Teenagers acne-free summer
Acne is so common that it's considered a normal part of puberty. But knowing that doesn't always make it easier when you're looking at a big pimple on your face in the mirror. So what is acne and what can you do about it
What Is Acne and What Causes It?
Acne is a condition of the skin that shows up as different types of bumps. These bumps can be blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts.
What Causes acne?
Teens get acne because of the hormonal changes that come with puberty. If your parents had acne as teens, it's more likely that you will, too. The good news is that, for most people, acne goes away almost completely by the time they are out of their teens.
The type of acne that a lot of teens get is called acne vulgaris (the meaning of "vulgaris" isn't as bad as it sounds — it means "of the common type"). It usually shows up on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest.
Why acne?
The hair follicles, or pores, in your skin contain sebaceous glands (also called oil glands). These glands make sebum, which is an oil that lubricates your hair and skin. Most of the time, the sebaceous glands make the right amount of sebum. As a teen's body begins to mature and develop, though, hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to make more sebum, and the glands may become overactive. Pores become clogged if there is too much sebum and too many dead skin cells. Bacteria (especially one called Propionibacterium acnes) can then get trapped inside the pores and multiply, causing swelling and redness — the start of acne.
If a pore gets clogged up and closes but bulges out from the skin, you're left with a whitehead. If a pore gets clogged up but stays open, the top surface can darken and you're left with a blackhead. Sometimes the wall of the pore opens, allowing sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to make their way under the skin — and you're left with a small, red bump called a pimple (sometimes pimples have a pus-filled top from the body's reaction to the bacterial infection).
Help your teenagers make this an acne-free summer
1. Get treatment
Acne can be successfully treated, and new pimples and zits can be prevented. Mild cases of acne can be treated with over-the-counter medications, so drop by the pharmacy and ask your pharmacist which acne medications your child could try.
2. Eliminate any aggravating factors
Some medications can cause acne. Talk to your health care provider to see if any medications your child is currently taking can cause acne breakouts.
3. Cleanse your skin.
Twice a day, have them use a mild cleanser or one that is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, such as CLEAN & CLEAR® MORNING BURST® Facial Cleanser and Facial Scrub. Make sure you do not scrub too hard or wash too often, as this can irritate your skin and make existing acne worse.
4. Learn to manage with stress
Teen life can be stressful and that stress can make acne worse. Help lessen the stress by teaching your teen time management skills, and helping them find outlets to relieve stress such as relaxation, exercise and meditation.
5. Eat healthy
Although acne is not affected by diet, it's always a good idea to establish good eating habits that follow Canada's Food Guide recommendations.
6. Avoid oil-containing cosmetics
If possible, limit the amount of makeup your teen daughter wears. If she insists on wearing makeup, have her choose options that are water-based or labeled "non-comedogenic." Remember her to remove her makeup before going to bed.
7. Stay away from greasy hair care products
Find a hairstyle that doesn't require or that minimizes the use of these products which can clog pores and make acne worse.
8. Hands off!
Remind your child to avoid squeezing, picking, pinching or touching the zits and pimples. This will only make the acne look worse and can cause scarring.
9. Beware of friction
Not in the classroom or among friends, but friction from actual physical pressure. Headbands, chin straps and sports helmets can aggravate acne. Minimize friction to reduce acne breakouts.
10. Shower after playing sports
Excessive sweating can block pores and make acne worse. Gently clean the oil and sweat from your skin after exercising or doing strenuous work.
11. Wash your face
Wash your face once or twice a day with a mild soap and warm water. Don't scrub your face hard with a washcloth — acne can't be scrubbed away, and scrubbing may actually make it worse by irritating the skin and pores. Try cleansing your face as gently as you can.
12. Makeup or sunscreen
If you wear makeup or sunscreen, make sure it's labeled "oil free," "noncomedogenic," or "nonacnegenic." This means it won't clog your pores and contribute to acne.
13 Hair sprays or gels,
When using hair sprays or gels, try to keep them away from your face, as they can also clog pores
Acne Myths
Chocolate eating causing acne
There are a few myths out there about things that cause acne — like the one about eating chocolate causing acne. Some people do find that they notice their breakouts get more severe when they eat too much of a certain food, though. If you're one of them, it's worth trying to cut back on that food to see what happens.
Stress cause
Stress doesn't usually cause acne either (although it can make existing acne worse because stress increases sebum production).
Sun exposure
Other myths talk about what helps make acne better. Acne isn't really helped by the sun. Although a tan can temporarily make acne look less severe, it won't help it go away permanently — and some people find that the oils
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