Help your teen manage acne
February 20, 2013
February 20, 2013
For just about every teen, acne is a
source of stress and concern. The
onset of puberty brings with it
changes in hormones and lifestyle
that can lead to varying degrees of the
dreaded pimple.
Acne is the most common
reason people visit a dermatologist,
according to the Canadian
Dermatology Association. Teens are
especially prone due to the surge in
male hormones caused by puberty.
These androgens cause sebaceous
glands beneath the surface of the skin
to grow and produce more sebum
(an oily substance) than normal.
Combined with dirt and dead skin
cells, the skin’s pores or hair follicles
can become clogged, leading to
redness and swelling.
Sometimes the inflammation can
be worsened by the presence of a
bacteria known as Propionibacterium
acnes. Add to that genetics, the use of
the wrong hair and makeup products,
a poor facial routine, and teenage
eating and sleeping habits, and
you’ve got the recipe for blackheads,
whiteheads and pustules in varying
levels of severity.
There are four grades of acne:
Using makeup to cover acne can
cause more acne. So can squeezing or
picking pimples (so-called bathroom
surgery), which can cause scarring or
secondary infection.
If left untreated, acne can lead to
skin discolouration and permanent
scarring. In the short-term, it can
affect your child’s self-esteem.
There are several over-the-counter
treatments that include the active
ingredients benzoyl peroxide or
salicylic acid. If those treatments
are not working, or if your teen has
severe acne, ask your doctor for a
referral to a dermatologist.
Your child might require a
medication with isotretinoin,
an antibiotic or a low-dose oral
contraceptive (for girls).
Heather Vounnou,
training manager for
Dermalogica Canada,
recommends sticking
to a skin-care routine.
Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, February/March 2013.