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Over 70% of teens say that acne has affected them in a negative
way. An estimated 20 million teens suffer from acne, but even
the fact that they're not alone doesn't ease the pain they
feel. Teens are embarrassed at a time when they are unsure
of themselves. They may become depressed and withdrawn. Acne
is especially hard on teenage girls. At a time when they're
noticing boys, and visa versa, acne can be devastating. They're
surrounded by visions of beauty all around them on TV, in
movies, in magazines and on line. We live in a society that
worships youth and beauty.
Parents can help their teenage girls through this time by
offering a supportive and sympathetic ear. Parents should
help the child focus on all their positive attributes, which
will help to strengthen the child's self esteem. The parents
need to be actively involved with helping their child find
the best possible cure for their particular form of acne.
Parents should also educate themselves about acne causes
and treatments. Thirty years ago it was thought that acne
was caused by eating the wrong foods. Chocolate and potatoe
chips were culprit. It's now known that this isn't true. Food
is not thought to play a large role in acne. It also has nothing
to do with cleanliness of the skin.
What is fact is that acne in teenagers is caused by the action
of hormones on the skin's oil glands. During puberty both
boys and girls have an increase in the hormones called androgens.
These hormones cause sebaceous glands under the surface of
the skin to enlarge. The sebaceous glands in response produce
excess oil. This excess oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin
on the skin's surface and blocks pores. Inside these pores
the bacteria multiple and cause inflammation.
Most cases of light to moderate acne can be treated by over
the counter medications. There are many to choose from. Some
find that benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid works well. Benzoyl
peroxide is known to readily kill acne bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide
can be found in cleansers and in spot treatments. Benzoyl
peroxide is very drying and can make your face look even more
irritated, especially when you first start washing with it.
Many acne suffers use a moisturizer on their face after washing.
There are many moisturizers available that are specifically
designed to help with acne such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, and
Neutrogena.
Severe acne, or acne that has not responded well to over
the counter products, can be successfully treated with the
knowledge and expertise of a dermatologist. A dermatologist
will consider many things before suggesting treatment. He
will perform a thorough evaluation of the patient, considering
things such as severity of acne, patient age, lifestyle, and
co-existing conditions. The dermatologist then may suggest
a combination of two or three different therapies for best
treatment.
Whatever one of the literally hundreds of treatments you
decide to choose, or if you seek the help of a dermatologist,
remember that acne takes time to disappear. Overnight or miraculous
results don't happen. It takes six to eight weeks to see results
from treatment. Unfortunately, in a teenage girl's life six
to eight weeks can feel like a lifetime.
Terry Lowery
This article courtesy of http://www.acne-treamments.com
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