Acne affects millions of people around the world – men and women – regardless of age. Teen acne affects teenagers all over the world. The teen years are the time when pimples start to grow. Adolescence brings about many changes to a teen, and that includes hormonal changes. During the teen years is when the hormones spike up, causing different changes in the body like growing body hair, getting taller, the voice growing bigger, and of course, growing acne. You can say that having acne is part of the growing years.
There are several causes of teen acne, and teenage acne treatment also depends on what caused it, aside from other factors like sensitivity of the skin and the severity of the acne.
- Hormones. They are main culprit for teen acne. When hormones spike up, they bring so many changes to the body. They also stimulate the production of oil by the sebaceous glands or oil glands. These glands are not only to blame for acne. Dead skin cells clog the skin, which causes blackheads to appear. Too much oil on the face causes a breakout, with pimples growing on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and sometimes at the back, chest and shoulders.
- Diet. The eating habits of teenagers can also be blamed for acne. Eating too much greasy and oily food causes acne. A healthy diet may not prevent acne from developing totally, but it can lessen the causes of acne in teens. Maintaining overall health by eating a healthy diet is key.
- Menstruation. Teenage girls most of the time suffer from a breakout a few days before they get their period. This is because when menstruation is about to set in, hormonal changes occur.
There are many types of teenage acne treatment. They range from over-the counter teenage acne treatment that includes ointments, facial creams, moisturizers, etc. Dermatologist-prescribed types of acne treatment such as benzoyl peroxide, oral antibiotics and salicylic acid are also available. Holistic teenage acne treatment can also be tried, and of course those non-invasive medical procedures to get rid of acne.
Over-the-Counter Teenage Acne Treatment
There are different kinds of teenage acne treatment that do not need a doctor’s prescription. Facial creams that are especially manufactured for teens can be used because the chemicals are not so harsh compared to adult acne treatments. Benzoyl peroxide does not need a prescription to be bought and it is available in creams or gels. Parents can let their teen daughters and sons try out these creams and see if there is no adverse reaction to the cream’s ingredients. Salicylic acid is another teenage acne treatment option but contains very harsh chemicals. If the skin is sensitive, chances are it will have adverse reactions with this teenage acne treatment option. Testing salicylic acid on a conspicuous spot on the face to see if there is any reaction is advisable to avoid any more skin problems. Some types of over-the-counter teenage acne treatment are not compatible with teens’ skin. It is wise to try it on a small patch of skin to see if there will be no allergic reaction to the creams.
Prescription Teenage Acne Treatment
If the acne is so severe, a dermatologist may prescribe some medications that can help get rid of acne. There are several types of prescription medications for teenage acne treatment. One is topical antibiotics. They are available in creams, pads or gels. They are applied directly to the acne and the components of the antibiotics treat the pimples. Another treatment is oral antibiotics. As the name implies, they are taken by mouth, where the antibiotics travel through the body and release their elements into the body and in turn the sebaceous glands are prevented from producing excessive oil. This teenage acne treatment may take a few weeks before healing acne. Retinoid is a prescription teenage acne treatment that helps unclog pores and kills bacteria for a clear skin and pimple-free face.
Holistic Teenage Acne Treatment
Curing teen acne does not only involve medications. A teenage acne treatment that is holistic, chemical free and effective is also advisable. If the teen suffers humiliation, shame, depression and suicidal thoughts because of the effects of acne to her social life, it is important to talk to her and make her understand that having acne is a normal part of growing up and that she should not think negative thoughts about her condition because she is not alone in her predicament. This teenage acne treatment will not directly heal the acne but with the right guidance and support of loved ones, the teen will be able to accept her condition easily and not be ashamed of having acne. Acceptance and understanding is the first step to an effective teenage acne treatment.
Non-invasive Teenage Acne Treatment
When acne is so severe that the face is ridden with lots of pimples and simple teenage acne treatment like topical creams do not do the work, a non-invasive medical procedure can be done to get rid of acne. This type of teenage acne treatment may be costly because of the procedure to be done, but it is proven to be very effective as it targets the inner roots of pimples through laser and other procedures. This teenage acne treatment must be done in a certified clinic by a dermatologist. This teenage acne treatment also prevents scarring which may be caused by crushing and getting rid of acne by hand.
The list of teenage acne treatment options listed above must be consulted first before being used or done so that a dermatologist can prescribe the best teenage acne treatment. Each case is different from others, so it is important to consult a doctor. To prevent a breakout, washing the face at least twice a day with lukewarm water and keeping the face clean throughout the day is essential. Any form of teenage acne treatment may take several weeks to take effect but the right administration and dose of the prescribed teenage acne treatment must be followed strictly to avoid harsh side effects. Increasing the dose of a teenage acne treatment for faster effect will do more harm than good.