Tips to treat 6 summer skin problems

The scorching summer season is approaching, and it brings along several skin problems. Are you geared up to fix them yet?

Here are easy remedies to six skin problems that we usually come across.

Summer season can be a hard time for the body and skin. As the temperatures soars and heat becomes unbearable, the body has to fight to keep itself cool, protected, hydrated and infection free. The same is true for skin.

We spoke to Dr Chiranjiv Chhabra, founder of SkinAlive Clinics, to understand the various skin problems you can face this summer and how to deal with them.

"The answer lies in keeping yourself well hydrated, protecting your skin from sun exposure and reducing conditions amenable to infections," begins Dr Chhabra.

She lists the following skin problems and their solutions:

Sunburn

The summer sun is so harsh that it can scorch your skin, causing red patches, and rashes that give a burning sensation. This happens more in people who have sensitive skin. In simple language, it is the sun burning up your soft and sensitive skin.

Dr Chhabra says, "Logically, the only way to protect your skin against this condition is minimise sun exposure. At the same time equally important is to wear sunscreen religiously."

• Apply a sunblock cream liberally all over your face, neck and arms 20 minutes before stepping out.
• Make sure you re-apply the same every four hours to ensure continuous protection.
• It is also advisable to people who have sensitive skin to wear clothes covering as much skin as possible during the day time.
• Ending your day with an aloe vera gel face pack will cool down the sunburnt skin.

Dehydration

It is not just your body but also your skin that bears the brunt of dehydration.

"As we sweat, we continuously lose hydration from the skin. If not sufficiently replenished, this can leave the skin dry, irritated and more prone to sunburn. Your lips may start cracking and dry patches may appear all over. The most logical answer is to drink as much water as you can," says Dr Chhabra.

• Carry a water bottle with you all the time, do not go without sipping once every half an hour
• Add a lot of juices and summer fruits to your intake. Fruits like watermelon which are full of water content are particularly good for the body and skin during summers.
• You can also seek deep hydrating treatments like Hydrating Electroporation Therapy, Oxygen Therapy or Juvederm Refine.

Acne

The sweat makes our skin a magnet to the daily dose of dust, grime and pollution floating in the air, particularly if we spend some time outdoors. This combination of heat and dirt is a perfect recipe for acne and pimples to grow.

Dr Chhabra explains, "The dust clogs the skin's pores while the heat gives bacteria a perfect environment to thrive. To minimise acne, care should be taken to keep the skin clean always."

• You should carry your face wash with you and give your face a quick wash thrice daily or whenever you think it is needed to clean up.
• Use a good facial cleanser every evening so that your skin pores are free of dirt
• Use anti-bacterial face wash; and end your day with a cooling application of multani mitti or sandalwood face pack to contain inflammation.
• Often acne might need medical attention. So, if your breakouts do not subside, do visit a dermatologist. You may need hormonal correction.

Heat rashes

Multiple factors combine to make your skin irritable during summers. Along with the heat that puts a lot of pressure, is sweating. However, sometimes dirt and dust clogs the sweat ducts of the skin, trapping the perspiration.

"This can result in itchy rashes, blisters or mini bumps. Clothes can make them irritable all the more irritable because of friction," says Dr Chhabra.

• Keep yourself squeaky clean, if you sweat.
• Bath twice daily, particularly so when you end your day.
• Use an anti-bacterial soap or bath gel.
• Keep yourself dry as much as possible.
• Rubbing the affected skin with ice cubes can help soothe the irritation. If the condition persists, meet a dermatologist.

Bacterial infections

The hot temperature gives birth to bacteria and viruses making the skin a perfect thriving environment. The bacteria are everywhere, and you cannot even see them.

Dr Chhabra explains, "People who use public transport and keep moving in crowded places are much more amenable to come in contact with multiple bacterial infections. Even the bus seat or window you touch with your hand may be carrying bacteria. These hands we then touch our face with often resulting in skin infections."

• Try to keep your hands clean and washed most of the times
• Carry a hand wash and keep washing every couple of hours. If this is not possible use a hand sanitiser
• And give up the habit of touching your face with your fingers all the time
• Folliculitis is a common condition when the damaged hair follicles get infected by bacteria, resulting in inflammation. To prevent this use loose clothes, avoid using swimming pools which are not properly disinfected, prevent cuts when shaving.

Tanning

When exposed to the sun's UV radiation, the skin's melanin reacts by forming a protective shield. Dr Chhabra explains, "The melanin results in dark pigmentation, either uniformly all over the skin or in patches on the skin. The result is what we call skin darkening, tanning or hyper-pigmentation."

• Using sunscreen of at least 30 SPF and reapplying is important, so is wearing sunglasses to prevent dark circles
• To undo the effects of tanning, seek procedures like laser skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or Microdermabrasion
• Your dermatologist will suggest the right procedure for your needs.

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