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Feature/General
Teen Skin Care
By Cindy German Day
Jul/Aug 2006
 The adolescent years offer teens
their share of stress. Appearances are paramount to this age group,
and acne can have a devastating affect on a teen's fragile self
esteem.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, teenagers
are most prone to getting acne. Adolescence is a time when fluctuating
hormones can lead to all sorts of body changes including breakouts.
The human body's largest organ is the skin and it is important
to take special care of it...and, there's no better time to start
healthy habits than during your teenage years.
As a clinical skin specialist and the mother of three teens, here's
my best advice.
| Q&A |
When should you consult
a dermatologist?
No age is too young to begin seeing a dermatologist if your
skin problems warrant professional treatment such as the
presence of blackheads. A trained professional should extract
blackheads because improper care can result in inflammation
and pore enlargement.
Does diet play in role in affecting acne?
According to National Institute of Health, most foods do
not cause acne. However, a balanced diet and good nutrition
is recommended for a lifestyle. Drinking plenty of water
and getting adequate sleep each night will lead to healthier
skin.
When should I start wearing sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be worn all day and all seasons. Even in
cold weather, UV rays can penetrate the skin and cause permanent
damage.
What is the main cause of acne?
Research shows that hormonal changes in the body account
for most acne problems people experience. Hormones can
create excessive oil, which blocks the pores in the skin.
In turn, this leads to inflammation and redness of the
skin causing acne.
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Sun
There are several easy skin care tips all teenagers should follow
in order to maintain healthy skin. The first and most important
is sun protection. Did you know that most children receive between
50-80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of
18? In addition to wrinkles caused by the sun's ultraviolet (UV)
rays, the discovery of melanoma is on the rise among children
and young adults. Melanoma is a potentially deadly skin cancer
that has risen about 80 percent in the past 30 years. In order
to avoid these and other dangers the sun poses, sunscreen should
be applied every day, even in the winter.
Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and look
for the words 'broad spectrum protection' or UVA protection in
addition to the SPF of 15 or greater. Select a sunscreen that says
non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic on the label to help keep pores
clear.
Tanning
While tanning beds remain popular with teenage girls, they should
be avoided. Indoor tanning is the most dangerous type of UV exposure
a person can receive. Safe alternatives are airbrush and sunless
tanning, which are relatively inexpensive and offer a natural
glow that won't cause skin damage.
Sports
Physical activity increases sweat and oil build up on the body,
especially in areas that are covered, such as under a hat or
a sports bra. After each time teens are physically active, they
should remove the sweaty clothing and shower immediately in order
to reduce irritation to the skin and avoid breakouts.
Visible Acne
Acne should be dealt with very delicately and with caution. A pimple
appears when skin pores become clogged with oil. Following a
few simple steps can help teens reduce visible acne and maintain
healthy skin:
- Gently wash your face twice a day with warm water and mild
soap. Apply an over the counter, light moisturizer with no oil
that contains benzoyl peroxide. (I recommend Cetaphil products.)
- Don't pop pimples. Doing so can push infected material further
into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness and even
scarring.
- Reduce the spread of bacteria by not touching your face
with your hands, fingers and objects such as cell phones. If
you wear glasses or sunglasses, be sure to clean them frequently.
Make up
Make up looks best when it appears natural, so keep it light and
always remove it before bed. Choose brands that are non-comedogenic
or non-acnegenic, hypoallergenic and do not contain oil, dyes,
fillers or talc.
Cindy German Day is a clinical skincare specialist and owner
of Nuance Skin Clinic
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