How to Treat Teen Acne
Those blasted hormones--not only do they cause sudden mood changes in teenagers, but they are largely responsible for those small red spots that appear regularly on their faces. Contrary to popular belief, the eruption of acne has little to do with dietary choices or lack of washing properly. Fortunately, there are ways to treat teen acne, starting with prevention and including prescriptions if necessary.
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Instructions
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Wash the face twice a day. Washing alone won't cure acne since it is caused by hormonal changes and bacteria beneath the skin, but keeping the surface free of oil will assist in keeping the pores unclogged. Use a mild cleanser to aid in gentle cleansing.
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Slough away the dead skin cells by exfoliating. Do this up to twice a week to remove skin-clogging dead skin cells and debris. Choose an exfoliating product made with small, smooth grains and containing no alcohol.
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Check product labels for products that are alcohol-free. You might think that drying up the excess oils on your skin may prevent an acne outbreak, but in reality it will do just the opposite. As natural oils are stripped from the skin's surface, glands go to work producing more oil.
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Keep hands away from your face. It's so tempting to squeeze or pick the pimple away, but this only serves to make the problem worse by driving the bacteria further into the skin. This will lead to permanent scarring, so resisting that urge can go a long way to getting skin clear.
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Choose facial products without oils. Makeup, lotions and sunblock need to be oil free and non-comedogenic so they don't worsen the acne.
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Try over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide, which is the most effective topical treatment of teen acne. Use it daily.
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Consult your doctor if all else fails. If you've tried everything to treat your teen acne, and are still experiencing outbreaks, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. There are products and antibiotics that he can prescribe that might help your face clear up.
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Tips & Warnings
Resist the urge to over wash the skin on your face. Washing the area too much strips the skin of its natural oils and stimulates the glands to produce more oil.
Avoid purchasing products containing almond or apricot shell fragments that will cause irritation, infection and aggravation of acne.
