Male Acne Treatment Tips
OK, so most teenagers have acne. But it's different for guys. Girls talk about skincare and makeup and the latest tips from beauty magazines and web sites. Guys don't. So if you're a teenage guy, there aren't as many places to get help for male acne, even if you're ready to ask for it.
But it's totally natural for you to care as much about how you look as any girl does. So here's how you can deal with male acne.
First, acne's not about anything you're doing or not doing. It's pretty much about male hormones, called androgens. Everyone has them. Guys have more of them. And when you're in your teens, you're on androgen overdrive. That's why it's not uncommon for teenage guys to get more severe acne than girls.
Since acne's not something you can literally wash away, tell anyone (like Mom) to lay off the guilt trip about your personal hygiene. Sure, you should keep your skin clean. Shower after sports. And get yourself on a good acne fighting regimen. But clean up the blame game-yours or someone else's.
Next, since so many acne skin care products are made for women, it's not surprising if you don't have all the info you need. We mentioned getting on a regimen. That's a fancy word for system you use every day. Here's how a simple yet effective one can work for mild to moderate acne:
*Wash with a gentle, non-comedogenic (aka, won't clog pores) cleanser.
*Splash on a non-alcohol based toner (to further unclog pores-minus alcohol, which over-dries your skin, encouraging it to produce more oil, which you definitely don't need).
*Finish with an acne-fighting gel or lotion. One with benzoyl peroxide is a great place to start. BP's been used for years as an acne fighter because it kills P. acne, the bacteria that causes acne. In short, it works.
*Most regimens work best if you follow them twice a day: When you wake up, and before you go to bed at night. And don't be tempted to wash your face more often - that can actually make your acne worse.
Don't start with something complicated. The easier you can make you acne regimen on yourself, the more likely you'll stick with it, which is key to seeing it work. Only acne medications that are designed to prevent future breakouts, not to just make a current one disappear, can truly keep your skin clear. Don't keep switching acne products or give up too soon or you're unlikely to see results.
Speaking of which, if you want to see how your regimen's working, take a picture of yourself right before you start it, then give yourself a week or two, take another one and compare them. It may seem like a long time to wait, but it'll give you something to, er, shoot for. And you're more likely to see the difference than if you stare at yourself in the mirror every day.
Also, check out our section on shaving to find out how to treat your face to a decent shave without aggravating your acne.
And, by all means, hands off. Don't pick or pop your pimples. As tempting as it may be, popping a pimple can inflame your skin more and increase your risk of scarring.
If you follow these tips and stick to your regimen, but your acne still hasn't improved after a few weeks, it may be time to talk to a dermatologist. You should also talk to a dermatologist if your acne is severe. If you're not sure where or how to find a dermatologist, start by talking to your doctor or check to find one http://www.aad.org/findaderm. Make sure to choose a doctor you're comfortable with, preferably one with experience in treating teenage acne-and some sensitivity to the fact that guys like you deal with this kind of thing differently than your female friends. You'll be surprised how much talking to a professional about your acne can bring your confidence back up if acne's dragging it down.
Proactiv
Proactiv, the world's #1 acne system, uses Combination Therapy® to directly target the root causes of acne - bacteria, oil production, and dead skin cell build up - to heal and soothe acne-prone skin. Developed by leading dermatologists, Drs. Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, Proactiv clears existing blemishes, treats inflammation and redness, and prevents new breakouts before they start.
Get the smooth, clear, healthy-looking skin you deserve with Proactiv.
- Did you know benzoyl peroxide can prevent breakouts? learn more