Teen Acne not only can Cause Skin Eruptions but has Emotional and Social Impact as well
Treating Teen Acne
If you are a teen and have acne, you aren't alone. Research suggests that
85 percent of teens will have acne during their adolescent years. Acne is in
fact, a common problem even among people over 25 years of age! Regardless of how
common the problem is however, most teens would prefer to live a life that was
acne free, right? Acne can cause many problems other than skin eruptions. It can
for example, result in physical and emotional impacts, and even affect your
social life and self esteem.
The Facts about Acne
The good news is that acne is usually a “transient” or temporary problem,
meaning once you pass your teen years it is likely that you will never have to
battle acne again. Admittedly however, sometimes severe acne can leave scaring
or pockmarks, or continue into the adult years. Sometimes inflammation of
pockmarks may result in permanent alterations in the skins hue as well.
Acne-What is it?
Acne comes in many different degrees of severity. Basic 'acne' referred to
as pimples, are typically raised lesions on the skin that are usually not
to painful. Sometimes a substance called sebum accumulates behind your
first layer of skin overlying a pimple, this is typically referred to as a white
head. The redness around a white head is due to inflammation that can be
associated with pain.
Acne-What Causes it?
There are four primary factors that influence your susceptibility to acne.
Blocked hair follicles due to an overproduction of skin
cells referred to as “keratinocytes.” These skin cells combine with a
fatty material called sebum to form a plug in the follicle, resulting in acne.
Enlarged sebaceous glands, responsible for
producing sebum. Enlarged glands are common during adolescence. These glands are
concentrated in areas such as the face, upper back and chest.
Increase in bacterium growth.The increased
sebum in the face, back and related areas promote the overgrowth of a type of
bacteria referred to as “propionibacterium acnes” which results in acne.
Inflammation due to bacteria growth. Sometimes
an eruption occurs as skin cells and follicles become inflamed due to bacterial
growth.
Hormonal changes that typically occur during the teen years are often
responsible for acne formation. Teens generally produce more sebum than adults,
resulting in an increased incidence of acne. Other substances including
oil-based cosmetics may contribute to a build up of fatty sebum in the skin,
producing an environment that is more acne prone. Even excess humidity and
moisture on the skin can contribute to acne.
Some oral contraceptives (birth control pills) can make acne worse. Women should
ask their physician to prescribe a pill that typically has a low activity of
androgens, such as demulen, ortho-cyclen, ortho-tricyclen, desogen, ortho-cept
or yasmin.
Treatment Options for Teen Acne There are many different treatments of acne. The treatment method you
select will depend in part on the severity of your condition and the type of
acne you have. It is important that you work with your medical care provider to
select a treatment method that is most likely to be effective. Most doctors will
start with medications that cause the fewest side effects. Treatment duration is
usually for two to three months.
The whitehead or blackhead pimple (comedo) is the easiest to treat. It is
the least severe type of acne. Retinoid topical medications are applied directly
to the skin in the form of a cream, gel or lotion. Retinoid medications slow the
growth of keratin and thus decrease pimple formation as well as prevent the
blockage of hair follicles which also can lead to new pimples. If you have oily
skin you will be given a retinoid jell, which has a drying effect. For dry skin
you will be given a retinoid cream or lotion that has a moisturizing action. The
topical treatments are usually applied twice a day. If you can not tolerate the
Retinoid topical medications other topical treatments are available such as
Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid and an antibiotic preparation.
The more severe forms of the whitehead or blackhead pimple may require
mechanical removal; this is referred to as comedo extraction. This procedure is
performed by a dermatologist or family physician. The physician will use an
anesthetic cream to numb the area, then open the top of the pimple and remove
the inner plug. Follow up treatment with a cream is generally recommended.
Mild to moderate
acne associated with inflammation (redness and soreness) are usually
treated with a combination of different types of topical medication. The
treatment combination includes topical retinoids or topical antibiotics, and
benzoyl peroxide. The treatment of choice is usually topical retinoid and
benzoyl peroxide. Bensozyl peroxide works both as an antibiotic and prevents
pimple formation.
Acne associated
with severe inflammation and pain may require oral antibiotics
(tetracycline or erythromycin) or oral retinoid known as isotretinoin (Roaccutane/Accutane).
Oral antibiotics are rapid and effective in inhibiting the growth of the
bacteria that causes acne. Oral isotretinoin is potent treatment of severe acne.
It blocks sebum secretion, inflammation, and the overgrowth of keratin that
leads to pimples.
Common Misconceptions about the Treatment of Acne
Despite the wide spread notion that vigorous washing will clean away the oils
that produce pimples, this is not true. Too much washing may make the
inflammation around pimples worse and no amount of cleaning will reduce the
amount of sebum in the glands that leads to acne.The common notion that fat from
junk foods may lodge in the skin and cause acne is not true. There is no
evidence that the oils contained in fatty food increase acne.
It is vital that you consult with a physician to discuss your treatment options
and the potential side effects of treatment before deciding on a therapy. Your
physician may also recommend certain dietary changes that may help improve your
overall health and well being. Though there is no one answer when it comes to
acne treatment, there certainly is hope! Be sure you investigate all your
options thoroughly, and you are bound to come up with a plan of action that is
best suited to your individual needs and overall health situation.
