TEEN ACNE

Get Answers To Commonly Asked Teen Acne Questions!

Being a teen is a roller coaster ride anyway, without the added stress of an annoying skin condition like teen acne. Read on to learn some of the myths and inconsistencies about acne, its causes and its ‘cures’.

First let’s get information from dermatologist Dr. Hillary Baldwin, an expert when it comes to the subject of acne.
During a recent radio interview, Dr. Hillary Baldwin debunked some common acne myths.  She told listeners: 

• Acne is not related to hygiene so it can’t be washed away

• Hormones play a role in acne.  That’s why acne doesn’t develop until puberty

• Drinking water – it’s great for your kidneys but it’s not going to do anything for your acne

• You can’t cure acne.  Acne isn’t like pneumonia.  You can’t take antibiotics for two weeks and have it go away

• Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid are proven over-the-counter acne treatments but require compliance and commitment to yield results

Tips and Tricks To Avoid Teen Acne

ACNE TIP#1: Avoid hair products that contain mineral oil, cocoa butter or shea butter.  These products can seep from your scalp onto your face and clog pores.

ACNE TIP #2: Look for moisturizers, sunscreens and makeup that are non-comedogenic which means they do not clog pores and cause blackheads.  It wouldn’t make sense to conceal acne with something that is going to give you more acne!

ACNE TIP#3: Leave blackhead extraction to professionals who can do it safely without damaging your skin and NEVER squeeze a red pimple. 
Dermatologist Dr. Hillary Baldwin says, “I don’t even squeeze red pimples.”

ACNE TIP #4: Really commit to the acne regimen you choose.  It’s only going to work if you follow the instructions and use it every day.

ACNE TIP #5: Talk to your parents about the way acne is making you feel.  You will find a sympathetic ear – they were teens once too!  Parents can be great partners and motivators in the fight against acne.  They just want you to look and feel your best.

MOST COMMON ACNE QUESTIONS

Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH ACNE?

MP: Definitely the causes! Unfortunately the universal beliefs of acne causes could not be further from the truth. Let’s start with the most common: certain foods like chocolate, greasy fries and pizza will not result in a breakout (though constant poor diet and nutrition will ultimately have an effect on skin health.) Makeup - believed to be another culprit - should not be blamed. The vast majority of today’s cosmetics are non-comedogenic, meaning they will not clog pores and those that do should not be on store shelves! Another thing to keep in mind is that the sun will not clear up the skin. In fact, it can only make it worse -- prolonged exposure will actually darken acne’s unsightly souvenir, post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

Q: SO THEN WHAT DOES CAUSE ACNE?

MP: There are four major causes to be acknowledged:

Hormones: The body produces hormones called androgens. Androgens cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and are also responsible for acne flare-ups associated with the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Extra sebum: When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum.  On its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle.  Extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of acne-causing clogs.  Plus, sebum is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Follicle fallout: Normally, dead cells within the follicle shed gradually and are expelled onto the skin’s surface. Sometimes, these dead skin cells mix with a surplus of sebum and form a plug in the follicle, preventing the skin from finishing its natural process of renewal. 

Inflammation: When your body encounters unwanted bacteria, it sends an army of white blood cells to attack the intruders. This is what causes pimples to become red, swollen and painful.

Q: IS BENZOYL PEROXIDE THE BEST OVER-THE-COUNTER TREATMENT?

MP: For years, it has been the #1 go-to over-the-counter treatment for acne due to its powerful bacteria killing properties. The only problem? It is extremely drying and even causes a “rebound” effect that occurs with many popular acne regimens. This happens because benzoyl peroxide strips the skin of the oils it needs to remain healthy and balanced. As a result, the skin reacts by producing excess sebum that causes further breakouts. Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, essential fatty acids and zinc sulfate are all ideal ingredients to combat acne and are much gentler on the skin.

Q: IS ACNE CONTAGIOUS?

MP: Yes, it’s very contagious! In my studies, I have learned that when a pore becomes clogged or erupts into an infection, it puts pressure on the neighboring pores and hair follicles. When this happens, the pores are unable to release sebum as they should naturally. In turn, the neighboring pores become clogged and infected themselves.

Q: WHAT IS THIS WE HEAR ABOUT ZINC DEFICIENCY’S IN RELATION TO ACNE?

MP: Zinc sulfate is a supplement that helps calm acne-prone skin.  Interestingly, recent studies have shown that people with a zinc deficiency are more susceptible to developing acne! More specifically, zinc is an ardent infection and bacteria fighter – it aids in the healing of tissue, helps the body to resist infection and inflammation and can even help to prevent scarring. When skin erupts into an acneic infection of bacteria and sebum, a zinc deficiency will make it almost impossible for the body to fight the outbreak off. Consequentially, it can lead to a vicious cycle of unending breakouts.  

ACNE TREATMENTS TO CONSIDER

Acne Treatment: Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Acne Treatment System Cosmedicine offers treatment solutions for acne including their Speedy Recovery Acne Treatment System, which comes with a money back guarantee.

Acne Treatment: Neutrongena skin iD Another highly effective acne treatment regime is Neutrogena’s skiniD system.  It’s a personalized system created just for you based on your answers to a questionnaire about your skin, your acne and lifestyle.

Don’t feel left out in the cold this season if you happen to be suffering from acne. Help is out there, so all you have to do is a bit of research to find out what will work best for you. You're already on the path to clearer skin because you're reading this! Now that you can separate the facts from the fiction when it comes to acne, you are ready to get out and fight the good fight. 

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Laura Miller is a beauty expert, always on the cutting edge of new products and technologies. Laura lives the mind/body/spirit life every day and enjoys her career as a freelance writer specializing in beauty, health/wellness and fashion.