A Basic Overview of Teenage Acne
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Teenage acne is something nearly all of us have to deal with. Over 95% of people develop acne at some point in their lives, usually, but not exclusively, during puberty. The condition is most common between the ages of 14 -19. It is caused by certain hormones over stimulating the oil-producing glands in your skin.
Different Types
There are several types of spots caused by acne, which usually appear small, yellow, black or red. These spots are mostly harmless, however, they may feel sore or tender to touch.
Cysts are the worst type of spots caused by acne. They’re large, pus-filled, and the most likely to cause scarring. However, they are also the rarest type of spot caused by acne. They may look similar to a boil, but will not have as great an effect.
Other than spots, acne can cause skin to be oily, hot, or painful to touch.
Almost everyone with acne has it on their face, over half on their back, and less than ⅕ on their chest.
Top Tips
If you suffer from acne, you can do several things to keep its influence to a minimum:
- Washing the affected area with a cleanser or mild soap and lukewarm water can help, but don’t do it more than twice a day.
- Avoid squeezing spots as it can lead to permanent scarring. It also hurts a lot.
- Don’t use too much makeup, and make sure to completely remove it before sleeping, as it can completely clog the pores in your skin, which will make your acne considerably worse.
- After exercising, shower as soon as possible, as sweat can worsen acne. Also, wash your hair regularly, and tie it back so that it doesn’t fall across your face.
Most acne is mild, and will eventually disappear without treatment, however some creams will help reduce the severity.
More severe teenage acne can be treated with antibiotics, or stronger creams, which are only available when prescribed by a doctor. These treatments will take around 3 months to work, however, they do work well.