How to Treat and Prevent Acne During the Summer Months

by Jaime Richards 0

Acne doesn't discriminate. It affects people of all ages and walks of life, and it doesn't even discriminate based on seasonal conditions. But in the warm-weathered months coming up, there are a few things you can do to prevent acne from rearing its ugly little head in the first place.

• Stay away from heavy products and sunscreens: "One thing that can contribute to acne in the Summer is using heavy products and sunscreens," says Venus dermatologist and clinical associate professor at NYU, Dr. Ellen Gendler. That, in combination with being outside sweating, can lead to clogging, followed by acne. To treat this, Dr. Gendler recommends addressing the breakouts, and then switching to a sunscreen that's less heavy in nature, such as a light fluid or a gel.

See more tips for putting a stop to spots when you read more.

• Beating backne: "The best way to treat chest acne and back acne would be to make sure that as soon as you come off the beach — or wherever you've been — that you get into a shower and wash off your sunscreen thoroughly," says Dr. Gendler. You can then also use a salicylic acid toner to slough the skin to prevent clogging. But whatever you do, don't try to scrub away the breakout with a scrub brush. She explains, "I never let patients use any kind of exfoliating brush on their back or their chest. That's the worst!"
• Treating individual spots: According to Dr. Gendler, the best, surefire way to get rid of a individual pimple is to have your dermatologist drain it or inject it with a little bit of a cortisone. The procedure doesn't work for everyone, though, so in those cases, try an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid gel, which can help dry up a breakout.