Skin Deep

Cathy

My skin gets really spotty just before period time, and my hair seems to be greasier too… it really bugs me!

Chloe, age 12

Hi Cathy

I know everyone gets teenage spots, but mine are beyond a joke – they’re really angry and red and sore. It’s not like I eat loads of chocolate or crisps – I don’t – and I’ve tried every lotion and cream around. Nothing seems to help. I have to wear really thick foundation to try to hide them. Will this make things worse?

Leah, age 13

Spots are a fact of life for many teens… your hormones are working overtime, and the skin is producing more oil than usual, which can lead to spots. Great, huh? For Chloe, an over-the-counter lotion designed to control spotty skin should help – look for one containing benzoyl peroxide for best results. Greasy hair can be a problem for the same kind of reasons – keep the oil at bay by washing hair daily using a gentle formula shampoo that won’t strip the hair.

Leah’s skin problems are more serious. She’s already tried over-the-counter treatments, with little success. Crisps and chocolate are not the healthiest foods on the planet, but there’s no evidence that cutting them out will chase away teenage acne… the occasional treat definitely won’t have any effect on your skin. As for hiding spots under a layer of foundation, if it helps Leah’s confidence a little, then fine, but she should choose an oil-free formula and cleanse her face religiously every night.

Never squeeze spots – even with clean fingers – as this can cause scarring. To beat teen acne, Leah must see her doctor. He/she can offer lotions, gels or tablets to help sort the problem, though there is no quick fix. Whatever the treatment, Leah will need to give it at least three months before she can expect to see an improvement.

It’s important to keep going back to the doctor until the problem is sorted.

Can you help me, Cathy?

I have a really embarrassing problem… I seem to be sweating a lot. I use a bodyspray, but it doesn’t really help, and sometimes I actually get dark stains on my clothes. I’m worried that people will notice.

Amy, age 11

Cathy

Our friend has a problem with BO – she seems to wear the same school top for several days running, and she just smells really stale and sweaty. Some of the boys in class call her names behind her back, and even the teachers have noticed. How can we help her?

Grace & Priya, age 12

Little kids don’t sweat much, but once puberty sets in things change – big style. Underarm perspiration can be a problem, making you feel sticky and whiffy, and that’s not good news.

Grace and Priya’s friend – and Amy too – may be making some basic mistakes. Once you hit puberty, you need to shower every day, if possible, to stay fresh and confident, and if you can do this in the morning, better still. Dry off thoroughly and allow your body to cool down a little before applying antiperspirant deodorant to underarms. Note that a bodyspray is not the same thing – it’ll give you a spritz of perfume, but no protection from perspiration. Whether you use a spray or a roll-on, it needs to say antiperspirant deodorant on the front!