Stages of Puberty - No more acne

I don´t know if it was puberty or hormonal upheaval but friends I do know this, my teenage years were miserable because of one thing: Acne.

Well, based on what some people say about Positive thinking and all, I guess I allowed it to have too much control over me. However, at that age, how the heck was I to know about all that? Moreover, with bumps, bumps and more bumps all over my face, it was kind of hard you know. I doubt if any girl would have wanted to kiss a guy with a big red bump nestled on his lip today or his nose the next.

Needless to say those were sad years and had I known then what I know now about acne, folks, it would have been a different story. Either way it goes, I still come across helpless and understandably sad teenagers almost on a daily basis so if it helps any: if you are a teenager or know of a teenager who is plagued with pimples, here are a few tips that should help you cure your acne in no time.

1. First and foremost, I care not what some sites and product endorsers say about how diet doesn't affect acne; you have got to make a change in your eating habits, plain and simple, this includes water! You are what you eat (and drink). If you want to have clearer skin and the added bonus of improved health, of course eating right will be essential. That said: Fruits and vegetables are your friends. Shop more in the produce aisle and steer clear of the snack stands at the cash register, and remember that 1 glass of coke or sugary pop drink needs 35 glasses of water to neutralise its effects on your body. I know it may sound boring for a teenager but trust me, it's worth the sacrifice and this forms the basis of an internal acne treatment right there from its root cause.

2.For external acne-care, you could learn such simple tips as facial massaging and exercises. However, (now I'm speaking from what I went through and believe me I had acne BAD) simply washing your face with nothing but clean hands and plain cool water may perhaps be the most efficient way to clean the pores. Combined with the facial massaging and occasional steaming of the face, this will be very sufficient to clean the skin.

3. Change your pillowcases daily and make sure you have a towel exclusively for your face or you could employ the use of paper towels.

4. If you use greasy hair-products, shampoo the hair before retiring or at least use a clean do-rag to hinder the introduction of oily substances to the pillowcase and inevitably your face while asleep.

5. On that subject, try to also sleep on the right side. Besides checking against contaminations getting on the face, this is great for the heart and lungs and allows for a better and restful sleep (which co-incidentally helps with controlling acne.)

6. Deal with stressful situations amicably. This is another topic into itself but briefly these work: Proper diet (factor #1), proper thinking habits and exercise.

For stress, allow me to mention Yoga/meditation-don't have the space to explain why, but friends, with its sun-exercises and its derivative, Hindu push-ups, Yoga is awesome for stress-relief. Moreover, for teenagers who are more likely to engage in sports and other recreational activities, you'll be getting the added advantage of improving your fitness levels and with your own body weight at that.

Boy, had I known of some of these in my time. Well, don't let the story of my teenage years be yours, a sad one because of one thing-Acne.

With the tips above, I can confidently assure you it won't be the case.
Just remember you owe me and my payment is to pass it on to your friends if they need it. (I want every teen with acne to know of this chuckle)

Here's to a clearer skin naturally.
Puberty is often a challenging time of change for both boys and girls as they move into the stages of adolescence and adulthood. During puberty, a child’s body goes through a period of development, in which her body is transformed into what she will become. These changes are the result of hormone secretions, which is also why this is an emotionally-charged time, loaded with mood swings. Teens are attempting to navigate their feelings and understand the changes within themselves, as well as their relationships to others during this time.
According to Mass General Hospital for Children, there are certain hormones which are responsible for the onset of puberty. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is released by the hypothalamus in the brain, where it moves to the pituitary gland. This gland is responsible for releasing other important hormones that are also involved with puberty: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Boys begin to produce testosterone when these hormones travel to the testes, in a process that creates sperm. In girls, LH and FSH stimulate the ovaries to begin releasing eggs during ovulation, which leads to menstruation.
The adrenal glands, which are small glands that sit on top of the kidneys, are responsible for releasing adrenal androgens, hormones which are important for hair growth in both boys and girls.
Girls start puberty earlier than boys, beginning sometimes as early as 8 years old and lasting until about the age of 16. This age range varies among girls and the changes that occur may happen earlier for some and later for others.
Breast development is one of the earliest signs of puberty. Girls initially develop breast buds, which are small lumps that form under the nipples. During this time, a girl may begin to wear a training bra in preparation for continued breast growth. The breasts continue to grow for the next several years through puberty.
A girl will begin to develop pubic hair, which is also one of the earliest stages of puberty. Dark hair begins to grow near the labia and over the pubic bone. Later in puberty, hair growth will develop underneath the arms. The increase in hormones causes more oil production, particularly on the face, resulting in acne.
Girls go through a growth spurt, where they sprout up in height several inches. They also develop more fat around the hips, breasts and thighs. This additional padding is the body’s way of preparing women for carrying babies in pregnancy.
Vaginal discharge starts to occur before actual menstruation. A girl may start her first period between the ages of 9 and 16, but it may take several years before she has regular, monthly menstrual cycles. Girls may have much insecurity during this time, particularly pertaining to their appearances. They may compare themselves with others who have developed more and who need to wear bras or those who are menstruating.
Boys begin puberty approximately one to two years after girls, which may cause some feelings of concern or anxiety. Boys typically begin puberty between the ages of 9 and 10, and continue developing until they are about 17 to 18 years old. Puberty follows a series of stages, which may vary slightly among boys. Some boys may begin showing signs of chages at 9 years old, while others may not change much until closer to 12 years.
A boy will grow taller, between 1 to 2 inches in growth spurts, during the early phases of puberty, and then will continue to grow in height into the teen years. His hands and feet may grow at a faster rate than the rest of his body, which may lead to a clumsy phase. His voice will begin to deepen, leading to vocal cracks while speaking. Eventually, his shoulders will broaden, and he will grow into his hands and feet, his body filling out into that of an adult man.
In the early stages of puberty, a boy begins to grow some pubic hair. The penis and scrotum increase in size. He will have more frequent erections and experience ejaculation and nocturnal emissions, also referred to as “wet dreams.”
The early stages of puberty will result in initial hair growth in the pubic area, which will continue to grow throughout puberty. As a boy enters his teens, he will grow hair under his arms and on his face. Hormone changes may lead to an overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands, which can lead to acne.
Boys may have many concerns during this time. They may feel shorter than their peers or even some of the girls in their classes, which can cause anxiety. Additionally, sexual feelings and an increase in the number of erections may be stressful for some boys to try to manage.
Puberty can be a very insecure period for both boys and girls. During this time, teens also develop more friendships, and relationships include romantic and sexual feelings. It may be difficult for both teens and parents to know what to expect during these stages. Kids need to know that the changes that are happening are normal and expected. You can assure your child that you love her regardless of her appearance or if she is developing at a different rate than her peers. Reassure your child that she can talk with you about her feelings and that you will be there to help her through some of these rough patches. Managing the many changes associated with puberty may be difficult, but maintaining open and honest communication with your teen is one of the best methods for helping her get through these stages.

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