Teenage Acne Treatment - Helping Adolescents Deal with Pimples

Teenage acne treatment methods can range from a simple home-made concoction to over-the-counter remedies to more advanced ways like laser therapy. Whatever solution suits your teenager best, it is imperative that they are given help since we all know how worried younger people get when it comes to their looks.

The type of teenage acne treatment that should be used would depend on the severity of the pimples. Acne is quite common during adolescent years. This is because the onset of puberty coincides with increased production of androgens which then leads to more oil in the skin. The excess oil can block the pores of the skin and cause dirt and bacteria to multiply, resulting in skin breakouts.

Although majority of teenagers suffer from pimples, particularly in the face, the condition could disappear on its own as teeners grow older. Acne must not be confused with other skin conditions like rosacea. The latter is characterized with skin redness, which could eventually lead to the formation of pustules or bumps filled with pus. However, rosacea often co-exists with acne.

Telling teenagers that their pimples would eventually disappear is not going to help. Of course, they would rather not have them given the choice. It is important that adolescents be guided accordingly when it comes to acne since their physical appearance usually affects their self-esteem. The first thing that these youngsters should know is how to avoid aggravating an already existing condition.

If a teenager already has pimples, then he or she should avoid rubbing, touching or scrubbing his or her face or any of the affected areas. Rubbing and scrubbing can make the condition worse. After washing the face with clean water and mild soap or facial cleanser, it should patted dry with a clean towel and not scrubbed.

For more severe conditions, a visit to a dermatologist might be needed. Oftentimes, doctors would prescribe topical antibiotics with benzoyl peroxide to get rid of the bacteria that causes acne. Retinoids, which work by unclogging the pores, might also be prescribed. Vitamin A derivatives, oral contraceptives and formulas with salicylic acid are also common options. If the condition is not remedied by simple over-the-counter cures, more advanced solutions might be needed. Laser therapy and photodynamic methods are just some of the modern ways of getting rid of severe pimples.

Choosing the best teenage acne treatment would depend on the severity of the condition, the skin type of the patient and how the teenager feels about the method of treatment. Remember that a remedy that works on one person might not be effective on another. A discussion with a dermatologist is still the best way to determine the proper cure.