Summer Skin Issues

Summer is the time of the year when a few common skin issues make their appearance or get worse. It can be confusing trying to work out what they are, why they are happening and what to do about them.

These are a few of the more common skin issues I see in my Dermatology practice in the summer:

Tropical Acne

• In summer especially in humid conditions, the pilosebaceous units tend to become more easily blocked by increased sweating, increased sebum production and by the top layer of the skin becomes more sticky
• Tropical Acne tends to occur on the face, chest, upper arms, and buttocks

I would advise using an exfoliating toner with a keratolytic action to help keep the pores unclogged and this can be used regularly and as often as required. If it is extreme I would advise seeking medical help as you may need oral medication to treat this condition. The use of oil-free, dry-touch sunscreens and light serums is preferable if living or holidaying in hot, humid climates.

Pigmentation

• Summertime is when your skin is more prone to develop dark marks or pigmentation

Superficial Pigmentation:

• • Freckles and sunspots often become darker in the summer due to UV radiation, especially after a holiday in the sun
  • You may also notice new freckles and sunspots developing that have been triggered by sun exposure

Deeper Melasma:

• • This is also aggravated by sun exposure and what many people do not know is that just one day in the sun without proper sun protection can aggravate or cause a deeper, more stubborn form of melasma
  •  People with a darker skin tone and especially those who are on an oestrogen-containing oral contraceptive or who are pregnant are in a high-risk category for developing this type of melasma
• If you are prone to pigmentation, summertime is a good time to practice sun avoidance and sun protection with the appropriate hat, sunglasses and clothing
• You also need to use a good quality, high factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen preferably which also includes an antioxidant
• For those in the high-risk category, the use of melanin-inhibiting products may be necessary to help reduce the risk of further pigmentation in summer

Miliaria (Prickly Heat)

• Milaria is a heat rash which occurs when the eccrine sweat ducts become blocked
• This may present as numerous small clear blisters, small red bumps and small pustules often on the trunk
• This tends to occur in persons who sweat more easily in hot humid conditions and where they may have applied a thicker moisturiser and or sunscreen that blocks these small eccrine duct openings
• It is a good idea to wear loose sweat-absorbing clothing when exercising or exerting yourself as tight nylon clothing prevents evaporation of sweat and can exacerbate this condition

Polymorphosis Light Eruption

• This is essentially an allergic reaction to the sun that is extremely common in the Northern Hemisphere and less common in the South Hemisphere where the seasons are not as well-defined
• It is an itchy rash that usually occurs in an area that has previously been covered by clothing during the winter
• The typical scenario is somebody who wears a bathing costume for the first time in the spring/summer and goes into the sun
• PMLE is caused by the longer wavelengths of light namely UVA and this can be prevented by use of a broad spectrum high factor sunscreen, by very gradual sun exposure and also by taking oral Heliocare 360° Capsules before sun exposure

Medication

• Certain oral medications such as water tablets (diuretics), old-fashioned oral Tetracyclines and certain Statins among many other medications, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun
• This can cause an itchy, red rash in the exposed areas of your body called Photoallergic Dermatitis. Strict sun avoidance is recommended if you are taking medication that may cause this type of reaction
• You may need to consult your doctor to stop the medication (if possible) and treat it with emollients and topical steroids

Skincare products that can help Summer Skin Issues

Acne Skin

It is important to use the correct cleanser – one with a foaming action is often the best and to use a lotion or gel that contains Benzyl Peroxide (BPO). Dr Webster recommends:

• Neostrata® Clarifying Facial Cleanser
• Obagi CLENZIderm Therapeutic Lotion

Pigmented Skin

It is best to use products that contain melanin inhibitors to minimise the formation of dark marks. Dr Webster recommends:

• Neoretin Gel Cream + Neoretin Serum
• NeoStrata Enlighten range
• Obagi Nu-Derm range

Miliaria (Prickly Heat)

Use a lighter moisturiser and sunscreen for the face and the body.

• CeraVe Moisturising Lotion 
• ISDIN Gel Cream SPF 50+

Sun & Skin

Use sunscreens which contain antioxidants as they enhance the efficacy of the sunscreens.  If you have more oily skin, ensure that the sunscreen is oil-free and non-comedogenic so that it does not block your pores causing acne and a heat rash. Dr Webster recommends:

• Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Oil Control Fluid SPF 50+