Acne Treatments for Teens
For teenagers, there are a lot of treatments out there that are aimed at reducing acne, and there are a lot of myths surrounding the proper treatment of acne. This hits them at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives when they’re both open to the suggestibility of marketing and driven by social fears of not fitting in or being mocked for their skin blemishes. What’s problematic is that a lot of teenagers end up buying products that may actually make the problem worse. So we asked a dermatologist to weigh in on the issue.
What Causes Teen Acne?
“Teens are much more likely to get acne than any other age group,” says one skin doctor from Roseville, “but acne can actually begin as early as 8 years old, and in individuals with darker skin, they may not see their first breakout until they’re in their 20s. The increased risk of acne is caused by hormonal changes, but it’s not necessarily sex hormones we’re dealing with. There are also stress hormones that can cause acne. That’s why you’ll see adults break out when they’re under a lot of stress. That’s why we see acne develop in children who have yet to go through puberty. Around the age of 8 your body begins to product a substance known as DHEA. This chemical produces many different kinds of hormones, including stress hormones. It also makes your skin more prone to the bacteria that causes acne.”
What Are the Best Treatments for Acne in Teens?
“There are a number of products on the market that help, but teens need to be aware that their skin is different from adult skin,” he said, “and their bodies are different too. Things like Tea Tree oil are not recommended for teens, whereas adults can use it without issue. There also seems to be a misconception that if the treatment is tingling then it’s trying extra hard to get rid of the acne, but the exact opposite of that is true. It is likely that the treatment contains either menthol or alcohol, both of which dry out your skin. As a result, your oil glands work overtime to moisturize the skin, and that leads to more breakouts. Medications that contain benzoyl peroxide can be effective for teens, but adults should avoid using them. You also what to make sure that you’re using as little as possible. 2.5% or less is a recommended amount. If that doesn’t work, then there are antibiotics we can try that target the bacteria that causes acne itself.”
Disclaimer: We are unable to guarantee any result, even though most of our patients do see success. The results of our services will vary greatly to each patient’s level of commitment and compliance with the program.
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