Published: June 16, 2014

Summer’s finally here. The Durham farmer’s market is in full swing. You can watch a movie outdoors at the NC Museum of Art. Some of you may even have celebrated the summer solstice downtown Chapel Hill this past weekend. But summer sometimes brings an event nobody wants to be part of: An acne flare-up.

If you find that the summer months are triggering breakouts, we hope you’ll find use for the following ten tips for home prevention and treatment (adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology). But please know that if you can’t get a handle on the problem, we’re always here to help. In the meantime, here’s our advice for summer:

1) Wash your face regularly: Especially in summer, make sure you wash twice daily with a mild, gentle cleanser. You should also always wash up after sweating, as perspiration can trigger a breakout or make existing acne worse. The hairline is particularly vulnerable, because baseball caps, sun hats and bike helmets can both increase perspiration and allow it to concentrate in certain areas.

2) Be gentle: Use ONLY your fingertips to apply your mild cleanser. Avoid using anything abrasive, including facial scrubs, loofahs, face puffs or even wash cloths, as these can irritate the skin. When skin gets irritated, it’s more likely to break out.

3) Rinse with lukewarm water: Your skin doesn’t want or need a hot water rinse, which doesn’t help acne anyway. Always be gentle. Remember, you only have one face.

4) Shampoo regularly. Wash your hair daily if it’s oily. Oil from your hair can clog pores and cause acne flare-ups.

5) Try oil-free products: Keep this in mind when shopping for sunscreen (or makeup or moisturizers for that matter). How do you know which products are oil free? Look for those that are specifically labeled “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.”

6) Don’t be a sun worshipper: Contrary to popular myth, sun does not “dry up” acne and can even trigger it in some individuals. What’s more, getting a tan or burn will cause skin damage you’ll deeply regret down the line. In addition, some acne medications will increase your photosensitivity and your risk of burning. So stay out of the sun (and the tanning beds, too).

7) Keep your hands to yourself: Don’t touch your face. Touching your skin introduces dirt and bacteria to your skin, which can contribute to breakouts.

8) No picking or popping please: If you do break out, don’t pick, pop, or squeeze, no matter how tempting. Doing so will increase inflammation (not to mention your risk of scarring) and delay healing.

9) Try an over-the counter medication: If you find you’re breaking out, try an over-the-counter medication with salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide. Keep in mind it may take time (4-12 weeks) before you see results. If you have oily skin, use a gel or solution. If you have dry skin, use a cream or lotion. Whatever product you use, apply it to clean skin.

10) If ordinary measures don’t work, consult a dermatologist: Sometimes no matter what we do, we still get zits. Fortunately, almost every case of acne can be successfully treated by a qualified dermatologist. If you find you can’t beat stubborn acne on your own, or if severe acne is getting you down, make an appointment with Aesthetic Solutions or with your local dermatologist. He or she has a variety of means to help you treat existing acne and acne scarring, as well as prevent future outbreaks and scars.