Science E-Health magazine 1st edition February 2014 | Page 3

Guidelines for skin care in adolescents

The majority of adolescents have problems with skin irritation, acne, scars, etc. due to the change in their
hormones in this period of their life. The thing is that many adolescents don't even care or think about how it can
affect their appearance and their future look. We will give you some guidelines on what you should do in order to
prevent or treat these problems.
Be gentle with cleaning:
Hard scrubbing will only make your skin condition worse. Gently wash your skin with a mild cleanser in the
morning, at bedtime, and after heavy exercise. Avoid rough scrubs or pads. After washing or bathing, gently pat
or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
Protect yourself from the sun:
The sun can damage the skin and promote premature aging. To avoid this, follow these guidelines: Daily use
sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30; when you're outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if
you're swimming or perspiring. Seek shade; avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are
strongest. Wear protective clothing; cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and widebrimmed hats; also consider using special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block
ultraviolet rays.
Don't smoke:
Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the
outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow, depleting the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are
important to skin health. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or
treatments to help you stop smoking.
Be careful when shaving:
Shaving carelessly can leave accidental nicks of blemishes. To avoid this, follow these guidelines: Shave lightly
and only when you have to. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. To protect and lubricate your
skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving.
Take care when choosing cosmetics:
Cosmetics like foundation, blush, and moisturizer should be oil-free. Chose products that do not promote the
formation of blemishes or cause blocked pores. Ask a qualified sales person or a dermatologist which skin
products would be best for your skin type.
Don't pick your face:
If you pick, squeeze, or pinch blemishes, you risk developing acne scars. Don't rub or touch blemishes.
As you already know, the skin is a sophisticated layer that is in charge of protecting us, so we should
give it the treatment it deserves. With the information we provided you, you should be able to take good care of
your skin from now on. By doing it, you will have a healthy skin for the rest of your life.
* Article References: 7, 11, 12

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