It's dreaded by teenagers everywhere - regardless of their skin color, the language they speak or what social circles they run in. If anything is going to bring the youth of today together in a common cause, it's the fight against acne.
Teenagers everywhere are constantly on the lookout for effective acne treatments, but just as acne can come in many forms and degrees of severity, there are many different treatments available. The one that will work best for one person won't necessarily be the best for someone else.
Before you can decide on the best treatment option, it helps to understand what it is that actually causes acne. It's commonly believed to be caused by poor hygiene, but that isn't the case. It is actually caused by changes in the body that can't (and shouldn't) be stopped.
Teenage acne is often due to hormonal changes in the body that causes excess secretion of oil, which can block pores and trap dirt and moisture. The result is the blackheads and pimples that are so common among teens.
Effective treatments are available for the various forms of acne, and a dermatologist will be able to thoroughly diagnose a particular case and recommend the proper treatment.
If you've ever looked at the many acne treatments that are available at any drug store or pharmacy, you'll probably have seen shelves full of creams, gels and lotions that promise to be the cure to end all acne problems.
These treatments work for some people and not for others, but they are often attempting to treat any and all forms of acne, which just isn't possible. The most effective treatments will be tailored for a given person's acne.
Some of these treatments will include azelaic acid creams, benzoyl peroxide or Accutane. They may be in the form of topical creams or lotions. Each of these treatments is best suited to deal with certain types of acne, with varying strengths depending on the severity of the acne.
Many teens spend a lot of time and money trying every possible treatment to get rid of their acne. The trouble is, the treatments are often not dealing with the cause in their particular situation. A visit to a dermatologist is the best way to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, customized for a particular case.
John Lenaghan writes about teenage acne and other acne related topics for the Acne Squad website. Visit www.acnesquad.com to learn more and to sign up for our free newsletter. | |
