Teenagers often experience acne during puberty, which not only affects their appearance but also their self-confidence. Severe acne can even disrupt their social life. So why is acne more common during puberty? And how can we prevent it from occurring?
Reasons for Acne During Puberty
During puberty, the ovaries and adrenal glands become more active, leading to a rapid increase in androgens, which causes the sebaceous glands to overdevelop and overproduce sebum. In addition, factors such as poor digestion, constipation, excessive consumption of high-fat and sugary foods, use of oily cosmetics, exposure to mineral oil, genetic factors, and mental stress can all trigger or worsen acne. Since the sebaceous glands on the face, upper chest, and back are more abundant, acne is more likely to occur in these areas.
Acne is a temporary phenomenon during puberty and tends to naturally diminish and fade as puberty progresses. Therefore, girls don't need to worry too much about it. Most cases of acne do not require treatment. However, if the symptoms are severe, it is important to seek medical attention. To minimize and alleviate acne, proactive prevention is necessary.
How to Prevent Acne During Puberty
1. Keep the skin clean
Girls should pay attention to the cleanliness of their skin and wash it regularly. When washing the face, use warm water instead of hot water. Avoid using strongly irritating soaps or cleansers. Avoid using oily cosmetics. Do not squeeze pimples with your hands to prevent inflammation and scarring.
2. Have a balanced diet
During puberty, many teenagers have a big appetite and consume more oily and heavy foods. To prevent acne, it is advisable to eat more light and nutritious foods such as lean pork, rabbit meat, duck meat, oysters, shiitake mushrooms, black fungus, cucumbers, tomatoes, soybeans, watermelons, apples, bitter gourds, and spinach. Avoid or reduce the consumption of fatty and sugary foods such as animal fat, fish oil, egg yolks, sesame seeds, peanuts, various sugars, candies, and high-sugar fruits like melons and sweet potatoes. Spicy foods such as cigarettes, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and chili should also be consumed in moderation. Lamb, chicken, longan, millet, and carp should be eaten less. It is recommended to eat more alkaline vegetables and fruits.
3. Maintain a positive mindset
During puberty, teenagers may have immature psychology and emotional instability, which can also cause hormonal imbalance and lead to acne. Therefore, it is important to maintain a cheerful mood, eliminate mental stress, anxiety, and worries, and ensure adequate rest and sleep. If some girls already have acne, they can seek help from a professional doctor and use medication to "fight" against acne.
