The beginning of teenage heralds puberty – a time when the body goes through tremendous physical changes. A great deal of hormonal activity takes place, affecting the glands. The oil glands are also stimulated, leading to excessive secretion of oil. That is why teenagers are confronted with an oily skin and conditions associated with it. As we know, an oily skin is prone to blackheads, spots, pimples and acne. In fact, acne makes its appearance during adolescence and is the most common skin disorder among teenagers.

It is a misconception that acne is something teenagers must live with. As a teenager, you may be told that you will “grow out of it”. This kind of reassurance and advice are quite misguided. Yes, acne may disappear with time, but the havoc it causes, in terms of scarring, will remain. Acne causes destruction of skin tissue, which results in scars. Therefore, it is imperative that the condition be checked from spreading. Acne can be controlled and even prevented if appropriate measures are taken on time. So, as a teenager, you must learn to understand your skin and give it the kind of care that it needs. You should also recognize the value of professional care and seek help in good time.

Air pollution can wreak havoc on your skin. Body parts that are protected show less signs of aging than those exposed to the pollutants in the air. To protect yourself, there are three things that you can do:

1. Wash your face when you return home with a good face wash or soap to remove the dirt and other elements from the surface of the skin.
2. Make sure you use a mild cleanser regularly, if you are outdoors for very long hours.
3. Shield your face from the pollutants by using a moisturizer or foundation, which provides a protective layer. (Many sunscreens offer this additional benefit.)

Daily use of vitamin-C can help reduce wrinkling and other signs of skin aging.

• There is a particular kind of vitamin-C called ‘L-Ascorbic acid’, which is found in oranges and lemons that is particularly good for skin. Vitamin-C supplements are also helpful.
• There are few creams or gels available, which contain ‘L-Ascorbic acid’. When they are applied to the skin, they may soak up free radicals created by sun exposure or pollution before they can do any damage to the skin.
• Once the skin starts aging, it will not return to its youthful condition, but anything that can help slow down the process may be cause enough for celebration!