Teenage Acne

Acne can affect people of all ages but can worsen with hormonal changes during the teenage years. The cause of a pimple is basically the same regardless of a person’s age or location on the body. A pimple forms when the skin’s oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria combine to clog up a pore. Some pimples are small, near the surface, and go away pretty quickly, while others are deeper in the skin, more painful, and take longer to disappear.

There are two big factors that determine a person’s odds of developing teenage acne:

- Family History: If a person’s parents had teenage acne, they are likely to develop it as a teen. (Likewise, if parents suffered from acne in adulthood, the child is likely to experience it as an adult.)

- Hormones: When hormones surge—which happens both during and leading up to the teenage years—breakouts become more likely. This is a primary reason why, for many people, acne improves following the teenage years when hormones have leveled off.

Acne Prevention for Teens

Other than genetics and hormones, there are other elements that can contribute to acne – most of which ARE avoidable. Acne prevention thus requires a multi-faceted approach:

- Use cosmetic products that are non-comedogenic, meaning that they won’t clog pores.

- Avoid tight-fitting clothing, hats, and backpacks. The friction and constant rubbing of the skin can trap sweat, dirt, and bacteria in pores, increasing the risk of acne.

- Start consuming a healthy diet of more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

- Avoid picking or squeezing acne bumps. Popping pimples spreads bacteria and increases inflammation, often leading to more breakouts and potentially permanent scarring.

- Avoid touching your face. While it’s usually an unconscious action, it’s essential to be aware of just how often you do it. Constant touching of the face can make it dirty very quickly.

- Change out of sweaty clothes and shower immediately after exercising to prevent pores from clogging.

Acne Treatment for Teens

Alison Peterson, our Nurse Practitioner at Inverness Dermatology, says “When treating any acne, a consistent routine is key to success. Begin by cleansing both morning and night and after any activity that causes sweating. Medicated acne creams and/or washes can be added. It is best to add one medicated acne treatment at a time to prevent over-drying, unless your dermatologist instructs you otherwise. It is critical to have patience and stick with a routine as it can take 2-3 months to see 60-80% improvement with acne.”

Look for one of the following ingredients when starting with an over-the-counter acne treatment:

- Benzoyl Peroxide: effective at killing acne-causing bacteria

- Salicylic Acid: exfoliates to get rid of dead skin cells

- Glycolic Acid: helps remove oil and dirt on the skin

- Adapalene: aids in skin cell turnover to unclog pores (works like a mini-chemical peel)

Less is more. Start with one product at a time and back off frequency of use if your skin becomes irritated.

While following a regular skincare routine and taking preventative measures is effective for some individuals, it will not work for everyone. Sometimes prescription medications, including oral and topical treatments, are necessary to effectively treat acne. Struggling with acne? We want to help! Click the "message us" button in the bottom right corner to request an appointment.