HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Let’s face it. The heat isn’t going anywhere. For the duration of the summer, we can only expect temperatures to climb even higher.
While many of us soak up the sun, the intensely hot and humid weather is creating a breeding ground for bacteria on the skin, so prevention methods to combat those heat flare-ups are a must.
Whether your skin is normal, sensitive, dry, combination or oily, harmful UV rays can cause severe damage. 10 On Your Side spoke with local dermatologist and nurse practitioner of Clarity Acne & Aesthetic Dermatology, Dr. Deborah Quinn, to learn the best solutions to safeguard exposed areas.
Quinn said we should protect our skin, starting with a basic routine.
“So you always want to wash your face, do a light moisturizer in the summer and then always wear sunblock,” she said.
According to Quinn, your skin’s reaction to the heat will vary based on the type it falls under.
“If you’re very oily, you want to wear a light sun block,” Quinn said. “But if you’re very dry, you need something warm, moisturizing. Also, increased oil during the summer heat will cause clogging [of] the skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and then that results in inflammation. Then you get the heat in the sun, which turns that into pigmentation.”
The long-time dermatologist places heavy emphasis on keeping your skin clean which reduces clogging, whether you’re prone to it or not.
“During the summer heat, too much exfoliation will make you more photosensitive and more prone to burning,” she said.
As for clogging, she advises to keep your skin cool and stay under the shade.
The most important step in a skincare routine is finding the right sunblock or sunscreen. Did you know there’s a difference between the two?
“I would say sunblocks are less irritating than the sunscreens,” Quinn said. “So, they’re going to be safer. And a lot of people won’t wear them because they think it will leave a white sheen on their skin. But, like I said, they’re micronized. They’ve come a long way, so sunblocks are going to be … mineral-based — there are minerals like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide. The sun actually will come hit the skin and then be blocked and bounced back off, versus the sunscreens [that] are more chemicals, so it does break up the heat and disperses the UV rays, but you’re still not getting that actual block.”
As for patients with sensitive skin or those prone to melasma, pigmentation or rosacea, they will need to use a sunblock. Medical-grade sunblocks — available at any dermatology, medical spa or plastic surgeon offices — opposed to those over the counter, are said to be the most effective.
If you’re headed to the beach, Quinn recommends sun exposure only after 4 p.m., and to reapply sunscreen or sun block every two hours.