A specialist from the Makati Medical Center's (MakatiMed) dermatology department warned of acne or pimple breakouts in some people due to increased sweating during the summer.

"Usually kasi 'pag summer season, madalas magpawis at naghahalo rin dito ang iba't ibang mga bagay na nakapahid sa mukha katulad ng mga moisturizers, makeup and powder (During the summer season, people often sweat, and various substances such as moisturizers, makeup, and powder mix with it)," said MakatiMed dermatologist Lucia Castro-Flores during an interview with PTV Rise and Shine Pilipinas on Monday, April 22.

She cautioned against the common practice of using towels or handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat off the face, saying, “Tapos punas tayo ng punas ng mukha at madalas na ginagamit ay bimpo o mga panyo (Then we keep wiping our faces, often using towels or handkerchiefs)."

Flores advised opting for “disposable tissues” over towels or handkerchiefs for wiping sweat off the face.

The specialist further underscored the impact of pollution and heat on skin health, stressing the importance of preventive measures to avoid acne flare-ups.

"Dahil din sa polusyon at init, mas malaki ang tyansa na magkaroon ng tigyawat (Because of pollution and heat, there's a greater chance of developing pimples)," she said.

Flores recommended using oil-free and non-comedogenic skincare products, tailored to prevent pore blockages during the hot season.

In addition to environmental factors, she cited various risk factors contributing to acne development, including hormonal changes, smoking, poor sleep, and stress.

Addressing summer acne

The specialist offered practical tips for mitigating summer acne.

“Ang magandang gawin kapag pinawisan dahil nainitan ay maghilamos ng mukha (A good practice when sweating due to heat is to wash your face),” Flores said.

"Pwede kayong gumamit ng mga light cleansers at ang tip na sinasabi ko sa mga pasyente ko ay ang tuwalya na pangdry sa mukha ay dapat iba sa tuwalyang gagamitin sa katawan (You can use light cleansers, and the tip I give to my patients is that the towel used to dry the face should be different from the one used for the body)," she added.

She stressed that this practice prevents the transfer of bacteria from the body to the face via the towel.

Meanwhile, in response to the case of a teenager whose life was endangered after squeezing a pimple on the nose, Flores cautioned against popping pimples, citing its potential risks.

"Kapag tiniris mo ang pimple, lalo na kung kamay ang gamit, pwede kang magkaroon ng mga permanenteng peklat sa mukha (When you pop a pimple, especially using your hands, you can develop permanent scars on your face)," she said.

Flores highlighted the heightened risk associated with having pimples in the "dangerous triangle of the face," extending from under the forehead to the nose and its surroundings.

"Lahat ng mga ugat na nandyan o mga blood vessels ay naka-connect directly sa utak (All the veins there or blood vessels are directly connected to the brain)," she said.

"When you have a pimple there and you squeeze it with dirty hands, and when you press because it's not just outward but also inward pressure, bacteria can transfer to the brain, not just from the pimple but also from the hands," Flores explained in Filipino.

She warned that such actions could potentially lead to severe brain infections like meningitis.

Flores urged individuals with acne to seek professional guidance from board-certified dermatologists to avoid complications and ensure proper treatment.

"Pinapayo namin sa mga pasyenteng may pimples, kung gusto nyong tirisin ang tigyawat, tiisin nyo ng kaunti at magpa-appointment kayo sa inyong board-certified dermatologist para maiwasan ang mga komplikasyon (We advise patients with pimples, if you want to pop a pimple, endure it a bit and make an appointment with your board-certified dermatologist to avoid complications)," she said.