Management of Teenage Acne
Teenage Acne
The first signs of skin
eruptions occur as early as age 10. Teenage acne
is associated with the hormonal shifts as
puberty approaches. It affects most teenagers,
in varying severity.
Most teenagers are very self
conscious about how they look, so controlling
their acne outbreaks is vitally important during
this time. Ignoring their skin health can lead
to social isolation and permanent scarring.
Acne Skincare
Off the shelf skincare
products are often enough for control of mild
acne. However, in more difficult situations,
medical help is definitely advisable. Acne is
not difficult to control, given the right
combination of treatment.
Clean skin twice a day using
a gentle face wash. Do not use ordinary bath
soap as it is too drying. Do not use just water
as the dirt and grime will remain trapped in the
pores. Washing twice a day (morning and night)
is enough, unless there is good reason
otherwise. Excessive washing dries the skin out,
stimulating greater sebum production, thus
aggravating acne formation.
Choose non-comedogenic
skincare products. These are creams that do not
clog up the pores and cause or worsen acne.
Sun protection is critical. A "healthy" tan can
mask the pimples, but actually aggravates the
skin inflammation and worsens the dark spots
left behind after the pimples heal up. There are
sunblocks that are non-greasy and absorb easily.
These are ideal for daily use.
Professional Treatment
Chemical Peels are often used to kick-start
the treatment process. These help unblock the
pores, reduce the hyperpigmentation, and draw
out the toxins from the skin. Various peel
options are available. Some have no downtime at
all, so your friends need never know you've had
any treatment.
IPL can also be used to speed
up acne resolution.
Home treatment with good
skincare products and a selection of creams,
including prescription Vitamin A and antibiotic
creams are vital for maintaining results.
Oral treatment with tablets
that reduce the effects of fluctuating hormones
(particularly androgens) often help in difficult
or extensive cases.
Oral antibiotics and
Roaccutane may be needed, but often unnecessary.
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