Your Top Beauty Questions Answered

Jeana Durst offers sound advice to lady athletes

We asked you--Her Sports + Fitness readers--for the beauty dilemmas you face while maintaining an active lifestyle. Here, our experts answer your most common questions and offer practical advice to help keep your skin and hair as healthy as you are.

Yikes! These double training sessions are putting as much stress on my hair as my body. How can I help keep my locks as strong as my muscles? --Lauren Carrescia, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

The best way to treat overworked hair is to take a proactive approach. Get a trim every five to six weeks. And while you might be tempted to put wet hair up early in the morning, resist the urge. "Hair is most fragile when it's wet, so always make sure your hair is at least 50 percent dry before you throw it into a ponytail," says Lauren Matthews, instructor at Aveda Institute Chicago.

Remember that the hair shaft swells when you sweat and rubs against ponytail holders or accessories, promoting breakage. If you must wear it up, "steer clear of tight hats and wear loose ponytails," says Chad Malm, owner of Salon Jack in Tampa, Florida. He recommends Blax ($4, smoothiesbyintuition.com) for securing hair without stressing it. And avoid the worst offender: heavy claw clips.

I'm in my 40s and a runner--my hair is the driest it's ever been. Can you recommend a shampoo and conditioner that's mild enough to use every day? --Margie Diller, Walthourville, Georgia

Every time you wash your hair, you strip it of essential oils that make it soft and shiny--especially if you use products that are too astringent or clarifying. A little moderation can go a long way. "Usually, it's sufficient to only shampoo the roots if your hair is dry because dirt and debris won't stick to the ends," Malm says.

And stick to moisturizing shampoos--if you're unsure, choose the creamy shampoo, not the clear one. We like Aveda Shampure shampoo ($9, aveda.com). Its clean smell and weightlessness is perfect for everyday use. For conditioner, Dove Cool Moisture Conditioner, Cucumber and Green Tea Scent ($4, drugstores) tops our list.

If frequent open water swims or arduous workouts leave you with too much buildup, then it's safe to clarify--but only once a week. We recommend Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo ($22, bumbleandbumble.com) for deep cleansing.

Another proven--and cost-effective--method is to brush your locks repeatedly. "Distribute the essential oils by using a 100 percent boar-bristle brush. Take it section by section, and roll the brush from the scalp through to the ends," says Malm.

Ever since I began running, I've been plagued with "backne" (acne on my back). What can I do to clear my skin and prevent future breakouts? --Jessica Mack, Long Beach, New York

The best way to prevent this problem is to change out of your gear as soon as possible after a workout. "If you wait too long to shower, it's like always driving 100 mph--sooner or later you'll get caught for speeding," says Dr. Brian Adams, Director of the Sports Dermatology Clinic at the University of Cincinnati.

Once you shed the sweaty clothes, "take a shower, and, using a gentle loofah, exfoliate your back. Next, use an acne gel that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid--the active ingredients that kill bacteria," instructs Dr. Brandith Irwin, Director of Madison Skin & Laser Center in Seattle. "If you do this consistently, it really works."

You don't need a name-brand product to get results, so don't be tricked into spending a fortune. Just be sure the product you select is labeled "noncomedogenic," meaning it won't make acne worse, says Irwin.

Another reminder: A bra that's not made of breathable wicking material will trap more moisture, resulting in even more breakouts.

What anti-chafing products work best for cycling long distances? And how should I care for post-cycling skin irritation? --Tonya Nikitin, Beaverton, Oregon

To prevent chafing, do everything you can to stop friction. One product that works well is probably already in your medicine cabinet, petroleum jelly. However, there is a caveat: "If you put too much petroleum on, it hyper-hydrates and can cause blisters--I call it the petroleum paradox," Adams says. He suggests simply using a little and then re-applying.

Other products that athletes swear by include Chamois Butt'r ($14, pacelineproducts.com) and Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($9, drugstores).

After a ride, if you experience discomfort, soak in a mineral salt bath. Be generous with the salts--you'll need to use at least four cups. Then use hydrocortisone until the sore dries up, says Irwin.

Use caution when treating extreme chafing. Dr. Scott B. Phillips, a Chicago-based dermatologist who works with endurance athletes, says he has seen patients develop chronic disruption of the lymphatic drainage system. Seek advice from a physician if problems persist.

Why do runners' feet always look so awful? Is there a magical treatment to make my feet prettier? --Eve Stein, Duluth, Minnesota

Discolored toenails, rough calluses and corns are enough to make runners give up sandals for good. But take heart; there are ways to prevent problem feet. First, make sure you are wearing the proper shoe size. Feet can grow and widen over time. And, "a lot of problems I see are from people not buying a running shoe one-half size bigger than their regular size," says Dr. Elizabeth Kurtz, a podiatrist at Chicago's Complete Ankle and Foot.

Black or discolored toenails are bleeding underneath--the result of impact. Irwin says, "Keep toenails short; that way there's less trauma at the end of the nail when you are running."

After an event or run, dry your feet as soon as possible. "Wear wicking socks and let your feet breathe," Kurtz says. At night, treat yourself to a long foot massage before bed.

For corns or calluses, soak your feet and then rub them with a pumice stone. "Never have corns or calluses removed during a pedicure. Go to a doctor's office," cautions Kurtz.

As a 55-year-old triathlete, I've tried to prevent aging and skin damage from the sun, but it's a battle. What sunscreen really works? --Star Walters, Salisbury Mills, New York

"The key is to apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) appropriately over all exposed areas," says Phillips, and then reapply often. And there's no such thing as truly waterproof sunscreen--even the toughest will lose strength after a strenuous swim or run. So keep a tube with your bike, or stash some in your hydration pack. And contrary to what you may hear, there's no magic sunscreen pill or spray that lasts indefinitely.

Skinceutical Sport UV Defense SPF 45 ($35, skinceuticals.com) is an excellent choice for athletes. "It wears like iron," Irwin says. She also recommends ColoreScience Sunforgettable ($50, colorescience.com) for the face--it's a powder that comes in a case with a brush built in, so it's easy to take with you. Blue Lizard ($13, bluelizard.net) and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with Helioplex SPF 55 ($10, drugstores) also earn high praise.

And remember: "Every endurance athlete needs a full body scan by a dermatologist once; after that, your physician can determine how frequently you need to be seen," advises Phillips.

I get goggle indentions around my eyes after I swim, which are always a little visible the next day. How can I reduce them? --June Harris, Houston, Texas

"It's called purpura gogglorum," says Adams. It can happen when you wear your goggles too tight, often caused by tightening them from both sides while you're wearing them. Instead, try taking them off to tighten to prevent the "suction-cup effect." You may also need to try another pair of goggles that fit your face better.

To minimize the appearance of lines after a swim, try Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue ($100, peterthomasroth.com).

Jeana Durst is the senior editor of Her Sports + Fitness.

Her Sports is the only magazine for women who regard sports as a way of life. To subscribe to the e-newsletter, the magazine or to learn more, visit www.hersports.com.

Articles submitted to Ironman.com on training-related topics represent the personal opinions of the author based on their own experience and research. Ironman.com provides these for your review and consideration, but does not endorse any particular recommendations of our authors.