| Over 70% of teens say that acne has affected | | | | skin's surface and blocks pores. Inside these |
| them in a negative way. An estimated 20 | | | | pores the bacteria multiple and cause |
| million teens suffer from acne, but even the | | | | inflammation. |
| fact that they're not alone doesn't ease the | | | | |
| pain they feel. Teens are embarrassed at a | | | | Most cases of light to moderate acne can be |
| time when they are unsure of themselves. They | | | | treated by over the counter medications. |
| may become depressed and withdrawn. Acne is | | | | There are many to choose from. Some find that |
| especially hard on teenage girls. At a time | | | | benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid works |
| when they're noticing boys, and visa versa, | | | | well. Benzoyl peroxide is known to readily |
| acne can be devastating. They're surrounded | | | | kill acne bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide can be |
| by visions of beauty all around them on TV, | | | | found in cleansers and in spot treatments. |
| in movies, in magazines and on line. We live | | | | Benzoyl peroxide is very drying and can make |
| in a society that worships youth and beauty. | | | | your face look even more irritated, |
| | | | especially when you first start washing with |
| Parents can help their teenage girls through | | | | it. Many acne suffers use a moisturizer on |
| this time by offering a supportive and | | | | their face after washing. There are many |
| sympathetic ear. Parents should help the | | | | moisturizers available that are specifically |
| child focus on all their positive attributes, | | | | designed to help with acne such as Cetaphil, |
| which will help to strengthen the child's | | | | Eucerin, and Neutrogena. |
| self esteem. The parents need to be actively | | | | |
| involved with helping their child find the | | | | Severe acne, or acne that has not responded |
| best possible cure for their particular form | | | | well to over the counter products, can be |
| of acne. | | | | successfully treated with the knowledge and |
| | | | expertise of a dermatologist. A dermatologist |
| Parents should also educate themselves about | | | | will consider many things before suggesting |
| acne causes and treatments. Thirty years ago | | | | treatment. He will perform a thorough |
| it was thought that acne was caused by eating | | | | evaluation of the patient, considering things |
| the wrong foods. Chocolate and potatoe chips | | | | such as severity of acne, patient age, |
| were culprit. It's now known that this isn't | | | | lifestyle, and co-existing conditions. The |
| true. Food is not thought to play a large | | | | dermatologist then may suggest a combination |
| role in acne. It also has nothing to do with | | | | of two or three different therapies for best |
| cleanliness of the skin. | | | | treatment. |
| | | | |
| What is fact is that acne in teenagers is | | | | Whatever one of the literally hundreds of |
| caused by the action of hormones on the | | | | treatments you decide to choose, or if you |
| skin's oil glands. During puberty both boys | | | | seek the help of a dermatologist, remember |
| and girls have an increase in the hormones | | | | that acne takes time to disappear. Overnight |
| called androgens. These hormones cause | | | | or miraculous results don't happen. It takes |
| sebaceous glands under the surface of the | | | | six to eight weeks to see results from |
| skin to enlarge. The sebaceous glands in | | | | treatment. Unfortunately, in a teenage girl's |
| response produce excess oil. This excess oil | | | | life six to eight weeks can feel like a |
| mixes with bacteria and dead skin on the | | | | lifetime. |