Teenage Acne: Adolescent Anguish
Few things are more horrifying to a teenager than an acne breakout and there is little comfort in the fact that almost no one is immune. Researchers argue over the exact figures, but it has been estimated that from 80% - 90% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have at least occasional bouts of acne. Adolescent cases that are not too severe can be successfully managed with over the counter acne medication but nearly 35% of teenagers who experience acne require professional medical treatment. But despite the severity of an individual's case of acne, adolescent tendency is to think of acne as a "social curse".
In most cases, acne outbreaks start around the age of 12 or 13 and last for 5 to 10 years. Regular outbreaks are usually "over" by the early twenties, but for some people, outbreaks occur well into their late twenties or thirties! Living five or more years with acne can be emotionally devastating, especially for teens. For reasons that only they understand, acne to an adolescent is embarrassing and can significantly lower self-esteem. A recent survey of teenagers found that:
- 39% of teenagers with acne claimed they avoided going to school because of embarrassment
- 55% of 11- to 18-year-olds said acne prevented them from having a boyfriend or girlfriend
- 32% indicated acne stopped them from making friends
Even though these are technically "emotional issues", treating the acne will help. In addition to the emotional benefits, successful treatment can deter scarring.
Most mild cases of acne can be controlled with topical over the counter acne lotions that contain benzoyl peroxide. In tougher cases, a trip to the dermatologist is in order - he has a wide spectrum of prescription drugs to chose from, from creams to oral antibiotics. Each acne treatment has its pros and cons, but with so many options, almost all acne can be treated successfully.
