Acne is a common problem and the most affected population is teenagers. Almost every teen in the world will experience at least one breakout of acne during their adolescence. Acne can range from mild to severe acne in which teens experience blackheads, whiteheads, and cystic acne, however the condition depends on the individual. Also common among teens is body or back acne that can affect the back, chest, and shoulders. Luckily there are a number of teenage acne treatments developed specifically for teen acne due to hormonal changes.

Causes of Teenage Acne

During puberty, teenagers experience changes in their bodies as well as changes in hormone levels. These hormones can cause a myriad of effects, such as growth spurts, moodiness, body hair, as well as the heightened activity of various body glands. The sebaceous glands are one of these active glands and are responsible for producing sebum, an oily secretion that moisturizes skin and hair. Adolescent hormones cause these glands to expand and produce higher levels of sebum. Teenagers have higher risks of acne due to these factors of increased gland activity and elevated levels of sebum production.

Acne starts within these sebum glands when damage is done to healthy living cells. This damage is possible through the sheer force of sebum output, a common factor during adolescent hormonal change. Further damage can be done by the hardening of sebum, or the mixture of oil and dead skin cells within the follicles. The body's immune system responds with an inflammatory reaction which irritates the skin and causes what we know as pimples. Another factor may be hereditary as it has been found that those whose parents suffered from teen acne, or currently suffer from adult acne, are at higher risk for developing teenage acne.

Teenage Acne Treatment

The variety of teenage acne treatments include topical acne creams, digestible medications, daily use soaps and cleansers, as well as a number of natural skin care alternatives. There is no cure for acne and each skin care product and its effectiveness depend on the individual and their condition. However, what is important for everyone is to be aware of the factors that cause acne so you can work to treat those and stop acne before it starts. You should not treat teenage acne with unnecessarily strong medications and treatments. In many cases, acne will improve naturally with the passing of puberty and balancing of hormone levels. You should avoid harsh treatments that might damage skin cells long after the recovery of teenage acne. Instead, opt for natural types of acne treatment cream that target the biological factors of acne development.

Skin Friendly Diet

A smart diet can also aid in acne recovery. However, the common myth that acne results from eating chocolate or greasy foods is not true. Hormone changes and sebum production are not linked to what kind of food you eat. Nevertheless, healthy skin needs a healthy diet that includes the right vitamins and nutrients. This is especially important during adolescence, as your body is growing and needs to be equipped with the vitamins needed to keep you energized and your immune system strong. Additionally, healthy, well balanced diets tend to lower stress and consequently lessen gland activity and the risk of acne.