The sex hormones that the body begins to make during puberty are responsible for the physical changes that children experience during adolescence; a stage that, according to WHO, ranges from ten to 19 years.
Acne is common to many teenagers. And although it is something temporary that disappears over time, it can sometimes cause serious problems of self-esteem. We tell you why pimples come out during adolescence, and what care should be applied to keep acne at bay.
Why do pimples come out in adolescence?
When puberty begins, the body begins to manufacture sex hormones responsible for physical changes that boys and girls will experience at this stage of their life, and that they begin to manifest themselves progressively after eight years in girls, and nine or ten years in boys.
In Babies and more The three stages of adolescence and what to expect in each of themAmong the main changes that occur in the body due to hormones, there is one that is common to both sexes: an excess of sebum secretion (fat), which affects the skin And to the hair.
When there is an excess of fat and too many dead skin cells, the pores become clogged and bacteria growth occurs, which causes inflammation or infection of the skin giving rise to the appearance of pimples, blackheads and pimples.
It is estimated that eight out of ten teenagers have acne. In addition, this circumstance is more likely if there is a family history.Although boys and girls may have acne during adolescence, it is common for the most severe and inflammatory episodes to occur in men, while in women they occur with less virulence but extend in later years.
Where does acne appear most frequently?
Most teenagers with acne you have facial injuries, especially around the nose, forehead and cheekbones, as it is where a greater number of sebaceous glands is concentrated. It is also common for pimples to appear on the neck, upper back and chest.
According to data from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, only 1% of adolescents with acne have severe trunk injuries without facial involvement.
Acne skin care
If our child presents a severe acne box it is advisable to consult with the pediatrician or with a dermatologist, as an antibiotic treatment in cream or pills might be necessary, or even a more potent drug treatment that at all times must be supervised by the doctor.
In light and moderate cases, products can be used in the form of gels or lotions that contain components that help unclog the pore, combined with others that reduce the bacterial population. The doctor will recommend how to apply them and how much to use, as an excess could also adversely affect the skin.
In VitónicaAll you need to know about acne: what causes it and how you can treat itAnd in addition to topical treatment, these are the steps we can take to keep acne controlled and prevent the appearance of outbreaks:
Wash your face with mild soap and water, at least twice a day, especially after sweating. This will help prevent fat accumulation and keep pores free of obstructions. The cleaning should be done with the fingertips, gently and without rubbing, since in that case we could cause the opposite effect.
Makeup, facial creams and sunscreens should be "non-fatty". Consult with the pharmacist in case of doubt.
The makeup clogs pores, but if it is to be used, make sure that when the time comes, it is completely removed with the help of specific and non-fatty products.
And even if you look in the mirror and see a grain you feel the temptation to take it off, it is recommended don't touch itWell, doing so could make the injury worse and even leave a scar.
Acne triggers
Feeding
Experts say there is no proven link between diet and acne, despite the popular belief that certain foods such as chocolate, nuts or sausage cause grains. In any case, whether our child has acne problems or not, it is very important that we ensure proper nutrition so that it is balanced and healthy.
The environment
There is also a lot of controversy about how the weather affects the appearance of acne breakouts, because although most patients improve in summer, other teenagers say that their pictures get worse with sun exposure, because dryness can cause the skin to generate more sebum to protect itself.
Stress
Another of the triggers of an acne outbreak is stress, because it unbalances hormone levels and affects the immune system, increasing sebum production.
The adolescence is an especially vulnerable stage, where stress and anxiety can affect our children. Therefore it is important to be at your side and provide them with the necessary tools to control stress, and this will help them in turn reduce the outbreak.
The hormones
As we said at the beginning, hormones are responsible for acne, so there is a better chance of getting it at certain stages of life such as adolescence and pregnancy.
Also, menstruation plays an important role in the appearance of outbreaks. Not in vain, seven out of ten girls with acne get worse at certain times of the menstrual cycle, especially before starting the rule.
In Babies and more The first menstruation in girls: everything you need to knowSupport and empathy, when self-esteem is affected
Acne is usually a passing thing that ends up improving over time, but can cause serious problems of self-esteem in a stage of life in which the adolescent feels the need to seek acceptance by his peer group.
Therefore, if you detect that your child is having a bad time due to his acne problem, it is important that you be by his side, listen to him, empathize with him and try to support him. Try to find solutions together to overcome these insecurities, and at no time you downplay what you are feeling, because probably in your teens you came to go through the same. Check with your doctor if you think the acne problem is affecting you too socially.
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