Stress and Acne

• Why Me?!Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Drew Herron
  
  As a teenager, there is already enough to deal with, right? And now you have zits on top of everything. Then what happens? More than likely, the pimples cause you stress, and the stress causes more pimples. This is a vicious cycle, and a root cause of acne. Try simple breathing techniques, such as breathing in and out through your nose, when you feel stress coming on. It sounds too easy, but if you can relax and control your emotions, you've taken a step to keep a "stress pimple" at bay.
  
  

Hormones and Acne

• Acne can be hormonal, especially for teenagers. Many dermatologists believe acne is closely linked with hormonal changes that occur within the body. Testosterone has been identified as a chief trigger of acne development. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, testosterone works to stimulate oil gland activity, creating oilier skin that is more prone to acne breakouts. Unfortunately, if hormones are a reason you are breaking out, acne is a bit tougher to deal with. You may wish to visit your doctor and have blood tests done to check your hormone levels. In some cases, a doctor can help you level off your hormones to create a better balance with medication.
  
  

Products to Use

• Many times, you can help your acne just by visiting your local drugstore. Many products, such as those by Clearasil and OXY, can help clear your skin and keep pores clean. There are also cheaper versions of Proactiv available to you, such as AcneFree. However, the Proactiv skin care line is very popular and produces good results. It is inexpensive, simple to use, and contains the prescription-grade medication, benzoyl peroxide. Just be mindful to keep things simple: To prevent dryness and irritation, don't wash your face more than twice a day, and whatever products you use should not burn your skin or leave intense redness.
  
  

When Over-The-Counter Doesn't Cut It

• If you've tried many brands at the store and you still have bad breakouts, it's time to ask your parents to take you to a reputable dermatologist, who will ask you questions about your skin, your skin care routine, products you've tried and your level of stress. There are many prescriptions to try such as Differin, Tazorac and Retin-A, as well as antibiotics specifically targeted to treat acne.
  
  

Be Patient

• Chin up!Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of erin MC hammer
  
  Even though acne is an emotionally scarring problem to deal with, you must be patient. It takes some time before you discover what works best. There are online forums you can join to connect with other teens also dealing with acne, such as http://www.acne.org.