About 85% of all teenagers have acne problems with different levels of problems. Contrary to popular belief, the relationship between acne and food has not been found. The real cause is hormonal changes that occur during adolescence which result in increased oil on the face. Most of the cases found are basic cases that can be overcome by daily facial cleansing to reduce excess oil on the face. However, some cases may also be quite severe and difficult to treat so you need to consult a dermatologist.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Doing Over-the-counter Treatment
Step 1. Keep your hair clean
This step is especially important for teenagers with long hair. Oily hair and hair care products that are in constant contact with the face can clog pores. Even teenagers with short hair can see blemishes around the growth margins due to oily hair and the use of hair care products. Make sure to clean your hair regularly.
Step 2. Clean your face twice a day
One of the biggest causes of acne in teenagers is increased oil production due to hormonal changes. Oil that clogs pores will remain if you only clean your face once a day. Therefore, wash your face once in the morning, and once in the evening with warm water and a gentle facial oil cleanser.
- Use your fingertips and don't use a washcloth to clean your face.
- Do not use bar soap or body wash. Always use a gentle cleanser made especially for facial skin.
- Don't wash your face too often. Washing your face more than twice can cause your face to become dry. Dry skin can cause oil glands to produce excess oil, and make acne worse.
- You will notice significant changes after four to six weeks of daily treatment.
Step 3. Do treatment with over-the-counter drugs
You will need to treat with over-the-counter medications once or twice a day depending on how severe the acne is. One of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications is benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
- Treatment with over-the-counter drugs can be in the form of gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and masks. Gels and creams are good for treating specific spots, while masks, soaps, and lotions are more commonly used for the entire face.
- In addition to smoothing the pores, this drug also contains antibacterial which can make it difficult for the bacteria that causes acne, P. acnes to grow.
- The benzoyl peroxide formulation is usually a 2.5% solution, and the salicylic acid formulation is usually a 2% solution.
Step 4. Use a moisturizer
Since additional facial cleansing and over-the-counter treatments can dry out your skin, you can add moisturizer to your treatment. Standard lotions can contain oils that can clog pores. Therefore, find an oil-free moisturizer that is non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic. This means that the product will not cause breakouts or clog pores.
If you use a moisturizer for daytime use, then you should look for one that contains SPF 30
Step 5. Use cosmetics that do not cause acne
Although some types of cosmetics such as eye cosmetics and lipsticks do not cause acne, some types of cosmetics can cause acne problems, others such as blush and foundation can cause clogged pores and worsen acne conditions. Make sure that any cosmetics you use will not cause blackheads, which means they will not clog your pores. All leading cosmetic products provide this type of cosmetic product, so it will not be difficult to find.
Avoid using beauty powders that have mineral-based ingredients. Because it can lead to or worsen acne problems
Method 2 of 2: Handling Serious and Serious Cases
Step 1. Consult a dermatologist
If you have a serious acne problem that can't be treated with the first steps of treatment, or you have severe cystic acne, then you need to consult a dermatologist who can provide other forms of treatment.
Step 2. Ask about family planning medication
For most women, some family planning medications can control acne-causing hormones. Since hormones are the initial cause of acne, controlling them can reduce acne breakouts.
Step 3. Ask about antibiotics to treat acne
Oral antibiotics can reduce the number of P. acnes bacteria on your skin, thereby reducing inflammation. Oral or topical antibiotics will likely be the first treatment given by a dermatologist for stubborn acne.
Antibiotic treatment usually consists of daily doses for a period of four to six months. After that, its use can be reduced
Step 4. Ask about other topical medication options
In addition to topical antibiotics, a dermatologist can also recommend the use of other topical medications. It can range from strong medications such as benzoyl peroxide to azaleic acid or tazarotene.
Most of these forms of treatment are aimed at reducing the sores and inflammation on the face associated with acne
Step 5. Ask about isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is one of the most effective acne treatments. However, it is a treatment that has the worst side effects and requires monitoring of the dosage used. Isotretinoin can shrink the size of the oil glands, thereby reducing oil production.
- The side effect of isotretinoin is an increased risk of depression and can lead to miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women are not recommended to do this treatment.
- Treatment is usually done once or twice a day for sixteen to twenty weeks with results that are often permanent.
Tips
- Don't use regular lotion as a moisturizer. It can cause clogged pores, make sure you use a special moisturizer for your face.
- Since it can take several weeks to make significant changes, you need to be consistent and patient.
- Do not use soap as a facial cleanser. Bar soap or hand soap can clog pores and make acne worse.
- Be sure to wash your face immediately after exercising or after doing certain activities that can make you sweat.
- Do not touch or squeeze the pimple. In addition to causing inflammation, you can spread the bacteria that causes acne.
