QuestionWhat are your top tips for looking after teenage skin? (could this be quite detailed please!)
Why do teenagers suffer the most with their skin?
Is there anyway to prevent outbreaks of acne?
Why is it bad to pop the spots?
By using sun cream when it's hot does this reduce the amount of spots or increase them?
What are the best face wash's to use?
AnswerHi Ellen,
I'm going to first answer your more specific questions and then I'll give you the "tips" you asked for!
Why do teens have so many challenges with their skin?
There are several reasons many teens experience problem skin. Hormones play a major role. Hormones can stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands which leads to excessive amounts of oil on the skin. This excess oil can lead to blockages and breakouts. Poor skin care regimens at home can also play a huge role. The skin really needs to be cleaned well. Excess oil, makeup, debris, sweat from physical activity - all of this needs to be removed from the skin daily. In addition to lack of proper cleansing, many teenagers do not know how to properly choose a cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer for their specific skin concerns. There is also a tendency amongst teens to try so many different things here and there that no regimen ever has a true chance to work and often the products being used are of low quality and of poor impact on the skin. Some may even be damaging! There are studies that suggest that diets high in refined carbohydrates (soft drinks, potato chips, candy, etc.) may also be linked with teenage breakouts. One study in Australia showed a 50% reduction after 12 weeks in acne complications in teens who were put on a diet that lacked these refined carbohydrates.
Breakout Prevention:
Keeping your skin clean with the right choice of facial cleanser is one key step. Cleansing twice daily is a must. Avoid soap on your face - the pH of soap is very alkaline and this can promote bacterial overgrowth as well as stripping your skin of important water and healthy oils. You'll also want to be sure that whatever products you use on your skin are non-comedogenic (will not clog pores) and that your daily moisturizer is not too heavy for your skin. Topical acne fighting ingredients like salicylic acid are excellent choices to spot treat breakouts when you have them.
Why bumps shouldn't be popped:
You might be surprised to know that those of us who work as professional skin care therapists actually do "pop" bumps. The technical term for this is "extraction". The problem for untrained professionals is that they do not know the proper way to prepare the skin for extractions, the proper way to extract, or the proper way to treat the skin after extractions are performed. Extreme damage can be done to skin that is pressed, pushed, poked, squeezed and so on. There is also a significant chance that the bacteria in a "zit" can be spread to the surrounding tissues leading to further breakouts. Lastly, not all breakouts should be extracted - and non-professionals usually don't know these guidelines. In the professional skin care environment we work primarily on simple blackheads and whiteheads. We do not try to force material out of very deep lesions, nodules, and cysts. This is extremely dangerous (and painful), and should be left for a doctor to handle.
Sunscreen:
If you are experiencing problems with oily skin and breakouts, you'll still want to use sunscreen - but you may need a different sunscreen product. There are oil-free versions available that are less likely to create problems with breakouts.
Face Washes:
The "best" facial wash will totally depend on the person. Facial cleansers/washes should be chosen according to skin type and condition. If you have oily skin and breakouts, you'll need a totally different cleanser than someone with dry skin and no breakouts. For oily, breakout prone skin you'll want a foaming cleanser that effectively breaks down dirt and debris - and you may even want a special cleanser designed for breakout prone skin.
Now for the tips you asked for!
Do: Cleanse your skin twice a day - morning and night with a facial wash appropriate for your skin type and condition.
Don't: Use excessive heat when cleansing - lukewark water is better for your skin.
Do: Exfoliate once or twice a week with a gentle exfoliant.
Don't: Exfoliate with harsh scrubs and don't scrub your face aggressively when you do exfoliate.
Do: Use a light daily care moisturizer free of comedogenic ingredients.
Don't: Use heavy night creams at this stage in your life.
Do: Drink plenty of water.
Don't: Fill yourself up on nothing but sugary drinks. Your body (skin included) needs that healthy pure water to detoxify and purify your tissues.
Do: Try a regimen and stick with it for at least 45 days (unless you have a bad reaction).
Don't: Change products every week or two.
Do: Try a salicylic acid topical treatment for active breakouts.
Don't: Put acne treatments all over your face if your whole face isn't broken out. Remember: If the whole face isn't a zit - don't treat it like one!
Do: Consider seeing a skin care professional in a local skin care center to give you professional extractions or a clarifying facial when needed.
Don't: Dig at your face or try to force anything out of your skin - it just leads to more problems and damages the skin.
Ellen, I hope this has answered your questions. If you have anything further, please feel free to reply!
Best of luck!
Casey Durrett, LEI
www.skinphd.com
skinhints.blogspot.com
