How To Avoid The Top Summer Skin Disasters: Part One

Summer's almost upon us, the season when we bare the most skin. However, with all that sun and heat, sometimes it causes unsightly skin issues, making it natural just to want to cover up! Read on to discover how to keep your face and body blemish-free and beautiful so you can reap all the benefits summer brings.

Sweaty Workouts

While working out is great for your muscles and waistline, when excess moisture stays on your skin the toxins you sweat out and chemicals from your clothes can be quickly absorbed back into your pores, irritating your skin. It's always smart to shower immediately following your workout, but if you can't, at least change into dry clothing to prevent sweaty, irritated bumps and rashes. If you're an exercise enthusiast, you may be prone to painful breast chafing and or rashes thanks to tight sport bras. To prevent these skin conditions, wear moisture-wicking, breathable bras, and immediately after your workout ends, change out of your workout clothes, shower, towel off completely, and apply an absorbent powder. If you still develop a rash, treat it with a cortisone cream and keep the area as dry as possible while it heals.

Acne and Bacne

The unfortunate truth is that it's more common to break out in the summer. This is because bacteria multiplies more quickly in the heat and humidity. When you sweat more and wear tight clothing the sweat and bacteria get trapped making your skin more prone to the dreaded body acne. Both Clarisonic body brushes and antibacterial soaps are fantastic for cleaning this excess bacteria off your body. If you do develop bacne, try using a benzoyl peroxide body wash or gel. Salicylic acid treatments are also useful for help unclog your pores.

Sunburns

Certainly the most painful of all summer skin problems and the most dangerous as your risk for developing melanoma doubles after five or more sunburns. Often times many people get burnt because they apply their sunscreen after they put their bathing suits on. This can be completely avoided by applying your sunscreen in the buff. If you find yourself sweaty or swimming after you apply read your sunscreen's label to find out how long it is water-resistant and reapply frequently. If you do get scorched it's wise to take an anti-inflammatory medication, ie. ibuprofen, soothe your skin with aloe vera gel and drink lots of water. Moisturizing burned skin frequently keeps it hydrated and may prevent peeling.

Remember, this is a two-part series so make sure to watch for the next blog post on how to avoid the top summer skin disasters just in time for the upcoming summer season!