Adolescents are in the age group most likely to have recurring acne problems.
While not the exclusive province of teenagers, acne is more prevalent in adolescents than any other age group. Stress and hormonal changes—mainstays of adolescent life—are believed to be the biggest contributing factors. Diet may play a role, but it is more important to keep your skin clean of oil than to avoid eating it. So go ahead and have the fries, just don’t rub them all over your face.
Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and cysts are each the result of clogged hair follicles.
As hormone levels increase during puberty, glands in the face and torso produce an overabundance of the oil known as sebum. These tiny glands, called sebaceous glands, are attached to hair follicles. A zit begins to form when excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and gets trapped in the follicle’s narrow tube. The plugged-up follicle then becomes inflamed and somewhat tender. As if the follicle weren’t crowded enough, bacteria arrives and begins to dine on the sebum.
Over-the-counter treatments differ, so it helps to understand the labels.
Topical ointments available at the local pharmacy work in one of two ways: They either kill bacteria or they dry up the oil that causes clogged follicles. Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in a number of antibacterial “zit creams”; salicylic acid, lactic acid, resorcinol and sulfur are active in creams that reduce oil. Your complexion may be more responsive to one type than the other, or may benefit from combining the two.
There is no sure-fire cure for acne, but you can launch a counterattack.
Since you can’t control your hormones, do what you can to reduce oil and skin irritants. Don’t touch your face with your hands and be aware of what else does, such as your cell phone. Hats, close-fitting clothes, tight collars and backpacks can all promote acne where they rub against the skin. Look for hair and skin products that are water-based and avoid those that contain oil. Even cosmetics that don’t promote acne (called “non-comedogenic”) should be washed off at night, if not avoided altogether, since makeup clogs the pores. And although it seems logical to wash your face a lot, vigorous scrubbing can aggravate the skin and actually worsen acne.
Dermatologists have had success treating severe acne via a few different methods, so consult a doctor if your complexion is really impacting your social life or if you are concerned about scarring. While there is no cure, the search continues. One recent study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, indicated that an alternative therapy using optical and radiofrequency waves reduced inflammation and acne.
Popping or piercing pimples sometimes causes more problems than it solves.
Popping even the ripest zit is generally discouraged, especially since this bit of home surgery seldom takes place in a sterile environment. Definitely don’t try to squeeze one that hasn’t come to the surface (known as a cyst). If it doesn’t pop, the pressure can cause the pocket of pus to rupture beneath the surface, spreading bacteria inside your skin and causing more inflammations to form and erupt. And if it does pop, all the zit juice will be out, but the spot will be red and bloodied from having pierced the skin. In addition to spreading the infection, this can lead to scarring. Good luck and enjoy the prom.