Teen Acne - When Should One See a Doctor

Introduction

Acne is a medical condition that causes pimples and is common among 80 to 90 percent of teenagers (or teens) as they grow up. The condition can be seen in teenage girls and boys between 14 to 17 years and 16 to 19 years of age, respectively, and teen acne stops or lasts when they reach their mid-20s. These acne or pimples can appear on various body parts, such as the face, shoulder, neck, back, and chest. These can either not bother teenagers at all or may be a cause of concern for some. Teenagers may look for options or treatments to get rid of this acne to boost their self-esteem and follow a regular self-care regime to prevent scars after acne permanently. Therefore, the article discusses in detail teen acne, its causes, and when one should see a doctor for better assistance and guidance for treatment.

What Are the Various Types of Teen Acne?

Following are the types and symptoms of teenage acne:

• Whiteheads: These are pores that appear due to extra oil clogged in them and are also called open comedones. They usually stay closed and often bulge out of the skin slightly.

• Blackheads: These are pores that appear due to extra oil clogging them. They are also called closed comedones. Blackheads stay close to the skin surface and usually bulge, with a top darker than the surrounding skin.

• Nodules and Cysts: These are painful large pimples that mainly arise from the deeper layers of the skin and usually cause skin scarring.

• Pimples: These occur when skin bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) and extra oil clog the pores more deeply into the skin. Pimples appear as red bumps on the skin, and in some cases, the skin bacteria may contain pus, and the pimple becomes a pustule.

What Are the Causes of Teen Acne?

Teen acne takes around two months to go through its entire cycle from a very small clog to a large visible pimple, finally disappearing. The sebaceous gland in the skin pores or hair follicles produces an oil called sebum that helps in hair and skin lubrication. The secretion of oil plays a major role in causing acne due to puberty and hormonal changes in the body. During teenage years, sebum production increases due to increased hormonal changes, thus clogging the skin pores and causing acne. Also, the healthy skin bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) get affected by this extra oil production and start multiplying, thus causing irritation and redness on the skin region.

What Factors Can Make the Teen Acne Worse?

• Diet: The exact role of diet still needs to be established. However, a healthy and balanced diet can improve the skin. Therefore, one should know that carbohydrate—and sugar-rich diets can contribute more to acne breakouts.

• Stress: Stress does not cause acne in teens; however, acne can worsen in a stressful environment, such as school or family-related stress. Therefore, teenagers can deal with stress through regular exercise, supportive relationships, and healthy sleep.

• Hormones: As discussed above, hormonal changes increase oil production in the skin pores, leading to acne breakouts in teenagers.

• Cosmetics and Skincare Products: Water-based skin care products and cosmetics usually do not cause acne, but oil-based products can cause acne by clogging the skin pores.

What Is the Treatment of Teen Acne?

To get rid of teen acne, the treatment includes the following types of medications:

1. Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches: These are small patches or stickers that can cover and protect the acne or pimple and absorb bacteria and oil from them. They may also cause skin irritation if they contain medication and are used along with other treatment drugs or medications used for acne.

2. Topical Retinoids: Topical retinoids, such as Tretinoin, Adapalene, and Tazarotene, improve acne by plugging out the outermost skin layer. These medications often cause skin dryness, so a person should use them every other day or multiple times a week, then gradually increase the frequency to prevent dryness. One should also moisturize the skin often to get rid of dryness.

3. Benzoyl Peroxide: It also helps reduce oil production and kill C. acnes bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide is present in various non-prescription products and should be used for daily washing, starting with a lower dose of 3.5 to five percent.

4. Antibiotics: These medications help treat teenage pimples, either pus-filled or red bumps. They treat the inflammation and kill the C. acne bacteria causing the condition. The doctor prescribes lotion, cream, gels, solutions, or antibiotic pills.

5. Isotretinoin: This medication is primarily used for severe acne that also causes scars on the skin. It is effective in decreasing oil production by the skin glands (sebaceous) and also treating acne that persists even after treatment. The drug should be cautiously used as it can cause birth defects during pregnancy and thus needs close monitoring.

6. Hormonal Treatments: Female patients with acne often use hormonal treatments, such as contraceptive pills and a drug called Spironolactone, to get rid of acne. These medications prevent acne by blocking the effect of skin hormones to reduce oil production.

What Is Skincare for Teen Acne?

Skincare for teen acne is as follows:

• Cleansing: Face cleansing should be done gently to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin. Avoid rubbing the face hard, which can cause irritation and worsen acne.

• Exfoliation: This helps unclog pores and remove dead skin. One should use products containing benzoyl or salicylic acid to treat acne. Exfoliation should also be done gently to avoid skin irritation.

• Skin Moisturization: Even if a person has acne-prone skin, moisturization is still necessary. Therefore, choose oil-free products to prevent clogging of the pores and help prevent dryness.

• Sun Protection: To protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays during sun exposure, one should use a good sun protection formula (SPF) while stepping out.

When Should One See a Doctor for Teen Acne?

Teenagers should consult the doctor in the following cases:

• If the acne is not responding to over-the-counter products and is severe,

• If the mental health of a person is affected, they have stress and anxiety due to low self-esteem caused by this condition (acne).

• If the acne is causing skin pigmentation and scarring and leaving permanent marks on the skin.

Conclusion

To conclude, acne treatment requires consistency and patience to see improvement in the condition. Therefore, one should stick to their daily skincare routine for the concerned issue until results can be seen. However, if cosmetics or over-the-counter skin products are ineffective in treating teen acne, one should consult a healthcare professional or a dermatologist for better diagnosis and treatment.