summer skin sunburn

Dehydrated & parched skin, sunburn, heat rash and rosacea, know the difference!

With the summer season in full swing, we have already busted out the water gear and toys, fired up the grill, and are happily soaking up the sunshine. Summer is the season with the most daylight hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors. With the sweltering temperatures here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s the season when skin conditions flare up. Correctly identifying these conditions and practicing optimal summer skin care is crucial.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a term used lightly yet is actually a complex umbrella that covers inflammation of the skin. Inflammation presents with symptoms of red coloration, itchy, splotchy, and sometimes scaly bumps or patches.

Common Summer Skin Troubles

Dehydrated parched skin and sunburn are the most common summer skin concerns. They can be very uncomfortable yet easily avoided by staying hydrated internally and topically with the use of lotions and sunblock.

Heat Rash

A heat rash also known as prickly heat occurs when overheated skin becomes inflamed due to blocked sweat ducts trapping sweat under the skin. Lotions and sunblock are the usual culprits.

Atopic Dermatitis & Rosacea

Atopic Dermatitis and Rosacea are chronic inflammatory diseases with no cure, and both tend to get worse if undiagnosed and untreated. In both conditions the immune system overreacts spurring chronic inflammation. Triggers include sun exposure, alcohol consumption, and stress. Food and certain fabrics can also cause a flare up. Reduced quality of life and emotional well-being, anxiety, sleep disturbances are also a concern which can be addressed when diagnosed correctly. 

Rosacea is also triggered by environmental factors like hot or cold weather, allergens from pollen, mold, and animals. There are four types of Rosacea, and most individuals are unaware that they have the disease.

We’ve got your summer skin concerns covered!

The discomfort from summer skin conditions can easily be treated with calming aesthetic procedures with a skin care specialist and using natural remedies. Green tea is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Research suggests topical use to ease redness and help create a protective skin barrier. Fig Leaf green tea has been shown to have medicinal properties inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines when ingested internally. Probiotic-rich foods are an easy way to restore healthy bacteria within the microbiome. So as the Dog Days of Summer wind down, remember that relief from discomfort is available. Here, at Oregon Regenerative Medicine, we make skin care awareness and treatment a breeze.


Dixie Johnson is ORM’s Regenerative Medical Assistant and Aesthetician. She has travelled extensively to educate herself and others on the newest, coolest, and up-to-date biocellular therapies. For over 26 years, Dixie’s focus has been on creating positive, life changing experiences for all.

Sources

  1. Axel Trautmann, MDa, Mübeccel Akdis, MDa, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, MDa, et al; Targeting keratinocyte apoptosis in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, November 2001,DOI:https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2001.118796
  2. Taylor Woolsey, Fig Leaf Tea Improves Symptom Severity in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis, National Health Research, Jan 10 2023
  3. Medically Reviewed by BreAnna M. Guan, ND, Natural Treatment of Rosacea, Institute for Natural Medicine, July 15, 2024Rosacea Triggers Survey. National Rosacea Society. Accessed June 10, 2024

Photo by Photo by Oleksandr P on Unsplash