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Skin Conditions: Skin Care Tips for Teens

Many teenagers struggle with acne due to their changing hormones. Here are some skin care tips to help teenagers achieve the best possible results for their skin.

 

Teens and Peer Pressure

So, just what high-risk behaviors might your adolescent feel pressured to engage in? Plenty, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which periodically conducts surveys on health-risk behaviors among youth. The latest survey results indicate that teen peer pressure is real. Many adolescents are engaging in behaviors that place their health at risk -- including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, illegal drug use and sexual activity. And in all likelihood, their peers are pushing them to try these behaviors.

Here are some of the survey's findings.

  • Take care when choosing cosmetics: Cosmetics like foundation, blush and moisturizer should be oil-free. Chose products that do not promote the formation of blemishes or cause blocked pores. Ask a qualified sales person or a dermatologist which skin products would be best for your skin type.
  • Don't pick your face: If you pick, squeeze or pinch blemishes, you risk developing acne scars. Don't rub or touch blemishes.
  • Be gentle with cleaning: Hard scrubbing will only make your skin condition worse. Gently wash your skin with a mild cleanser in the morning, at bedtime, and after heavy exercise. Avoid rough scrubs or pads. After you wash your skin, rinse it thoroughly.
  • Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) regularly: The sun can damage the skin and promote skin's premature aging; therefore, daily use of sunscreen is recommended. Although a tan or sunburn can make the skin feel less oily, the benefits are short-lived. Remember that some acne medications, as well as some other medications, can make you more prone to sunburns. For this reason, use sunscreens all of the time. Re-apply sunscreen when you are in the sun for prolonged periods of time.
  • Be careful when shaving: Avoid the accidental nicks of blemishes by shaving lightly and only when you have to. You can experiment with different razors to find the one that is more comfortable for your skin.

 

Reviewed by doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Dermatology.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

Edited by Norman Levine, MD on March 01, 2007
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