Quick Skincare Tips for Your Acne Prone Tween or Teenager

It’s no surprise that most individuals first taste of acne is at the start of puberty.  As puberty arrives bodies go through many different changes.  One change is the increase in the gonadotropin hormone levels in both girls and boys.  This triggers a cycle in those who are acne prone -of more sebum, excessive skin cell production which clog’s the pore and creates a perfect place for bacteria to grow.  This is where acne starts and the cycle from the beginning of a zit to when it reaches the surface of the skin can take three to four months.

Since most acne appears during puberty.  Typically age 9 for girls and age 11 for boys, I suggest teaching your child some healthy skincare habits beforehand.  when the acne hits you’ll have a teenager who has a good foundation of following a simple skincare routine which can help immensely in controlling their acne.  

Cleansing

Get your kids cleansing their face on a regular basis.  Clean hands and a very mild face wash is all they will need. Start by having your child cleanse in the morning either in the shower or after they brush their teeth.  Once they are consistent with cleansing in the morning add a night cleansing to their routine. 

No picking

Picking at pimples can become a bad habit quickly.  I’ve seen lot’s of “pickers” in our clinic.  One of my first priorities is to get that client to stop picking because it spreads bacteria and can cause scarring. If it seems that your child or teenager is picking maybe inquirer about the reason behind this activity.  We see picking in our clinic attributed to boredom anxiety or embarrassment over their acne. 

Moisturizing

Keeping skin moisturized is important for everyone.  I always suggest moisturizing in the morning and at night. This step would follow cleansing.  However, if this is too many steps for a younger child to follow just moisturize at night.  Reason being is that the next step “ Sunscreen” can double as the morning moisturizer.

Sunscreen

Teach your child and teenager to always wear sunscreen during the day as the last step in their skincare routine.  Sunscreen helps prevent sun burns which can lead to skin cancer, wrinkles and premature aging later in life.

Have more questions about clearing acne and helping your tween or teenager have clear skin?  Visit our website at UtahAcneClinic.com or call us at 801-800-6602

Tips for Treating Shaving Bumps & Acne

 If you are male and you shave your face - you might find that you experience a bumpy rash after trimming your beard. Shaving bumps can be common in men & we see this rashy reaction a lot at Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic of Utah. If you suffer from Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, shaving bumps or acne on a regular basis - we can help you! Give us a call and schedule an appointment to talk with a trained acne specialist about the best methods to keep your skin clear at all times.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae is caused by inflammation in the hair follicles. Specifically, shaving bumps happen when hair gets trapped in the follicle. While working with you on treating your breakouts we would suggest some of the following habits.

1.     Never use electric razors: All brands and all models tend to be ultra-irritating no matter how strongly they are advertised to be "gentle" or "made for the neck.” Instead use a single blade razor.

2.    Always prep with warm water: If you prepare your face (or any area you’re shaving) with warm water, your skin will become more manageable due to hydration. The heat will also soften the hair, making the shaving process easier in the first place.

3.    Use the right products: The right shaving cream will help immensely to ensure that your razor will glide over your skin safely. It is also important to use safe, non pore-clogging face washes to keep your entire face clean before and after you shave. As specialists, we can suggest the best shaving creams as well as provide you with the correct face washes to reduce the potential for irritation.

4.    Go with the grain: You’re more likely to get bumps if you tend to shave close. Try to get into the habit of shaving with the grain – this usually means shaving down rather than up.

5.    Use a toner: Toners are post-cleansing products that are designed to get rid of any extra cleanser or dead skin cells that may linger after you wash your face. Our Skintherapy Acne Clinic toners are great to use as after-shaves. We also have moisturizers, mandellic serums and other products formulated with benzoyl peroxide—which can start killing acne-causing bacteria before it gets into your open follicles.

6.    Use Ice: Always ice your face after you shave. Icing is a huge help with inflammation and redness. Ice the area you previously shaved for about 2 minutes.

To learn more about clearing your skin and treating your shaving bumps visit us at Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic in Utah.