Monsoon is the time when one is prone to skin problems, including acne. Here is how to manage it all

Dr Vikas Sharma

Acne breakout is the most common skin problem during the rainy season and are tougher to manage in humid weather. The season’s high humidity can cause excess sebum production, which can lead to acne breakouts. As humidity rises during the rainy season, your skin will become oily and sticky. This invites dust, dirt, and sweat that clog the pores of the skin, creating a greasy appearance that will ultimately result in acne and breakouts.

Acne is caused by instability of cells lining the walls of sebaceous ducts in the skin and they’re often clogged with the skin’s natural oils. If your pores become clogged, the skin’s natural bacteria can cause inflammation and worsen acne.

Manage it well

Once one has acne, the key is to maintain a balanced skin-care routine. Some people end up washing their face numerous times a day, sometimes scrubbing vigorously and using harsh astringents. In fact, washing skin too frequently and too aggressively can make an acne breakout much worse. Ultimately, this can lead to red, irritated and traumatized skin that looks worse.

Wash your face twice or thrice a day with lukewarm water, a mild cleanser, in a gentle motion; no scrubbing or harsh abrasive products needed. Some patients will squeeze pimples in an attempt to open up a clogged pore. However, this usually leads to further inflammation, which makes the acne look worse and last longer. It is important for patients not to pick or scratch at individual lesions because it can make them inflamed and can lead to long-term scarring. Keep your hands off and leave that acne lesion alone!

Avoid wearing heavy make-up. Opt for the sweat-proof or water-proof products. Avoid too much cosmetics, if to be used, use only those labelled as hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, fragrance free skin products. Also avoid applying too much gel or oil on the frontal aspect of the scalp as it tends to affect the sebaceous ducts on the forehead and can lead to an increase in breakouts over the forehead.

Go for treatment

It is better to go for treatment early rather than getting prone to scar formation. Acne scars can affect the quality of life. In severe cases, scars can even limit a person’s mobility. Acne when in severe form like nodulo-cystic acne can in some cases lead to permanent facial disfigurement.

Don’t self-medicate or alter your normal regimen without consulting your dermatologist. Treating acne is a systematic process according to the type and grade. There is no overnight remedy!

(Dr Sharma is a Chandigarh-based dermatologist)