How to Prevent and Cure the Top 5 Summer Skin Problems

Summer is in full effect, and unfortunately for many of us that means that our skin problems are in full effect as well. Between our sweat glands over reacting and the salt beach air drying our skin out all sorts of problems can occur, below are the five most common, but more importantly, below are also the best fixes for them!

Sunburn
First off, tisk, tisk- suntan lotion should always be a number one priority! But lets just say you forgot to reapply. and now you resemble a tomato. Here is what you should do:
1. Avoid the sun until the skin has healed completely. When you burn you lose they protective barrier, you need to let yourself heal before you get anymore sun.
2. Take an aspirin to reduce the pain.
3. Hope in a cool bath and try adding baking soda, this will help ease the burn.
4. After the bath use some aloe on the burned area to reduce the drying effect, do not use any type of scented lotion as this can cause irritation to the burned skin.
5. Try not to pick or peel skin that's beginning to flake; those dry patches protect forming skin from the environment.
6. Next time, don't forget to reapply every few hours, and use at least SPF 30!

Breakouts
It is hot and your body is working overtime to keep your cool, this means your sweat glands are going a little crazy, which can lead to breakouts everywhere from your face to your back, shoulders, and chest. Here is what you should do:
1. When you shower you a soap that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, they ingredients help unblock pores and dry up excess oil.
2. Don't scrub, this may actually make the breakout worst, just gently wash with soap and a washcloth, or even just your hand.
3. Try using talcum powder on your back and chest to reduce the amount of sweat.
4. Avoid form-fitting clothes that hold heat and moisture close to your skin. After a workout make sure to wash and change clothes right away.

Poison Ivy
Your picnic was perfectly planned and went off without a hitch, and unfortunately you have poison ivy to remind you of it! Here is what you should do:
1. Take a bath and add 1 cup of oatmeal, this will eliminate some of the itching and burning.
2. Try to stay cool, heat will make the rash feel worse, and sweat can actually cause it to spead.
3. Make sure you see your doctor if your rash does not improve within a weeks time.
4. On future outdoor activities try to avoid plants that have three shiny leaves. If you do come in contact with them, act quickly and wash the area, this can prevent or reduce the reaction.

Ingrown Hairs
We all want the close shave so we can show off our latest teeny tiny bikini... but none of us want the ingrown hairs that we often get after that shave. So here is what you should do:
1. Wash with an anti-bacterial soap.
2. Use a loofah or washcloth every other day to help dislodge trapped hairs and prevent their return.
3. For future shaves, do it in the shower with warm water. The water plumps up hair, making it easier to cut. Change blades as soon as you feel any pull or drag, a dull blade is more likely to cause ingrown hairs.

Dry Skin
The beautiful beach, the fine sand, that wonderful salty air, that awful dry skin. The beach has left your skin looking like you just spend a week in the desert, here is what you should do:
1. After your ocean swim be sure to rinse with fresh water to remove any salt buildup.
2. Keep showers short, and avoid taking baths, and this can dry your skin further.
3. Use a gentle soap and warm water.
4. Use a rich moisturizer immediately after showering, you need to lock in moisture while you are still damp.