Acne-prone skin that has been exposed to sunlight can become hypersensitive when using medications including tetracyclines or isotretinoin. Therefore, how to cure acne completely even in summer?

In the summer, people with acne-prone skin should carefully consider before sunbathing. Many acne treatments are photosensitizers: The treatments can trigger breakouts in areas that have been exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially the shoulders, hands, forearms, and face. It’s even worse when we’re wearing a swimsuit. The rashes will appear more and spread to other parts of the body.

What happens if we do not use photosensitizers for the skin when exposed to sunlight? The only solution to deal with these rashes is to protect the skin from sunlight, regardless of medications.

We cannot prevent young men or women from taking some rays. However, it is advisable to follow some prescribed acne treatments. It is highly recommended to apply a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

Remember:

• Apply sunscreen after every 2-hour period and about 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. The ratio of the UVA protection factor must be equal to or less than 2, and the protection must be 50. Prefer an oil-free and water-based one with fragrance to avoid photosensitivity and irritation, a greasy or comedogenic one is not recommended. Sunscreens with mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) capable of reflecting UV rays and sunlight rather than absorbing them are preferable.
• Two of the most effective sunscreens are a hat and a t-shirt. People who suffer from severe acne will have a higher risk of depigmentation. Therefore, sun protection is especially important.
• Avoid exposure to the sun and UV booth between 12-16 hours.
• Moisturize skin several times a day, with an adequate amount of oily moisturizer, and should be non-comedogenic.
• If possible, continue acne treatment regularly because we will benefit from guidance and follow-up.

Acne treatment possible in summer.

We can continue acne treatment even in summer by taking various precautions.

Treatments based on fruit acids (AHA)

Dermatologists sometimes prescribe fruit acids that include glycolic acid from sugar cane. They are not harmful.

Benzoyl Peroxide Treatments

Benzoyl peroxide in soap (Panoxyl), cream, and gel (Cutacnyl, Effacne, Erylik, Eclaran, Pannogel, Panoxyl) is photosensitizing. Therefore, you should apply them at night and then use the sunscreen during the day.

Warning: Sunscreen is less active in water, so water sports enthusiasts should not follow this formulation.

Topical antibiotic products

Topical antibiotic products, especially erythromycin (Erythrogel, Eryfluid, Stimicin) lotion or gel, or Dalacin T (clindamycin) topical solution and lotion, contain alcohol, irritants, and/or propylene glycol. Apply them at night, and remember to associate them with moisturizer.

Warning: use them for short periods to avoid antimicrobial resistance.

Oral medications for acne treatments less compatible with sunlight

Oral treatments are less compatible with exposure to sunlight.

Zinc based treatments

Using zinc gluconate or rubozinc is less risky in the summer. However, its effectiveness is limited to small acne, with local treatment.

Isotretinoin Treatments

Isotretinoin (Roaccutane, Acnetrait, Curacne, Contracne, and Procuta) are prescribed for brittle skin and severe acne. The medication continues in eight months. It causes a thinning of the skin that ceases to be a UV-VIS barrier. This makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, causing rapid sunburn other than phototoxicity or photoallergy.

Using broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen is effective in preventing both UVA and UVB rays.

oral antibiotics

We must stop using some oral antibiotics or tetracyclines such as doxycycline due to the significant risk of phototoxicity. So the doctor prefers the preferred zinc salts.

Only a treatment with lymecycline (Tetralysal) with the lowest phototoxic risk can be carried out if the acne is moderate or severe with effective moisturizers and photoprotectors.

hormone treatment

The Diane 35 treatment maintains a risk/benefit ratio favorable to acne after the failure of some antibiotics and local treatment. This treatment is prescribed when there are signs of hirsutism and hyperandrogenism that affect acne and persist after some previous treatments. Also, we do not use it with oral contraceptives.

The composition of Diane 35 does not have any special indication when exposed to sunlight.