Escape the summer breakouts

HEALTH

What you can do to avoid an itchy and spotty summer skinscape.

Summer is the worst time to quiz your mirror about degrees of fairness or beauty. Besides the obvious tanned skin, there are issues of dust, oil and sweat. But by far the greatest concern remains acne on the face, and boils on the body. Though heat can't be held guilty for causing skin eruptions, it does aggravate the problem.

Acne is governed by testosterone, a hormone present in men and women that accumulates in the sebaceous glands, which secrete the oil that keeps the skin waterproof and supple.

The level of activity of testosterone in your body defines the quantity of oil on your skin. Excess oil leads to the blocking of pores, in turn causing acne. In the summer months, factors like sweat and dust accumulation make the skin excessively oily and block the pores.

Dr R K Joshi, senior consultant dermatologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital explains, "The only way to counter this activity on the face is by frequently washing it with water and using a cleanser."

He recommends the use of soap-free face wash two or three times a day. In fact, for women he has another piece of advice "" make sure you buy make-up that does not block the pores of the skin or that is "non-comedogenic" in nature.

Besides regularly splashing your face with water, it is a good idea to give some to your body as well. So, drink plenty of water and other cooling beverages like khus, rosewater and vitamin C enriched drinks.

Another summer problem is boils on the body. Excessive sweating and body hair blocks pores and generates fungal activity, creating a condition called folliculitis. The best way to prevent folliculitis is by changing undergarments and sweaty clothes in the evening and using an abrasive soap rich in sulphur.

Says Dr Simal Soin, consultant dermatologist, "Acne is a skin problem while folliculitis is a bacterial infection and if prevention techniques don't work then see a dermatologist." We say, prevention is better than cure: so stay clean, cool and hydrated all day long.