Acne affects virtually all teenagers at one point or another tovarying degrees. Teen acne is hereditary and is brought on by hormonalchanges related to menstrual periods pregnancy birth control pills or stress; oily hair and skin products; certain drugs such as steroids testosterone estrogen and phenytoin; and high levels of humidity orsweating. While acne attacks boys and girls alike it is worse in boysbecause they produce more skin oils. However girls are more likely toseek out a dermatologist. Either way fear not: everywhere you look there is another teen acne treatment to be found.
There are manyover-the-counter acne treatments for teenagers to unblock pores reducebacteria and dry out pimples. They contain benzoyl peroxide (such asNeutrogena On-The-Spot) or salicylic acid (such as Stri-dex). For moreeffective yet harsher treatment there is sulfur or resorcinol (such asClearasil Adult Care). Acne responds best when treated early.
Allacne treatments work by preventing new breakouts and must be used over a period of weeks or months. Even if you begin to see improvement continue treatment. Follow the directions on the package or asprescribed by your dermatologist.
Even more numerous thanover-the-counter medications are prescription drugs and topicals thatcurb oil build-up skin cell shedding and bacteria growth - all whiledrying and peeling away old acne and stimulating healthy skin growth. In cases of unresponsive or severe acne isotretinoin (Accutane) may beused. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what is appropriate foryour case of acne.
To avoid scarring you should never pick orsqueeze acne especially inflammatory acne or "pustules". Squeezingforces infected material deeper into the skin causing additionalinflammation and possible scarring. Also avoid scrubbing your skin. Ifyou do get scars acne scar treatment is available in many forms.
