Teen Acne Control: 10 Effective Tips for Clearer Skin

All we wanted to do as kids was to grow up and do all the things that the adults did. Little did we know about the phase of being a teenager! As if being in a confusing age between a child and an adult is not enough. We are also subjected to hormonal imbalances – the imbalances that ruled most things about us – the crazy rage to mood swings and pimples to broken skin.

Of all the things that go haywire, skin troubles are the one thing we have a certain amount of control on. Let us tell you how to deal with acne and the like.

If you’re a teen suffering from acne, you’re certainly not alone. Acne affects teenagers of all race, gender and origin. It is estimated that at least 90% of adolescents suffer from episodes of acne.

What is Acne?

As you enter into teenage, your body starts changing internally and externally due to hormonal changes. Acne results from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands). The sebaceous glands release an oily substance called sebum that empties onto the skin surface through the pores. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the follicle openings. When this happens, pores become clogged and pimples develop.

What Aggravates Acne?

Harsh Scrubbing:

The biggest myth about acne is that it is caused by dirt. Let us burst it for you It’s caused because of clogging like we explained above. That is why; harsh scrubbing will only irritate your skin. Irritated skin produces more oil and that leads to more acne – the cycle never ends.

Picking or Squeezing Pimples:

This is a very wrong habit, often seen in teenagers and adults suffering from acne. When you touch and squeeze your pimples and then touch other parts on the face, you are transferring the bacteria. This helps the bacteria spread and aggravates acne.

Pressure From Bike Helmets, Backpacks, or Tight Collars:

The tight padding of these items constricts the skin, and traps dirt and bacteria leading to acne.

Changing Hormone Levels (in women):

The hormones in women follow a cycle of ups and down and the imbalance leads to acne. This is observed more during menstrual period.

Food intake:

Though there are no proven results, dairy products might lead to aggravated acne. This is linked to the factor that the animals are fed on hormone rich diet, leading to products that contain hormones.

How do I control acne?

Controlling acne is not a Herculean task, though it needs some care and strategy.

1. Always keep your skin clean.Wash your face twice a day, making sure you wash it before going to bed. Use a cleanser made for acne prone skin. Be gentle enough and do not scrub too hard. When you use a scrub, try and use a mild one.
2. Keep your skin moisturized. Using a toner helps control secretion of sebum.
3. Always use a sunscreen to avoid tanning. Acne prone skin is generally more sensitive than the other skin types.
4. Use an over-the-counter topical treatment on problem areas.
5. Make sure that your diet is rich in vegetables and fruits. A healthy diet translates to healthy skin and body.
6. Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
7. Learn to handle stress well.Stress is known to make an acne condition worse. Practice meditation.
8. Regular workouts do wonders to acne prone skin. The pores of the skin are open during a workout, the sweat flushes out all the dirt and bacteria.
9. Do not touch your skin unnecessarily.
10. Always clean the items that touch your face – mobile phone, earphones and the like. They can harbor bacteria.

If nothing works, contact a dermatologist. Acne that comes in genes (when your parents have them too) requires an expert advice.

How do you combat acne? Shoot a comment and let us know!