Taking Care of Acne in the Summer
Whether for a vacation or just for all the outdoor events that take place as soon as the weather warms up and the sun comes out, the summer is a time of year when appearance can matter a little bit more to an individual. Unfortunately, for those who are prone to suffering from acne breakouts, the heat can cause an episode at just the wrong time. These breakouts can occur just as you want to “show off” your summer skin.
Nearly everyone is affected with a level of acne at some point in their lives and it is common to experience some pimples and acne occasionally. Regardless of the severity, acne is something that needs to be taken care of as a priority, first to ensure that you look your best, and secondly to avoid some of the residual issues that acne can cause, such as acne scarring.
One of the main reasons that individuals who are prone to acne breakouts suffer more in the Summer is because the heat induces sweat. This excess sweat causes your pores to clog, leading bacteria to accumulate on the skin. Even the sunscreens you choose to use to protect yourself from the sun can contribute to clogging your pores and acne breakouts. While you should continue using sunscreen, it is recommended that you choose a sunscreen that is noncomedogenic (which means it won’t clog pores). The good news is that an acne breakout isn’t inevitable in the Summer months, and there are many things a person who might be prone to acne can do to try to avoid an outbreak.
Maintain a Cleansing Routine
For a person who has had past acne issue, a proper cleansing routine is of the utmost importance in maintaining healthy skin. This is especially true during the hot summer months. To ensure this, you should clean your skin at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and make sure that you exfoliate to unclog pores regularly with a gentle non-abrasive cleanser. If you are concerned about the right method to clean your skin effectively in the Summer, you should connect with dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. She can offer advice and provide you with the right products for your skin – such as MGSkinLabs Pore Minimizing Cleanser Wash For Acne Prone Skin.
Avoid Applying Too Much Makeup
Makeup can clog the pores in your skin. In the cooler months this may not be as much an issue, but when it is hot and you are sweating more, wearing makeup can contribute to an acne flare. If possible, try to reduce the amount of makeup you wear in the Summer months, and choose pressed powders and non-comedogenic makeup. Choosing the right type of makeup is important too, the best kind is oil free. Look for hypoallergenic and mineral based cosmetics, which are better for your skin.
Tweak Your Diet
The jury is still out when it comes to an absolute link between a person’s diet and acne, but some of the research available suggests that there are certain things that a person who suffers from acne may wish to avoid as a preventative measure, especially in the Summer months.
One ingredient that tends to top the list of foods to avoid is sugar. In the Summer months with readily available ice-cream or sugary drinks to cool off, this can be hard to avoid, but should be consumed only in moderation.
High-glycemic foods that cause a blood-sugar spike should also be avoided if you are worried about acne. Typical High-glycemic foods include cakes, cookies, white bread, rice, and potatoes, for example.
Sculptra for Acne Scars
For individuals who have unfortunately suffered with acne, maintaining an effective skin care and diet routine is important to avoid future acne outbreaks. It is entirely possible to treat your acne and also prevent it from re-occurring in the Summer months with some added vigilance. Unfortunately for some individuals, acne may have already caused scars. For these individuals, it is important to avoid the sun especially during peak sunlight hours, because sun-exposure can make some acne scars worse, especially on fresh lesions, which are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation issues. It is also worth discussing treatment options with Dr. Green, and she can advise on various dermatology treatments such as V-Beam laser for redness or Chemical Peels, Microneedling or Clear & Brilliant for pigmentation.
One type of acne scar treatment which has been very successful in treating many patients is Sculptra. Sculptra can be used to treat surface irregularities in the skin, and to treat skin depressions, such as those caused by acne scars. Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid and the treatment is carried out by injecting it into the skin at the target area. Sculptra works by stimulating your own natural collagen production in the body, which can help build additional volume in the skin, reducing the appearance of acne scarring.
Learn more about Sculptra and find out more about various acne scar treatment options
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your acne or acne scars from previous breakouts, or are worried about an acne outbreak then Dr. Green can help. Contact us online today or call 212-535-3088 to learn more about which acne treatments may be right for you.