For most of us, the appearance of our skin is very important. We tend to see skin as a reflection of our health and beauty, which is why we want it to be as clean as possible. However, teenagers often get frustrated with our skin because it seems impossible to manage. Fortunately, many common skin problems can be remedied. Let’s start with the most common skin condition: Acne.
Contrary to what many people believe, eating greasy food or chocolate doesn’t have much effect on your skin. Dirt and sweat don’t directly cause acne either, but they may contain bacteria that you should rinse off.
Another common skin problem that teenagers have is eczema. Eczema is an umbrella term used to describe a group of medical conditions that cause skin to become red, itchy, and dry; around 15% of people under the age of 18 have it. If you have eczema, you may often develop itchy sores throughout your body. Here are some ways to prevent these flare-ups:
- Take short showers with warm water. As mentioned above, hot water and scrubbing can quickly dry your skin, leading to irritation.
- Wear soft and breathable fabric, such as cotton or dri-fit. Avoid fabrics like wool or polyester, which may be too tight and contain chemicals that irritate the skin.
- Regularly apply a skin moisturizer to prevent dryness.
- Avoid harsh/heavily fragranced detergents, soaps or makeup products.
Finally, let’s talk about cold sores. Cold sores are painful blisters that can usually be found on the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus, so they can be transmitted through saliva. This contagious disease stays in your body and 90% of all people get at least one cold sore in their life. To prevent getting cold sores:
- Don’t share lip balm, toothbrushes or utensils with people who may have cold sores.
- If you have cold sores, keep your fluids to yourself.
- Try to avoid stressful situations.
If you unfortunately do get cold sores, you can ease the pain by using ice, avoiding acidic or spicy foods, and using over-the-counter cold sore medication. As with all skin conditions, picking at it often makes it worse. With these skin care techniques, exercise and a healthy diet, you can improve your skin complexion in no time!
-by Tyler Lin
