To hate summer because it makes me look hideous

[iceycage]

Growing up summer was my favourite season. My mum said even as a small child I was like a different person when the sun was out- just generally happier and I can't really explain it but summer made me feel more "myself." Nothing made me happier than a hot summers day or a holiday abroad somewhere warm.

Then at around the age of 17 I developed rosacea. I'm 26 now, and the way I often hear women talk about how the menopause feels is very similar to the affect rosacea has on me. It's like my body just feels so so hot during the summer months, my face is constantly red and hot (even if I'm not directly in the sun, just the fact that my body is warm means I go bright red) I also don't have an all over facial redness but it's more patchy almost like I've had a reaction to something.

To make it worse, I've been riddled with horribly large pores and also acne scarring. Some of the scarring is redness left over from spots and some is more pitted. When I wear foundation in summer it's like my face has this reaction where the foundation sort of melts off with the heat and then settles weirdly around my pores and scares and generally just looks a red shiny patchy mess.

It really devastates me how for close to ten years I've absolutely dreaded summer considering it was my always my favourite time of year. I don't really like the cold but have found myself loving winter now because although I do have generally a red kind of blotchy face, I can cover it up fairly easily. I do flush still with alcohol, stress, embarrassment etc but summer it's 10000x worse. I have no social life in the summer, hate being seen in public, my face constantly feels hot and uncomfortable.

I've been seeing a dermatologist in London for a while who prescribed me tablets that help a little bit not much. I know there's options for laser but I've read so many horror stories of it going wrong. I did have 4 sessions of IPL which did nothing so i know id have to go for a much stronger one which would be very expensive and also would require a lot of downtime.

Sorry for the rant it's just getting to that time of year where everyone is looking forward to the warmer weather slowly creeping back. I've heard a few conversations about it and I'm just filled with dread. I feel like I'll never be able to enjoy the heat again. Haven't even been abroad during the summer in six years. First world problems I know but.. guess I'm feeling a little sorry for myself which I know is shallow and self indulgent.

I hate summer too, absolutely hate it for a myriad of reasons (none of which are health/condition related, though) but I've literally just closed a news tab about the weather (I'm one of those amateur weather watcher types) and we're looking at a level 3 cold weather alert for at least the next week. I love cold weather so I'm happy for at least a week. I understand you may not be in the UK, though so perhaps it's rather different where you are.

Not a very helpful post I admit, just a generous dollop of "you are not alone"

Same. I am a naturally sweaty and red, even when at my slimmest and fittest. I sweat buckets through the summer and have to spend time carefully choosing clothes to cover it. Summer is a tricky time to wear work clothes!

Just to say I'm sorry, that sounds terrible for you. I hope the dermatologist helps.

My skin used to get very red and removing sodium laureth sulphate helped. I'm sure you've tried that already.

Also, I'm sure you don't look as bad in real life as you think you do. I never notice other women's pores!

I hate summer too. I dread it.,

I had terrible rosacea on my nose last month and my doctor prescribed an antibiotic gel which did help and i have to be careful with products. Might be worth seeing your G P , mine was helpful and it worked.

There is usually a ' its too hot ' thread when temperatures get too high in the uk and lots of people come on to say they hate it, we're not alone.
My skin is sensitive amd ive been accused of being drunk before now when im not, its just flushing etc.

You need to see another dermatologist, a specialist in roseaca, and also someone who understands the psychological effect of acne. You do sound very down about it 💐

My mum had this and cleared it up with an anti insecticide gel.
Rosacea is caused by insects called mites living in your pores. They come out at night, to eat dead skin, and cause irritation.

Try an antihistamine also.

Reclaim your love for summer - it is possible!

How stressful for you. I have no experience of rosacea, but I'd imagine you've looked at every possible way of helping your skin to heal during the last 10 years. Have you changed your diet, no gluten, no dairy, no alcohol, no caffeine and anything else that exacerbates things? Sorry if I'm being insensitive. Do you use suncream and treatments with salicylic in? As I say, I know nothing about rosacea, but have heard these things can help and I really feel for you, as you're so down. Someone will be along soon to offer advice. Good luck.

I saw a brilliant dermatologist, well a team of them and a nurse, all nhs. Although my skin is still red it’s much better using Soolantra (which is what the above poster is talking about). So find a new dermatologist as said that has a real understanding of the psychological aspect.

Jeffs the one I see in London is world renowned for rosacea ! He is considered to be one of the very best. People come from all over the world to see him

The thing is standard rosacea is much much easier to treat. Those whose face is permanently red, itchy etc. What I have is more flushing rosacea so I can look totally normal one minute and then my body temperature will rocket and my face goes bright red and this is extremely difficult to treat. He's said it's one of the few areas of skin issues that has yet to be treatable as they still don't know the cause. They can help prevent symptoms but it's completely untreatable as of yet

I do think the stronger lasers are thee way to go. As I say I'm terrified of the risk involved also the downtime can be up to 3 weeks! That's almost all my holiday used up lol. I haven't actually tried the antihistamine route I'll give it a go. I'm glad your mums
Got better it really can sap the life from you

That sounds awful.

I've had some kind of skin problem for years, but no idea what as I've never bothered going to the doctor. I'm totally the opposite. My skin is awful at the moment: big red blotchy patches on my hands and dry, red skin on my face, knees and elbows.
The cold always makes it worse, but so does central heating. I can't wait for summer.

I love summer but hate it as I am very hairy and so summer means hours a day plucking/shaving/epilating/exfoliating etc as it grows so bloody fast and I am covered from my toes to my face

I have rosacea and live in NYC. The cold weather has been brutal and I'm dreading the summer. I just changed dermatologists because the last one couldn't see me when my face was on fire for a month. New one wants me to change my diet and do the incecticide gel. The dermatologist was clear that I'm also riddled with candida (yeast infection) and she wants that dealt with too.

I've always had an itchy scalp and just got on with it. Had no idea it was a yeast infection on top of my rosacea.

I've always felt I look much better in winter than summer.

But I love being outside in the sunshine.

I think a couple of things have helped me feel better about summer.

1. having my own garden, so I can be out there and be hot and look however I want because I'm on my own. Do you have a garden OP? Or could you go to your local park alone to enjoy some sun?

2. accepting that this is how I will look in the summer. So not adding foundation that makes things worse, not adding layers/cover ups that are cumbersome and ridiculous. Could you bear to step away from the make up OP and just say 'this is me', even if it's just at the weekend? It can be freeing.

You are not alone, i hate summer with a passion and always have done. Pale skin, red hair, sunburn, hot and sweaty with or without the menopause. Horrible “summer” clothes in the shops, “beach holidays”, the stench of barbecues, men in shorts. etc etc Aargh no. Just no.

No advice with regards to the rosacea, but I do think it's fine not to feel obliged to go outside all the time when it's summer. It's fine to stay indoors and not feel guilty for doing so!

I used to force myself to go outside all the time when it was warm : British guilt, you have to 'make the most of it' etc. Now I don't bother, I'll go out in the morning and late afternoon when it's cooler.

Nowadays I'm all about feeling comfortable and that's how it should be!

I love summer when i'm slim but not when fat (like last year). Unfortunately i can't get a handle on my erratic fucked up eating so dreading this summer.
Diet used to help DSs exzema (sp?!!!), when she cut out all dairy and in particular cheeze, her skin cleared up (wierdly she could still eat Edam). Perhaps you've already tried eliminating inflamatory possibly the wrong term! food? If not is it worth a try?
In the meantime make large brimmed 70s style hats your friend.

Op I’d see about taking no blush vitamin B6, and making a strict food diary with columns including skin condition. You may find that citrus and acidic and spicy foods like chili and coffee and red wine set off the flushing.

My mum was so upset about her sudden rosacea- she never had anything ‘wrong’ with her face so it came as such a shock for her.

I have different skin, and had cystic acne as a teen- not too badly scarred on my face, but my back and chest look like a lunar surface. I’ve had acid peels to even out skin tone. And I use a very gentle moisturizer called dr organic royal gelly I get from Holland and Barrett.

Please be kind to yourself and understand that there are a lot of us with scars and blobs, redness and flakes who don’t judge others about their skin. Your skin isn’t signaling anything to me about you- if I saw you I’d just think that you had a mild redness, but I wouldn’t judge you as a person because of it (if anything I’d be nicer to you, because I know how shit having anything ‘up’ with your skin can be!)

My acne has gone now, but my mum’s tears and shock at her “loss of face” brought back my own experience as a teen.

Please mention to your derm that you’re not having such a good time emotionally and maybe there’s a therapist you could see.

Cognitive behavior therapy might be a good idea as you learn not to beat yourself up over your appearance. It helps to break associations you may have, like if your skin is good today everything will go your way, or if you have a flare then everyone will be looking at you. All these unhelpful catastrophising thoughts can build up to immense pressure and affect behavior. CBT helps you identify spiraling negativity and stop it.

I’d also have some allergy tests and certainly ask for vitamin B6 intramuscular injections. My mum was deficient and it helped her.

💐 wishing all fellow skin ‘sufferers’: hairy, flaky, red, bumpy, and scarred a fantastic summer!
Let’s be grateful about what we have 🤩 and try not to focus on what we think we don’t have.

I love summer , I have flabby arms and can't wear shorts because I have loose skin despite being a size 10 but fuck it .. I love the sun in my face and the long evenings ... get some B.B. cream maybe ?
I have lawful skin too but the sun sorts of makes me not care 🤗🤗🤗