The Root Cause and Treatments of Teen Acne

Acne is one of the major problems teenagers face, it is something that, in some conditions, may have a devastating effect on their social life, self esteem and mental health. Understanding cause and treatments of acne can help teen to have flawless face skin.

The Root Cause Of Teen Acne

When a boy or a girl enters puberty his or her body starts to produce hormones called androgens. This androgen increases the size of the sebaceous gland, hiking up the production of sebum. The excess of oil produced along with general dirt and dead skin clogs the pores of the skin or hair follicles and forms a micro-comedone (microscopic lesion), the material that gets trapped reacts with bacteria and causes redness, swelling and sometimes pus.

Secretion of endogenous hormones like androgens and progesterone in teens is the internal cause triggering acne.

Drugs like isoniazid, corticosteroids, phenytoin, oral contraceptive pills and compounds containing lithium also causes acne.

Skin bacteria, especially Propionibacterium acnes, petroleum, vegetable and animal oils, cosmetics containing oil or wax, local pressure from objects like shoulder pads, helmets or headbands are some of the external causes of acne. Sometimes, excess motional stress or perspiration can fan the flames of acne.

People are not genetically predisposed to acne according to their racial or ethnic origin. But some cultural practices like cultural grooming with oily ingredients can cause blockage of sebaceous gland causing acne.

You will be happy to know that chocolates or greasy foods are not the cause of acne.

Treatments Of Teen Acne

Today is not the age to shy away from these ugly spots. Advance medical technology with state of the art cures will help you get rid of acne. For someone who is first going to be treated for acne it is best to start up with a topical antibacterial therapy like some antibacterial preparation. If the symptom persists with increased degree of inflammation it is better to switch to oral antibiotics.

Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are the topical treatments used as “peeling agents” causing irritation and drying. They help the body to shed off the dead cells and kill off the acne-causing bacteria.

Benzoyl peroxide combined with an antibiotic such as Erythromycin or Oxytetracycline can destroy bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Vitamin A derivatives called Retinoids are also a prescription drug used to cure acne. Retinoids help unblock the pores of the skin promoting the skin renewal process, reducing sebum production and causing the dead skin to be shed off of the body. Accutane (isotretinoin) is approved by the FDA to treat severe cystic acne for people where other treatments failed to cure acne. But this drug can be dangerous if taken during pregnancy, so the FDA does not recommend the drug for a woman of childbearing age.

Retin-A (tretinoin) is an acne-preventing drug but it is for application on the skin and not an oral drug. This medicine is quite safe even during pregnancy.

Topical antibiotics like a cream or a powder also can eradicate bacteria and control acne at certain stages. However, sometimes these drugs can cause side effects like emotional upheavals, so you should first consult your doctor before starting up with any treatment regime.

The Steps To Keep Teen Acne At Bay

  1. Clean your face with an appropriate and gentle cleanser in the morning and before going to bed.
  2. Remember to remove the last speck of make-up from your face before going to bed.
  3. You can use a treatment product, which will reduce inflammation, along with exfoliating your skin to prevent future growth.
  4. Apply a deep cleansing mask once a week to clean the skin impurities and to shed off the dead skin cells that block the pores.
  5. Go for the right make-up that suits your skin. Oil free cosmetics are preferable. It is better if you can use makeup containing salicylic acid to prevent eruptions.

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8 Responses to “The Root Cause and Treatments of Teen Acne”

  1. [...] Continued here: The Root Cause and Treatments of Teen Acne [...]

  2. Anything you put on your skin may cause problems, depending on what’s in it, so it’s important to look at the ingredients in ALL the products you use on your face, body and hair.

    Research is showing a buildup of chemicals on the skin can cause acne, dryness (which leads to prematurely aging skin and makes acne worse) and skin cancer. Skin with rosacea is even more sensitive to these toxins.

    With so many manufacturers using chemicals in their products, almost any product – cleansers, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, sunscreens, etc. – can be causing breakouts on your face and body, or drying out your skin.

    The ones advertised to clear acne can contain the most chemicals. Here’s a page that shows what’s in a Clearasil product and what those ingredients can do to skin !http://www.best-mens-skin-care.com/ingredients-in-a-clearasil-product.html

    To find chemical-free products, read labels and research ingredients – or start with certified organic products which don’t contain harmful chemicals.

    Mayo
    http://www.best-mens-skin-care.com

  3. Acne occurs most to everyone. Though its not really a serious problem but it affects the self-esteem and confidence of every individual. Natural ways to get rid of acne is very safe and effective. I’m happy to find this site, I may recommend this to my friends. To treat acne is to know first its causes. For more info on acne skin care and treatment products you may visit this. Thanks!

  4. everyone in our family have some very active oily skin. our secaceous glands are so damn active.-”;

  5. i have a very active sebaceous gland and i realy hate my very oily skin`*.

  6. i have an overactive sebaceous gland and i kind of hate it already-.-

  7. sometimes our sebaceous glands are so active because of genetics, i really do not like my overactive sebaceous glands’,.

  8. i really hate it when my sebaceous gland are producing too much oil, it really makes my life miserable *”"

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