Adolescent Skin - Part 1

Changes in the skin. During your adolescent years your appearance becomes more important to you. Your skin, for example, begins to concern you more and more. Some people com plain  of oily skin and pimples. Others complain of dry skin. Still others are concerned about acne, dandruff, or the odor of perspiration. All these problems are common during adolescence. Fortunately, few of them develop into serious medical problems.

Your skin is not just an attractive covering to hide bones, muscles, and other internal parts. It is a complicated layer of glands, blood vessels, nerves, hair, and tissue. It helps the body maintain its temperature, protects the internal organs, eliminates some wastes from the body, and helps to prevent infections in the body.

Glands in the skin. The parts of the skin that cause most problems for teen-agers are the glands in the skin. There are two types of glands in the skin: the sweat glands, which secrete almost pure water, and the sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance called sebum.

 

The sweat glands always give off a tiny amount of salt dissolved in water. Usually the water evaporates quickly, leaving a thin coating of salt on the surface of the skin. In hot weather, when you perspire more freely, this coating can build up rapidly. This coating is not offensive because it has no odor. Daily washing and bathing removes it.

During adolescence a different type of sweat gland appears in the body. These glands secrete the normal salty-water solution, but they also secrete Products that can be broken down by bacteria that are normally on the skin. It is this bacterial action that produces the unpleasant odor that has become associated with perspiration. These special sweat glands are concentrated under the arms; consequently, it is from this area that the offensive odor comes.

You can avoid perspiration odors by bathing regularly and by using a deodorant that does not irritate your skin. But everyone needs to keep in mind that nothing is as effective as frequent bathing in eliminating skin bacteria and dissolved salts.

Skin problems. One of the problems many teen-agers face is oily skin. Some people’s skin becomes oily because the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles produce too much sebum during adolescence. This oily substance keeps the hair flexible, but in excess, can cause oily skin. The best way to remove the excess oil is to wash twice a day with soap and water. Pay particular attention to the nooks and crannies at the edges of the nose, eyes and ears. These places often collect more than their share of oil because the sebaceous glands are numerous on the nose and forehead.

Sometimes the glandular activity in a teen-ager’s skin causes another problem: blackheads and pimples. Contrary to popular opinion, these are not formed by dirty pores. They are formed when the tiny amount of dirt normally present on the skin combines with sebum, which clogs pores and sebaceous glands. Due to the concentration of bacteria in the sebum, there is a likelihood that the pores will become infected, swell up, and form pimples. When many pores become inflamed, the condition is known as acne.

Posture

A good impression. In a sense, your posture is a reflection of you. People who see you standing or sitting naturally and gracefully are apt to think well of you. Their first impression of you can be of great value to you.

Good posture not only gives others a good impression of you, but it helps you feel well. Because a slouching stance or a slumped sitting position can place a strain on your muscles, these positions are tiring. When correct posture becomes a habit, your muscles are more likely to be relaxed. Therefore you are less likely to tire easily.

Assuming good posture. Good posture is not hard to define, nor is it hard to maintain. It is a natural, easy stance in which the parts of the body are generally in a straight line. Or, when reclining or seated, it is important to have each part of your body supported. It is especially important to have your back supported while you are reclining. Look at the pictures on this page to see some examples of good posture.

Sometimes girls and boys who have
suddenly become taller slump or slouch in an attempt to conceal their height. Perhaps they do not realize that they are slouching. The poor posture, however, only serves to call attention to them and show that they are self-conscious. How much better it is to maintain a balanced posture that gives an impression of grace and self-confidence. You can see that balanced posture is a valuable goal.

 

Try This

Assume a slouching position and try to take a deep breath. Stand straight and take a deep breath. Which is easier?

Emotions Affect the Body

Emotional life. Have you ever broken out in a cold sweat, blushed deeply, or felt "butterflies" in your stomach? If you have, you have noticed a typical reaction to strong emotion–the physical effects of emotions. In your teen-age years you are likely to react more emotionally to events than your younger brothers and sisters or your parents. Part of this increased feeling is due to the adjustments you are making to the changes in your body and to the changes in your responsibilities.

Whenever you feel a strong emotion, such as fear, embarrassment, anger, or joy, the organs in your body react. A cold sweat, a blush, and a "nervous stomach" are evidence that the sweat glands, blood vessels, and stomach are reacting to the emotions. These three reactions to emotion are evidence that there is a link between the brain and each of the organs involved. The link between the emotions and the organs of the body is the autonomic nervous system. The nervous system connects the brain with the skin, stomach, intestines, heart, and blood vessels, as well as with the glands of the body.

 

Whenever you feel a strong emotion, the message is transmitted to certain parts of the body and physical reactions occur.

 

Physical reactions to stress. Everyone has physical reactions when he feels a strong emotion. The physical reactions are the body’s way of preparing to meet an emergency. However, if the strong emotion lasts longer than a few hours, the physical reactions become harmful to the body. In cases in which people are under great emotional tension for long periods of time, their stomachs may develop ulcers, or sores, due to the prolonged increase in stomach acidity. Ulcers are common body reactions to chronic, or greatly prolonged emotional tension. Other common reactions to chronic emotional stress are high blood pressure, skin allergies, asthma, and excess weight.

 

It is fortunate that the periods of emotional stress and strain during the teen years are relatively short. Teenagers who develop healthy ways to cope with their emotions do not develop these physical reactions to chronic emotional strain. Probably they handle their emotions so successfully that they are seldom subjected to emotional stresses for long periods of time.