Dear Barb:
Hi, I will be attending my first year university in September and I am looking forward to it. My problem is that during my last year of high school I developed acne and I’m self-conscious. I tried to talk to my mom, but she just says It’s nothing and that it will go away. I really would like to get his cleared up before I begin university. Do you know what I could use to get rid of this acne really quick? Dave in Nova Scotia.
Hi Dave:
Acne is a very common condition in teenagers. Most cases can be managed at home with a variety of natural remedies. For example, wash your face at least twice a day, maybe more often if you have oily skin. A lot of people believe that washing your face with hot water is necessary to open the pores, but warm water works well and is less irritating. Wash with a mild soap, using gentle movements with your fingertips. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water, get adequate exercise and regular sleep. Try not to squeeze your pimples, as this could lead to scaring. If your acne becomes severe you may need to see your doctor for medication. There are lot of topical treatments and oral medications that effectively treat acne. Most teens outgrow their acne without any treatment and it quickly becomes a distant memory. So maybe mom was right!
Dear Barb:
I recently deactivated my facebook account and now my friends are mad at me and think I’m being arrogant, but I’m not. I just found facebook a boring waste of time. I got tired of reading all the posts about all the mundane things people are doing. A friend of mine has a two year old daughter and her whole life has been posted on facebook, with pictures and some are not very flattering. How is she going to feel when she gets older and sees this? There is just no privacy anymore! I know you can change your settings, but the only way to truly get away is to deactivate your account. As well, I found that I was getting together with friends less often because I could keep up with their news on facebook; therefore the human factor was missing. I am at a point where I will be starting my career soon and I don’t want potential employers to search my facebook page, as there most likely will be information from when was younger that I’d rather not be used to judge my employability. What is your opinion? Thanks, Matt.
Hi Matt:
I don’t think you are being arrogant; a lot of people are starting to feel the way you do. I believe Facebook has its place in society, but you are right many people have been posting everything they do and once It’s on Facebook, It’s easily accessible. Facebook definitely has its advantages for people who want to connect with family members living at a distance, or who are not able to get together due to expense or other reasons. Perhaps your friends fear they will lose contact with you. You could point out to them that now your visits will most likely be face to face.
Thanks for writing Matt
Email your questions to voice@voicemagazine.org. Some submissions may be edited for length or to protect confidentiality; your real name and location will never be printed. This column is for entertainment only. The author is not a professional counsellor and this column is not intended to take the place of professional advice.
