Why is Acne a problem for Teenagers?
While acne occurs in all age groups, it most commonly affects teenagers and young adults. Teenage Acne is a common skin condition that affects 54-61% of all genders of teenagers in the West. However, it is also common on all skin types and skin colour in continents such as Asia, Africa and South America.
Acne has the Latin name “Acne Vulgaris” The word acne comes from a Greek word which means not beautiful.
How is Acne formed?
Acne occurs when hair follicles become plugged with dead skin cells and oil from sebaceous glands in the skin (sebum). This blockage creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This leads to inflammation and redness in the areas affected by acne. Teenagers in particular generate more sebum and oils as they go through puberty and hormonal changes. The open glands are likely to fill with dirt, grim and bacteria which then can lead
Acne can be a painful, frustrating, and embarrassing experience for a large number of individuals – especially teenagers. It can persist for weeks, months or even years into adulthood.
The reasons for acne on teenagers can be several factors. Commonly, it is the number of hormones present in the body at that stage in life which cause hormonal imbalances. These imbalances lead to increased oil production which cause clogged pores and breakouts. However, genetics, diet, puberty, stress and overall lifestyle also play a part. Birth control pills are also a common factor of acne production in teenage girls.
Why Acne can be such a mental concern for Teenagers
Teenage acne can be a very a difficult condition to live with. It can be physically painful and negatively impact how teenagers feel about themselves. Acne can lead to low self-esteem and self-confidence, even leading to severe mental health issues in teenagers. According to studies from the NHS website, ‘Your confidence can be low, and you may feel unhappy if you have spots’.
How should Teenagers look after their Skin to help prevent Acne?
It is important for Teenagers to treat their breakouts properly. With all the distractions of everyday life, they will often mistreat their acne which can lead to further skin problems. It is especially important for them to keep up with prescribed skincare treatments and medication regularly to ensure increased collagen and new cell turnover renewal. The sooner the skin becomes healthy, then the sooner the acne will diminish, and acne scars will appear significantly less.
It is important to keep the face clean and wash it before bed each night with mild and non-scented soap. Ideally a medical cleanser should be used with clean washed hands. During the day, the face should not be touched with the hands. The hands may well have recently touched some acne or pimples and as such, the hands will spread bacteria to other areas of the face. This therefore is a catalyst for new pimples.
Seek advice and a treatment plan from a Specialist
Acne does not affect every teenager, so it is important that the skin is monitored for early signs of breakouts or increased oiliness. It is quite common for people to not fully understand the type of skin they have. It may be oily, dry, congested, or full of bacteria. Therefore, it is particularly important to speak to a dermatologist or an advanced skin clinic to find out more about the skin type. With all the necessary information, the specialist can determine the correct treatment plan and homecare. They can work with the acne and remove it as quickly as possible.
However, there is great advice online and understanding acne skin specialists can help the individual teenagers overcome all these side effects and live with clearer, unblemished controlled, healthy skin for the rest of their lives.
Along with the advice of a skin specialist or dermatologist, the website at www.acne.org is a trusted resource for teenage acne treatment reviews and acne tips.
Which Acne Clinics and treatments are best for Teenage Acne?
A specialist acne clinic such as Skin Revision, is located in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire are known for their understanding and natural treatments to prevent teenage acne as well as remove it. Carrying out in-depth skin consultation and affordable acne treatments for teenagers, they are able to put together a bespoke, tailor-made strategy of in-clinic treatments and prescribed homecare for each teenage individual.
