We found this article by Sheryl Butterfield on examiner.com…take a look!
Teenage acne is a normal rite of passage in adult minds. An American Medical Association study, however, showed that teens with acne “are likely to have lowered self-confidence, a poor self-image and are less inclined to participate in social activities.” A Family Education excerpt from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Parenting a Teenager refers to the study, stating: “Eighty-three percent of teens worry at least sometimes about their complexion.” Nearly half the teens surveyed “felt that their complexion affected how other people reacted toward them.”
Pimples need to be dealt with on physical and psychological levels. Teens’ focus on appearance is tied into their self-esteem. Acne is an obstacle to feeling the confidence they so need in adolescence. Parents and teens should get a handle on the information out there about acne:
Myth: Acne is caused by eating chocolate, greasy foods and drinking soda.
Fact: Ingesting these items has not been medically linked to acne. However, it can’t hurt to try a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Some people have allergies that may be affecting their skin. The Homemade Acne Remedy Web site recommends eliminating sugar, white flour and refined foods, dairy and red meat from your diet. The idea is that hormone-treated cows and sugar both “clog up our digestive tract and allow toxins to leak into our systems,” thus upsetting inner balance.
Myth: A dirty face equals acne.
Fact: Even kids who religiously wash their face can experience acne. That said, teens should wash gently twice daily with clean hands and no washcloth (bacteria lurks). Scrubbing only irritates breakouts.
Myth: Popping a zit clears the way for healing.
Fact: Squeezing “acne lesions” makes acne worse.
So what exactly causes this curse of adolescents?
Most medical professionals agree that heredity may cause acne to develop.
Hormones cause oil ducts to produce oil during puberty. Additional oil can mean clogged oil ducts. When the ducts get plugged up, whiteheads form and progress into pimples.
Stress can be a factor for some teens.
Girls may break out before their period because hormone levels change.
Sports equipment can rub on skin, causing breakouts where friction occurs.
Makeup brands may need to be reevaluated.Dirty, oily hair hanging around the face and dirty hands touching the face can lead to pimples.
So what should you do? If you’re feeling self-conscious about acne, JAM suggests you visit the dermatologist with a parent so you can figure out the safest and most effective way to clear up your skin!
Xoxo,
Marlene
Tags: Just Ask Marlene, Teen Acne
pimples are really annoying, you can kill them using benzoyl peroxide but it will also make your skin red..**