Top Summer Skin Dilemas

By Howard Murad, M.D.

Summer can be a demanding time for your skin. Because intense heat and humidity may aggravate preexisting conditions or create new ones, it’s important to understand how to treat them. While summer skin problems are uncomfortable, you can easily control many of these dilemmas by altering your daily skin regimen and taking some simple precautions.

Back Acne

Often referred to as “bacne”, these breakouts can keep you from enjoying a summer day out.

Get back on track with these easy-to-follow tips:

• Wash your back immediately after exercising
• Make sure your back is completely dry before you dress
• Apply sunscreen if your back is going to be exposed to the sun

Increased pigmentation

If you spend time in the sun this summer, you may notice some increased skin pigmentation. This happens because the skin’s pigment, melanin, absorbs the energy of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays in order to protect the skin from overexposure. Skin tanning occurs as a result of this process, causing hyperpigmented areas to become even darker. Individuals with darker skin types are more commonly affected.

Prevent it by:

• Minimizing your exposure to sunlight can help prevent further darkening of existing hyperpigmented patches, as well as to prevent the formation of new ones. This is especially important for women who take birth control pills or hormone supplements and for people who have had hyperpigmentation in the past.
• Using a sunscreen product with an SPF of at least 15 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Taking anti-inflammatories and antioxidants to help your body fight sun damage.

Rosacea

Rosacea looks like acne but it’s not. Rosacea occurs in the center of the face and begins with a red flush on the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead. The early stage is often mistaken for a mild skin irritation or sunburn, however left untreated, the redness can increase as tiny blood vessels may become visible. While it cannot be cured, the symptoms are reasonably well understood as are a variety of lifestyle factors that are known to trigger outbreaks in people that have the disease.

Prevent outbreaks by:

• Avoid sun exposure whenever possible.
• Use a high quality, non-irritating sunscreen every single day, year round.
• Protect internally with antioxidant supplements and anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen.
• Stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment on hot, humid days.
• Shower in cool, not hot water.
• Steer clear of foods that can inflame Rosacea. These include; hot spicy foods or beverages, alcohol, and daily products.
• And of course, smoking should be avoided.

Summer Rash

Summer Rash - also known as Tinea Versicolor, is a common skin condition due to the overgrowth of yeast (a type of fungus). This overgrowth results in uneven skin color and scaling on the upper arms, chest, neck, and back areas. During the summer months when the temperature and humidity are high, the fungus can increase. This excess fungus on the skin prevents the normal pigmentation process and causes the spots to develop. It is easily treatable with topical and oral medications.

Prevent it by:

• Wash all body parts daily and use a dandruff shampoo.
• Dry thoroughly, particularly between skin folds and between toes
• Avoid tight clothing, particularly in hot weather.
• Wear natural fabrics that will allow the skin to breathe.
• Change clothes daily, particularly footwear and undergarments.

---