Girls, Puberty and Acne

Girls go through many physical and psychological changes during puberty. These changes include body composition, fat distribution, menstruation, growth spurts, body and facial hair growth, body odor and skin changes. The body physically changes as the fat tissue increases in the hips, thighs, and breasts producing the typical hourglass shape of females. With all these changes going on, what effect does acne have on girls during puberty?

During puberty girls experience an increased likelihood and severity of acne from the increased oil secretions in the skin. Puberty is often a difficult time and acne only adds to the difficulty. During puberty girls usually experience increased irritability, mood swings, and feelings of low self esteem. Even girls who have been very sure of themselves may suffer from low self esteem when puberty sets in. These changes may be even more severe in the girl also suffers from acne.

The negative changes in girls during puberty are made even worse if acne is a problem. You can help deal with the changes when you know how to lessen the problems of acne.

Practical Acne Treatments For Girls...

Proper skin care is the first step in treating acne. The face should be gently washed with a facial cleanser. There are many skin care products on the market that may help with acne. To kill the bacteria that cause acne the cleanser should contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. Gentle cleansing is an important factor when dealing with acne. A common mistake is to clean the face too often and with harsh cleansers. Careful cleaning of the face twice a day is the best way to go.

There are some cosmetics that can be detrimental if you are trying to control acne so it is important to use non-comedogenic products. Non-comedogenic products are less likely to cause acne, blackheads or block the pores of the skin. Today there are many non-comedogenic products available, such as makeup, lip stick, moisturizers, and even acne medicated makeup.

The changes experienced during puberty can take a mental and physical toll on girls. The onset of acne certainly makes these changes even harder to deal with. It is a good idea to visit with a dermatologist if the acne can not be controlled with over-the-counter medications. A dermatologist will understand the changes that are associated with acne and will be able to offer advice and treatment programs. It's also important to be understanding and offer support to girls as they go through the difficult time of puberty.