How teenagers can treat acne and prevent outbreaks

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, with over 50 million people afflicted with acne at any given time. It’s during the teenage years that acne first begins to rear its ugly head. Thanks to a surge in the androgen hormone, the skin begins to breakout. Androgens are responsible for causing the oil-producing sebaceous glands to produce more oil than is necessary. We all need oil on our skin to help with moisturizing, but when the oil glands secrete an excessive amount of sebum, it can get trapped in the pores and lead to acne.

Many teenagers with acne self-treat their skin, meaning they purchase random acne-clearing products at the drugstore and experiment. Often times this leads to skin irritations and further breakouts. Even worse, many teenagers perform “bathroom surgery,” meaning they pop pimples at home, which can lead to scarring. To prevent scarring and take control of your acne, read these tips.


Do

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  • seek out the help of a dermatologist
  • be patient
  • change your pillowcase
  • wear sunscreen
  • drink and eat organic foods
Don't

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  • pick your skin
  • give up on your treatment
  • touch your face with your fingers
  • use your friend’s prescription acne treatments
  • forget about accutane

[publishpress_authors_data]'s recommendation to ExpertBeacon readers: Do

Do seek out the help of a dermatologist

The proper medical guidance can get you on the track to clear, acne-free skin right away. Only a dermatologist can help guide you with a proper regimen and prescribe medications that can help safely clear your skin. There are many in-office acne-fighting procedures, such as blue light therapy, medical facials and chemical peels that are effective at clearing the skin. A dermatologist will also teach you the proper way to cleanse and take care of your skin. Many dermatologists accept insurance for acne treatments.

Do be patient

Acne treatments do not work overnight. It typically takes up to 8 weeks to see real results from a new skincare regimen. Don’t give up and stop your acne-fighting regimen before 8 weeks.

Do change your pillowcase

A pillowcase can harbor bacteria that might lead to acne. And laying your face on it all night is not going to help prevent breakouts. If you have acne, be sure to wash your pillowcase on a daily basis.

Do wear sunscreen

Many people think that getting sun can clear up acne, this is not true. The UV rays can in fact cause more damage to the skin and even lead to pigmentation issues. The sun can rob the skin of its natural oils, causing it to produce even more oil, which can lead to acne.

Do drink and eat organic foods

Eating organic has many benefits, one of them being it can help your skin. Conventional dairy and meat are loaded up with hormones. The more hormonal activity in the body, the more acne breakouts that can occur.


[publishpress_authors_data]'s professional advice to ExpertBeacon readers: Don't

Do not pick your skin

Not only can popping your own pimples lead to permanent scarring, it can create more acne. When you pop a zit, the bacteria can be redistributed to another area on the face, courtesy of your fingers. If you have an inflamed pimple that you need to disappear pronto, the best thing you can do is go to the dermatologist for a cortisone injection.

Do not give up on your treatment

Acne skincare regimens can take up to 8 weeks to show results. Stick to your regimen and don’t stray from it. You can make tweaks and adjustments if need be. For example, if your skin is becoming irritated, use a moisturizer before and after your acne treatment products.

Do not touch your face with your fingers

Hands and fingers harbor a lot of bacteria, some of which can lead to further acne breakouts. Wash your hands before touching your face with them.

Do not use your friend’s prescription acne treatments

Just because your best friend’s prescription acne treatment works for them, does not mean it will work for you. Dermatologists prescribe antibiotics and other medications only after seeing the patient and examining their skin and having a clear idea of their medical history. You could have a bad reaction if you use someone else’s medication.

Do not forget about accutane

Although it has gotten a bad reputation, Accutane is actually a very effective medicine for those with severe acne. The positives far outweigh the negatives in most cases. If your acne is not responding to other types of treatment, talk to your doctor about Accutane.


Summary

If you are a teenager with acne, don’t despair. When treated properly, acne is 100 percent treatable. If you allow for the proper amount of time and compliance with a regimen, acne should resolve on its own. It’s also crucial to know what not to do when you have acne. Read these tips and learn the best ways to treat and not to treat your acne.

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