Not enough teens take skincare seriously, and many of them put themselves at risk. A large portion of American youths do not take good enough care of their skin, and the extra sun exposure puts them at risk of developing skin cancer or other harmful diseases or ailments. Teens also face the challenge of getting rid of pesky pimples and blackheads. To help our troubled teens, here are a few tips on how to improve their skin.
Protect Yourself from Sunlight
Sunblock is not just for summertime. While it is important to wear sunscreen during the summer and warmer months, it is also important to protect your skin—especially the face—during the cloudy seasons. UV rays still penetrate through the clouds and can damage our skin, so make sure to apply sunblock or an SPF moisturizer to your face everyday. And make sure to get the whole body on those hot summer days at the beach.
Tackle Troublesome Acne
The teen years are prime time for acne breakouts, mainly because of all the hormone changes in the body as a teen goes through puberty. Acne can also be caused or made worse by stress and anxiety. Use “noncomedogenic” face cleansers on a daily basis to keep pores from clogging. If your acne does not improve with the use of over-the-counter acne medication and cleansers, see your doctor for alternative treatment.
Discover Your Skin Type
You may have oily, normal or dry skin depending on your genetics, stress level and hormones. You can usually tell your skin type by looking in the mirror and seeing if your skin is oily in the T-zone (forehead, brow and nose), if it’s matte or slightly dry. There are different cleansers and moisturizers for different skin types so find one that works best for you.
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Bathe Regularly
Unfortunately, acne doesn’t just hit the face, but can show up on the shoulders, back and chest as well. To prevent this, shower and bathe regularly and try using a special body wash for acne.
Stay Away from Tanning Beds
Having a summer glow all year round may sound ideal to many teens, but fake tanning is very harmful to the skin. Tanning booths can cause burns, which can be serious and cancer-causing (this applies to burns caused by direct sunlight as well). Skin cancer is one of the most deadliest cancers, and there are no regulations for doctors to check children and adolescents for the disease. Avoid tanning booths and be safe when under the real sun.
With these simple steps, not only can you protect yourself now, but ensure you have healthy, glowing skin for years to come!
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