Though summer is one of the favorite seasons of the year for many, it can also be the cause of several skin related woes. Bacne (body acne) can tend to sprout up, mosquitoes come out to their own private cookout on your skin, and if you have a voluptuous set of thighs try wearing your favorite shorts or skirt without suffering from the dreaded thigh rub (*ouch*). Luckily I’ve got some tips on how to prevent some of the worst summer has to offer.
Bacne: Acne that rears its ugly head on your back, chest, and/or body. Your best defense against (mild) bacne is by wearing breathable fabrics like cotton and washing with a medicated cleanser. Also be sure to remove sweaty clothing or wet bathing suits as soon as possible to avoid the spread of bacteria which can make your bacne worse.
You might also banish them by using the same benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatments you use on your face. Tea tree oil can also prove to be effective in both treating and preventing bacne since it acts as a disinfectant and kills bacteria lurking on your skin. You can find tea tree oil at The Body Shop or your local vitamin store. It can come in liquid or gel form but if you’re looking to treat hard-to-reach areas, put some liquid tea tree oil in a spray bottle and spray away.
If you suffer from more severe forms of bacne, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist for a heart-to-heart talk about treatment.
Products to try:
Thigh Rub: If you have a set of juicy thighs that touch when you walk, you likely have experienced the dreaded thigh rub. If you haven’t, rejoice because it’s not pleasant. At all. Thighs that rub together create friction on the skin which leads to painful chaffing. You can use extra lotion, but if you walk around a lot, the only thing that has every provided me the R-E-L-I-E-F I needed was a product called BodyGlide. It’s a skin lubricant used by professional athletes to prevent chaffing but can also be used on the thigh area and on the feet to prevent blisters.
Find out more information at www.bodyglide.com
Sweat: You just took a shower 5 minutes ago but you’re already drenched. When it comes to summer, these are the breaks. Breathable fabrics like cotton come into play again. Try switching to a more powerful deodorant and carry some baby wipes with you to freshen up (whatever you do please NO visible baby powder on your chest).
However for most cases of excessive sweating, it’s important to see your doctor to rule out any medical conditions that can be causing it.
Some also opt for botulinum toxin (Botox) as treatment for excessive sweating.
Sunburn: Though skin of color is known to tan and not burn, it is possible to suffer from sunburn. Once you’ve been burned, it’s important to stay out of the sun and tanning salons. You may find relief with some aspirin and aloe-based lotions. Cool baths are also an option, but avoid scrubs, oils, and perfumes and be super gentle with the skin to avoid infection. See your doctor if you have severe sunburn.
For more summer beauty tips, go here.
How have you dealt with summer skin woes? Tell me in the comments!
~Danielle
