Treatment Options for Teenage Acne

Acne is normally caused by changing levels of hormones. This is why youths develop it during puberty or before getting their periods. Hormones are the culprits because they stimulate the oil-producing glands in the skin to produce more oil, which clogs the pores on the skin surface. There are few simple tips to get rid of the acne.

Over-the-counter acne treatments

The best products for treating acne are the ones containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Products containing salicylic acid clear the pores while those containing benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria in the acne and prevents inflammation.

Dermatologist Amy Wechsler warns that using more than two acne products may dry out the skin and make matter worse. She suggests that it is better to avoid products containing alcohol as it irritates the skin and results in outbreaks. Acne should never be picked, scratched or squeezed as it may lead to infections and leave scars in the skin.

Daily facial care

Wechsler recommends a three-minute facial care routine to avoid acne:

• Gentle washing twice a day – wash the face with gentle non-soap cleanser once while use 2 1/2% the second time.
• Use spot treatment – use 2% salicylic acid products on the problem areas after normal cleansing and avoid doing this after using benzoyl peroxide.
• Moisturize – Opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Wash your hair daily if it is oily to keep oil off the face. Wash the face after physical activity and avoid having accessories that keep sweat on the face like caps and helmets. Wipe the accessories with alcohol after use to cleanse them of sweat.

Solve sudden pimple problems

If you wake up with a huge pimple all on a sudden, try the following:

• Apply warm compress for 10 minutes
• Apply spot treatments with 2% salicylic acid products. Use gentle pressure on both the sides with cotton swabs. Avoid using fingers and squeezing.
• If the pimples are not drained, apply ice pack
• For emergencies one can also use 1% hydrocortisone cream, but it should not be used on a regular basis

Talk to a dermatologists

If the pimple does not reduce with the routine face care treatments, see a dermatologist. A dermatologist may prescribe strong acne treatments. The doctor may also use heat treatments to kill the bacteria or corticosteroid injections to avoid acne lesions.

Most of all, teenagers should be advised not to believe in miracle cures. Many believe in hyped advertisements which talks about overnight cures for acne. Good facial care and acne treatment is what is required to control these embarrassing blemishes.