Main squeeze
If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone. Acne is the most common skin condition affecting teens, particularly boys (who tend to have more severe outbreaks). Cosmetically unattractive and often causing scars, it can affect the face, back, chest and shoulders. Acne occurs when dead skin cells, oil glands, and bacteria inside a hair follicle becomes inflamed. Genetics and hormones certainly contribute to the situation — diet and eating chocolate doesn’t. To find out which treatments really work, we asked Dermatologist Dr. Daniel Schachter, spokesperson for Neutrogena and dermatologist to the Toronto Raptors.
TREATING ACNE BREAKOUTS
If your acne problem is not so severe, home treatment without a doctor’s prescription may suffice. If acne is becoming a problem, see your doctor and possibly get a referral to a dermatologist. Acne medications — prescription or nonprescription — do several things: dry and clear pimples, kill germs that cause new pimples, unblock blocked pores, prevent blocking of pores and prevent acne breakouts. The most common ones are:
OVER THE COUNTER
• Salicylic Acid – lotions and gels help clear clogged pores.
• Benzoyl Peroxide – lotions and gels have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
BY PRESCRIPTION
• A dermatologist must recommend topical antibiotic lotions and creams.
• Retinoid acid medications, Retin A do a good job of keeping skin clear.
• Oral antibiotics capsules and tablets like tetracycline and erythromycin.
• Oral contraceptives (like Diane 35) may help acne-prone skin caused by hormone abnormalities.
• Acutane is a powerful medication for severe acne.
• Acne scars can be minimized by using injectable skin fillers like Restylaine or with a special resurfacing laser like Smooth Beam.
COSMETICS AND ACNE
Cleansers, moisturizers, foundations, blushers, and even sun screening lotions may cause previously clear skin to break out or turn a minor acne problem into a major one. Dermatologists call this problem “acne cosmetica.”
“All products should be non-oily or non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t produce blackheads,” says Dr. Schachter. “Wash your face morning and night as necessary, but don’t over wash. Apply acne treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide directly on blemishes. Use an oil-free non-comedogenic moisturizer, sunscreen or makeup.”
WE SUGGEST:
Makeup Clinique, Lancome, Prescriptives, Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden
Sun Protection Ombrelle, Neutrogena, Anthelios by La Roche-Posay.
Photo by Arash Moallemi
