Girls, Puberty and Acne
Girls go through many physical and psychological changes during
puberty. These changes include body composition, fat distribution,
menstruation, growth spurts, body and facial hair growth, body odor and
skin changes. The body physically changes as the fat tissue increases
in the hips, thighs, and breasts producing the typical hourglass shape
of females. With all these changes going on, what effect does acne have
on girls during puberty?
During puberty girls experience an increased likelihood and severity of
acne from the increased oil secretions in the skin. Puberty is often a
difficult time and acne only adds to the difficulty. During puberty
girls usually experience increased irritability, mood swings, and
feelings of low self esteem. Even girls who have been very sure of
themselves may suffer from low self esteem when puberty sets in. These
changes may be even more severe in the girl also suffers from acne.
The negative changes in girls during puberty are made even worse if
acne is a problem. You can help deal with the changes when you know how
to lessen the problems of acne.
Practical Acne Treatments For Girls...
Proper skin care is the first step in treating acne. The face should be
gently washed with a facial cleanser. There are many skin care products
on the market that may help with acne. To kill the bacteria that cause
acne the cleanser should contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or
sulfur. Gentle cleansing is an important factor when dealing with acne.
A common mistake is to clean the face too often and with harsh
cleansers. Careful cleaning of the face twice a day is the best way to
go.
There are some cosmetics that can be detrimental if you are trying to
control acne so it is important to use non-comedogenic products.
Non-comedogenic products are less likely to cause acne, blackheads or
block the pores of the skin. Today there are many non-comedogenic
products available, such as makeup, lip stick, moisturizers, and even
acne medicated makeup.
The changes experienced during puberty can take a mental and physical
toll on girls. The onset of acne certainly makes these changes even
harder to deal with. It is a good idea to visit with a dermatologist if
the acne can not be controlled with over-the-counter medications. A
dermatologist will understand the changes that are associated with acne
and will be able to offer advice and treatment programs. It's also
important to be understanding and offer support to girls as they go
through the difficult time of puberty.