Sunny Day Skin Dismay
We are all enjoying our beautiful sunny summer day when BAM, our skin starts to do some funky stuff. In this article, I’ll address some common skin issues in the summer and how to prevent or help soothe them.
Acne: When sweat mixes with bacteria and natural skin oils, it can clog your pores. If you have acne-prone skin, this often leads to acne. I recommend the following to help prevent a breakout:
Blot sweat from your skin with a clean towel or cloth. Wiping sweat off can irritate your skin, which can lead to a breakout, make sure you're using a clean cloth or at the very least, the BACK of your hand (not your dirty fingers) to wipe sweat away.
Wash sweaty clothes, headbands, towels, pillow cases and hats before using them again.
Use non-comedogenic (Won't clog pores) products on your face, neck, back, and chest. Stay away from coconut, olive and other oils!
Keeping the dry skin from building up is also key, use a home exfoliating mask or schedule a facial to remove excess dead skin.
Dry Skin: When outdoor air is hot and humid: sun exposure, pool time, and air-conditioning can cause dry skin. Prevent and help the effects of dry skin with these tips:
Shower immediately after getting out of the pool using a mild cleanser or body wash. Bar soap tends to make dry skin worse.
Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF! SPF 30+ is best and don't forget to reapply. This can go on after your normal moisturizing lotion.
Take showers and baths in warm water, rather than hot water.
Slather on a fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing. Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, so you’ll need to apply it within 5 minutes of drying off.
Carry moisturizer with you, so you can apply it after washing your hands and when your skin feels dry. I keep lotion in my purse, in my car, at my desk, in the bathroom, by my bed…everywhere!
Melasma: Being out in the sun can make melasma darker and more noticeable.
Wear SPF, sunglasses, a hat and try to stay in the shade.
Keeping the dry skin from building up is also key, use a home exfoliating mask or schedule a facial to remove excess dead skin.
Sun Sensitivity: You can develop a rash or even hives when you’re in the sun if you take certain medications. If you have an allergic reaction to the sun, you’ll see red, scaly, and extremely itchy bumps. Some people also get blisters.
Google your medications (or ask your pharmacist) to find out if it can cause sun sensitivity.
Meds to look out for include: ketoprofen (some pain meds) and antibiotics: tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.
If your medicine can cause a reaction, take this seriously! Stay out of the sun!
If you have to be outdoors, protect your skin and seek out shade, wear sun-protective clothes, and apply SPF of 50+.
And of course, Sunburn: Sunburns can eventually cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Wear SPF 30+ (don't worry, you'll probably still get a tan), sun protective clothing, sun glasses and hats.
If you do get a burn, there are a few ways to soothe your lobster skin.
Take a cool shower with mild soap or no soap, or a 15-20 minute oatmeal bath with tepid water.
Pat dry sensitive skin after bathing, instead of wiping, then liberally apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.
In addition to, (NOT instead of) lotion, apply aloe to help soothe skin inflammation; try to avoid fragrance or added coloring though.
Drink LOTS of water; sunburned skin lets out too much water through the impaired skin barrier (TEWL: trans-epidermal water loss).
Note: African American skin already has naturally increased TEWL, so make sure you wear your SPF and moisturizer! All darker skin tones also have a higher rate of hyperpigmentation (age spots and scarring), so it's good practice to protect your skin from UV damage. WEAR YOUR SPF!
