Every season poses its own unique challenges to a person’s skin, and summer is certainly no different. In addition to obvious things like sunburns and increased risk of skin cancer due to more time spent outdoors in the hot summer sun, there are a variety of other summertime skin issues that our readers should be aware of. Our board-certified dermatologists and physician assistants thought it would be helpful to go in-depth on some common summer skin issues and what can be done to avoid them.

Acne Breakouts

Acne can be a year-round issue for many people, but it’s a fact that it can often be worse during the summer. Higher temperatures can lead to increased sweating, and additional dirt and oil on the face, chest, and back… all factors that can contribute to acne outbreaks. To help prevent summer acne, it’s important to be mindful of your skin. This means washing your face regularly. Keep your skin hydrated and protected from the sun by applying a healthy (oil-free) sunscreen/moisturizer that is made for acne-prone skin such as EltaMD® UV Clear.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles. It is common during the summer. Follicles are the openings that a hair grows out of. Excess bacteria or yeast can lead to folliculitis, a condition where these follicles become inflamed or infected. Folliculitis usually looks like pimples, but they can be itchy and tender. One good way to prevent folliculitis is to immediately change out of workout clothes and shower after any summer exercise.

Heat Rash

There are an abundance of skin rashes that can occur during the hot summer months. Heat rash (or miliaria) is a very common one. This occurs when sweat glands become blocked, meaning the sweat cannot escape the body and builds up under your skin, causing a bumpy and uncomfortable rash. Anything you can do to reduce sweating can help reduce the risk of heat rash. We recommend wearing lighter-weight clothes while exercising, working out indoors or during cooler parts of the day (early morning) when possible, and taking cooler temperature showers.

The summer heat can be uncomfortable enough without experiencing these, or any other skin issues related to the season. For more information or to schedule a dermatology appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists or physician assistants, contact Dermatology Associates of Atlanta today. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more skin care tips and practice updates.