Acne in Adolescents



Yet the social norms of the adolescents make them extremely conscious about what is happening to them at this stage of their lives. Studies show that acne is still a big concern of teenagers, and it does have a considerable impact on their self-esteem.

However, teens and parents might ask, why adolescents? The primary culprit to this are androgens. A hormone usually associated to males, this is actually required for both the male and female development during puberty. Boys are more prone to produce this hormone and that is why they are more susceptible to acne breakouts during their teenage period. But how does this hormone affect the production of acne in a teenage person's life?

Understand How Androgen Affects Acne Production

To understand how androgen affects acne production, people should first understand the variables that cause acne. The pores produce oil called sebum to keep the face pliable and moisturized. This oil climbs on a tiny hair that is located in each pore, which then resurfaces on the skin.

Now this natural process poses no problem. However, when a child reaches puberty, androgens take center stage, which causes the body to produce more oil besides other developments in the body. The oil overproduction clogs pores when mixed with the dead skin cells the body naturally sheds to make room for new skin cells, and a clogged pore is virtually a Petri dish for bacteria in itself.

Clogged pores and how the immune system tries to fix this through pus production are factors in the creation of pimples, blackheads and white heads. Contrary to preconceived notions, formation of pimples is not food-related. Moreover, the amount of washing is not a solution to this problem.

How to Get Rid Of Acne

To get rid of the acne problem, preventing it in the first place is the best way to go. So keep your face clean and wash it twice a day with warm water and a mild cleanser. The solution has to be mild because alcohol based stuff can damage the skin and cause even more acne. Over washing could result to even more oil production because the body senses it needs to compensate.

If you do have acne already, do not use harsh scrubs. Squeezing or picking it out should be avoided as it could cause permanent scarring. Also, do not touch the acne area. If a teenaged girl wears makeup all the time, she should make sure that the makeup cannot inflame the acne some more. She should make sure that her make-up is oil-free and non - comedogenic.

This also goes for boys who use hair products. Accessories also play a role because some of these items may irritate the skin from constant rubbing. And finally, to avoid acne, one should find a regimen and stick with it. It is still best to consult a dermatologist for this.