Acne Medicine :
Your resource for acne information
Teen Acne
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Just about all teens experience some form of acne. For many it can simply be an occasional pimple or mild outbreak while for others it can be a chronic and painful condition that should be monitored by a doctor. As many as 40 percent of adolescents and young adults have acne that is significant enough to require a doctor's attention.
While young women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to the cosmetics they use and the hormonal fluctuations associated with their menstrual cycle, young men are more likely to have more severe and longer lasting forms of acne.
Treatment Issues for Teens
- Forgetfulness
- Wrong Treatment or Medication
- No Maintenance Therapy
- Busy Life Styles
- Impatience
Puberty and Hormones
- Androgens, male hormones present in both males and females, shift into high gear during puberty. They stimulate the sebaceous glands to increase the production of sebum, an oily secretion that flows out of the pores.
- An increased shedding of dead skin cells occurs inside the pores and can cause clogged pores. These invisible lesions called microcomedones, are the "spark plugs" of acne.
Bacteria and Inflammation
- P. acnes multiplies in the clogged pore and causes the inflammation that shows itself in redness, swelling, heat and sometimes pain. The inflamed pimples range from tender pink papules and red pustules with yellowish or white centers to larger, deeper nodules and pus filled cysts. The last two can be particularly painful and may result in scarring.
- When the walls of a plugged and inflamed pore break down or burst, the accumulated material (sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria) spills into the nearby skin causing a breakout of lesions or pimples.
Acne Breakouts
- The T-zone is a particularly susceptible area for acne breakouts. This is the area of the face that encompasses the forehead, nose and chin. Of course acne can occur on other areas of the face as well.
- Acne can also occur on other areas of the body. Body acne is most prevalent on the back, chest and shoulders, though it may affect the neck and buttocks as well.
Take Care of Your Skin
The first defense against acne is daily skin care. Gently washing your face once or twice a day and after activities that cause you to perspire heavily can help you keep your skin clean and reduce the risk of inflammation. Remember to gently pat your skin dry. Scrubbing your face or rubbing it dry can irritate the skin and pores, exacerbating your acne.
Use cosmetic skin care products such as moisturizers, sunscreen and cosmetics that are labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. These products will not clog your pores.
Never pop those pimples, no matter how tempting! The spillage from the pimple may cause further breakouts while any bacteria on your fingers and nails may greatly increase the risk of inflammation.
Popping a pimple may cause brown or red scars to appear that can last for months or longer. Popping pimples may also cause scars that can last forever.
Acne Can be Treated
We know more today than ever before about the treatment of acne. A wide range of acne medications make it possible for virtually every case of acne to be treated and for you to achieve clear, healthy skin.
