How to deal with teenage and adult acne

Ann Ruthenburg

HIE I am 22 years old and I still have acne. People used to tell me when I was a teenager that the pimples would go away. But they are still there. Is there anything I can do? Hello there my dear, thank you for writing. Yes, there is plenty you can do, but first you must understand what causes acne, then you will understand how to treat it. The acne you are talking about here is called teenage acne and can start as early as at 12-years-old and continue into one’s late 20s. When the acne continues on to the 30s, it is now called adult acne and is dealt with slightly differently. So since you are only 22, we call yours teenage acne.

The basic underlying cause of teenage acne is hormonal changes and imbalances. Some teenagers mature quicker than others, hence their acne goes away faster. I am not saying you are not mature, I am talking about the hormones here. People are very different and circumstances surrounding their lives and growth are also different. Some people never had acne. I never got teen acne, but I did get it in my 30s after an accident sent my hormones upside down kikikiki.

Acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles and as I said before it affects approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30-year-olds will get acne at some time

It is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars because of pimples which include whiteheads and blackheads. I have been told that acne can also be genetic, so if one of both of your parents had acne in their time, chances are you may also get it.

There are so many treatments you can have to help you with the acne. But you must realise that acne does not go away overnight. It takes time! And many people will testify that acne most times turns into blemishes and then you have to treat the blemishes when all is gone. So you have to be patient and do not make the issue worse.

The treatments for acne may depend on how severe and persistent it is. But the good news is that it can and will be treated and will or can go away. You need to also know that there are some other things that may cause acne such as menstrual cycle if you are a girl, anxiety and stress hot and humid climates, oil based makeup, greasy hair and pimple squeezing.

I do not really like to give medical advice on some of these issues, but for your sake I am safe to say what I am going to suggest are over the counter medication, and is for mild acne. If yours is severe, please see your doctor or see a dermatologist urgently.

So most over the counter topical medication products may contain the following active ingredients:

– Resorcinol helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. It is a crystalline phenol and comes from various resins. Resorcinol is also used for treating dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.

– Benzoyl Peroxide kills bacteria and slows down your glands’ production of oil. Benzoyl peroxide is a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions. It works as a peeling agent, accelerating skin turnover and clearing pores, which in turn reduces the bacterial count in the affected area.

– Salicylic Acid helps break down blackheads and whiteheads, also reduces shedding of cells which line the follicles of the oil glands, effective in treating inflammation and swelling. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance which is also used as a fungicide, or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes. It causes the epidermis to shed skin more easily, prevents pores from becoming blocked while at the same time allowing room for new cells to grow. It is commonly added to shampoos used for treating dandruff.

– Sulfur helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. Sulfur has been used for centuries for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. Scientists are not sure how sulfur works to help skin diseases. We do know that elemental sulfur does oxidize slowly to sulfurous acid, which is a mild reducing and antibacterial agent.

– Retin-A helps unplug blocked pores. Retin-A contains Tretinoin, an acid from of vitamin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Tretinoin is also used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Retin-A has been used widely to combat aging of the skin, and it also acts as a chemical peel.

Anastasia is an ex-beauty queen, photographic model, is a blogger (annruthenburg.blogspot.com), a motivational speaker, and a fashionista. Message her on 0733285730 or email on [email protected]