Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin
Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you
wake up and find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth.
The good news is that there are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems —
read on for some tips.
Acne
A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called
sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is
common during puberty
when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many
oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area — the T-zone
— is where a person is most prone to pimples.
Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:
- Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for
people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don't scrub.
Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no
prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide.
- Don't pop pimples. It's tempting,
but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into
the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a
pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it
for you with less risk of scarring or infection.
- Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that
collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the
bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay,
wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or
makeup.
- If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep
oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
- If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don't allow
skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect
dirt and oil, too.
- Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose
brands that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label. Throw away old makeup
that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.
- Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging
your pores.
- Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only
temporary. A tan may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage
to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.
If you're concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a
range of treatments that help to prevent and acne
scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for
you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for
your skin type. Some salons and spas have trained skin specialists, called estheticians,
who can offer advice and skin care treatments.
Sun and Skin
We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Of course,
it's impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors when it feels so
great to get outside? And the sun's not all bad, anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies
create vitamin D. So
follow these tips when you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:
- Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it's
cloudy or you don't plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or
go swimming, reapply sunscreen every 1½ to 2 hours (even if the bottle
says the sunscreen is waterproof).
- Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words "broad
spectrum protection" or UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater. Select
a sunscreen that says "nonacnegenic" or "noncomedogenic" on the label to help keep
pores clear.
- The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so reapply sunscreen
frequently and take breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow is longer than you are
tall, then it's a safer time to be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).
- Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when you're around reflective surfaces
like water, snow, or ice.
- We all know that the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can contribute to
eye problems, too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide
100% UV protection.
- Some medications, such as prescription acne medications, can increase your sensitivity
to the sun (and to tanning beds). So if you're taking medication, increase your
sun protection.
- If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners. Avoid tanning
beds. They still contain some of the same harmful UV rays as the sun.
Cold Sores
Cold sores usually show up
as tender blisters on the lips. They are caused by a type of herpes virus (HSV-1,
which most often is not sexually transmitted) so they are contagious from
person to person. Once you get this virus it stays in your body, meaning you'll probably
get cold sores every now and then throughout your life.
Here are ways you can help prevent cold sores from making an appearance (or reappearance
if you've had them in the past):
- Avoid getting cold sores in the first place by not sharing stuff like lip balm,
toothbrushes, or drinks with other people who might have cold sores. The virus that
causes cold sores is transmitted through the nose (in mucus) and the mouth (in saliva).
- People who have the virus know that cold sores can flare up from things like too
much sun, stress, or being sick.
Just one more reason to lather on that suntan lotion, eat well, exercise, and get
plenty of sleep!
If you do have a cold sore, here are some tips for keeping yourself comfortable:
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the cold sores are painful.
- Suck on ice pops or cubes to ease pain and keep cold sores cool.
- Stay away from acidic foods (like oranges, tomatoes, and lemonade) and salty,
spicy foods, which can cause irritation.
- Don't pick at cold sores while you're waiting for them to go away. They may bleed
or become infected with bacteria or you could spread the virus.
Usually, cold sores go away on their own after a week or two. But if you get them
often or they're a problem, talk to your doctor or dermatologist, who may be able
to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the amount of time cold
sores last.
Eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes
skin to become red, itchy, and dry. If you have eczema, you might notice that you
are prone to getting itchy rashes — especially in places like where your elbows
and knees bend or on your neck and face. The symptoms of eczema can vary from person
to person.
Though you can't cure eczema forever, you can take steps to prevent it from
flaring:
- Stay away from things like harsh detergents, perfumed soaps, and heavily fragranced
lotions that tend to irritate the skin and trigger eczema.
- Because hot water dries by quick evaporation and over-washing with soap may dry
skin, take short, warm showers and baths. If you're going to have your hands in water
for a long time (like when you're washing dishes or your car), try wearing gloves.
Detergent can dry and irritate skin.
- Soothe your skin with regular applications of a fragrance-free moisturizer to
prevent itching and dryness. Creams generally moisturize a bit better and last longer
than lotions for most people. Creams work best if applied when the skin is slightly
wet, like just after bathing.
- Be careful which fabrics you wear. Cotton is good because it's breathable and
soft. (But if you are exercising, some of the newer synthetic materials actually keep
you drier and are better for you than cotton.) Try to stay away from materials like
wool or spandex that may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Keep stress in check. Because stress can lead to eczema flares, try activities
like yoga or walking after a long
day to keep your stress levels low.
- If you wear makeup, look for brands that are free of dyes and fragrances that
can aggravate eczema.
If you're having trouble managing your eczema, talk to a dermatologist, who can
suggest ways to better control it.
Other Skin Problems
Warts are tiny skin infections
caused by viruses of the human papilloma virus (HPV) family. There's no way to prevent
warts from occurring (other than avoiding contact with people who have them). But
if you do get them, don't rub, pick, or scratch them because you can spread the virus
and get new warts.
Some over-the-counter medications containing special acids can help get rid of
warts, but it's always a good idea to see your doctor before trying one. If you find
warts in your genital area, you
should see your doctor, who can recommend the best treatment method for that sensitive
area.
Another type of wart-like viral infection is molluscum
contagiosum. (It's not as scary as its name sounds!) Like warts, it can
be transmitted through scratching and sexual contact.
Fine white or purplish lines on the skin called stretch
marks are pretty common in most teens. Stretch marks are formed when the tissue
under your skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching, like during puberty. Stretch
marks usually fade on their own over time. Talk to a dermatologist if you're concerned
about them.
Because our skin is the most visible reflection of what's going on in our bodies,
people equate healthy skin with beauty. But healthy skin is about more than just good
looks; it's essential to our survival. So keep your skin glowing with the right skin
care techniques and by eating well and getting lots of exercise.
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