Talking To Teens About Acne

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How Medical Innovations Affect You Tips Help Guide Parents On Sensitive Subject (NAPSA)—Skin blemishes are a fact of life for many teenagers, as more than 85 percent deal with acne. Even though it’s common among adolescents, many teens feel isolated and embarrassed when they experience breakouts. For parents with teens suffering from acne, it can be tough to broach the topic of skin care and acne. Parents may be reluctant to draw attention to their child’s breakouts since teenagers are particularly sensitive about their appearance. That is why it is important for parents to start a dialogue about skin care early— before problems arise. Sharing one’s own experiences may help parents broach the delicate topic with their teen. Acne is known to have a hereditary correlation, so if a parent had acne growing up, his or her teen may be more prone to develop it as well. Knowing that a parent dealt with skin problems often helps teens realize that acne is common but not permanent. Stressing that acne is normal and common during the teenage years is important in boosting a teen’s self-confidence and starting a dialogue regarding the best course of treatment. Parents can also reassure their teens that a variety of effective blemish treatments exist and that acne can be controlled and, in many cases, prevented. The key for all teens is to keep skin clean and free of dirt and oil, Tips For : • Start addressing the subject of acne before it appears. • Create dialogue on teen’s feelings about their skin and acne. • Neither overplay nor underplay the impact of acne on a teen’s self-esteem—while teens are often comforted that many of their peers deal with similar complexion problems, it can still cause selfconsciousness and embarrassment, especially during milestones such as first dates, school performances or a prom. • Stress that acne is common and normal for teens. • Acne can be controlled—help teens develop a daily skin care routine including an over-the-counter treatment. • Work with your teen to determine the right treatment for his or her needs—salicylic acid helps clean clogged pores and keep them open while benzoyl peroxide is effective at penetrating pores and neutralizing acne-causing bacteria. • Give reassurance of who they are as a person, not just their appearance. which can clog pores and cause acne. A consistent daily cleansing routine is the best way to control complexion problems. Cleansing pads are an effective and convenient way to keep skin clean and fresh, especially for active teens with busy schedules. Stridex recently introduced the first alcohol-free cleansing pads— a breakthrough that provides the benefits of salicylic acid without the drying and irritation of alcohol. For typical cases of mild to moderate acne, the severe drying and irritation caused by alcohol in ordinary pads can actually turn teens off to the idea of using medicated products. Salicylic acid is extremely effective on its own at keeping pores clean and open to treat and prevent breakouts. Stridex also offers Power Pads with benzoyl peroxide, a proven acne-fighting ingredient that penetrates pores and neutralizes acne-causing bacteria below skin’s surface. Power Pads are the only over-the-counter treatment that delivers benzoyl peroxide for allover-the-face usage. “Maintaining a consistent cleansing routine is so important—using over-the-counter treatments regularly will help teens treat existing skin blemishes and prevent future breakouts,” said Dr. Charles Zugerman, associate professor of clinical dermatology at Northwestern University School of Medicine. “Alcohol-free pads don’t burn or irritate sensitive skin so they are ideal for everyday use.” (NAPSA)—Thanks to advances in medical technology, millions of Americans are leading longer, healthier lives. Lifesaving and lifeenriching innovations are being made in fields such as orthopedics, ophthalmology, cardiology and oncology (cancer treatment). “The extraordinary value of medical technology has changed many lives for the better,” said Jim Mazzo, chairman of the Value of Technology Campaign at AdvaMed, the world’s largest medical technology association. A minimally invasive procedure literally changed Jane Seymour’s life. Award-winning actress Jane Seymour recently shared her own experiences with advanced medical technology. Until a few years ago, she suffered from a painful, chronic back condition that gradually worsened. At one point, her pain became so severe that she underwent an emergency discectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that completely ended her pain. “After that surgery, I was back to work in one week.” To learn more about new tests and devices that save lives, visit www.progressyoucansee.org. FOR OLDER ADULTS Cool Ways For Older Adults To Beat The Heat (NAPSA)—Extreme heat—temperatures reaching 90 degrees and above—can pose a significant threat for older adults, especially those with health problems. While you can’t control the weather, you can take actions to stay cool and safe. Here are a few tips from the Eldercare Locator: • Decrease activity, especially during the hottest part of the day. In extremely hot weather, older adults should decrease activity and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or juices. • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or juices. • Make sure your fans and air conditioning are working efficiently. • Take advantage of community cooling centers or other airconditioned locations such as a mall, library or senior center. • Find out if you are eligible for assistance with your cooling bills. To find out what resources are available in your community, contact the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov. The Eldercare Locator is a free public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. National Listing Unveils Top Job Categories That Can Aggravate Dry Eye (NAPSA)—Do you work in an administrative, finance or information technology position? Maybe you work in construction, manufacturing, medical, education or retail sales? If so, you may be one of the millions of people in the United States affected by dry eye. Dry eye affects more than 20 million people in the United States, yet it remains an often unrecognized on-the-job health issue as many sufferers remain unaware of the condition and its causes. The not-for-profit National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) has released the Dry Eye Hot Jobs, the first-ever listing of the nation’s top job categories most likely to contribute to dry eye. Workplace health and safety is a critical issue for Americans with labor time lost due to health reasons representing lost economic output totaling $260 billion per year. “It is important to raise awareness of dry eye, a common health issue that disproportionately affects women,” said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive vice president of the NWHRC. “We encourage women to become more aware of on-the-job conditions that may contribute to dry eye and to talk to their eye care professional if they are experiencing dry eye symptoms.” Chronic dry eye occurs when eyes do not produce the right quantity or quality of tears. It is often caused by hormonal changes due to aging and menopause and can be aggravated by environmental conditions. Dry eye symptoms can include eye dryness, itching, irritation, blurred vision, sensitivity Hot Jobs List The Hot Jobs listing is based on a number of factors known to contribute to dry eye, including prolonged computer use and exposure to dust and allergens. The following jobs topped the list: • Office-based jobs such as administrative, finance and information technology positions • Construction/manufacturing • Health care/medical • Education • Retail/sales • Public/social service • Transportation/delivery • Agriculture/landscaping • Janitorial/maintenance • Food service to light, feeling like something is in your eye and excessive tearing. “Artificial tears are often used to manage dry eye symptoms. However, anyone using eye drops to relieve dry eye symptoms on a regular basis without relief should see an eye care professional who may recommend adding a prescription therapy, such as RESTASIS, to treat an underlying cause of dry eye,” said Marguerite McDonald, M.D., FACS, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island and clinical professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center. “If left untreated, dry eye can progress and lead to increased risk of infection and impaired vision.” To access the complete Dry Eye Hot Jobs listing, a quiz to see if you may have dry eye and educational information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment options and longt e rm e ffe ct s of dr y eye, vi s i t www.healthywomen.org. (NAPSA)—Nearer in miles to Atlanta than to Miami, Tallahassee closely resembles its Southern neighbors with a persona marked by lush rolling hills and canopy roads of patriarch oaks. 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