This article was written to help parents better understand what their teens may be going through when acne rears its ugly head. I have pulled this information together from many different sources, and I hope you find it both interesting and helpful. Parents who truly understand what their teens are going through with the acne scourge are well ahead of parents who don't. They have likely positioned themselves to cushion the negative effects of acne in their teens. We will discuss some causes, and management and prevention strategies.



In spite of what the majority believe, your diet does have a tremendous affect on whether you get acne or not. Greasy foods like french fries, fried chicken, and fatty foods, are the major reason why acne is so prevalent among teens. Conversely, a lack of certain foods in the diet can hinder your ability to fight off acne. Leafy vegetables and fresh fruits help rid the body of the over-abundance of oils that tend to pave the way for acne.

Moreover, enough cannot be said about the recommended six glasses of water. When was the last time you saw a teenager gulping their required amount? I didn't say liquids I said water, not Coca-Cola, water. My youngest daughter, who suffers with acne, runs when she sees a glass of water coming her way.

To press the point home, greasy foods are the primary reason why acne is so prevalent among teens and young adults. To go along with a burdened body, these young people are also burdened with psychological challenges. This is when things can really get dodgy. Teens are social animals. They need to be among their peers, acceptance is extremely important during this stage of their development. When teens are stuck in their bedrooms because of bad acne, parents must remain vigilant as this behavior is a recipe for depression and possibly suicide.

Hormones were also looked into as a cause of acne. It has to be said at this point, acne surfaces for a variety of reasons, of which diet, hormones, and stress can play a role. It is commonly known that hormones and the excess oils that they bring can clog the pores, resulting in acne. My contention again is that a person who eats a well balanced diet which allows their system to be flushed and cleaned, won't have any difficulty with the hormone issue. Stress is a horse with a different collar. I will deal with stress and acne in another article so watch out for that.

Did you know that something so simple as washing your face on a regular basis can help slow down the onslaught of acne? How often do you wash your face? Do you ever? Maybe mornings. Parents watch your children a gentle reminder at the middle of the day won't hurt. You would be surprised at what you see in the sink afterwards, oils and sludge with the accompanying bacteria.

Parents, don't fear, we do have some good news about acne, it's not all doom and gloom. These unwanted zits and black and whiteheads generally respond well to treatment. That treatment would not be squeezing, pressing, or picking at them. Please discourage your children from doing that. Bigger bumps or welts can form as a result. A hot wash cloth gently pressed against the acne, while short term, does provide some relief, but we will talk about those types of treatments in an upcoming article.

In football they say that the best form of attack is defense(or is it the other way around), anyway, you get my drift. Protect yourself from acne. How you ask? You got it! Prevention! An apple a day keeps the doctor away.