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Are you a target for acne?

Are you a target for acne? This is one question that no teenager would want to answer because if there is one thing that dampens the exuberance of youth it is acne. Every teenager is afraid of waking up in the morning and seeing the dreaded pimple below the nose or under the chin.

Acne is caused when excess sebum and dead epidermal cells clog the skin pores. These then become the breeding ground for bacteria leading to acne eruptions. The eruptions can be in the form of white heads, black heads, pimples or pustules.

Acne can occur in the upper back and chest, neck and the face. However, it is most commonly seen on the face since the skin of the face is extremely sensitive. Another reason for this is that most of the oil glands are concentrated in the facial region. The “T” area in the face that comprises the forehead, nose line and the chin is most susceptible to acne. It is likely that your first pimple was found in the crevice of the nose or at the tip of the nose.

The severity of acne in most cases is predetermined by the type of skin you have. An oily or dry skin is far more susceptible to acne flare-ups than other types of skin. Other than that your lifestyle, dietary habits and your genetic make also influence acne attacks.

Teenage years are the worst for acne. This is because of hormonal changes that occur in the body during this period. The condition tends to aggravate when you touch, rub or pop a pimple. When you pluck a pimple in an improper manner you may actually push the bacteria even further down the follicle. This can spread the infection to other follicles as well. Also by continuously touching the pimples you tend to deposit the bacteria present on the surface of your hands on the pimple. This increases healing time. You may even end up developing a permanent scar.

There is no cure for acne but you can control it if you take proper care of your skin. The winter season usually results in excessive dehydration of the skin and flaking. The skin flakes act as a medium for multiplication of bacteria and increase the chances for acne. Deprived of essential oils, the skin tends to become very sensitive. That is why it is important to use a good moisturizer to hydrate your skin.

In the summers, the skin pores open up more due to humidity and heat, increasing the chances of bacterial infection. The accumulation of dust and sweat over the already existing pimples worsens the situation. You should wash your face with a mild cleanser twice daily, and avoid using any sort of make up. Also, you should wash your hands with an antiseptic solution before touching your face.