Aromachildhood

Adolescent Acne

According to the American Medical Association 85 per cent of adolescents are affected with acne at some time. Acne is really heart-breaking for a teenager who wishes above all to look good to their peers. Acne can affect teenagers emotionally, leading to a loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. Also, anxiety and stress are increased which can actually make the condition worse.

Adolescent or teenage acne is most often caused by increased hormonal activity. This creates an overproduction of sebum - the skin's natural oily moisturizer - where bacteria can flourish. Hair follicles, as well as pores, can become blocked by sebum. In most cases the acne clears up when the hormonal system harmonizes itself in early adulthood, but for many the problem goes on for years. Female adolescents have the added problem that their menstrual cycle can cause acne to erupt every month.

Signs and Symptoms
Can affect face, neck, back, and/or shoulders
pimples, whiteheads, blackheads
Hair follicles that are infected appear reddened and can cause lumpy cysts to appear under the skin, and these too can become infected.

Over-the-counter- acne preparations may increase the skin's sensitivity. They often leave a fine film on the skin that can attract more pollution and dirt to the area. Stronger formulations for the skin are generally prescribed and sometimes contain antibiotics. These may have side effects. Make sure your child is not using a friend's prescribed medication.For some unlucky teenagers, acne has lasting affects in the form of permanent scarring.

Encourage your child to take care of their skin by cleaning it as gently as possible and keeping the skin exposed to fresh air. Cosmetics often cause more problems and may delay the healing process. Most important, their should be no squeezing or touching of the spots as this may lead to infection in areas, and can cause scarring and pitting in later life.This is a disturbed and sensitive type of skin, as it struggles to find balance. Whatever the skin type, oily or dry, treat it as gently as possible. Wash with liquid soap, as pure and natural as you can find, rinse well, then apply one of the following tonics, and the moisturizer.

• SKIN TONICS
  Skin Tonic 1
  in equal proportions, mix together, Hydrolats of Lavender, Tea tree and rose. Pour a small amount of the hydrolat onto cotton wool, and apply gently on the affected area.

• Skin Tonic 2
  Mix the following and heat gently in a clean pot: 4ounces of rose water, 4 ounces of aloe vera juice, 5 drops of lavender, 4 drops of Tea tree. leave to cool, then bottle. Apply a small amount onto a cotton swab and apply gently on the affected area.

• MOISTURIZER
  During the day try to leave the skin exposed to the air as much as possible. Use this moisturizer every evening. Mix the following; 1 ounce of jojoba oil, 4 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of thyme linalol, 4 drops eucalyptus citriodora. Apply a small amount on the face then dab off any excess by using a tissue.
• BLACKHEADS
  To remove blackheads, first steam the face. Don't squeeze them by hand but use a special blackhead extraction tool. Or have the job done professionally. After each one has been removed, dab with a little essential oil of lavender, applied with a cotton swab.
• OTHER SPOTS
  Dab some of the following on larger, pus-filled spots. First put the ingredients in a half pint bottle. one quarter bottle dry white wine, 4 drops of camphor, 4 drops eucalyptus citriodora, 2 drops lemongrass, 2 drops thyme linalol, 2 drops Tea tree, shake well and use at least twice a day.
• ESSENTIAL OILS THAT HELP
  Lavender, Camphor, Rosemary, Eucalyptus citriodorata, Tea tree, Bergamot, Thyme linalol.