Acne is one of the challenges of puberty. It can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Unfortunately, it can also cause emotional trauma for some teenagers.
It’s important for teens to know that acne is one of those trials of puberty for some young adults, but there are ways to keep it under control. Reassure your girls that they are still beautiful and your guys are still handsome.
So what causes those unsightly pimples anyway?
Acne begins with oil and dead skin cells clogging a pore. As soon as it becomes infected with bacteria, white blood cells arrive with the pus. Now, you have swelling, redness, and pus—a zit!
Changes that arrive with puberty cause our sebaceous cells to produce more oil than it used to making infected oil-clogged pore more likely.
A Video on How Pimples & Blackheads are Formed (Pathophysiology)
Keeping Acne Under Control
Hope is not lost. You can do things to lessen breakouts like keep your hair away from your face and shower when you are hot and sweaty. Healthy eating and drinking lots of water helps, too.
If you or your teen has acne, here are some things you can do to help:
- Change your pillowcase every night before you go to bed
- Wash your hands frequently
- Keep your skin clean and dry
- Bathe quickly after perspiring
- Keep your hair away from your face
- Keep your hair clean
- Try to avoid touching your face and neck
- Use a natural astringent on your face and neck as an astringent once a day with a cotton ball or disposable cotton pad
- Witch Hazel
- Equal parts of Apple Cider Vinegar & Distilled Water
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Tea Tree Oil
- Use soaps and make-up that are oil-free
- Use Acne Soaps and Creams with Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid as ingredients
- Drink a lot of water
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin A like carrots, bell peppers, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin C like oranges, melons, tomatoes, grapefruit, strawberries
- Avoid greasy foods like French fries, fried chicken, fast food
- Zinc supplements have been helpful—just never take Zinc on an empty stomach
- You can also try Red Clover, Selenium, Vitamin E
Healthy Habits
Taking good care of your skin is just one of the changes teens can make in high school. It’s not enough to know how the body works, but teens who learn how to care for their body are more likely to build healthy habits that last a lifetime. I teach teens the anatomy of skin and skin care for all types of skin, as well as skin conditions, burns, tweezing (how-to), and shaving (how-to). I want young adults to know why their body odor is worse since puberty started and how to control it.
Are you looking for a Christ-centered 1-credit Health course for teens that teaches life skills as well as basic anatomy. Healthy Living for Christian Teens covers nutrition, exercise, relationships, growing in Christ, safety, addictions, and anatomy. Grab your copy today at PowerlineProd!
Instead of tests, teens complete projects that instill healthy habits:
- Miraculous Amazing Wonderful Me!
- My Healthy Food Plan
- My Own First Aid Kit
- Exercise Plan
- “Do Not Smoke” Poster
- “Lies vs. Truth”
- Healthy Relationships Booklet
The eBook and Print textbook are in full color.
Take High School Health Online
I’m teaching High School Health using Healthy Living for Christian Teens online at True North Homeschool Academy. Live classes meet Thursdays from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. ET (3:15 p.m. CT) for a full year. Join us and start your teen on his way to a more healthier life!
Sign up for high school health online HERE.
Until next time, Happy Homeschooling!
For the Glory of God,
Meredith Curtis
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