The teen years can be full of angst for many young people, and the myriad of skin problems they can have only exacerbate the problem. Between acne, sunburn, cold sores, warts and learning to shave, it’s no wonder your teen may become sullen or not want to leave the house. The best way to combat skin problems is to learn about and practice good skin-care techniques.
Acne
Because of changing hormones, acne is probably the most common skin problem teenagers face. Any product a teen uses should be oil-free. The last thing a teenager should do is to use a product that blocks the pores. Pimples start when pores become clogged with sebum, according to the Teens Health website. In order to prevent acne breakouts, teens should wash their face twice a day with warm water and a special soap that will help with acne. Scrubbing and over-washing will irritate the face. Gently massage the face instead, and then apply a lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide. If pimples develop, teens should not pick or squeeze them; scars could develop, according to WebMD.
Acne Considerations
Teens can also get acne on their body. If that happens, they should avoid wearing tight clothes or fabrics that do not breathe. Teens should clean their glasses or sunglasses frequently to keep from getting pimples around their eyes and nose. Teens should not apply old makeup that smells bad, and they should wash their makeup off before going to bed. All teens should avoid touching their face or resting their face on their cell phone too long. Cell phones tend to collect sebum, according to the Teens Health website.
Tanning
Many teens become almost obsessed with getting the perfect, dark tan either through the sun or through tanning beds. Some vitamin D from the sun is good for you, but too much sun to the point of being burned, is not good. Ultraviolet rays that you can get from the sun and from tanning beds can damage your skin. Teens should always wear a sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of 15 or more that blocks UVA and UVB rays when they are out in the sun. Some acne medications and birth control pills can make teens more sensitive to the sun and tanning beds, according to the Teens Health website.
Viruses
Once a teenager gets a cold sore, the virus will always remain in her body. The best protection is to avoid getting one in the first place by not sharing lip balms, drinks or toothbrushes with someone who has a cold sore. Once you have a cold sore, the only option is to try to keep flare-ups at bay. Too much sun, stress or being sick can cause a flare-up. Cold sores usually go away in about one or two weeks. They could become infected if you pick at them.
Warts are skin infections that are part of the human papilloma virus family. You should never rub, pick at or scratch warts because that can spread the virus, producing new warts. Some over-the-counter medications can help get rid of warts. For genital warts, it’s best to see your doctor, according to the Teens Health website.
Shaving
Boys who are just starting to shave often cut and nick themselves. They will get the hang of it, but they may have to experiment with different razors to see which they prefer.
Photo Credit
- teenager image by Alta.C from Fotolia.com
