Acne Remedy Tips

2009-06-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

One of the main causes of acne for which teens are looking for an acne remedy, especially evident in female teenagers is oily skin. Teens girls can use a plethora of products on their face and scalp: creams, conditioners, night masks, sunblocks, lotions, washes, purifiers, makeup, makeup remover, eyeliners, etc... there are literally thousands. In a strange twist of fate, girls use these products as a way to improve how they look but in the end the products themselves may be the root of the problem, especially with acne.

makeup. And, the problem usually gets worse before it gets better. The reason for this is that once teenagers see that they are the victims of an acne breakout, they immediately cover it up with makeup, and in the process they have unwittingly made the problem worse. Most teen women react specifically to certain kinds or brands of makeup, most notably oil based types. If you have recently switched brands or have had an acne breakout and are looking for a quick acne remedy, then consider either switching your makeup brand, type, or coverage amount. There are non-oil based brands that work as well but that are not as fatty and oily. Excessive oils on the skin is one of the leading causes of acne and one that few acne remedies address. Instead, they try to cover the problem or temporarily reduce it.

But if you have acne and are taking an acne remedy and simply are not seeing the results that you expect, then know this: if you are using an oil based foundation or cleaner or skin lotion or night cream or sunblock, then applying the acne remedy, you will be just spinning your wheels because you will be feeding the problem. It is much better to completely stop the usage of oil based products on your face and scalp - this includes conditioners. Check labels well.

Most of the acne remedy products out there are decent but if you are still experiencing acne breakouts then please consider eliminating the oil that comes into contact with your face and you may start to see those acne remedy products actually work better. Also, clean your face more than regularly, short of causing irritation.

In addition to avoiding the oil based products, you might also want to avoid makeups that contain isopropyl myristate, laureth-4, and "C" or "D" red dyes, lanolins or sodium lauryl sulfate as these may be too powerful for your skin type and they could be causing the outbreaks. These simple changes to your daily routing could be the difference between having to keep looking for that next acne remedy and not needing one at all.

Acne Remedy for Teens

2009-06-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

More than 80% of teens have acne at some point in time and, not surprisingly, most look for an effective acne remedy. We know that acne affects adolescents and adults alike all across the world but can have an extremely hurtful impact on many teenagers who just happen to be going through the absolute toughest social phase of their lives because they are particularly vulberable. The American Medical Association goes so far as to say that acne is among teenagers number one worry in the entire world. Can you believe that? Kids who have acne suffer a severe blow to their self esteem and tend to become introverted and often times they will refuse to socialize properly, preferring instead to remain locked in their rooms. This is a sad but true trial and fact of life but it is also one that does not have to be so painful on the ego; there are solutions for acne and although it cannot be cured, it can most certainly be treated effectively.

It is rather disheartening to teens of every nationality because they are just beginning to understand who they are and who they might become. Acne can wreck that entire framework in one single week. Of course, there are some teens who understand that it is just a phase and they have high enough self esteem to not let acne bother them, but most teenagers are judged by their appearance and therefore, appearance is everything to them. Childish, yes, but the ones judging or making fun of are also teens.

Why does acne strike teens? At the onset of puberty, the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These “male” hormones are a natural part of development for both boys and girls, but boys tend to produce more of them — and therefore tend to have more severe breakouts. Why? Our faces and bodies are covered with tiny hairs, each one fitting snugly into a hair follicle, sometimes called a pore. Deep within each follicle, oil glands are hard at work producing sebum, which travels up the hair and out onto the surface of your skin. Sebum’s job is to form a protective layer between your skin and the world, keeping it soft and smooth.

But when androgens (Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors -Wikipedia) enter the picture, your oil glands go into overdrive. They produce extra oil, which can clump together with the dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. When this sticky mixture finds its way into your pores, it acts just like a cork in a bottle — trapping oil and bacteria inside. Unfortunately, your oil glands just don’t know when to stop; they keep producing oil, and the follicle becomes swollen. Your body’s natural defense system, white blood cells, rush to the area to clean up the mess. The result? Red, painful bumps. Yucky black spots. Zits. Blackheads. Pimples. Acne. It has nothing to do with what you eat, or how often you wash your face.

How can I strike back against teen acne? The best way to zap zits is to prevent them from showing up in the first place! Following are a few simple practices than can help you minimize your breakouts.

A Tip on Avoiding Teen Acne - Keep it clean. Since teenagers produce more oil, it’s important to wash twice a day with warm water and a mild cleanser. Since your skin does need some sebum in order to stay healthy, don’t be tempted to overwash; your glands could pay you back by producing more oil.

Teen Acne Advice - Skip harsh scrubs. It's okay to exfoliate, but be sure to use a gentle formula with small, smooth grains. Avoid products with almond or apricot shell fragments; they can irritate or even tear your skin and further aggravate your acne.

Avoiding Teen Acne - Say no to alcohol. If you use a toner, avoid products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. Alcohol strips the top layer of your skin, causing your glands to produce more oil. The result? Dry, flaky skin — and possibly more blemishes.

Ways to Avoid Teen Acne - Don't squeeze or pick. Squeezing or picking your blemishes with fingernails, pins or anything else can force bacteria deeper into the skin. This can cause greater inflammation and infection, increasing the chances that your pimple will leave a permanent scar. Remember, a zit that’s bugging you today will go away if treated properly; if you pick at it, it may stick around forever.

Being Smart about Teen Acne - Hands off! The bacteria that causes acne, Propionibacterium acne, hangs out on your skin all the time; it doesn't lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Touching your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores — where it can begin its dirty work.

Dealing with Teen Acne - Choose products wisely. If you wear make-up, be sure it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic — that means it won’t clog your pores and make your breakouts worse. The same goes for your sunscreen and even your hair products; sticky sprays, gels and pomades can aggravate acne, too.

Getting Ahead of Teen Acne - Be smart about sun. If you think tanning helps your acne, you’re right — and wrong. Small amounts of sun exposure may improve acne for a few days. But suntans (and burns) also make you shed your dead skin cells faster, so in the long run, you’ll end up with more clogged pores. And that means more acne. Another thing you should know: some kinds of acne medication make skin more sensitive to the sun. So if you’re headed outside in sunny weather, be sure to slather up with sunscreen. Look for sun protection products that are oil-free and have a “sun protection factor” (or SPF) of at least 15 for both UVA and UVB rays.

Avoiding Teen Acne - Accessorize wisely. Heat and friction (rubbing) can cause acne flare-ups. So steer clear of hats and headbands — and if your sports team requires you to wear a helmet or any other equipment that might rub against your skin, try lining it with a layer of clean, soft cotton. And remember to shower immediately after exercising — don’t sit around in a sweaty uniform, no matter how cool you look.

Teen Acne Treatment - Find a regimen and stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be improved with "over-the-counter" products, or products that don't require a prescription from your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments available, and there’s a good chance one of them will work for you. If you start treatment before your acne gets severe, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding physical and emotional problems down the road. But if your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist. Here's a quick listing of the most common products used to treat acne — click on the links that interest you for more information on that course of treatment.

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills the bacteria that causes acne.

• Proactiv® Solution: A dermatologist formulated Combination Therapy® acne management system. Click Here and receive 2 free bonuses when you try Proactiv® Solution Risk-Free for 60 Days!

• Salicylic Acid: Unclogs your pores and encourages skin renewal.

• Tretinoin (Retin-A®): Promotes healthy sloughing.

• Antibiotics: Kill bacteria and reduces inflammation.

• Oral Contraceptives: Help regulate hormone levels.

• Anti-Androgens: Inhibit the body's production of acne-causing hormones.

• Isotretinoin (Accutane®): Treatment for severe cystic or nodular acne.

Relax — it’s not your fault. The most important thing to remember about acne is that it’s not your fault. You didn’t make your face break out by eating too many french fries, wearing make-up or daydreaming about your crush. Now you know a few of the things that can aggravate acne in teenagers. But since acne is different for everyone, you should watch your own skin carefully for things that trigger breakouts — and avoid them. If your acne still hangs around, see a doctor.

The Acne Remedy

Acne Remedy Tips

Acne Remedy for Teens