During the teens years your skin is plump, firm and strong but unfortunately it’s more prone to frequent breakouts and blemishes – pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, large pores, acne. During puberty the skin begins to produce more oil (sebum), hormonal changes occur, your body begins to produce more hormones – Androgens.The teenage years are the best time to begin a healthy skincare routine. A teen’s daily skin care regimen should consist of cleaning, toning, moisturizing, exfoliating, sun protection.
Common skin problems in teens are: acne, pimples, excessive oiliness, blackheads, whiteheads, large pores, hyperpigmentation, post-acne scars.
1. Common Teen Skin Problem: Acne
Acne is the most common skin problem among teenagers. 75 percent of the teenagers from ages 13 to 18 are affected, at least occasionally by acne. The most common form of acne among teens is Acne Vulgaris – it starts when the excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells clog up the facial pores, the hormonal changes are also to be blamed.
Acne can be composed by variety of skin lesions: blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, red spots, zits, pus-filled pimples. In most cases acne in teenagers is caused by a hormone imbalance, genes, stress and improper skincare.Acne can be very depressing for a teenager but fortunately there are products, treatments and procedures that may help heal acne. The dermatologists usually prescribe:
- Antibiotics – used to kill acne-causing bacteria.
- Accutane – an oral retinoid that is very effective in severe cases of acne
- Corticosteroid injection – used only in severe cases of acne. It is an anti-inflammatory medication that is injected into the inflamed acne lesion.
- Benzoyl Peroxide – probably the most effective and widely used acne medication. It’s available in lotions, creams, cleansers, gels.
- Salicylic Acid – helps unclog pores and prevent blemishes.
The acne treatment can be very complicated and a long process but no one should give up trying to heal the acne. It’s essential to follow a strict skincare regimen in order to keep your skin clean and clear.Every acne-sufferer should use specially designed creams, cleansers, lotions for acne-prone skin. Look for skincare products containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyl Acid. Wash your face daily at least two times with a mild cleanser that cleanses your skin deeply without drying it. Regular exfoliation is a good way to keep your skin healthy and glowing and to prevent acne as the dead skin cells combined with excess oil on the surface of your skin may lead to blemishes and breakouts.
2. Common Teen Skin Problem: Pimples
An estimated 89 percent of the teenagers have pimples outbreak at some point. A pimple usually begins to form when skin cells clump together causing a plug, then the excess oil being produced by the oil glands starts to build up beneath the plug. Dermatologists believe that the main cause of a pimple formation is the increased production of male hormones called Androgens combined with the presence of bacteria on the skin’s surface. Pimples can flare up at any time and unfortunately most of them leave a red scar behind.
What you can do to prevent pimples: Follow a strict skincare regime. Cleansing and toning your face is the best way to treat and prevent pimples. There are many cleansers, exfoliators, creams, lotions containing active ingredients that cleanse the skin deeply and dry out the pimples. It’s crucial to select a facial cleanser that is suitable for your skin type. If you have many pimples you may want to use a facial toner with alcohol as it dries out pimples fast but be very careful. Look for a toner with Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid.Your best choice for a cleansing mask will be a clay mask as it draws out impurities and removes the excessive oil from your skin, which is very beneficial for those with combination or oily skin.
3. Common Teen Skin Problem: Excessive Oil Production
As we said early, during puberty the oil glands begin to produce more sebum (oil) due to hormonal changes. Excessive oil production may cause clogging of the pores, blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, pimples. Excessive sebum production usually appears on the T-zone – forehead, nose and chin as these areas contain more oil glands than the other areas. Fortunately there are products specially designed to control the excessive oil production. They reduce and control the excess surface oil and prevent clogging of the pores. Main ingredient in shine/oil control products is Nordihydraguaiaretic Acid as it reduces the sebum production.
4. Common Teen Skin Problem: Blackheads and Whiteheads
The presence of blackheads and whiteheads is a common skin complaint among teenagers. Blackheads can affect every skin type and every age, especially those with oily and combination skin. Blackheads are caused by hardened masses of sebum (oil) trapped in the pores. They are direct result from skin facial pores becoming clogged with oil, dead skin cells and dirt. The blackheads (open comedones) usually appear on the T-zone and the whiteheads show up as tiny white spots around the eyes.
What you can do to prevent blackheads and whiteheads: the best way to prevent and treat blackheads is to exfoliate your skin regularly - once or twice a week. When exfoliating you remove the dead skin cells, the impurities on the skin’s surface that usually lead to breakouts and blemishes. Regular exfoliation encourages new, healthier skin cells to form, unclogs pores and prevents further breakouts. Another alternative for dealing with blackheads are the pore strips that pull away oil and build up dirt from the nose, chin and forehead. It’s crucial to cleanse your face and to remove your makeup in the evening and in the morning, to keep your skin clean and free of blackheads.
5. Common Teen Skin Problem: Large Pores
Puberty can cause enlargement of the facial pores due to the increased production of oil. During puberty the skin begins to produce more sebum and the pores have to enlarge in order to be able to handle the increased output. Pores appear enlarged when they are clogged, dilated, infected and that’s why the best way to keep your pores small and less visible is to keep your skin clean all the time. Often the pores get clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, oil which makes them appear more prominent and that’s why regular skin exfoliation is essential in order to remove the dead skin cells and to allow your skin to produce new, healthier cells. Use a mild exfoliator to remove the dead skin cells twice a week, but make sure it’s appropriate for your skin type. Using a pore minimizing (refining) products should be an essential part of your skin care regimen to keep your facial pores under control. These products target the production of sebum deep in the pores, clear away debris and reduce the size of the large pores.
6. Common Teen Skin Problem: Post-Acne Scars
As we said most of the pimples leave behind a red scar. The post-acne scars can be divided into two categories: physical scars and pigmented scars. The physical scars tend to cause an indentation in the skin’s surface, the pigmented post-acne scars usually appear as inflamed red mark, spot on the skin’s surface. Squeezing or picking at a pimple always increases the chances of scarring.Microdermabrasion, chemical peel, laser resurfacing are all very effective in removing post-acne (post-pimple) scars, but such treatments are appropriate only for very severe scarring. There are many “on the spot“ treatments containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid that clear up blemishes and reduce the appearance of post-acne marks.
Useful Teen Tips:
- Remember: a complete skincare routine now is the best step in creating a lifetime of healthy habits and preventing future skin issues.
- Remember: the appearance of your skin is influenced mainly by your skin care routine.
- Never use oil-based makeup products because they may clog your facial pores and cause breakouts.
- Look for non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic products.
- Consult a dermatologist – he/ she may prescribe you some medicines that might help you.
- Never squeeze or pick at a pimple as doing so may spread the inflammation and leave an ugly red scar behind.
- Look for oil-free moisturizer.
- Look for a gentle, non-comedogenic gel or cream cleanser.
- Always apply a moisturizer in the morning, even if your skin is oily or combination.
- Do a cleansing face mask once or twice a week to keep your skin clean.
- Always wear a sunscreen or sunblock with SPF at least 15, even during the winter months to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Exfoliate your face once or twice a week with a gentle cleanser to remove the dead skin cells.
- Avoid rough scrubs as they may make your skin condition worse.
- Remember: the damage that occurs now is what will be evident when you get older.
- Choose skin care products and makeup products that are appropriate for your skin type.
- Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, whole grains.
- Avoid eating chocolate, greasy foods.
- Don’t smoke – smoking seriously damage your skin.
- Drink plenty of water – at least 1.5 liter a day to keep your skin and body hydrated.
- Avoid touching your face with dirty hands – you can transform bacteria and cause inflammation.
- Avoid using products with fragrance as this may increase the possibility of allergies and irritations.