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Almost all young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have at least occasional breakouts of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Most can manage their acne with over-the-counter treatments but for some, acne is more serious. By their mid-teens, nearly 35% of teenagers have acne severe enough to require some treatment from a medical professional.
Incidence; Causes & Development
In most cases, acne starts at around the age of 12 or 13 and can last for 5 to 10 years. It usually goes away by the early twenties. But for some, acne can be persistent, well into the late twenties or thirties and even into the forties. Some people get acne for the first time as an adult, never having it as a teen.
Acne affects young men slightly more than young women.Young men are more likely to have severe, longer lasting forms of acne and are less likely to visit a dermatologist.
Some young women are more prone to occasional acne flare-ups due to their use of cosmetics and the hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle. These kinds of acne may affect young women well into adulthood.
Signs & Symptoms
Acne lesions usually occur on the face, but can also occur on the neck, shoulders, chest, scalp, back, arms and legs.
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Risk factors for Adolescent Acne:
Adolescent Acne suggests the following may be present:
Recommendations and treatments for Adolescent Acne: | | | | | Botanical |  Vitex / Chasteberry | Vitex has been found to be very useful for treating teenage acne, preferably accompanied by changes in eating habits. |
Glycolic Acid| | Products containing Glycolic Acid have proven very effective in the treatment of acne. |
 Tea Tree oil| | 124 patients with mild to moderate acne in a single-blind randomized trial were given either a 5% gel of tea-tree oil or 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion. Both treatments resulted in significant improvement of noninflamed and inflamed lesions after three months, with tea tree oil causing more severe facial redness and benzoyl peroxide being more effective in noninflamed lesions. There were fewer unwanted side-effects in the tea tree oil group - 44% versus 79%. It was concluded that tea tree oil may be a valuable alternative to some traditional treatments of acne. [Lancet, December 8, 1990; p.1438, Medical Journal of Australia, 1990;153: pp.455-458]
We believe that this 5% solution is probably not strong enough for moderate to severe acne. Stronger solutions (up to 15%) should provide even better results. |
Not recommended:
 Bladderwrack| | Iodine in any form - including from bladderwrack and other seaweeds - can cause or aggravate acne in some people. |
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Diet |
 Therapeutic Fasting| | Fasting clears the skin and whitens the eyes. It is common to see skin eruptions clear while fasting. |
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Mineral |
Selenium
Not recommended:
Iodine| | Iodine in any form can cause or aggravate acne in some people. |
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Oxygen / Oxidative Therapies |
Ozone / Oxidative Therapy| | Ozonated olive oil used topically has a reputation for fighting acne. |
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Vitamins |
Vitamin E |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended | | | Reasonably likely to cause problems |
GLOSSARY
Acne
A chronic skin disorder due to inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (secretion glands in the skin).
Iodine
A essential mineral that is an integral part of the thyroid hormones, thyroxin and triiodothyronine which have important metabolic roles and govern basal metabolism. The best known iodine deficiency symptom is goiter. Other iodine deficiency problems are reduced vitality, hypothyroidism, inability to think clearly, low resistance to infection, loss of control of the muscles of the mouth resulting in mouth contortion and drooling, defective teeth, tendency to obesity and cretinism which is a congenital abnormal condition marked by physical stunting and mental deficiency.
Lesion (Lesions)
Any damage to tissue structure or function; an abnormal change in body tissue caused by disease or injury. A scar is a lesion, as is cancer, a stomach ulcer or a pimple.
Menstruation (Menses, Menstrual, Menstrual Cycle, Menstrual Cycles, Menstrual Flow, Menstrual Phase, Monthly Cycle)
The periodic discharge of blood, tissue fluid and mucus from the endometrium (lining of the uterus) that usually lasts from 3 - 5 days. It is caused by a sudden reduction in estrogens and progesterone.
Over-The-Counter (OTC, Over The Counter)
A drug or medication that can legally be bought without a doctor's prescription being required.
Peroxides (Peroxide)
Free radicals that are by-products formed in our bodies when molecules of fat react with oxygen.
Selenium
An essential element involved primarily in enzymes that are antioxidants. Three selenium- containing enzymes are antioxidant peroxidases and a fourth selenium-containing enzyme is involved in thyroid hormone production. The prostate contains a selenium-containing protein and semen contains relatively large amounts of selenium. Clinical studies show that selenium is important in lowering the risk of several types of cancers. In combination with Vitamin E, selenium aids the production of antibodies and helps maintain a healthy heart. It also aids in the function of the pancreas, provides elasticity to tissues and helps cells defend themselves against damage from oxidation.
Vitamin E
An essential fat-soluble vitamin. As an antioxidant, helps protect cell membranes, lipoproteins, fats and vitamin A from destructive oxidation. It helps protect red blood cells and is important for the proper function of nerves and muscles. For Vitamin E only, 1mg translates to 1 IU.
Vitex
Vitex agnus castus. Common name: chaste tree berry.
Last updated: Nov 08, 2009
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