Acne-prone skin that has been exposed to sunlight can become hypersensitive when using medications including tetracyclines or isotretinoin. Therefore, how to heal the acne completely even in the summer?
In the summer, people with acne-prone skin should consider carefully before sunbathing. Many acne treatments are photosensitizers: the treatments can trigger the rashes on the areas that have been exposed to ultraviolet (UV), especially shoulders, hands, forearms and face. It is even worse when we are wearing swimsuit. The rashes will appear more and spread to other parts of the body.
What if we do not use the photosensitizers for the skin when exposing to the sunlight? The only solution to deal with these rashes is to protect the skin against the sunlight regardless of the medications.
We cannot prevent youngsters or women from catching some rays. However, it is advisable to follow some acne treatments prescribed. Applying a high sun protection factor sunscreen is highly recommended.
Remember:
- Apply the sunscreen after every 2-hour period and about 15- 30 minutes before being exposed to the sun. UVA protection factor ratio should be equal to or less than 2, and the protection should be 50. Prefer oil-free and water-based one with fragrance to avoid photosensitivity and irritation, fat or comedogenic one is not recommended. Sunscreens with mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) able to reflect the UV rays and sunlight rather than absorbing them is preferable.
- Two of the most effective sunscreens are hat and T-shirt. People suffering from the severe acne will be at a higher depigmentation risk. Therefore, sunscreen is especially important.
- Avoiding the sun exposure and UV cabin between 12- 16 hours.
- Moisturize the skin several times each day, with a suitable amount of oily moisturizer in and it should be non-comedogenic.
- If possible, continue the acne treatment regularly because we will benefit from the guidance and monitoring.
Acne treatment possible in the summer
We can continue the acne treatment even in the summer with several precautions taken.
The fruit acids-based treatments (AHA)
The dermatologists sometimes prescribe the fruit acids which include glycolic acid from sugarcane. They are not harmful.
The benzoyl peroxide treatments
Benzoyl peroxide in soap (Panoxyl), cream and gel (Cutacnyl, Effacné, Erylik, Eclaran, Pannogel, Panoxyl) is photosensitizer. Therefore, you should apply them at night, then use the sunscreen during the day.
Warning: The sunscreen is less active in water, so people practicing some water sports should not follow this formula.
Topical antibiotics products
Topical antibiotics products, especially erythromycin (Erythrogel, Eryfluid, Stimycine) in lotion or gel, or Dalacin T topical solution and lotion (clindamycin), contain alcohol, irritants and/or the propylene glycol. Apply them at night, and remember to associate with the moisturizer.
Warning: use them in short period to avoid antimicrobial resistance.
Oral medication for acne treatments less compatible with the sunlight
The oral treatments are less compatible with the exposure of sunlight.
The treatments based on zinc
Using Zinc gluconate or Rubozinc is less risky in the summer. However, its effectiveness is limited to the small acne, with local treatment.
The isotretinoin treatments
The isotretinoin (Roaccutane, Acnetrait, Curacné,Contracné and Procuta) are prescribed for brittle skin and severe acne. The medication continues in eight months. It causes a skin thinning which is no longer as UV-VIS barrier. This makes the skin become more sensitive to the sunlight, causing a rapid sunburn different from the phototoxicity or photoallergy.
Using broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen is effective in avoiding UVA and UVB.
Oral Antibiotics
We must stop using some oral antibiotics or tetracyclines antibiotics like doxycycline due to the significant phototoxicity risk. Then preferred zinc salts is preferred by the doctor.
Only a lymecycline treatment (Tetralysal) with the least phototoxic risk are able to be prosecuted if the acne is moderate or severe with effective moisturizers and photoprotection.
Hormonal Treatment
Diane 35 treatment maintains a favorable risk/benefit ratio to the acne after some antibiotics and the local treatment fail. This treatment is prescribed when there are signs of hirsutism and hyperandrogenism affecting the acne and it persists after some previous treatments. Moreover, we do not use it with oral contraceptive.
Diane 35’s composition has no special indication when exposed to the sunlight.
