Worst Season for Acne
Acne can make going out anxiety-provoking due to the impact it has on your appearance. While makeup can be used to cover up the color of your blemishes, it cannot mask the texture caused by severe acne. Certain weather may exacerbate your acne. So it’s important to know how to navigate this as the seasons change. Below you will find the worst season for acne and what treatment options are available to address the condition.
Worst Season for Acne
There has been extensive research on the impact of seasonal changes and the impact they have on acne. However, the evidence at this time isn’t entirely conclusive at this point. Some researchers have found that acne is worse in the summer, while others have found that the impact is worse in the winter. Despite this, understanding the impact the summer and winter seasons can have on your skin can help you adjust in order to reduce the impact on your skin.
The Impact of Summer on Your Skin
Summer is often warmer and tends to be more humid. Humidity has been found to increase acne for a variety of reasons.
- Increased Sweating: High humidity can cause you to sweat much more. The sweat on your skin evaporates much slower when it is humid out. Because of this, the sweat stays on your skin for longer. Sweat alone doesn’t cause acne, but sweat combined with prior irritation can potentially trigger acne (or make it worse).
- Weakened Skin Barrier: While the research is slightly unclear, it does indicate that humidity can weaken your skin barrier. Your skin barrier is important as it protects the deeper layers of your skin. A weakened barrier can result in more breakouts during the summer.
- Bacterial Imbalance: The balance of the bacteria on your skin can be disrupted when it’s humid out. This allows bacteria to grow and exacerbate your acne.
- Excess Sun Exposure: It’s vital to wear sunscreen every day. Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays and reduces your risk of getting a sunburn. A sunburn is a skin irritation that can result in an acne breakout as it heals.
The Impact of Winter on Your Skin
The winter months are often colder with less humidity in the air. Winter may exacerbate your acne for the following reasons.
- Dehydrated Skin: Research has shown that skin hydration decreases in the winter months. A decrease in hydration can negatively impact your skin barrier and result in acne.
- Decrease in Ceramides: It has been found that ceramides decrease in the winter months. Ceramides are fats or lipids that are found in your skin cells. They make up more than 30% of the outer layer of your skin, and are an important component in maintaining your skin’s moisture. They also help prevent the entry of germs into your body. Research has shown that acne patients often have less ceramides than those with healthy skin. This imbalance can worsen acne during the winter months.
Acne Treatment in Tampa Bay
Acne treatment can effectively address your skin issues and improve your confidence. The first step begins with a consultation with a dermatologist in Tampa. They can assess your skin and find a treatment plan that is right for you. There are a variety of treatment options depending on your unique skin care needs.
Acne treatment in Tampa Bay can include topical medication, oral medication, or both. Avoid waiting and take the first step in getting your confidence back. Contact the team at Lombardi Institute of Dermatology today and schedule a consultation. They are skilled in a variety of dermatological treatments, including acne treatment.
