You know it’s a bad day when you discover a huge pimple on your face or, just as bad, an ugly cold soar on your lip. You can prevent skin problems like these if you know the right treatment. Follow these teen skin care tips to get your best looking skin.
Acne
When your skin pores get clogged with sebum, oil that keeps your skin and hair healthy, acne can occur. Acne is a problem during puberty because hormones are overactive and produce too much sebum. Areas where pimples usually show up are your forehead, chin and around your nose.
If you follow these tips to help prevent blemishes your skin will be less likely to break out,
- Using a mild soap with warm (not hot) water, wash your face no more than two times each day. Using a circular motion, gently massage your face but do not scrub. When you overdo it your skin can become irritated. After cleansing, apply a lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide.
- Don’t squeeze pimples. It’s tempting, but it’s a bad idea. When you do it forces the infected matter even further into your skin and can make it worse and even cause scarring.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes if acne is a problem on your body. Tight clothes don’t let your skin breathe and may cause irritation. Also, caps and headgear can absorb dirt and oil especially around your forehead.
- Take off your makeup before you go to sleep. If makeup looks different, is old or smells bad, throw it away.
- Brush your hair away from your face and keep it clean to prevent oil clogging your pores.
- Sun is not your friend. You may think a tan covers acne, but it’s very temporary. Tanning may worsen your acne and damage your skin leading to wrinkles and skin cancer risk. Tanning beds are a big no-no.
- Wear at least a 30 (SPF) sunscreen even on cloudy days. Reapply your sunscreen after sweating or going into the water.
- Use a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. There are sunscreens that are “nonacnegenic” to help pores stay clear.
If you’re concerned about acne and you’ve run out of options about treating it, talk to your dermatologist. An expert will recommend treatments that can help prevent acne and acne scars.
Eczema
Eczema is tied to allergies and many kids outgrow their allergies by the time they’re in their teens. But if you’re not so lucky and have dry, itchy skin or a red rash, you probably should see your dermatologist.
Eczema can occur on your arms, elbows, legs, knees, face, and hand. Flare-ups can be caused by soaps, cosmetics, wool, pollen, pets and even dry weather. Not contagious, eczema does not spread to other parts of your body or to other people.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are painful and embarrassing. Small blisters form on the lips and can be very uncomfortable. A herpes virus is the cause and they are contagious from person to person. The virus stays in your body even when it is not active. It can reoccur throughout your life. Here are ways to prevent them:
- Don’t share lip balm, drinks or toothbrushes with other people who might have a cold sore. They are spread through the nose (in mucus) and the mouth (in saliva).
- They can flare up from sun exposure, stress or illness.
- Usually, cold sores go away on their own after a week or two. But if you find you’re having a problem, see your dermatologist and get a medication to ease symptoms and heal faster.
Looking to Visit a Dermatologist for Acne Treatments?
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