How To Get Rid Of Teen Acne Once And For All

Teenage years and acne go hand in hand and this post will look at different ways how to get rid of teen acne.

The quest of finding the right teenage acne treatment that works as well as the hunt for the best acne products on the market is a never-ending one.

Almost 85 percent of teenagers have faced the problem but the severity differs. Teen acne is the most common skin condition. Some suffer from the problem more than others but one thing is clear, most of the time, acne in teens can lead to low self-esteem.

Fingers have been pointed towards the diet of teenagers, which often consists of fried, processed foods, and chocolates.

But no medically acceptable evidence linking such teenage acne diet to avoid is available so far.
Likewise, the stress of growing up and studies too cannot be really blamed for teen acne.

Hormones are in some way responsible.
Around puberty, they make the oil glands in the pores overwork.

That oil may trap dirt and clog the pores becoming the perfect culture for acne bacteria. But first, we`ll need to answer some questions.

At What Age Is Acne The Worst?

Many teenagers struggle with acne, but the worst of it usually occurs between 13 and 17 years old.

No one wants to deal with acne, but the worst age is often when you’re in your teens, but this can go on until you reach your early 20s.
The age when acne is the worst also depends on a number of factors. For example, genetics plays an important role in determining how severe your acne outbreaks will be but then any acne is bad at any time no matter your age.
But as already mentioned, there are several topical treatments available in the market that can help reduce or eliminate acne lesions over time because believe me, acne does leave scars on your skin:
There are hormonal therapies for women who experience menstrual-related breakouts; retinoids (for milder cases);(anyway that`s not for here or now as this post is not about that).Is one of the treatment options.

Anti-inflammatory agents including erythromycin ointment which decrease swelling around pimples while preventing bacteria from spreading within pores.
But tampering with hormones to get rid of teen acne is not a good idea. Instead, the following alternatives which we`ll look at later might help in a big way.

At What Age Does Teen Acne Go Away?

Hormonal levels changes during puberty make some people more susceptible than others to experiencing bad outbreaks but adult women also get spots too so

There isn't one single cause behind why certain individuals develop persistent acne while others don't have any problems at all.

According to the Mayo Clinic acne will most likely go away by age 25 if you have had little or no breakouts since your teens.
This means though that some adults are lucky enough not to experience any more of this issue past their 20s while others may still struggle with occasional flare-ups well into adulthood and beyond.

Sometimes it`s also safe to say birth control pills are to blame, most young girls who use birth control do suffer from server acne.
But it`s worth mentioning that in rare cases, many older individuals can still get acne breakouts even into their 40s or later. Check more in detail from the American academy of dermatology.

First thing is to remain calm. It is not a smallpox mark or burns mark or stitches mark. It will go if some simple procedures are followed. The list of measures that can help include

• Keeping Facial Skin Clean

This means washing at least twice each day with a gentle cleanser to avoid skin problems.

Any soap or gel that is used should be such that it does not clog the pores, and is gentle on the skin. Noncomedogenic products should be selected as they are the most effective acne treatment.

The way the face is washed also matters. Instead, use a soft facial brush like this one for results.

Scrubbing it hard will not help or kill bacteria, and should not be tried either as it will make a pimple burst.

When a pimple bursts, it will spread the acne-causing bacteria more easily not making things any better.
Therefore, scrubbing should be as gentle as possible, and even wiping the face after washing should be done gently, almost like dabbing the face.

Over-scrubbing has another disadvantage. It prompts the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, and this sebum can also block the pores.

Ideally, some cleanser should be used after washing the skin and drying it up by dabbing.

The cleanser should be carefully selected because the wrong products could aggravate the condition.Find products that will clean and open oil ducts.

Cleansers that are for oily skin should be avoided. After cleanser, it is toner then moisturizer’s turn to do some miracle.

A  moisturizer can be left on the skin overnight as well.

Do Not Touch Or Try To Squeeze Those Unsightly Pimples

Touching would help to spread the bacteria, and squeezing will injure the skin leaving a more long-lasting blemish that will take several years to disappear.

Picking may come naturally but needs to be avoided for the same reason. Likewise, scratching should be consciously avoided.

There are harmless ways to soothe the itching or burning acne such as using honey or dabbing with tea tree oil.

Honey is best applied as a mask and washed away after some minutes, whereas tea tree oil does not have to be washed.

In fact, tea tree oil can be applied multiple times in a day. It is available as cream as well. Concentration levels of tea tree oil in such creams should not exceed 2 percent.

There are gels too with this oil, and the concentration in them is usually about 5 percent.

Apple cider vinegar is another alternative because it can affect the pH levels, and thereby kill the bacteria causing acne.

But it needs to be diluted considerably, i.e., one part of it to 10 parts of water for clearer skin.

Lime juice that is freshly taken out also serves the same function, but the dilution level depends upon skin type.

It can be allowed to dry on the skin and then washed away. It can also be applied more than once a day. Cotton balls should be used to avoid the fingers touching the skin.

• Avoid Regular Cosmetics
• It is difficult to know the exact nature of the ingredients in cosmetics. There are plenty of comedogenic products, which are beneficial in some way but tend to block the pores. These should be strictly avoided. Opt for products that have water-based ingredients. Like these here
  • Use “Over Counter” Treatments

Over the counter, products have ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs such as lactic acid, and glycolic acid).

You can use OT instead of spending more money visiting board-certified dermatologist who in all honesty will prescribe topical creams with the same active ingredients.

But these two should be used intelligently because some do not blend well while using the others in combination may become counter-productive.

These creams are suited for spot treatment, so they are not applied to the entire face like moisturizers.

Knowing the function that these ingredients serve and the concentration levels that are ideal for the skin goes a long way in getting rid of acne. Check an earlier post on acne facial washes.

• Salicylic acid clears the pores, so it gets into the pores.

Ideally, its concentration level should be kept around .5 percent unless the skin can tolerate it.

The maximum concentration can be 2 percent or so. It is available as leave it on the acne treatment, so such creams can be used on acne. Alternately there are face washes with salicylic acid in them.

• Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, serves two purposes.

One is it removes the oil. This is a good thing considering the fact that hormones may have triggered the skin cells to increase oil production, which blocks the pores.

They further reach the surface making the skin look oily. The oilskin does not let dirt and dead cells escape, and such grime becomes a good culture for acne-causing bacteria.

This chemical is also good for removing “the dead cells”. Concentration levels of this compound start at about 2.5 percent and can go as high as 10 percent.

• Products containing sulfur are antimicrobial.
• Alpha hydroxyl acids are for dead skin cells removal In addition, they cause some skin burning sensation because they are acidic in composition.

This leads to cells being regenerated with new cells being produced by the tissue, and old cells being discarded.

The new cells are better equipped to fight infections. Like alpha hydroxy acids, there are other acids such as azelaic acid which offer similar benefits. But in general, you should find out what causes of acne for YOU.

Sebum production is not the same for each and every one of us, so you might be sharing that face wash your bestie is using but it`s just causing you harm.

• Nutritional Supplements

While no clear link has been established between junk food that teenagers are inclined to consume with acne, there`s still researches on.

But, there is some evidence that suggests positive benefits with nutritional supplements such as vitamin C, E, A, omega 3, zinc, etc.

Therefore, nutritional supplements with such content may be increased till the acne outbreak subsides.

• Using A Good Moisturizer

There is something soothing about moisturizers, which can reduce itching.

But care needs to be taken to ensure only water-based moisturizers are used instead of those with petroleum or other chemical ingredients in them.

Water-based moisturizers are good for skin as they hydrate.

Where To Buy Acne Products

All the products mentioned above are available at your local beauty shop but if you prefer to use acne medication, talk to a dermatologist or healthcare provider who will get you the correct treatment plan.

If you`re shopping online, Amazon is the best place to shop as they have a large selection and you have a chance to check other users' reviews before you purchase.

Click here to view products from Amazon

Conclusion On Teen Acne Treatment

Patience is a virtue during a crisis, and a teen might perceive an acne outbreak as a crisis because looking good without teenage pimples is the most important thing to a teen at that age.

If you follow the tips above on how to get rid of teen acne you`ll soon have that clear lovely skin. I feel chemical peels should be used at a minimum when the acne flares up, again, you just want to be gentle while dealing teen acne, counter treatments should be gentle.

Therefore, developing an effective skincare routine from childhood, which ensures that acne does not trouble the teen can go a long way in helping the teen get rid of acne and those nasty pimples before they leave permanent scars.

Or if they do occur especially during menstrual cycle ( we all know this is the time acne is most active)it will be mild acne.

Many of the routines can easily be integrated into the day-to-day routines, and offer lifetime benefits.

They are definitely worth considering as they do affect the confidence of the teen during teens as well as later years.

If you have any questions, please leave me a message, if you like this post or know anyone who can benefit, do share with them on social media.