Summer skincare concerns & their cure | Dr. Divya Sharma

Common summer skincare concerns and their cure
Summer is synonymous with clear skies and the sun shining brightly throughout the day. It also means that our body clock is on a vacation snooze indefinitely! But this should not stop us from taking good care of our skin as unfortunately, summer also happens to be a prime time for skin concerns.

The harsh summer sun can cause itching, rashes and sometimes may trigger allergic rashes. To help protect yourself against these problems, I have compiled a list of common summer skincare concerns among my patients and the best means to combat them:

Dry and irritated skin
The hot summer months cause an increase in the humidity in the atmosphere. The hot and humid outdoor air may lead to an increased exposure to air conditioners which may cause the skin to lose moisture hence making it dry and irritable.

Here are some tips to overcome the dryness:

• Use fragrance-free moisturizers. Apply them right after taking a bath and whenever your hands start to feel cracked or dry.

• Always use mild cleansers to wash your skin.

• Use broad spectrum sunscreens with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

• Turn up the thermostat if the cool air of your air conditioner is making your skin dry.

Acne breakouts

When sweat mixes with oils and bacteria on your skin, the pores get blocked causing acne. People prone to acne experience frequent breakouts during summers that can sometimes prove to be very painful

Here are some ways to effectively prevent acne for a stress-free summer.

• Always blot the sweat from your skin using a clean towel. Scrubbing or wiping the sweat may irritate the skin, causing breakouts.

• Make sure to use non-comedogenic products i.e, products which do not clog the pores of your skin.

Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition where prolonged exposure to sun may cause brownish-grey patches on the face.

You can avoid this by,

• Wearing sunscreen daily. A sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or more is recommended.

• Choosing skin products that are gentle and do not sting or burn when used.

• Avoiding waxing in affected areas as inflammation caused due to waxing may worsen the melasma.

Heat rash
Prickly heat or heat rash happens when sweat glands get blocked. Since there is no way out, sweat accumulates under the skin causing rashes and itchy bumps. When they burst, we experience what is known as prickly heat.

Few ways to prevent this are:

• Wear light and loose fitting clothes, especially when going out in the hot sun. Cotton fabrics are best preferred.

• Always try and exercise outdoors during the cooler parts of the day, i.e, early mornings or late evenings.

• Keep your skin cool by using air conditioners, fans, etc.

Sunburns
Prolonged exposure to the sun causes sunburns which may even lead to various types of skin cancer.

To avoid this:

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, good sunglasses and long sleeved clothing.

• Apply generous amounts of sunscreen when stepping out into the hot sun.

If the above conditions persist or worsen after a few days, you should consult a dermatologist for best advice to deal with them. If you have any further questions regarding the symptoms or how to deal with them please do remember to share your thoughts in the comment section below.