Teenage Acne – How to Deal with It

Acne is a very common skin concern among women, particularly in the adolescent years. In fact, acne is most prevalent during puberty and can wreck havoc on your skin with unsightly inflammations and blemishes. In order to treat acne effectively, it is important you know the basic causes and further treatment options. Here is some valuable information regarding acne.

Common Causes of Acne
Hormonal Fluctuations – During adolescence, as girls start maturing into young women, their estrogen levels increase which further results in a variety of changes in the body. One of the most prominent changes is the development of acne. In fact, hormones are highly active during the menstrual cycle and this is the reason why many girls suffer from acne breakouts during that time of the month. Moreover, boys experience an increase in testosterone levels during puberty which results in acne breakouts.

Over-Active Sebaceous Glands
Sebaceous glands produce sebum, natural oil particles that clog the skin pores and give rise to acne. The sebaceous glands are highly active during puberty and result in the over production of sebum oil which further leads to acne.

Accumulation of Dead Skin Cells
The old skin cells on the skin surface die and are shed off and replaced by new healthy ones from underneath. However, often these dead skin cells get accumulated within the skin pores and block them. This further gives rise to acne.

Bacterial Infestatio

Accumulation of bacteria within the skin pores is another major cause of acne. Bacteria can come in contact with the skin through a variety of environmental sources. Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes as they are popularly called, are one of the most common acne causing bacteria.

Treatment Options for Acne
There are a variety of treatment options available for acne that aim at eliminating the root causes and improving the appearance of acne afflicted skin. Here are some basic tips to take care of your skin and prevent and treat acne inflammations and blemishes.

Cleanse your Skin Thoroughly
Cleansing is the most important step towards preventing and treating acne. This is because acne inflammations are often a result of bacterial infestation and accumulation of dirt within the skin pores. Use a good cleanser, preferably one with acne fighting ingredients to wash your face twice a day – once in the morning and once at night.

Use a Spot Treatment
Use an acne fighting spot treatment and apply them on pimples and blemishes. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin. These are powerful ingredients that help to eliminate acne from the roots. Make sure you apply these products only on the acne affected area because they might be too harsh for larger areas of the face. Start by applying once a day. Once the skin gets used to it, increase the frequency up to twice a day.

Product Suggestions:
Obagi Tretinoin Cream (.025%, .05% and .1%) - Obagi Tretinoin Cream stimulates cell turnover and is a derivative of Vitamin A and the active ingredient in Retin-A. It is used as a spot treatment for acneand improves scaly skin. It also has anti-aging benefits and helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Moisturize IntensivelynA common misconception among people is oily and acne prone skin doesn't require a moisturizer. However, that’s not true. Though, thick creamy formulas can clog the skin pores and lead to breakouts, the skin still requires moisture. In fact, acne care products tend to make the skin drier and thus it needs to replenish its moisture levels all the more. Use non greasy formulations and serums.

Wear Sunscreen Daily
Another common misconception is that sunlight improves acne. This again is not true. In fact, unprotected sun exposure can actually damage the skin and cause scarring from the blemishes on your skin.. Therefore, protect your skin everyday by wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen.

Product Suggestions:
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX – It is a non greasy moisturizer that also doubles up as a sunscreen. It offers broad spectrum protection against sunburns and moisturizes the skin intensively. It contains Mexoryl SX which is photostable against UVA rays so it does not breakdown and lasts longer than other sunscreens. It is free of fragrances and keeps the skin moisturized for 24 hours as well.