Teenage Acne: What it is and How to Prevent It

Many are unaware, uninformed, or misguided by false myths and beliefs of what acne is, how it is caused, and how it can be prevented.

Acne is a word to define a group of skin rashes, of which have different causes. The most common type of acne is Acne Vurgaris, and is most common among young adults and teenagers who are going through puberty.

Acne Vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the skin. When most people refer to acne, they are talking about this particular skin condition, which affects mostly the face, shoulders, chest, and back area. Acne develops when the oil glands in the body produce too much sebum (oil). Too many 'stick' skin cells causes the oil to mix in between the cells and clogs the hair follicles. As the oil traps different types of germs and bacteria, the follicles tend to swell and a red rash is present. The small red bumps can eventually lead to pimples and whiteheads, also called zits.

A large percentage of people encounter this problem at some point in their lives. If acne is not treated, it can get worse and leave permanent scaring that is very expensive to treat. There is a strong link between severe acne and social withdrawal. There have been cases among high school students where victims are bullied for their acne, to the point where they could not take the pressure and resorted to suicide or homicide, to relieve their emotional stress.

There are many common myths about acne, which continue to circulate and endure, despite scientific evidence that prove otherwise. Poor hygiene is sometimes commonly blamed for acne. This myth, however it may seem true, is false as the oil and the cells that produce the acne are found beneath the skin, and cannot be cleaned. The only thing that may be a concern is skin infections associated with acne, so hygiene should not be ignored. Another common myth about acne is sex is the cause of more frequent outbreaks as hormonal levels are raised in the body. Even though sexual activity is responsible for hormonal levels rising, it has not been linked to acne. Probably the most widely heard rumor concerning acne is that acne is caused by specific foods, particularly junk food. There has not been any scientific evidence that this is the case.

Acne is preventable and overtime does pass if proper care is taken. Things that make acne worse are oils from cooking, makeup, and hair gels, while picking at pimples can cause the acne to spread, especially with dirty fingers and nails that contain tons of germs. Acne can be treated with pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs, creams and lotions, and some herbal blends. A very common treatment for acne is chemical called benzyl peroxide, and is available in many skin care products. Studies have suggested that eating garlic, or taking garlic pills may regulate the severity of acne. Recommendations for medicine for acne should be obtained from your doctor or dermatologist who has evaluated the severity of the condition.