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Background

Being a teenager can be a wonderful transitional period with new discoveries, increased independence and the feeling that you are no longer a child but a young adult. However, one of the real miseries of adolescence is acne, a product of the unavoidable changes that take place in a young person’s body as they reach puberty.

Overnight the smooth skin and fresh complexion of youth is transformed into a face covered with spots, blackheads and inflamed skin. Many of us have been there and can remember what it did to our self confidence. We remember that feeling that we are the only people in our entire school to suffer from such acne but in fact around 80% of teenagers will suffer from acne at some point (not a welcoming thought!).

Why does Acne occur?

While it can be unpleasant, acne is simply the result of your body altering as you start puberty, and the hormone levels in the body changing:

• Pubescent skin naturally secretes an increased amount of the oily substance called sebum due to hormone changes.
• When sebum combines with dead skin and everyday dirt the pores in the skin become blocked and small holes where the facial hairs emerge, it is also not a condition confined to the face and it can appear behind the ears, on the bottom and on the back or chest.
• The build up of sebum behind the blockage leads to the formation of spots and blackheads.
• If spots become infected this can lead to red pustules often associated with really severe acne.

What can be done?

It is important to remember, and to stress to your frustrated, insecure teenager that acne solely a hormonal based issue and is not the result of poor hygiene, bad diet or any other teenage activity which to which spots are sometimes subscribed, also acne is not contagious.

• Mild cases can be treated using one of the many products available from your chemist and a discussion with your pharmacist will help you select the right one.
• As a precautionary measure, and as part of a daily cleaning routine, all chemists now stock a range of products aimed at teenagers that help to keep the skin clean and reduce the likelihood of bacteria on the face.
• For young girls, removing any make up before going to bed can help prevent the pores becoming blocked and keep the skin clean.
• In more severe cases, and if the acne is persistent and visibly damaging to your child’s self confidence, a visit to your GP may well be required

What can make Acne worse?

Although there are many ways to treat the condition, there are also may ways to make it worse:

• In girls, the changes that happen hormonally around the monthly period may result in a flare-up of the skin.
• It is clinically proven that progestogen-only contraceptive pills should not be prescribed to those with a history of acne because it may make it worse.
• Although most make-up does not affect acne it is an idea to advise young girls who suffer from bad skin to use good quality, oil-free products. It is even possible to get make up that is geared towards helping those with acne.
• Picking, excessively touching or squeezing are all things that may make acne worse and the skin more inflamed.
• Regular and heavy sweating is another contributing factor to inflammation of the skin.
• It is also possible that some drugs such as Phenytoin, that is taken for epilepsy, and ointments used for eczema may affect a person’s skin. However, if this is a concern of yours DO NOT stop your child taking this prescribed drug until you have consulted your GP.

Other Concerns about Acne

Anything that knocks the confidence of your child in the way that acne can is bound to worry you, especially when it appears that cases are spiralling out of control.

Are you worried that your child’s acne may leave scars?

Contact your doctor and ask to be referred to a dermatologist whose job it is to limit such scarring. Also there are various products available over the counter (oils, creams etc) that can help reduce the appearance of scarring.

Can the contraceptive pill Dianette help your daughter with her fight against acne?

Dianette is a combined oral contraceptive that is, in specific cases, prescribed to those battling acne. One of the side effects of this particular pill is that although it acts as a contraceptive pill many doctors rely on it as a short term, intensive drug to combat acne. If you want to find out more information about Dianette as both a treatment for acne and a form of contraception, we advise you to contact your GP.

Useful Links

For more information on acne visit the Health section of the BBC website, the NHS website or the British Skin Foundation. Also the Patient UK website is a useful source of information on this topic.