The Care and Keeping of You 2. Cara Natterson

and upper back.

      Because the skin gets more oily during puberty, many

      girls think that using products (such as soaps, cleansers,

      and alcohol-based wipes) to dry out the skin will prevent

      pimples. But not necessarily! When you dry your skin,

      the oil glands beneath the surface sometimes become

      more active and make more oils. So wash your skin with

      gentle soaps or cleansers, pat dry, and then apply a light

      moisturizer to help slow down your oil-forming pores.

      Avoid products that contain overdrying alcohols such

      as ethyl alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol.

      Hands Off

      When it comes to keeping acne away, it’s all about what

      you put on your skin—and that includes your hands!

      Some people think acne is related to what you eat, but

      that’s true only if you touch your face with hands that

      have touched food. So eating a greasy pizza won’t create

      a pimple, but if you wipe your greasy hands on your face,

      a zit could follow.

      If you do have pimples,

      DON’T PICK. Even if you

      think the bumps might

      look better if they were a

      little flatter, popping a zit

      could create new problems.

      The picked area becomes

      even more irritated and can

      get infected—this can

      mean an obvious scab or,

      worse, a permanent scar.

      Go Away

      There are lots of different ways to help make acne less

      troublesome.

      Wash your face every morning and every night, and don’t

      forget to moisturize.

      Remove dirt using a gentle cleanser or soap that is free

      of dyes and perfumes.

      Don’t scrub too hard, or you can irritate your skin.

      Avoid oily facial products and cosmetics that can make

      acne worse. If you really want to ditch the zits, try

      water-based products instead.

      Some girls use special cleansers, creams, or even

      medicines to help control their acne. This should be

      done only with the help of a doctor. Here are some of

      the treatments you may hear about and how they work:

      Antibiotic: kills the bacteria growing in clogged pores.

      Benzoyl peroxide: works as an antibiotic and also

      helps to unclog pores.

      Retinoid: prevents pore clogging.

      Are the bumps on

      my upper arms

      acne, too?

      Nope! Many girls will have

      tiny bumps on the backs of

      their upper arms at some

      point during puberty. These

      are super small—about the

      size of a pencil tip—and

      feel a little rough. But they

      don’t itch, and they won’t

      get bigger or redder. They

      are called keratosis pilaris, a fancy way of saying bumpy skin. The bumps might be less noticeable if you keep your skin soft, so try using a washcloth or loofah in the shower and apply moisturizer regularly. But truly it is time that helps them go away.

      Help! Q&A

      Girls just like you sent us their body questions.

      Here are the answers!

      I’m really skinny for a 10-year-old.

      My friends make rude comments

      and say I look like a stick. I told

      them that my doctor said I’m fine,

      but they think I’m lying.

      Not Too Thin

      It can sting when friends make

      comments about the way you look.

      Next time it happens, say, “Please

      don’t call me that. It makes me feel

      awful.” It could be that your friends

      are just being insensitive, and telling

      them that they’re hurting you could

      fix this. But it also could be that they

      are worried about you. Some girls are

      naturally very thin, but other girls

      sometimes do dangerous things to

      try to make themselves thin. It can

      be tough for a friend to tell the

      difference. Talk it through. If they’re

      not convinced, ask your mom to

      assure them that you really are OK.

      I sweat a lot. I use deodorant, but

      it doesn’t seem to help. I’m starting

      to get uncomfortable at school, and

      I don’t have time between classes

      to wash up. What should I do?

      It’s the Pits

      Sweat is totally natural—your body

      makes it so that your skin can cool

      down more quickly. The problem

      is, sweat can show on your clothes,

      and after a while it can make you

      smell. Here are some things you can

      try: Take a bath or a shower every

      day and make sure to lather well

      with soap. Consider using an anti-

      perspirant that will keep the sweating

      to a minimum or using a different

      brand than the deodorant you’re

      using now. If you’re seeing sweat on

      your clothes, try wearing looser-fit-

      ting tops. A loose shirt will keep you

      cooler because it allows air to swirl

      around your body, and it won’t show

      sweat nearly as much as a fitted shirt

      can. If none of these ideas work, talk

      to your doctor.

      I think I’m overweight. I’ve tried

      going on diets, but I just can’t

      stay