Our Guide toteen Acne From Acne...

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1 Our Guide toteen Acne From Acne......to Clear, Healthy Skin! Find out what you can do to get your acne under control and prevent more breakouts!

2 Welcome... Australian Skin Clinics Guide to Teen Acne is designed to help you to understand the causes of acne, the treatments available, what you can do to treat it and how to prevent further breakouts. As Queensland s longest trading medi-spa, we have a vast knowledge in acne management, as well as a range of other treatments. You are free to share this ebook, provided that no alterations, deletions or additions are made. This means that you must distribute it in its original PDF format, in its entirety. The ebook is available from Finally, if you feel that you, or your teen, could benefit from a professional acne consultation to confirm the condition and make recommendations for appropriate treatment, please contact my clinic on We hope that this ebook is helpful to you in dealing with what is a common, but often frustrating and upsetting condition. Best Wishes, Deb Deb Farnworth-Wood (Clinic Owner) Contents: Parent Page... 1 Australian Skin Clinics Acne Program... 1 Kids and Teens Introduction... 2 What Causes Acne?... 2 Types of acne... 3 Why do so many people get acne?... 3 The 7 big myths about acne Why do some people get acne and others don t?... 5 Things to avoid... 6 Tips to help you... 6

3 Parent s Page Introduction In Australia 1 in 5 people suffer from acne but at some point it affects almost all teenagers and even children as young as 10. However, the good news is, acne is a treatable medical condition. Being a teenager is hard enough. Adding acne, and the embarrassment and self-consciousness that comes with it, can make it that much harder. Children and teenagers with acne can feel isolated, lonely and miserable. Parents and Teen Acne: Emotional Issues Although acne is a skin disease, the effect of it can be deeper. Acne can have a profound effect on a teenager s self-image and self confidence. At its worst, acne can turn a confident and outgoing teenager into a depressed and withdrawn teen - a change no parent wishes to see. As a parent, you may be frustrated because your son or daughter seems to be allowing acne to colour their whole outlook on life. The truth is, as unfair as it may be, we are all judged by how we look. In school, that judgment can be merciless. If acne is an issue for your child, talk about it. They may need some basic information. The myths that you may have heard in high school (eg. that it s caused by chocolate and soft drinks) are still around, torturing the children who believe them. Your child needs to know that there are treatments out there that can help. Finally, keep in mind that anxiety and depression are common in people with acne. If you see signs in your son or daughter social isolation, mood changes, fatigue, or a loss of interest in activities or hobbies don t ignore them. You can get them the help they need to deal with their acne. The Australian Skin Clinics Acne Program At Australian Skin Clinics we have an 80% success rate of treating acne without antibiotics and medication, although, in some cases, antibiotics are essential. We are recognised as a leading authority in the management of acne. Our acne programs have been taught to doctors and professionals throughout Australia, New Zealand and even parts of Europe. Individual acne programs may include one or more of the following treatments: Microdermabrasion Peels Essential Skin Care Products Blue light treatments IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments Eporex mesotherapy We hope this book helps you to understand the truth and the myths around acne. If you would like to seek our advice, simply call on and we will be happy to help. All contents Copyright Australian Skin Clinics Pty Ltd Page 1

4 Teens... Read on Here If you're a teenager, the chances are pretty high that you have had some breakouts. 8 out of every 10 preteens and teens suffer with acne - and so do many adults! Acne is so common that it is often considered a normal part of growing up. You have probably heard you will grow out of it (and for most people acne improves when they reach their twenties), but can cause lasting scars. Unfortunately, as we know, it can feel like the end of the world when you look in the mirror and see a big pimple on your chin! The good news is that with a few simple steps, your skin can improve and you can feel a whole lot better! So What Causes Acne? Here s the Science... Our skin contains oil glands (called sebaceous glands) which produce a protective oil (sebum) for our skin. The sebum reaches the surface of our skin through tiny channels called pores. Our hair grows up through these channels too and the oil uses the hair to reach the surface. When all goes well, the skin produces just the right amount if sebum to protect our skin. Other times, we If the oil gets trapped in the pore, it allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the pore opening. When this happens, pores become blocked and pimples develop. Not Enough Oil This makes the skin too dry and flakey. The dry, dead skin cells then block the pores and prevent the sebum from coming to the surface of the skin and this creates spots. Too Much Oil This makes the skin greasy and again, if the pores become blocked pimples develop. Greasier skin produces more oil so it is assumed that an outbreak of spots could be worse on greasy skin - but this is not always the case! Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps, namely blackheads, pimples & cysts. When you woke up to see your first nasty pimple, you may have asked your parent, brother, sister or friend what you should do. They may have told you to pop it - or worse still, come here and I ll get it for you! But you should know that there's a lot of information about acne out there that's just wrong (and could make it much worse and leave you with scars). Think about this: Too much of the wrong sort of make-up, food and other products on the face can also block pores. So, if you have a part time job in a cafe or fast food outlet, you may sometimes wipe or touch your face with hands that have touched greasy food; if you work in retail, you may handle money which can be dirty - these are a couple of real examples of how pores can get blocked. Page 2

5 Types of Spots... A blackhead is formed when the surface of a clogged pore is oxidised (meaning that oxygen in the air reacted with it). The top then turns black (which can become a pimple if left blocked). Sometimes the walls of the pore are broken, allowing oil, bacteria and dead skin cells to get under the skin. This causes a small, red infection - a (also known as a pustule). Clogged-up pores that open up deep in the skin can lead to bigger infections known as cysts. pimple Blackheads Pimples Why Do So Many People Get Acne? Some of you will rarely get a pimple but others will find they suffer from many, even if they take steps to prevent acne. It's totally normal. Teens and kids get acne because of the hormone changes that come with puberty. It usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back and chest. As you grow and your body begins to develop, these hormones stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands to make more sebum and the glands can become over-active. When there is too much sebum, it blocks the pores and leads to acne. In fact, some girls who have a handle on their acne may find that it comes out a few days before that time of the month. Boys undergo hormonal changes too, and may be more likely to suffer from more severe forms of acne. Cysts Page 3

6 The 7 Big Myths About Acne! Myth #1 Popping your pimples is the best way to get rid of them... Fact: Step away from that mirror! Picking or popping your pimples pushes germs further under your skin. This will cause more redness, pain and even a nasty infection. Popping pimples can also lead to scarring. Myth #3 Getting a tan clears up acne... Fact: Nope! Baking in the sun does nothing to improve your acne. A tan may disguise the redness caused by acne a little bit, but when your tan fades, you'll still see your pimples. Spending time in the sun without proper protection will cause dry, irritated or burned skin - not to mention it increases your risk of developing wrinkles, brown spots and even skin cancer later in life. Myth #5 You should dry out pimples... Fact: False! Remember, we said dry skin can cause pimples? Well, use of harsh products containing drying agents such as benzoyl peroxide (an ingredient in many acne ranges) can make acne worse. Myth #2 Chocolate, chips, ice cream etc can cause acne... Fact: Although chocolate and junk food do not necessarily trigger the outbreak of spots, it makes sense to add more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Studies show that foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene may boost your skin health. Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, lettuce, apricots, kale and spinach are all high in beta-carotene, the type of vitamin A produced by plants. Myth #4 If you keep breaking out, use more medicine... Fact: "Less is more" this definitely applies to acne medication. Using too much medication on spots can lead to dry, irritated skin. Always follow the directions carefully. If over-the-counter products are not helping your acne problem, talk to a parent about visiting a professional. Almost all kids and teens have to deal with acne at some point - but the good news is that with the right facts and the proper acne treatment, you can help your skin and put your best face forward! Page 4

7 Myth #6 You can get rid of acne by washing your face more... Fact: Not quite - washing acne areas regularly is a good idea as washing helps remove dead skin cells, excess oil and dirt. However, over-washing or scrubbing your skin too hard can dry out and irritate your skin and this makes acne worse. What's the best skin care strategy? As a general rule, gently wash your face with a good cleanser in the morning and a mild scrub in the evening (Australian Skin Clinics recommend ASAP or Skinstitut). Steer clear of scratchy exfoliants or scrubs, which can irritate your pimples. Myth #7 If you want to avoid acne, don t wear make-up... Fact: Wear the right make-up! Make-up can block your pores if you wear traditional make-up. Choose only products that are labelled "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic." That means the product won't block your pores or cause breakouts. Mineral make-up is also preferable. Why do some people get acne and others don t? It is not clear why some people are more prone to acne than others but we do know that acne is affected by the following: Hormones: During puberty, boys and girls both increase the production of androgens which are a male sex hormone. Androgens cause the oil glands in the skin to enlarge and produce more oil. Pregnancy, and starting or stopping birth control pills can also increase androgens. Genetics: Researchers believe that genetics are also related to acne so if your parents suffered from it, you are more likely to have the same problem. Drugs: Some prescription drugs (for example, anti-epilepsy medication, prednisone, androgens and lithium) are also known to cause acne. Many recreational drugs can cause acne too. Cosmetics: Cosmetics with a greasy consistency can clog the follicles, causing them to stick together and resulting in a plugged pore. Water-based products are less likely to cause acne. Make-Up: Poor quality make-up containing talc or oil can make acne worse. Mineral make-up should not block the pores as the molecules are larger, but some mineral make-up does contain talc or oil so check the label and avoid these. Make-up that is non-comedogenic is the best for acne prone skin as it allows the skin to breath and lets the oils and sweat pass through. We recommend Youngblood mineral make-up for acne skin as it offers great coverage without clogging and there is a full range of colours to suit every skin type. Page 5

8 Things to avoid... Using products that are over- drying on the skin (e.g. soaps, gels with benzoyl peroxide) Friction on the skin such as leaning on it, or rubbing hard Picking or squeezing spots Pressure from helmets, backpacks or tight collars Dirty or greasy hands touching the face Hair products touching the face - sadly many people with acne will try and hide under their fringe but this can make the acne worse Fragrances usually contain alcohol which drys the skin so avoid the use of fragrance sprayed directly onto the skin, or in skin care products Remember, skin is like a car - it needs a little bit of oil and a little bit of water to run smoothly, but to avoid too much oil, make sure you moisturise daily with an oil-free moisturiser. Some tips to help you Its simple keeping your skin acne-free has a lot to do with HYGIENE! Wash your face morning and night. We recommend a thorough cleanser in the morning and a gentle exfoliating scrub at night. When choosing makeup, moisturiser or sunscreen, make sure they are "oil-free", non-comedogenic", or "non-acnegenic." When you wash your face, take the time to remove every last little bit of your makeup. Try to keep hairsprays and gels away from your face because they can block pores and irritate the skin. If you have long hair, tie it back from your face and wash it regularly to reduce oil. Baseball caps and other hats can cause pimples along the hairline. Wear cotton caps where possible and wash them frequently. Wash your face after exercising and sweating a lot. Try not to touch your face. Don't be tempted to pick, squeeze or pop pimples as you know this makes them worse! Change your pillow case daily as bacteria and products from your hair will transfer to your face. If all else fails we are here to help you. The steps above will help most acne sufferers get their problem under control, but if you still need help there are effective medical treatments available: Micro-dermabrasion IPL Treatments Prescription Medication Peels Eporex No-Needle Mesotherapy Blue Light Therapy Ask your parent or guardian to arrange an appointment for you at Australian Skin Clinics - Phone Australian Skin Clinics recommend Skinstitut and ASAP skincare as they are proven, effective, medicalgrade products that are also affordable. Page 6