Teen skin

As if teenagers didn’t have enough to contend with – there is the age-old spotty problem of acne.

You wake up and find a huge zit on the end of your nose or a cold sore on the corner of your mouth and it just doesn’t seem fair!

But fear not - there are things you can do:

Acne – how to prevent the spots and clear them up fast

• 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. Try an over-the-counter lotion containing benzoyl peroxide. This will decrease oil and bacteria.
• Don’t squeeze!. It’s tempting we know, but if you do it you could push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring.
• Avoid touching your face with your fingers as that can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated.
• 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, which don’t allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation.
• Remove your makeup before you go to sleep.
• Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
• Protect your skin from the sun. A tan can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen your acne, not improve it.
  

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