Chamjin Korean Medicine Clinic
ACNE & CHARMJIN
[Health Week] The Correlation Between Tropical Nights and Acne
With the early onset of "tropical nights," where summer night temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius, this year's phenomenon has led to an increase in patients seeking medical care for skin problems, particularly acne. Dr. Lee Jin-hyeok, director of Chamjin Oriental Medical Clinic, explained that hot and humid environments, lack of sleep, and changes in lifestyle habits are factors that trigger or worsen acne.

The primary causes of tropical nights' impact on acne are sleep disruption and elevated skin temperature. Sleep deprivation increases the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, stimulating the sebaceous glands. This increases sebum production and clogs pores, potentially leading to skin problems like acne and blackheads.
   
Notably, for every degree Celsius rise in skin temperature, sebum production increases by approximately 10%. In hot and humid environments, this excessive sebum production enlarges pores and increases the risk of skin inflammation and acne. Existing acne is more likely to worsen or even leave scars.

Furthermore, as the summer days get longer, people tend to stay out late, which can easily lead to late-night snacking. Late-night snacks, especially those high in oily or instant foods, can further stimulate sebum production, exacerbating acne.

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to acne, it's important to adjust your sleeping environment during tropical nights. Maintaining an appropriate indoor temperature and humidity is recommended, and taking a lukewarm shower or engaging in light stretching or other relaxation exercises one to two hours before bed is recommended to improve sleep quality. Strenuous exercise can actually disrupt sleep, so caution is advised.

While hydration is important, drinking too much right before bed can actually disrupt sleep. Therefore, it's best to divide your daily intake by about two liters. If you can't avoid late-night snacking, consider eating nuts rich in omega-3s or chicken breast, which is rich in zinc and protein. Lentils, plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt rich in probiotics can help.


Source: Health Week - https://www.healthweek.co.kr
Original article: https://www.healthweek.co.kr/news/view.php?bIdx=8588
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