Teen Acne – The Skin Problem And Its Treatment
Teen acne is a common skin disorder that teen boys and girls develop when they undergo a state to puberty. Acne appears in form of pimples on the skin surface. As puberty and pimples go hand in hand, acne largely occurs to teenagers. Nine out of every ten teenagers are sure to suffer from this skin condition. Acne is a temporary problem that mostly disappears with the passage of teenage. However, severe acne sometimes leaves permanent scars that change the natural skin hue. Knowledge of what causes acne and what type of skin you have can help you choose the right mode of treatment.
Some substantial factors to cause acne among teens
Over multiplication of skin cells that is known as “keratinocytes” block hair follicles on the skin surface. Combined with sebum, the skin cells lead to the occurrence of acne. The areas where skin cells concentrate deeply are the face, chest and the upper back.
Bacterial invasion or infection is another factor that is responsible for acne formation on the skin. The skin with increased secretion of sebum from sebaceous glands is fit for multiplication and growth of bacteria. These acne-causing bacteria known as “propionibacterium acnes” inflame the follicles and affect the skin with acne.
Hormonal imbalance due to certain changes in the level of hormone formation during the period of puberty is a considerable cause for acne among teens. An increase in the formation of certain hormones triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum that accumulate on the skin and clog the pores. The skin with clogged pores is vulnerable to acne.
Oil-based cosmetics and skin care products that are rich in chemical ingredients are unhealthy for the oily type of skin. Regular application of these substances thickens the layer of oil on the skin surface that in turn leads to acne formation. Excess moisture and humidity put oily skin at risk of acne.
Treatment options to deal away with acne
Whitehead and blackhead pimples are mild forms of acne. They are easy to treat because of their less severe nature. Retinoid topical medications that are recommended for these acne pimples are available in the form of gel, cream and lotion. These medications work by preventing the clogging of hair follicles and reducing pimple formation. The frequency of using them varies with the types of skin tone and texture. If the skin type that you have cannot tolerate the effects of the topical medications, other topical products like Glycolic acid and Salicylic acid are there.
The severe forms of acne require removal of whitehead and blackhead pimples in a mechanical way known as comedo extraction. A dermatologist performs the procedure by numbing the area with an anesthetic cream. Using several types of topical medication in a combination is recommended for acne caused by inflammation of the skin. Topical antibiotics or retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are the components of this treatment combination.
Acne accompanied by severe inflammation and pain needs to be treated with oral antibiotics like erythromycin or tetracycline. Oral retinoid called isotretinoin is also effective in this case. It checks sebum secretion, prevents overgrowth of keratin and reduces inflammation.
