Teen Acne
Coping With Teenage Acne

causes of teen acne

Acne in teens is caused in the same way as acne in adults. Namely, when the skin's sebaceous glands pump oils known as sebum (along with dead cells) through your pores faster than they can exit from a pore, a solidified plug called a whitehead forms. If the pore stays open, the surface of the plug darkens becoming a blackhead. The process of  producing oil to lubricate the hair and skin is a normal one, but when it gets out of whack, acne occurs.

In a whitehead ruptures the wall of a pore, bacteria becomes a factor and causes what is known as a pimple. And, it progresses from there -- before you know it, inflammed pimples are all over.

The amount of sebum secreted varies quite a bit in different areas of the skin. The most active sebaceous glands are located in the scalp, followed by the forehead, face, chest and upper back. Except for the scalp, these areas are the most frequent place where acne is found.

additional factors causing teenage acne

As part of the maturing process, the sebaceous glands at puberty increase in size and secrete more sebum because of the influence of increasing amounts of sex hormones, called androgen hormones, and are found in both males and females.

teen acne and stress

Teenage years are turbulent, at best. These are the years -- usually between 13 and 19 -- when teens are having many physical and psychological changes that often cause confusion within themselves and conflicts with parental authority.  They begin to be influenced less by family and more by peers. Even the composition of the peer group changes during this time from members of their own sex to mixed groups.

Teens are super-sensitive, emotional, moody -- add acne (especially if it is severe), and the stress might seem too much to bear. Very concerned about appearance and conforming to their peer group standards, a teenager with acne may be overly self-conscious about looks.  Acne is not attractive, but at this stage, all thoughts and feelings tend to be exaggerated. The teen can feel ugly, ostracized, alone, and lonely, not being able to fit in with peers. This is a very stressful time for the teen and the family.  The teen feelings of estrangement from his/her peers has an tremendous negative impact on the family life.  Higher rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem have all been linked with the presence of acne. 

The burdens the teen feels at this time could lead to poor attendance in school, lack of participation in classroom activities and culminate in totally unacceptable behavior.

teen acne and parents

Parents must realize that the teenage years are times of major transitions in their child's life. The teen with acne is very difficult to deal with. There is no doubt about that. Parents, also, are having a difficult time dealing with what is going on with the teen and its effect of everyone concerned. They are also making big adjustments and coping with the many changes in their teen's life.

This is a time that parents should be as supportive as possible. There is a line between being supportive and conveying negative feelings to the teen, i.e., feeling sorry and crippling to the teen about the situation. Parent might try to learn everything possible about teens and teens with acne through reading books, specialty periodicals, speaking with other parents having similar problems, school guidance counsellors, etc. -- whatever a particular situation requires.

treating teen acne

Treating teen acne should be treated in the same way acne in adults is treated. However, emphasis might be place on:

• healthy diet
• plenty of exercise
• drink liquids
• practice good skin care habits

Although most teen acne can be managed with over-the-counter medicines, parents might want to consider taking their teen with acne to a dermatologist. This might help the teen realize that the acne condition will improve. Also, the doctor might be the authority figure the teen needs at this juncture. He/she might have confidence in the specialist which would go a long way in reducing stress and other untoward emotions.

For additional information about the types of acne, see:

Stress Acne - Can Life's Stress Cause Acne
Teen Acne - Teenager Experiencing Physical | Psychological Changes
Adult Acne - Causes and Treatment
Acne Rosacea - What It Is and How To Treat It
Types of Acne - Know Which Form You Have
Source for Helpful Acne Information