Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible
to manage, especially when you wake up and find a huge zit on your nose or a
cold sore at the corner of your mouth. The good news is that there are ways to
prevent and treat common skin problems — read on for some tips.
Acne
A pimple starts when the
pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil calledsebum, which normally
lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive,
causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on
the forehead, nose, and chin, this area — the T-zone — is where a person is
most prone to pimples.
Here are some tips to
help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:
- Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm
water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face
with circular motions. Don't scrub. Overwashing and
scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the American
Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no
prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide.
- Don't pop pimples.
It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push
infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and
redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big
event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less
risk of scarring or infection.
- Avoid touching your face with your fingers or
leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your
phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to
become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands
before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
- If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure
you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your
eyes and nose.
- If you get acne on your body, try not to wear
tight clothes. They don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation.
Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too.
- Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When
buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say
"noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label. Throw
away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought
it.
- Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent
additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
- Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem
like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary. A tan may worsen your
acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will
eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.
If you're concerned
about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments
that help to prevent andacne
scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best
for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and
caring for your skin type. Some salons and spas have trained skin specialists,
called estheticians, who can offer advice and skin care treatments.
Sun and Skin
We all know we need to
protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Of course, it's impossible to
avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors when it feels so great to get
outside? And the sun's not all bad, anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin
D. So follow these tips when you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:
- Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor
(SPF) of at least 15, even if it's cloudy or you don't plan on spending a
lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go swimming, reapply sunscreen
every 1½ to 2 hours (even if the bottle says the sunscreen is waterproof).
- Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB
rays. Look for the words "broad spectrum protection" or UVA
protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater. Select a sunscreen
that says "nonacnegenic" or "noncomedogenic" on the
label to help keep pores clear.
- The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m., so reapply sunscreen frequently and take breaks indoors if you
can. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, then it's a safer time to
be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).
- Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when
you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.
- We all know that the sun can damage skin, but
did you know it can contribute to eye problems, too? Protect your face and
eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
- Some medications, such as prescription acne
medications, can increase your sensitivity to the sun (and to tanning
beds). So if you're taking medication, increase your sun protection.
- If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it
with self-tanners. Avoid tanning
beds. They still contain some of the same harmful UV rays as the sun.
Cold Sores
Cold sores usually
show up as tender blisters on the lips. They are caused by a type of herpes
virus (HSV-1, which most often is not sexually transmitted) so they are contagious
from person to person. Once you get this virus it stays in your body, meaning
you'll probably get cold sores every now and then throughout your life.
Here are ways you can
help prevent cold sores from making an appearance (or reappearance if you've
had them in the past):
- Avoid getting cold sores in the first place by
not sharing stuff like lip balm, toothbrushes, or drinks with other people
who might have cold sores. The virus that causes cold sores is transmitted
through the nose (in mucus) and the mouth (in saliva).
- People who have the virus know that cold sores
can flare up from things like too much sun, stress,
or being sick. Just one more reason to lather on that suntan lotion, eat
well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep!
If you do have a cold
sore, here are some tips for keeping yourself comfortable:
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the cold
sores are painful.
- Suck on ice pops or cubes to ease pain and keep
cold sores cool.
- Stay away from acidic foods (like oranges,
tomatoes, and lemonade) and salty, spicy foods, which can cause
irritation.
- Don't pick at cold sores while you're waiting
for them to go away. They may bleed or become infected with bacteria or
you could spread the virus.
Usually, cold sores go
away on their own after a week or two. But if you get them often or they're a
problem, talk to your doctor or dermatologist, who may be able to prescribe
medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the amount of time cold sores
last.
Eczema
Eczema is
a condition that causes skin to become red, itchy, and dry. If you have eczema,
you might notice that you are prone to getting itchy rashes — especially in
places like where your elbows and knees bend or on your neck and face. The
symptoms of eczema can vary from person to person.
Though you can't cure
eczema forever, you can take steps to prevent it from flaring:
- Stay away from things like harsh detergents,
perfumed soaps, and heavily fragranced lotions that tend to irritate the
skin and trigger eczema.
- Because hot water dries by quick evaporation
and over-washing with soap may dry skin, take short, warm showers and
baths. If you're going to have your hands in water for a long time (like
when you're washing dishes or your car), try wearing gloves. Detergent can
dry and irritate skin.
- Soothe your skin with regular applications of a
fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent itching and dryness. Creams
generally moisturize a bit better and last longer than lotions for most
people. Creams work best if applied when the skin is slightly wet, like
just after bathing.
- Be careful which fabrics you wear. Cotton is
good because it's breathable and soft. (But if you are exercising, some of
the newer synthetic materials actually keep you drier and are better for
you than cotton.) Try to stay away from materials like wool or spandex
that may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Keep stress in check. Because stress can lead
to eczema flares, try activities like yoga or
walking after a long day to keep your stress levels low.
- If you wear makeup, look for brands that are
free of dyes and fragrances that can aggravate eczema.
If you're having trouble
managing your eczema, talk to a dermatologist, who can suggest ways to better control
it.
Other Skin Problems
Warts are
tiny skin infections caused by viruses of the human papilloma virus (HPV)
family. There's no way to prevent warts from occurring (other than avoiding
contact with people who have them). But if you do get them, don't rub, pick, or
scratch them because you can spread the virus and get new warts.
Some over-the-counter
medications containing special acids can help get rid of warts, but it's always
a good idea to see your doctor before trying one. If you find warts in your genital
area, you should see your doctor, who can recommend the best treatment
method for that sensitive area.
Another type of
wart-like viral infection is molluscum
contagiosum. (It's not as scary as its name sounds!) Like warts, it can
be transmitted through scratching and sexual contact.
Fine white or purplish
lines on the skin called stretch
marks are pretty common in most teens. Stretch marks are formed when
the tissue under your skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching, like during
puberty. Stretch marks usually fade on their own over time. Talk to a
dermatologist if you're concerned about them.
Because our skin is the
most visible reflection of what's going on in our bodies, people equate healthy
skin with beauty. But healthy skin is about more than just good looks; it's
essential to our survival. So keep your skin glowing with the right skin care
techniques and by eating well and getting lots of exercise.
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