifically designed to treat these abrasions, which can occur on areas like the groin, armpits, or neck, for example. In addition to calming the warming sensations, it helps the skin regenerate and strengthen. It becomes more resistant, making it less sensitive to friction.

Take Care of the Hygiene of Your Boxing Gloves!

Boxing gloves are much harder to wash than the rest of your gear. Yet, they are highly exposed to hand sweat, which soaks into them for long periods. This is a problem because they are often a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to irritations.

To avoid this, take care of your gloves! If they are very damp, wrap your hand in a clean cloth, such as microfiber, and put the gloves on to absorb and soak up as much moisture as possible. Then, spray a mixture of water, white vinegar, and a few drops of lavender essential oil (be mindful of allergies!). Let your gloves dry in the open air for as long as possible.

As for your hands, wash them carefully with a mild soap and moisturize them. The After Sport Ritual serum is odorless, absorbs quickly, and leaves no greasy film, while strengthening your epidermis. It will be perfect for you!

How to Protect Your Feet From Burns on Rings and Tatamis

Barefoot contact with tatami mats (for martial arts) or rings (for boxing or MMA, for example) can cause blisters, burns, and irritations that can affect your comfort and performance.

For some combat sports, there are specific protections to preserve the foot from impacts and friction. You can also consider taping your joints with adhesive bandages.

If these solutions don’t suit you or if you want to go further, why not take inspiration from runners and trail runners by toughening the skin on your feet? This technique allows the soles of your feet to thicken and strengthen, making them more resistant to blisters and friction.

Toughening Your Skin: Instructions

In the evening, before going to bed, apply the juice of half a lemon to the soles of both feet. Then, hydrate with a small amount of After Sport Ritual, massaging it in to ensure the serum is fully absorbed.

The next morning, hydrate again.

Follow this routine for three weeks. Don’t forget to regularly file your feet using a fine-grained file. Any roughness on the soles of your feet can catch on the ground and cause micro-lesions.

MMA and Boxing: Protect Your Facial Skin

In boxing or MMA, punches are likely to tear the skin on the face. Painful, these injuries can even end the fight. This is why fighters apply petroleum jelly to their faces.

This viscous and sticky paste is a derivative of paraffin. Because it is occlusive, it prevents the water in the skin from evaporating. The skin then becomes more supple and resistant. It cracks less. And if wounds are already present, they are better protected and won’t widen. Petroleum jelly is especially useful to apply to exposed areas such as the nose, cheekbones, or eyebrows.

However, be careful not to apply too much: it could make your opponent’s punches slip, creating an unfair fight. Don’t hesitate to reapply it regularly, as it can disappear with sweat.

Want to Take It Further?

Before the first application, massage your face with a small amount of After Sport Ritual.

Your skin will be intensely hydrated thanks to hyaluronic acid, a molecule that can retain up to 1000 times its weight in water.