Summer is the season of sunshine and fun. The days are longer, and you get to enjoy all fun outdoor activities that you cannot in colder weather. A wonderful way to enjoy the summer is by spending hours at the beach and indulging in various water sports or playing games with your family and friends on the lawn or the backyard. However, you may not be able to enjoy those summertime activities that you have been planning to if you get ugly breakouts of acne. Acne is caused when the oil glands at the base of hair follicles get blocked. It is genetic in nature and gets exaggerated by pore blocking makeup and can also be caused by hormonal changes. Among the various parts of the body, it is most likely to occur on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper body. So it can be due to the onset of puberty or due to hormonal diseases like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome that can cause acne in women.
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Mild to moderate acne or blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimple caused when skin pores get clogged with oil, sweat, dirt and dead skin cells. Moderate to severe acne or larger spots and inflammation is due to a bacteria named Propionibacterium acnes that are present in a small number on our skin to multiply, and our immune system reacts causing acne. However, acne causes loss of self-esteem and confidence, particularly in teenagers. But with proper care, you can stop acne from ruining these sunny months and enjoy the sunshine as long as you want. Here are five quick and easy tips that will enable you to prevent acne this summer and enjoy it to the fullest.
- Wash your face at regular interval
In summer months, we tend to sweat a lot more. Mixed with dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and bacteria, it has the ability to clog pores. So you should gently wash your face twice every day with warm water and a mild cleanser. But you should not over clean your face as that may irritate your skin, make it dry and cause overproduction of oil which can lead to more acne. After washing, do not rub your skin to dry it. Just pat your skin by gently using a clean, soft and dry towel or cloth. Do not share it with anyone and regularly wash it preferably after every use with a mild detergent to keep it clean and free from germs.
- Protect your skin from the sun
During the summer months, the need for proper sun protection becomes even more important. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection force (SPF) of at least 30. Take as much sunscreen as can be filled in a shot glass and apply at least 30 minutes before going out. Reapply after every 2 hours if you are staying outdoors. Use the product which is suitable for your skin and go for a lighter sunscreen as compared to the one that you use in winter. If you have oily skin or sensitive skin that tends to break out, use one which is noncomedogenic and will not clog pores. Also, wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothes that cover your arms and legs.
- Drink lots of water
The heat during summer makes us sweat more in order to keep our body cool. That can cause dehydration. But besides that you should keep drinking the proper amount of water every day as it can help fight acne by removing toxins from the body that can cause acne to flare up. Besides that, you should also take care to shower after strenuous activities like working out or playing games to thoroughly wash away the sweat. Avoid drinking alcohol and coffee as it has a dehydrating effect. If you have alcohol, then you must take a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you drink to balance out its effects.
- Remove makeup completely before going to sleep
When you are sleeping, your skin rejuvenates and repairs itself. But if you have makeup on your face overnight, it can seep into your pores and cause breakouts. Ideally, you should take off the makeup as soon as you return home in order to let your skin breathe. The next time you wish to purchase makeup, ensure that it is non-comedogenic, so it will not clog the pores. This type of makeup is particularly useful for people who have sensitive skin and those who are prone to acne. Always remember to clean your face thoroughly irrespective of what type of makeup you use to remove all traces.
- Do not touch your face
We have a tendency to touch our face unknowingly. But that can transfer oil, dirt and germs to the skin and contribute to acne breakouts. Thus, do not touch your face unnecessarily. If you have to touch your skin for applying anything like makeup or cream on your skin, then you need to ensure that your hands are clean. Additionally, keep your fingernails clean and cut short as they too can have a lot of bacteria inside them. Another reason for not touching your face is that it can tempt you to pop pimples which can lead to scarring later on.
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Acne is typically mild and easily curable by home remedies. It is fairly common amongst teenagers and young adults. But you may need to go to a doctor if you have cystic acne or if the acne is stubborn or severe and does not go away even after using over-the-counter treatments for several months. But you should also not stress too much as it can make breakouts appear more often. Besides that you should take good care of your skin by cleansing, toning and moisturizing daily while exfoliating or applying face masks once in every 10 to 15 days or as per your skin’s need. You should also keep your hair clean and wash your clothes, pillow covers, bed-sheets and blankets regularly as they can also cause breakouts of acne indirectly.