Summer time can be an outing time, vacation time or beach time for most of the people but at the same time, it’s a skin problem time for some people too. This fiery heat can be unappeasable on the skin. On one side, you want to enjoy those crop tops, strapless or tube dresses on the beach and flaunt your skin, while on the other hand, skin problems in summer like tanning, dry patches, overactive sebaceous glands, sunburn, acne or pigmentation. Let’s study in brief about the various skin problems in summer.

Acne

If you are experiencing more acne breakouts in summer, then this is very common. In summer, heat and humidity increases the sweat & sebum production resulting in clogged pores & acne breakouts in acne prone skin. The bacterial action on clogged pores makes it worse and your skin may appear awful. But, no need to worry as there are various ways to treat acne in summer.

Treatments to Remove Acne in Summer

With the advancements in cosmetology, there are many recent ways to cure acne. The most common methods to remove acne are;

1. Medications: There are several medications available as OTC or ointments. Doctor may put you on a combination therapy for acne which may include oral contraceptive pills too. But do visit the doctor once before using any medications.
2. Chemical Peels: In chemical peel for acne, there is a controlled destruction of epidermal layer resulting in skin exfoliation and removal of dead skin cells.
3. Laser Resurfacing: In laser resurfacing for acne, a high amplified light is used to vaporize the outer skin layer to remove acne.
4. Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion for acne or skin polishing uses the crystal to remove the dead skin layer to treat acne.

Natural Remedies to Treat Acne

There are various natural methods to treat acne easily. These natural remedies for acne can be effective sometimes if your acne is in initial stages but if your acne is in severe condition, then you must visit doctor.

1) Tea Tree Oil for Acne

• Combine 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 teaspoon carrier oil.
• Dip a cotton swab into the mixture & apply it directly to pimples.
• Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed or you can apply tea tree oil on acne directly too.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

• Mix 1 part of apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water (if you have sensitive skin, then use more water).
• Clean you face & gently apply the mixture using a cotton ball.
• Let sit for 5–20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry. Repeat process alternatively.

3) Honey & Cinnamon Mask for Acne

• Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and make a uniform paste.
• After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10–15 minutes.
• Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry.

4) Witch Hazel for Acne (Hamamelis virginiana)

• Mix 1 tbsp of witch hazel bark with 1 cup of water and soak it for 30 minutes. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes at low flame.
• Cool down the mixture and then strain it in container.
• Apply on the clean skin using a cotton ball 1–2 times per day, or as desired.

Sun Tan

Nowadays, there are various skin tanning products for artificial tanning but not everybody likes tanned skin. Definitely sun is a good source of vitamin D but excessive exposure of the body to sun accelerates the melanin production which results in skin tanning in summer. But nothing to worry about as there are various methods to remove sun tan and you can get clear and tan free skin easily.
Treatments to Remove Sun Tan Sun tan can speed up the aging process and can cause other skin problems too. But thanks to the cosmetology, we can slower the signs of aging now. Following are the effective methods to remove skin tanning;

1. Laser Toning for Sun Tan: A light energy is converted into heat energy, penetrates deep in the skin to target and remove melanin. This is a dermatological tested and completely safe procedure to remove sun tan.
2. Tan Removal Creams: There are various OTC sun tan removal creams and bleaches available but they are temporary methods. These tan removal creams can remove the tanning from surface layer only.
3. Chemical Peel for Sun Tan: Chemical Peels are mostly used to get rid of sun tanned skin nowadays. There is quick exfoliation and regeneration of the dead skin cells by the removal of tanned skin layers by peels of different concentration.
4. Microdermabrasion for Sun Tan: Microdermabrasion for tan removal treatment is used to exfoliate the dead skin cells by crystals. It also promotes new cells to regenerate to give clear, glowing & tan free skin.

Natural Remedies to Treat Sun Tan

You can remove skin tan with kitchen ingredients easily. Whether you skin is tanned due to strolling around the town or you were relaxing at a beach, you can cure sun tan with these home remedies for sun tan removal easily.

1) Lemon and Honey for Sun Tan

• Mix fresh lemon juice and some honey. Apply evenly on your skin.
• Wait for 30 minutes and then wash off.
• Alternatively, you can also add some sugar to the fresh lemon juice and scrub your skin gently.

2) Cucumber for Sun Tan

• Take a cucumber and shred it properly. Squeeze out completely to get the juice.
• With a cotton ball, apply the cucumber juice all over your skin.
• Let it dry and wash off gently. You can also add few drops of lemon juice.

3) Bengal Gram (Besan), Curd & Turmeric for Sun Tan

• Mix 1 tsp of turmeric to a cup of Bengal gram flour, and add curd to make a uniform paste.
• Apply this mixture evenly on your tanned area, and let it dry.
• Gently scrub it in circular motion and was away with lukewarm water.

4) Tomato for Sun Tan

• Mash tomatoes & apply its juice on the affected areas.
• Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then wash with water.
• Repeat this method twice a week for brighter and glowing skin

Melasma

After a prolong exposure of your skin in the sun, you may notice dark brown spots on your face. Wondering what it is? Melasma it is. Direct UV rays accelerate the melanocytes production which further produces more melanin (pigment). This causes those dark spots or patches to appear on your face. Sometimes, it is difficult to get rid of dark spots or even it is hard to cover these melasma spots with makeup. Well, there are methods to remove melasma spots with certain treatments nowadays. Let’s study in brief about the ways to treat melasma.

Treatments for Melasma

There are mostly two types of treatments of melasma. One is topical and other is dermatological methods.

1. Topical Treatments of Melasma: There are various topical creams, lotions or gels available in the market. These ointments mostly contain hydroquinone, corticosteroids, tretinoin, Tranexamic acid, niacinamide or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) etc. These topical treatments to remove melasma work by halting the production of melanocytes and also fade the existing spots or pigmentation of skin.
2. Dermatological Treatments: These treatments include laser therapy, micro-needling, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, skin polishing, cryosurgery etc. These are the effective and latest methods to remove melasma and are completely safe. You can see visible results in 2-3 sessions. These treatments have minimal to no side effects and gives the best results after melasma treatment.

Natural Remedies for Melasma

If your melasma is not severe and you don’t want to use chemicals on your skin, then you can sue these home remedies for melasma to get a clear skin.

Turmeric for Melasma

Turmeric contains curcumin which is a strong antioxidant helps in skin lightening. Mix 1 tbsp of milk with 2tbsp of turmeric & apply on face. Let it dry completely and then rinse it with lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure every day for best results.

Aloe Vera for Melasma

Aloe Vera has many skin benefits. Peel the aloe gel from the stem and massage directly on your face for 2- 5minutes. Leave it as for 15 minutes and wash your face with lukewarm water. You can repeat this on alternative days.

Papaya for Melasma

Aloe Vera has many skin benefits. Peel the aloe gel from the stem and massage directly on your face for 2- 5minutes. Leave it as for 15 minutes and wash your face with lukewarm water. You can repeat this on alternative days.

Liquorice extract for melasma

Liquorice possesses the property to inhibit the tyrosinase which inhibits the enzyme responsible for pigmentation. You can mix liquorice extract with sandalwood (to avoid excessive dryness) and apply it evenly on your face. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and rinse off gently.