Acne in teenagers

Understanding pimples
Your skin actually thickens during puberty. The increase in oil production, combined with the cell growth around the sweat glands can make it difficult for the oil to escapethe surface of the skin.
Sometimes the oil duct is blocked on the surface of the skin. Following UV activation, the oil turns dark as melanin is drawn into the oil plug. Black spots (blackheads)appear on the skin. When oil is trapped lower down in the skin a whitehead forms.
Blackheads or a whitehead can become infected and then erupt into a pimple or a pus-filled cysts. Pimples are red,sore and can cause scarring if they are not properly treated. So how can we avoid them? There are many myths about what causes pimples like eating chocolate and fatty foods but a healthy diet is moreimportant. Eating carbohydrates that are more slowly absorbed (they have a low GI) is a good idea and may reduce the severity of acne. Most importantly good food, plenty of water and exercise willhelp to keep your skin looking at its best. So get out there – but don’t forget the sunscreen!

Glossary of Terms
Acne A common infection of the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin
BacteriaMicroscopic organisms that sometimes cause disease
Blackhead When oil emerging from a blocked hair follicle turns black
Carbohydrate Sugary and starchy foods that supply the body with energy
Enzyme Asubstance that speeds up chemical reactions
GI (glycaemic index) The speed at which a food raises the amount of sugar in the blood
Hair follicle Lining of cells that surrounds the root of everyhair
Inflammation The body’s response to injury, frequently involving heat and/or redness
Puberty Process of becoming sexually mature
Scarring The mark that remains when a wound has healedSkin cancer Uncontrolled growth of skin cells; an example is melanoma
UV (ultraviolet) Invisible light rays whose high energy can damage eyes and skin
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) A measure of the...