Acne and Girls


by Stephanie McIntyre - Date: 2006-12-31 - Word Count: 560 Share This!

During puberty, girls already have a plethora of development and emotional issues to deal with. The changes they experience while going from girls to women are for many, so numerous and rapid that they barely have time to come to terms with them. Menstruation and the accompanying hormone increase can be a big challenge for many young women. Add to that some of the other physical changes, such as growth spurts, body development, and hair growing in new places, and you have the makings of a difficult situation. Add acne to that already challenging mix and it can be, for some girls, an emotional roller coaster ride.

Like boys, girls are faced with the greatest possibility of developing acne pimples during puberty. Because of the increase in hormone levels, puberty can be a difficult time for them. They may have mood swings, and can sometimes be irritable. The onset of acne only serves to heighten the possibility that their self-esteem will be affected. It can be an obstacle for even the most capable and confident of girls. So as a parent it's important to help a girl get a handle on, and control her acne as quickly as is possible.

Acne is produced when the oil glands on the hair follicles make too much oil, which combines with dead cells to block pores - causing lesions. There are a number of sensible approaches to dealing with it. The skin must be kept clean by washing it twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Be careful not to use harsh soaps or cleansers, and not to scrub too hard, because both can exacerbate any existing acne. If needed, use one of the many available over the counter acne medications. Benzoyl peroxide is probably the most widely available. It's sold in non-prescription strengths from 2% to 5%. For those who are suffering from mild to moderate acne, this may be all the treatment and care that's needed.

Never break acne lesions; this is always a bad idea. Though it may seem you're remedying the problem, chances are you will make it worse because it can lead to scarring and even infection.

If the acne is more severe, a visit to the dermatologist should be undertaken. Again, as soon as possible is best so that the problem can be addressed promptly. Acne lesions are easier to prevent than to cure. The doctor can assess your girl's acne and prescribe the medications necessary to get a handle on it. If need be, oral antibiotics can be prescribed along with the more common topical medications.

All girls should be careful about the cosmetics they use on their skin, and even more so if they have acne. Non-comedogenic makeup products are a must for those with acne. They are far less likely to cause the problems that lead to acne like blocking the pores - and are less likely to cause pimples.

It's important for parents to be supportive and helpful of girls who are dealing with acne during puberty. This is an already emotional time for them, and the stress of acne (and stress can aggravate it) can only make it worse. During this time a girl's dissatisfaction with her appearance can have a strong negative effect on how she feels about herself. She may need a bit more understanding and emotional support from those folks she looks up to and relies upon.


Related Tags: acne, pimples, blackheads, adult acne, whiteheads, acne pimples, natural acne treatments

Stephanie McIntyre has been a Platinum eBay Powerseller, an eBay Trading Assistant as well as an Educational Assistant trained by eBay. Her company, eSales Unlimited Inc. specializes in training small business owners in using eBay as an additional revenue stream. She maintains a site with information on selling on eBay.

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