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Does Oily Skin Go Away

Published: April 6, 2010
Dear TeenHealthFX,

 

Hi i get spots on my face atleast once a week, my skin is oily which i think is the reason, The dictor has given me Duac cream which has 6& Benzyol peroxide which does make a difference but when applied to some spots they just dont go away but after a few weeks. Does the oily skin eventually go away and when. Thanks

Signed: Does Oily Skin Go Away

Dear Does Oily Skin Go Away,

 

Almost all teenagers get acne at one time or the other. The severity varies according to whether or not they are predisposed to it. The three major factors that are considered responsible are:

 

Hormones:

Certain hormones like testosterone increase during puberty in both males and females. This may trigger oil ducts on face, chest and back to begin producing oil and cause acne. Hormonal fluctuation during menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopause can also trigger oil production and cause acne.

 

Heredity:

If other members of your family had acne as teenagers, there may be a chance that you have inherited a tendency to get acne as well.

 

Plugged Oil Ducts:

If you have oily skin, the cells that line the oily ducts in your skin tend to get larger and produce more oil and the ducts may get plugged. This traps the oil and forms whiteheads. The plugged ducts allow germs in the skin to multiply and produce chemicals that cause redness and swelling.  

 

There are chances that oil production may decrease with advancing age, but there’s no surety. Having said that, there are certain things you can do to control it:

Use oil free moisturizers.

Astringents and toners can also help – although the results are temporary, so application may have to be repeated more than once a day.

You may use clay or mud masques. They are believed to temporarily pull oil from the pores and soak it up.

 

What makes acne worse:

Pinching/Popping pimples, which forces oil from oil ducts into the surrounding normal skin causing redness and swelling

Harsh scrubbing irritates the skin and makes it produce even more oil!

Things that rub on skin, such as head bands, hair, hats, chin straps, which also cause irritation

Some medications , such as Oral contraceptive pills

Menstruation( Period), due to change in hormonal levels just before periods

Emotional stress and nervous tension

 

What doesn’t cause acne:    

Acne is not caused by foods you eat.

It’s not caused by dirt.

It’s not something you can catch or give to another person.

It’s not caused by sexual thoughts or masturbation.

 

 

Products that you can get over the counter:

 

Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, 5% or 10%:

This comes as a gel or lotion or can be a component of many commercial products like Clearasil, Neutrogena.

It helps kill skin bacteria, unplug the oil ducts, and heal acne pimples. 

You can start slowly with a 2.5% or 5%. It can be used once or twice a day, usually after wash.  The key is to apply it everyday!!

Apply a thin film to the entire area where pimples may occur.

Avoid the delicate skin around eyes, mouth and corners of the nose.

Most people have fewer spots after they have used it for between 4 and 12 weeks.

Some people may get redness or peeling of skin as a side effect.

 

Things that you can get with a doctor’s prescription:

 

Azelaic Acid:

It’s similar to Benzoyl Peroxide, but you need a prescription from your doctor to get it.

Side effects include itching, burning, and red or scaly skin. But you may be less likely to get side effects from azelaic acid than you are with benzoyl peroxide.      

 

Antibiotic Ointment /Cream/Gel:

These include clindamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline.

They kill the bacteria that can make your spots red and inflamed.

People have fewer red spots after using an antibiotic cream for between 4 and 12 weeks.

 

Retinoid Cream:

This may include Tretinoin, Adapalene and Isotretinoin.

It helps to unblock your pores.

Most people have fewer spots after using it for 12 weeks.

Some people experience redness and/ or peeling of skin, but it goes away after some time. A sunscreen can be used to minimize the side effects.

They should not be used if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

 

Antibiotic Tablets:

These might be erythromycin, doxycycline or tetracycline.  

Some people’s acne clears up after a treatment of 2 - 6 months.

Side effects may include stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting.

Some of them can’t be used in pregnancy.

 

Isotretinoin Tablets:

They are prescribed in cases of very severe acne.

They stop your skin making as much oil.

They can reduce the number of spots or even cure acne.

But, they have serious side effects like birth defects, so should not be taken by someone pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Other side effects include dry skin, nosebleeds, aches and blood in urine. 

They can also make your skin extra sensitive to sun light, therefore using sunscreen is always advisable.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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