Teen Skin Care

​Although many teens struggle with an ongoing cycle of reoccurring skin problems, there are steps they can take to reduce acne and help prevent it from coming back.

Many young teenagers have a difficult time with proper skin care due to changing hormones during adolescence, as puberty is a time when the hormones cause the skin to overproduce a type of oil called sebum. Sebum normally lubricates the skin and hair, but when too much sebum is produced by a teenager’s body it can overload the oil-producing glands on the forehead, nose, and chin areas on the face. That facial area is often called the T-zone because the pattern of pimples and acne that appears on the face when the pores are clogged and overloaded with sebum form a “T” shaped pattern where teens are most prone to acne.

Some teens may feel that their skin is nearly impossible to manage during adolescence as they struggle with pimples, blackheads and general acne in a seeming never ending cycle of disappearing and reappearing skin problems. However, there are steps every teen can take to reduce the occurrence of acne and help prevent it from coming back. Here are some tips to help prevent and treat common breakouts and other teenage skin problems, and clear them up as quickly as possible too.

* You should wash your face with a mild soap and gently massage your face with circular motions. Avoid vigorous over washing and excessive scrubbing as they can irritate the skin and make it worse. Many teens find skin care products like lotions containing benzoyl peroxide will dramatically reduce the amount of oil and bacteria on their face when applied after each washing. Wash your face in the morning, at bedtime, and after heavy exercise, and after each washing be sure to rinse your face thoroughly with plain water.

* Resist the temptation to squeeze or pop pimples and blackheads because rupturing the pimples can push dead cells and infections further into the skin which can lead to swelling, redness, and scarring.

* You should try to avoid touching your face, especially with dirty hands as it can spread any bacteria present and inflame and irritate the pores even further. If you do have to touch your face, at least make sure to wash your hands first.

* Teens who wear glasses or sunglasses frequently should try to clean them regularly to keep the oil and sebum that might collect on glasses from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.

* Tight fitting scarves, headbands, and caps can trap dirt and oil on their surfaces and cause acne and irritation too.

* Choose oil-free cosmetics and always be sure to remove any makeup you might wear before going to sleep at night. Try to find makeup brands that say non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic on the label. Always use new makeup that is fresh and throw out any makeup that is over one year old because it can degrade over time and may irritate the skin when it goes bad.

* Remember to protect your skin from the sun and use a sunscreen rated at SPF 50 or more. Although a tan can sometimes temporarily hide acne, it can also damage the skin and cause acne to worsen over time. Excessive sun exposure can also increase your risk of skin cancer.