Hair and Oily Face Problem. Help appreciated.
Okay, so I'm a 13 year old girl and I have a/many problem(s). My hair is verry verry VERRY curly and frizzy. I've never seen hair as bad as mine. The only thing I've found that even helps a little is to dampen my hair and add lots of leave-in conditioner every morning. I can't brush my hair throught the day or it basically turns into an afro. Still, by the end of the day/school my hair is frizzy again.
Also, I have very a very oily face. It's okay when I first wash it but, very quickly it gets oily. I get really bad acne breakouts on my chin, nose, and forehead. I also have them on my back. Another thing is that I have quite a bit of hair on my face (mainly around my lips and forehead). I suppose it's not that noticable but it still really really bothers me. I also have a little hair on my stomach and back. What's wrong with me and how can I fix it???!!!
Any Help At All is MUCH appreciated.
Ok - I'm talking like a mom and health professional. Ask your mom to take you to the dermatologist so you can get a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide regimen for your acne/oily skin. If she's not cool with that - ask her if you can try the Proactiv regimen - you can buy it over the counter or order it online. Use those oil blotting papers during the day (you can buy packs of them). See if she's OK with you trying a depilatory cream that removes hair - Like Nair for the areas that bother you.
As far as your hair - see if you can find a local beauty supply store and get some recommendations from the sales girl - they really tend to know their products.
Good luck
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Hello,
I really sympathize as I had some of these problems when I was your age. First, in regards to your hair, I suggest you and your parent(s)visit a hair salon that specializes in caring for ethnic / black hair. You can get a hair cut that will bring out the beauty of your natural curls (which many straight-haired people pay a lot of money to acquire!) and some expert advice and products to keep your hair soft and manageable.
For your acne, your best bet is to visit a board certified dermatologist for prescription treatment, which is more effective and usually less expensive than over-the-counter and mail order remedies such as Proactiv. You and your parent(s) may find it helpful to read my article, "Six Strategies for Taming Teenage Acne" .
For your unwanted hair, please keep in mind that it is perfectly natural for all girls and women to have noticeble hair in some body areas, especially if they are dark-haired. If the hair bothers you, you can first try a depilatory cream (available from drugstores). Another option is laser hair removal, though I recommend that you wait until you are at least 16 for this unless the hair is badly affecting your self-esteem and temporary hair removal methods are unsuccessful. This article may help you and your parent(s) to make the decision. You may also find it helpful to read this recent New York Times article on laser hair removal in teens, for which both I and my own 13 year old daughter, Vidya Srinivasan, were interviewed.
Above all, I encourage you to share your feelings with
the adults in your life. It's tough to be a teenage girl in a society which bombards you with computer-generated, airbrushed, unrealistic magazine images of women with perfect hair and skin and no body hair. My daughter, Vidya, who's the same age as you, would like to send you this message: "Even though my mom is a doctor who deals with skin and hair, my hair sometimes gets really frizzy and unmanageable, and I do get acne breakouts sometimes . The good thing is that if you use the right treatments, your skin will start to clear up-- especially if you're regular about it. I've found it also helps to eat healthy and avoid large amounts of greasy food and candy."
Please stay in touch and let me know how things are going!
Dr. Hema Sundaram
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