Teenage years bring a lot of surprises and fun! Acne is also an inevitable and unfortunate part of being a teenager. If you have got teen acne then don’t be surprised; you are not alone. As per the data provided by American Academy of Dermatology, almost 100% of all teens suffer from occasional acne breakouts. Teen acne hits all teenagers irrespective of sex, race, or ethnicity. It is important to opt for the right acne treatment at an early stage, before your acne becomes severe.
Teen acne usually first occurs between the ages of ten and thirteen. The acne development starts initially on the nose, and then spreads to other parts of the face, such as the forehead, chin, and cheeks. If the acne becomes severe, then it may also erupt in the neck, back, shoulders, chest, and upper arms.
What causes teen acne?
Teenage acne is caused by the onset of puberty. Several changes occur within the body, and hormonal imbalances are one among them. These hormonal changes lead to the development of acne. You might be wondering, how? Well, the hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Excess production of oil gets trapped with the dead cells of the skin and clogs pores. The pore blockages cause the formation of acne breakouts. If not treated with proper acne treatment medications, this problem can become severe, causing a cyst.
Teenagers have the tendency to frequently switch brands. This also may worsen or aggravate acne breakouts. Sometimes, teens who are worried about their skin conditions may make use of several acne topical treatment medications at one time, hoping to speed up the clearing process.
Teens should be taught to use all types of acne treatment medications and over the counter acne treatments, as directed by the dermatologist. Applying more than directed or using products in combination can cause excessive drying, peeling, and redness of the skin.
Acne affects teens psychologically:
Acne is not just a physical problem; it also affects the teens psychologically. Mild acne can create an impact on the self-esteem and self-confidence of the sufferer. Research has proven that teens with severe acne problems have the risk of depression and suicide.
Parents should understand and identify the problem at an early stage. Many times acne can be controlled with home made remedies and over the counter treatments. But if these don’t help then parents should take their teen to a dermatologist. A doctor will best be able to prescribe the right acne treatment medication for you.