Pre-teen skincare
We are all aware of the age old adage “prevention is better than cure”, and this could not be truer than when it comes to skin health.
Educating your children about the importance and simplicity of skin care will help them maintain healthy skin into the often challenging teenage years when self confidence can easily be shaken.
The myths and marketing hype that surround the causes and treatments of skin concerns can be confusing and disheartening. This article looks at the changes that occur during puberty and outlines practical steps you can take to help your child establish habits that will encourage a healthy and glowing skin.
What happens in the skin during pre-teen years?
It’s ironic and unfortunate that just as teens get to a point in their lives when appearance becomes a major part of their identity, skin concerns such as acne start to surface.
When a child reaches puberty, there is a sudden increase in the production of the hormones testosterone and oestrogen, which surge through the bloodstream. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous (oil secreting) glands to become highly active.
Sebaceous glands are found in great numbers in the forehead, the nose, the cheeks, and the chin. When the glands go into overdrive, these areas of the face become shiny and oily as the sebum being produced comes to the surface through the skin’s pores.
Teenagers may also find that the texture of their skin changes: in adolescent boys especially, it can become coarser. And because of the sensitivity of the sebaceous glands to male hormones, teenage boys are especially prone to severe acne.
Teenage girls are less susceptible to acne during puberty. This is partly due to the effects of the female hormone oestrogen, which reduces the amount of sebum that is produced. However, during ovulation and just before or during menstruation, girls may find that their skin becomes oilier and prone to spots due to the drop in female hormones at this time.
So what practical steps can be taken?
1) Skincare and personal hygiene
Encourage your child to wash their face twice a day, using a gentle cleanser. It is important to use a cleanser that is not too harsh. The skin has a protective barrier that is slightly acidic and relies on a certain amount of oil and “good” bacteria. Using an alkaline cleanser or soap, although making the face feel squeaky clean, can actually destroy good bacteria, strip the skin of natural oil, disrupt the PH of the skin and increase loss of water, leaving the skin’s natural barrier compromised and open to infection.
Hair care products such as shampoo, conditioner, hair spray and hair gel often contain plastics that can block pores and trigger the process that leads to breakouts. Scalp, hair line and chin break outs are good indications that hair products are a contributing factor. Chin breakouts are common with those who touch their hair then touch their chin. Always cleanse right up to the hairline, and style hair off the face whenever possible.
To keep bacteria that may cause pores to become clogged or inflamed at bay, it is important to avoid touching the face with the fingers or leaning on objects that collect sebum and skin residue such as the telephone. For the same reason change pillow slips and face cloths regularly.
Tip: Make your child’s skincare routine is as important as brushing their teeth!
It is a good idea to visit a trained beauty therapist to get advice on the most appropriate product for your child’s skin, and if there are specific concerns, advice from a dermatologist may be necessary. Most skincare clinics offer a free consultation or charge a small fee that is often redeemable on product.
2) Sun protection
Approximately 60 to 80 per cent of exposure to the sun takes place before the age of 18. This is because children tend to spend more time outside than adults. The more you are exposed to the sun before the age of 18, the greater your likelihood of developing skin cancer in the future. When choosing a sunscreen, find a formula designed with a physical blocker such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide in the ingredients. These are less likely to cause irritation. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen – one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays – with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Tip: Buy your children their own sunscreen with their name on it so they take ownership. Educate them about why sunscreen is so important and they may teach their friends a thing or two.
3) Diet and lifestyle
Although there is no evidence that any particular food worsens spots or acne, a healthy diet can improve the overall appearance and condition of the skin. Encourage your children to avoid foods high in sugar and salt as they may feed the breeding ground for acne by accelerating oil production and over stimulating the oil glands.
Tip: Fruit and veges are good on the skin, as well as for food. An avocado mixed with a few drops of almond oil makes a hydrating and nourishing face mask. Add cucumber slices for the eyes and you have an at-home spa activity!
4) Machines and medications
There are many tools available for the treatment of more serious skin concerns, from lotions to lasers and light. For stubborn cases, an oral or topical acne medication may be needed. There is certainly a place for these treatments but ensure you and your child are well educated on how they work and the possible side effects.
By Rachel Fitzgerald, beauty therapist and advanced skincare educator
