Most people know about the skin condition called acne that may affect the face, shoulders, neck or chest with inflamed pores. Acne can affect anyone, no matter what their age.
Acne is caused when pores of the skin become plugged with dead skin cells that mix with the oils of the skin. There is also a bacterial that lives in the oils of the skin, which can aggravate the problem.
Acne activity is often triggered by hormonal changes. These changes often occur in teens, women as they progress through pregnancy or their monthly cycle, or even when starting or stopping birth control.
Acne that becomes infected can leave scars on any of the affected areas. Facial scaring may affect a person’s self esteem.
There are many treatments recommended for acne. For teens, products containing benzyl peroxide are often effective at drying outbreaks and preventing more outbreaks from forming. Washing the face with a good antibacterial soap can also help to prevent further outbreaks of acne.
Adults should avoid using benzyl peroxide, and the preferred over the counter treatments for adults contain salicylic acid.
Persons experiencing acne should avoid touching, picking or squeezing the already irritated skin. This can cause the problem to become even worse.
If over the counter products are not clearing up the acne problem, you should see your doctor or a dermatologist. They may decide to prescribe an antibiotic to be taken as directed. This will help to keep down possible infection and prevent further scaring.
While it is not always possible to prevent outbreaks of acne, there are steps that can be taken that will lessen the chances of permanent scaring. While these steps may seem like a hassle in an already busy teen’s life, in the long run this preventative care will be worthwhile for the rest of your life.
