Boost exercise performance with menthol
With powerful dual-action properties, Menthoderm 5%, free from SLS, could have the power to improve your athletic performance. Whether you’re looking to quickly cool down after exercising in the heat, or conversely, if you’re looking for an effective way to fend off the worst impacts of the cold.
How does it work to beat the heat?
Menthoderm is rich in ‘hero ingredient’, Menthol, which is frequently used by athletes to cool down hot skin after training. The effective solution may help to soothe and cool down skin after a workout and reduces levels of thermal discomfort when exercising in hot conditions. Topical menthol, present in Menthoderm, could provide a cooling sensation, which has the potential to boost performance, as menthol can reduce our perception of heat. This study shows the effect of menthol to enhance running performance by up to 6% in hot and humid climates.
Menthol is an organic, plant-derived compound, obtained from peppermint, corn mint, or mint oils and has a soothing sensation when applied. Rather than lowering the temperature of the skin, its unique cooling effect works by blocking the calcium current along the nerves responsible for detecting temperature. The nerve endings translate a message to the brain that the skin is cooling, so this may effectively help to alleviate heat from the skin.
How does it work to keep off the cold?
The Menthol present in Menthoderm may also create a change in skin blood flow, potentially causing you to sweat less, become more sensitive to cold air flow, and have higher core temperatures. This study explains how Menthol could also have the ability to support those exercising in extreme cold. For open water swimmers and triathletes who struggle in cooler temperatures, it could also assist in protecting against cold.
Applying a thin coating of cream under your wetsuit before getting in the water may help prevent the severe impacts of the cold, as menthol stimulates the cold receptors in the skin as one of its routes of action. The skin experiences vasoconstriction, or a decrease in blood flow, when cold receptors are activated. This lessens blood flow to the cold skin, which also lessens heat loss, as blood vessels carry heat from the body's core to the surface.
Menthoderm® is the only 0.5% - 5% range of Menthol in Aqueous Cream to be SLS free and is available in 4 strengths and a variety of sizes ranging from 100g - 500g. Available to request via prescription or buy direct from sk1n.co.uk.