Acne is one of the Problems of Teenage Girls

Acne is one of the problems of teenage girls. It is estimated that probably more than 70% of teens say that acne has affected them in a negative way. A total of 20 million teenagers suffer from acne, but even the fact that they are not alone does not ease the pain they feel. Teenagers shame when they are not sure themselves. They may become depressed and withdrawn. 

Acne is especially hard on teenage girls. When they saw the boys, and vice versa, acne can be devastating. They are surrounded by a vision of all the beauty around them on TV, movies, in magazines and on line. We live in a society that worships youth and beauty.

Parents can help their teenage girls through this time by offering support and sympathetic ear. Parents should help children focus on all their positive attributes, which will help to strengthen self-esteem of children. The parents need to be actively involved with helping their child find the best drug for their particular form of acne.

Parents should also educate themselves about the causes of acne and treatments. Thirty years ago it was thought that acne is caused by eating the wrong foods. Chocolate and potatoes chips were culprit. Now note that this is not true. Food is not thought to play a big role in acne. This also has nothing to do with the cleanliness of the skin.

What exactly is that acne in teenagers is caused by the action of hormones on skin oil glands. During puberty both boys and girls has increased hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands beneath the surface of the skin to enlarge. Sebaceous glands in response produce excess oil. This excess oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin on the surface of the skin and block pores. Within are the pores of some bacteria and causes inflammation.

Most cases of light to medium acne can be treated by drugs without a prescription. There are many to choose from. Some have found that benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid works well. Benzyl peroxide is known to easily kill acne bacteria. Benzyl peroxide can be found in cleansers and spot treatments. 

Benzyl peroxide is very drying and can make your face look more irritated, especially when you first began to wash with it. Much acne suffers use a moisturizer on their face after washing. There are many moisturizers available that are specifically designed to help with acne such as Cataphyll, Eucerin, and Neutrogena.

Severe acne or acne that does not respond well to OTC drugs can be successfully treated with knowledge and expertise of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will consider many things before suggesting treatment. He will conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient, taking into account such things as severity of acne, patient age, lifestyle, and co-existing conditions. Dermatologist then may suggest a combination of two or three different therapies for the treatment of the best.

Any one of hundreds of treatments you decide to choose, or if you seek help from a dermatologist, remember that acne takes time to disappear. Overnight or miraculous results do not occur. It takes six to eight weeks to see results from treatment. Unfortunately, in the life of a teenage girl six to eight weeks can feel like a lifetime.