Don’t sweat it! – How to fight frustrating Summer acne breakouts

It’s kind of ironic isn’t it? The summer season is the time of the year when we want/need to bare the most skin, yet can also be the time when some of us suffer the most with acne breakouts.

For those who may have suffered with more acne breakouts lately than usual, perhaps the current glorious weather sweeping across the UK could be to blame.

Heat and humidity result in more sweating so the body can try to remain in a cool state. Unfortunately, this excessive sweating, together with strenuous outside activities air pollutants, dirt, debris, etc. in the air can result in clogged pores on the face, and this is when the blackheads and acne breakouts wreak havoc for our skin.

Acne is caused when the skin produces too much oil, leading to skin pores becoming clogged with bacteria. Though many first believed sweating could aid clearing out these pores, it was eventually discovered that oil pores and sweat glands are independent of one another – thereby one having no benefit to the other. It is in fact the case that sweating leads to more acne by providing a sticky, moist surface for dirt and debris to cling to.

However, the active amongst us may be at an even further risk of acne during the hot summer months. Acne mechanica is a term probably unfamiliarly to most, but it is a form of acne caused by friction, pressure or rubbing from clothing against a particularly sweaty part of the body. It is the trapped heat against the body for long periods of time that leads to this type of acne.

Sports equipment is a common culprit for acne mechanica, and this is why many teenage boys are likely to suffer. Football or hockey pads, sweatbands, helmets, etc. traps sweat and heat against the skin, leading to acne.

It is not just sporty teenagers who are prone to acne mechanica though – Soldiers are another group often suffering with this type of acne. Carrying around heavy equipment, weapons and everything else, puts enormous pressure and friction on the skin, causing breakouts. Any soldier who is based out in hot, humid environments is even more at risk of this form of acne.

So what can be done in the summer months when it is hot and humid, and a higher risk of acne?

.  Consider benzoyl peroxide-containing acne treatments

The majority of acne mechanica cases respond effectively to treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, found in certain body washes, over-the counter acne treatments, as well as highly popular prescription treatments for acne such as Duac Once Daily Gel and Epiduo Gel. In fact, almost every kind of acne treatment recommended by dermatologists will utilise benzoyl peroxide as its primary active ingredient because it is a proven and effective tool at treating acne. After application, the benzoyl peroxide will enter the skin and its free radical oxygen and benzoic acid will combines forces to kill off the acne-causing bacteria.

. Shower frequently

It is obvious that most of us will spend more time outdoors when it is warm. Make sure to shower following excessive sweating and although it may be tempting to have a long soak in the bath after a sweat-filled day outdoors, avoid this as that can actually provoke acne, and stick to having a shower. This will effectively clear away dead skin cells and flush them away from the body. Remember to not shower too frequently though as this can have an adverse effect on the body, and two minutes should be all you need to rinse off.

. Avoid scrubbing

Scrubbing the skin can bring on a high risk of an acne breakout. Therefore, both in and out of the shower, try not to scrub your skin and face. Use a towel to delicately pat yourself dry and simply let the air dry off the skin as much as possible, as this enables essential oils to remain on the skin.

. Choose clothing wisely

It is important to wear light clothing that is loose fitting to lessen the friction against the skin and to ensure the body is kept cool and less likely to sweat. Light cotton, silk, and linen are advisable whilst synthetic fabric appears to be disastrous in respect to acne mechanica as it traps heat against the skin.  Sporty individuals should be cautious that their uniform will probably be made from synthetic fabric. Therefore, it is beneficial to wear a cotton t-shirt underneath the uniform. This is vital under athletic pads to help reduce friction. Athletes should also shower straight after their activities to wash away all that sweat.

. Eat healthily

Greasy foods loaded with fat can release free radicals and other damaging chemicals into the body, causing an accumulation of oil and bacteria. With this in mind, make sure to have a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, which are both fantastic for the skin as they released antioxidants that can fight the free radicals and reduce the risk of acne.

L’Oreal anti-ageing products leave woman with blistered face for six months

A 66-year-old woman was left suffering with horrifying blisters and swelling to the face within days after starting to use products from the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew anti-ageing range.

Marlene Corrall, like so many patients who come to Medical Specialists, was looking for effective anti-wrinkle treatments that would leave her skin appearing refresher, replenished and rejuvenated.
Unfortunately, Ms Corrall, from Leicestershire, was left feeling anything but all that after suffering an extremely severe allergic reaction following the application of three L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew anti-ageing products on her face.

Describing her horrific experience, Ms Corrall says: “When I went into my local chemist I spotted the L’Oreal Revitalift range and decided to give it a try, but it was the biggest mistake I ever made, after the reaction I had. Within two days of using the creams, my face started to swell and break out in painful red blisters which spread all over my face. I was really frightened, especially as I have always taken great pride in my skin.”

She says she has been trying various anti-wrinkle creams since her mid-30s and has never previously encountered any such problems like this in those thirty years and puts effort into trying to keep her skin looking as healthy as possible.

Ms Corrall says she had to take two weeks off work from her role as a senior carer due to the pain she was in and also go through a gruelling six months of recovery, which involved being prescribed steroids as well as penicillin by her GP to try and control the severe reaction her skin was having to the L’Oreal products.

She continued: She said: “I have been left with acute dermatitis and there is still a bit of puffiness under my cheekbones. I try to look after myself so this has really knocked my confidence. I never had any problems with my skin. I am very healthy and look after myself but now I have been left with skin problems as a result when all I wanted to do was look my best.”

Following an expensive £130 visit to a private doctor, the problem was found to be due to a chemical contained in the L’Oreal anti-wrinkle creams; methylisothiazolinone. Known as ‘MI’, it is used to extend the shelf life of household goods and cosmetics. It can be found in shower gels, deodorants, cleansers and moist tissue wipes.

Ms Corrall added: “I cannot believe companies still use this chemical after what it did to my skin. It was terrifying to have my skin react so severely and it knocked my confidence. It took so long to clear up that I have decided that life is too short, and after that happened I had enough – you never know what’s around the corner so life is for enjoying. I am now very careful with products that I use to make sure the ingredients are only natural minerals.”

MI has been blamed by health experts for a surge in dangerous allergic reactions. Only last month cosmetic giant Johnson & Johnson spoke of their concerns, and are now taking the chemical out of many products, including its best-selling Piz Buin sun cream.

“I’d like to see methylisothiazolinone banned or for the industry to go back to levels it was using a few years ago,” says Graham Johnston, a consultant dermatologist at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, who treated Corrall. “People are needing nastier drugs to cure the reaction. One patient had to have an anti-cancer drug and another an anti-rejection drug.”

This story highlights the questionable effectiveness and safety of off-the-shelf anti-wrinkle products. Proven and popular treatments for wrinkles include Akenmycin Plus, Differin Gel, Differin Cream and Epiduo Gel. They are all available today from Medical Specialists Pharmacy following an online consultation with one of our doctors, who will assess the information and medical details you provide to decide your suitability for that treatment. Once authorised by the doctor, your order will be dispense by our in-house pharmacy and dispatched the same day by Royal Mail Special Delivery.