ACCESS FAMILY HEALTH, PA
WELLNESS PRACTICES OF AMERICA, PLLC
300 NORTH ALAMO
MARSHALL, TEXAS 75670
PH: 903.472.4800
1800 JUDSON RD, STE 400
LONGVIEW, TX 75605
FAX: 903.927.2880
Acne in Teenagers
Acne afflicts nearly every teenager at some point during adolescence,
but that doesn’t make it easier to bear. The emotional toll of acne is a
familiar problem for many young people and can wreak havoc on
adolescent self-confidence. Fortunately, almost all cases of acne are
treatable.
Who gets acne?
Anyone of any age can get acne, even adults, but it is most common in teenagers. In fact, acne
is considered a normal part of adolescence. 100% of the population can expect to have acne at
some time during adolescence, regardless of race or ethnicity. During puberty, elevated
hormone levels stimulate higher sebum production than usual, increasing the chance of acne
flares.
Boys are more likely to get it during adolescence because their skin tends to produce more
sebum. In adulthood, women are more prone to acne than men, likely because of the hormonal
swings of menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
People with a family history of acne are also more likely to get acne.
How is teen acne treated?
It is important to treat acne early to prevent the development of acne scars.
There are a wide range of acne treatments available. Your doctor will recommend an acne
treatment based on the location and severity of acne, response to previous treatment and other
factors.
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Many people attempt to first treat their acne at home with non-prescription medications that
include benzoyl peroxide (Clearasil, Proactiv) or salicylic acid. Unfortunately, many people
discover that these over-the-counter medications take too long to work, prolonging the acne
and increasing the risk of developing acne scars.
For mild acne or moderate acne doesn’t respond to over-the-counter treatments, you may
need a stronger prescription acne medication that acts faster and provides longer-lasting
benefits. Physicians may prescribe a topical retinoid, a mainstay of acne therapy. Topical
retinoids help to clear up acne quickly and provide ongoing clear skin. Brands of topical
retinoids include Differin®(adapalene), Epiduo®(adapalene + benzoyl peroxide), Retin A
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Micro®(tretinoin), Tazorac®(tazarotene), or Ziana®(tretinoin + clindamycin). These
medications may be used alone or in combination with other acne medications, such as
antibiotics.
For the most severe cases of acne (such as cystic acne), physicians may prescribe
isotretinoin (Accutane®, Sotret®). This daily oral medication has shown to be an effective
treatment when other medications have failed, but it has serious possible side effects and
should never be taken by pregnant women. Women using isotretinoin must agree to use
two types of birth control, and abstain from sex within a month before and after taking the
medication.
Sports and acne mechanica
Teens who play sports, wear a backpack, or play a musical instrument that comes into contact
with the face and neck may get a form of acne called acne mechanica. This type of acne is
caused by irritation to the skin from excessive heat or sweat, friction, or pressure. These are
common causes of acne mechanica:
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Helmets and helmet straps, especially those worn by football and hockey players and
motorcycle riders
Shoulder pads and straps worn by football players
Tight clothing, particularly jeans, underwear (bras) or uniforms made of synthetic fabric
Tight hats or headbands worn for long periods of time
Backback straps
Musical instruments, such as the violin, tucked against the neck for hours
Stick with your acne treatment
No acne medication can do its job properly unless it is given time to work. It’s very important
to be patient and take your medication as directed, for as long as directed.
If you don’t see results right away, don’t be discouraged. Your medication is hard at work
preventing new lesions from forming. Stopping treatment early will likely cause pimples and zits
to reappear.
Acne Myths and Acne Skin care
There are a lot of acne myths regarding the cause acne and possible home remedies. It is
important to learn what is true, and what is not.
Acne can be aggravated by oily cosmetics, stress, picking at blemishes, rough cleansers, or
hard scrubbing. It is important to follow basic acne skin care tips to get acne under control, and
keep it under control.
Acne isn't caused directly by eating sugar, chocolate, or greasy foods. However, there is some
evidence that eating too many carbohydrates (sugars, pastas, bread, sodas) might be related to
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the development or worsening of acne. It is generally a good idea to limit the consumption of
such snacks. (Acne and diet).
Although a suntan can temporarily lessen the appearance of acne lesions, it won’t make them
go away. The ultraviolet light can also lead to significant skin irritation among those using soe
acne medications, and the sun can damage the skin in other ways (wrinkles, skin cancer).
Overall it is best for everyone, even those with acne, to regularly use sunscreen and follow
basic sun protection measures.
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