Just as people with acne avoid shaving with a dry razor, they also
often avoid certain environments that can worsen acne symptoms.
Oil in the air in the kitchen of a fast-food restaurant or in a gas station,
for example, can settle on the skin of acne patients and clog
hair follicles, causing acne outbreaks. For this reason, many people
with acne avoid working where they come in contact with oil
in the air.
Hot, humid environments, which cause people to perspire excessively,
also exacerbate acne symptoms by causing perspiration
that traps bacteria on the skin. Indeed, many acne patients
report increased acne outbreaks when they travel to hot, humid
places on vacation. Consequently, they often choose to vacation in
cooler, drier environments. Many people with acne who live in hot,
humid environments try to stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment
as much as possible. When they do go outdoors, they
take special care to remove excess perspiration from their skin as
quickly as possible.
Sunlight can also cause problems for people with acne. Although
sunlight helps dry out oily skin, for patients who are using Accutane, antibiotics, or retinoids, exposure to sunlight can be dangerous.
Many acne medicines cause photosensitivity, which makes
the skin burn easily when it is exposed to sunlight. Therefore, many
people with acne avoid exposure to sunlight.
