Acne very common among teens
Ask most young people about their skin and they'll often mention spots, zits, pimples and Acne. Appearance is something that many teenagers are conscious of and with all the skin changes that puberty brings, things like spots can play a big part in people's self esteem (how they feel about themselves) and confidence.
So what is Acne and what can we do to treat it?
Well, Acne is just the medical word that we use to describe spots and zits. It's very common and affects about 8 out of 10 young people in Australia.
If we were to look at anyone's skin under a microscope we'd see millions of bacteria living naturally on its surface. Sometimes these bacteria get into the tiny pits (called pores) that we all have in our skin and cause them to be infected. The infected pits then become inflamed (red and angry looking) and form spots.
You've probably also heard about black heads and pimples. These are just skin pits that are full of other stuff like pus or Melanin (the chemical that makes skin brown). Black heads are not caused by dirt!
If you've ever had Acne or know someone who has then you'll probably have noticed that it commonly occurs on people's faces. You will also see it on peoples necks, shoulders, backs and chests. This is because these places are covered in skin pits.
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There are many myths about the causes of Acne and it's important to mention a few of them here:
1.) Eating chocolate or 'junk food' does not cause Acne. Yes, it is important for your body and skin to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and veg, but there's no proof that eating this alone will cure all acne.
2.) Squeezing and picking spots is NOT good for them. It will make acne worse and can cause permanent scarring of your skin.
3.) Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, although keeping your skin clean will often help to get rid of acne.
4.) Not all moisturisers and make up products are good for acne. Many of them contain oil which can actually make acne worse.
5.) Exposing your skin to lots of sunlight will not cure acne. A small amount of sun can sometimes help acne to improve but too much sun will cause skin cancer and make your skin wrinkly (this is called premature skin aging).
We know that many young people who have acne feel low and sad about their skin. Spots and pimples often make people worry about their appearance especially if others make fun of them. This causes some people to avoid going out altogether and can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts.
So what can we do to treat Acne?
Well, keeping your skin clean is a great start and will help to wash away the bacteria that cause spots to develop. Most chemists also sell a range of special skin products (skin washes) that can treat Acne; there are loads of them around and they're often very affordable. Have a chat to your local pharmacist about the options.
If these aren't working for you then try speaking to your family Doctor (GP). There are some very good Acne treatments around, which are available on prescription and your doctor will be happy to talk to you about them.
There's also the option of speaking to a skin specialist (a dermatologist) if your acne's severe or not responding to standard treatments.
In most people Acne disappears as they get into their 20's.
So if you or your mates have got spots, don't worry! It's very common and usually easy to treat. Have a chat to your local pharmacist or doctor and try out one of these great resources for more information:
- Your local Family Doctor (GP)
- www.acne.org.au This is an awesome site full of great information and advice
- www.yourspacehealth.org.au
- The Youth Healthline 1300 13 17 19 (24 hour help line)
- FliipSyde Youth Health Service is open on Thursdays in Roxby Downs. It's FREE and CONFIDENTIAL and open to teenagers. Phone (08) 8648 5720 for an appointment or ask your teacher or youth worker for more details.
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