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and withdrawn.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