Acne
By: Amanda Damon, CPNP
Pimples? EW! You are not the only teenager with ACNE. Acne is a skin condition that causes bumps (red pimples, blackheads, whiteheads) on the face, upper back, and chest. Studies have shown about 8 out of 10 teenagers are concerned about their skin and have questions with how best to care for it.
Acne is a very common problem but, because it isn't considered to be a serious illness, it is often undertreated. We encourage addressing acne because simple treatments do exist that can greatly improve the condition.
MYTHS: it is caused by eating too much chocolate, it is caused by oily foods, it is a result of a lack of hygiene, and it will improve with tanning.
This is usually not true. There is no scientifically proven relationship between chocolate or fried foods and acne. Also, washing too much can actually irritate your skin and clog your pores which will result in worsened acne. Sun exposure can be good for skin, but only in limited amounts and with 30+ SPF! Sun exposure and tanning beds will not cure acne and too much can actually cause acne to scar.
Instead of looking at food or habits as the trigger for acne, research actually suggest we look at stress. Stress is a big part of every teenager's life. Life changes, puberty, and pressure in school and with friends can put a lot of stress of the body, cause hormonal changes, and therefore result in acne. Parents are encouraged to discuss stressors with their teens frequently. However, realistically we are never going to be able to eliminate stress during these critical years. Therefore, here are some simple tips for ACNE:
SUGGESTIONS:
Don't pop it! Squeezing the pimple causes more irritation and trauma which actually makes acne worse. It will prolong the healing process and result in permanent scarring. Resist the urge!!
Wash your face in the morning AND at night. Twice a day is the recommended amount of times your face should be washed. We recommend face washes that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These washes are available over the counter.
Buy noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic products. When looking for lotions, make up, sunscreens, and other facial products, we recommend looking for products that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic", this means they will not clog the pores and therefore not contribute to acne.
Avoid non-facial products on your face. Hair sprays, gels, body sprays, perfumes and other products can promote acne by plugging pores and increasing oil production. If those products come into contact with your face, try to wash as quickly as possible.
Change pillow cases, face towels and wash-clothes weekly. This simple tip will decrease your face's exposure to bacteria, dirt and oils that can make acne worse.
WHAT NEXT?
If these tips are failing to improve your acne and you are worried about your skin, please call our office to schedule an appointment. There are prescription medications and other options we can recommend. We advise making an appointment with us before going to a dermatologist. At least we can start you on a regimen before you go to the dermatologist, requiring less dermatology appointments. Let us give you a head start! Many years ago, there were few treatments for acne - we now have many successful remedies. Kids don't have to go through that terrible acne phase like teenagers in the past!
Remember, ACNE is normal. But these are some easy tips that can make it more tolerable and have been proven to improve acne!
By: Amanda Damon, CPNP
Pimples? EW! You are not the only teenager with ACNE. Acne is a skin condition that causes bumps (red pimples, blackheads, whiteheads) on the face, upper back, and chest. Studies have shown about 8 out of 10 teenagers are concerned about their skin and have questions with how best to care for it.
Acne is a very common problem but, because it isn't considered to be a serious illness, it is often undertreated. We encourage addressing acne because simple treatments do exist that can greatly improve the condition.
MYTHS: it is caused by eating too much chocolate, it is caused by oily foods, it is a result of a lack of hygiene, and it will improve with tanning.
This is usually not true. There is no scientifically proven relationship between chocolate or fried foods and acne. Also, washing too much can actually irritate your skin and clog your pores which will result in worsened acne. Sun exposure can be good for skin, but only in limited amounts and with 30+ SPF! Sun exposure and tanning beds will not cure acne and too much can actually cause acne to scar.
Instead of looking at food or habits as the trigger for acne, research actually suggest we look at stress. Stress is a big part of every teenager's life. Life changes, puberty, and pressure in school and with friends can put a lot of stress of the body, cause hormonal changes, and therefore result in acne. Parents are encouraged to discuss stressors with their teens frequently. However, realistically we are never going to be able to eliminate stress during these critical years. Therefore, here are some simple tips for ACNE:
SUGGESTIONS:
Don't pop it! Squeezing the pimple causes more irritation and trauma which actually makes acne worse. It will prolong the healing process and result in permanent scarring. Resist the urge!!
Wash your face in the morning AND at night. Twice a day is the recommended amount of times your face should be washed. We recommend face washes that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These washes are available over the counter.
Buy noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic products. When looking for lotions, make up, sunscreens, and other facial products, we recommend looking for products that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic", this means they will not clog the pores and therefore not contribute to acne.
Avoid non-facial products on your face. Hair sprays, gels, body sprays, perfumes and other products can promote acne by plugging pores and increasing oil production. If those products come into contact with your face, try to wash as quickly as possible.
Change pillow cases, face towels and wash-clothes weekly. This simple tip will decrease your face's exposure to bacteria, dirt and oils that can make acne worse.
WHAT NEXT?
If these tips are failing to improve your acne and you are worried about your skin, please call our office to schedule an appointment. There are prescription medications and other options we can recommend. We advise making an appointment with us before going to a dermatologist. At least we can start you on a regimen before you go to the dermatologist, requiring less dermatology appointments. Let us give you a head start! Many years ago, there were few treatments for acne - we now have many successful remedies. Kids don't have to go through that terrible acne phase like teenagers in the past!
Remember, ACNE is normal. But these are some easy tips that can make it more tolerable and have been proven to improve acne!