What does adolescent acne result from

Background: Acne vulgaris affects more than 90% of Australian adolescents aged 16-18 years. It may have a significantly deleterious effect on their self-esteem and emotional state. Moderate-to-severe acne can lead to scarring. There are many treatment options available. Most teenagers obtain information from their peers or from the internet.

Objective: The aim of this article is to inform general practitioners (GPs) of the pathogenesis, physiology and description of acne, as well as therapeutic options, including topical and systemic therapies. Skin care, diet and other factors of importance are also discussed.

Discussion: The first point of contact with patients is in general practice. GPs effectively manage most patients with acne. Treatment choice is guided by experience, with many clinical acne treatment guidelines available. The most common reason for treatment failure is insufficient duration of therapy. Successful treatments require months of topical agents and, in many cases, additional systemic therapies. Internationally, there is a resurgence in the basic research of acne vulgaris, leading to new topical and systemic treatments.

It’s a simple fact: pre-teens and teenagers are going through changes. And sometimes, those changes result in acne. If you’re one of the many teenagers who deal with acne during puberty, this is for you! Let’s talk about what causes teen acne, how to prevent it from forming, and what to do when pimples show up anyway.

Why Do Teens Get Acne?

Teens get acne for a number of reasons, but the most common reason is puberty. Your hormone levels are going through changes, which can lead to increased oil production in the skin’s pores and hair follicles. This increased oil, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, can clog your pores and cause acne. You might see acne in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples.

Acne can also run in the family; if one or both of your parents dealt with acne growing up, you are likely to as well. Additionally, stress is another common source of acne in pre-teens and teenagers.

How Can I Prevent Acne?

The best way to get rid of acne is to not let it form in the first place. While it’s impossible to guarantee a pimple won’t form, here are some good practices that should significantly help your skin:

– Wash your face once or twice a day with water and a gentle cleanser made for your skin type (normal, dry, oily, or combination skin)

– Do NOT scrub your face with a washcloth or shower loofah; they will irritate your skin and are prone to bacteria if not washed regularly

– If you wear makeup, be sure to remove all of it at the end of the day with an oil-free makeup remover

– Wash your face after exercising to cleanse your pores of sweat

– Keep your hair off of your face and avoid low-brim hats if you tend to see acne on your forehead

– Avoid touching or picking at your skin or existing acne to limit irritation and the spread of bacteria from your hands

What does adolescent acne result from

I Already Have Acne—How Do I Make It Go Away?

Washing your face regularly is something everyone should do, acne or no acne. However, if you do notice new acne, there are a few things you can do to treat it. First and foremost: do not touch it! Oils and other bacteria from your hands can make acne worse, and popping or picking at pimples can lead to scarring. Instead, try spot treatments, creams, or “pimple patches.” Make sure to do your research on the ingredients to find the best fit for your skin and avoid products that contain unnecessary chemicals or fragrances.

If over-the-counter treatments aren’t working, talk with your health care provider or dermatologist about prescription treatments. Dermatologists can prescribe a specific medicine, antibiotic, or cream to help you target the specifics of your acne and get you more helpful results.

If you want to keep your skin clear, we recommend these tips. However, at the end of the day, acne is a normal occurrence and nearly everyone experiences it at some point in their lives—so don’t sweat it too much.

Do you have more questions about your teen’s health in Salem Oregon?  Contact our staff at WFMC Health or become a new patient today!

Almost all teens get acne. It happens when an oily substance called sebum clogs pores.

Pimples usually pop up on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne isn't a serious health risk, though severe acne can cause permanent scars. Acne can also damage self-esteem.

Acne can appear as one of the following:

Whiteheads: White dots that are pores impacted with oil and skin covered by skin layers.

Blackheads: Black bumps that are impacted pores in which material pushes out through the follicles. The black color is not from dirt. It may be from bacteria, dead skin cells, and matter that react with oxygen.

Papules, pustules or nodules: More serious lesions appearing red and swollen due to inflammation or infection of the tissue around the clogged follicles, which are often painful and feel hard.

Cysts: Deep, pus-filled pimples.

It is not clear why some people are more prone to acne than others.

The exact cause of acne is not known, but hormones called androgens can play a role. Androgens increase in both boys and girls during puberty. Androgens make the skin's oil glands get larger and make more sebum. Androgens also can increase because of hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills.

Genetics may also matter. If your parents had acne, you may have inherited that tendency.

Some medications (for example, androgens taken as medicine, epilepsy medication, lithium, and prednisone) can cause acne.

Cosmetics that have a greasy consistency may also clog pores. Water-based products are less likely to cause acne than oil-based makeup.

Other things that can make acne worse include:

  • Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin; harsh scrubbing
  • Picking or squeezing blemishes
  • Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
  • Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women two to seven days before the start of the menstrual period
  • Stress

Dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems) often treat acne, particularly in severe cases. Family or general practitioners, pediatricians, or internists can treat milder forms of acne.

Treatments may include:

Nonprescription ("over the counter") topical treatments: "Topical" means that you put these products on your skin. They're not pills. These include acetic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. These treatments are available in many forms including gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and pads. When these products are used regularly, they are moderately effective in treating acne. It may take 4-8 weeks for skin to improve.

Prescription topical treatments: These include adapalene, antibiotics, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, dapsone, tazarotene, and tretinoin.

Prescription oral drug treatments: For people with moderate to severe acne, doctors often prescribe oral antibiotics (pills) in addition to topical medication. Oral antibiotics are thought to help control acne by curbing the growth of bacteria, thereby decreasing inflammation. They are usually taken daily for four to six months and then tapered and discontinued as acne improves. The most potent oral drug, isotretinoin (Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan and Zenatane), is usually taken once or twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks. It is believed to reduce the size of the oil glands so that much less oil is produced and to help prevent clogged pores. That curbs the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Because of the risk of birth defects, women of childbearing age must not be pregnant and must not become pregnant while taking isotretinoin.

In office treatments: Cysts can be treated with a series of intralesional cortisone injections. A red light therapy can be used to decrease inflammation and bacteria on the skin. A salicylic acid peel can be used to unclog the pores.

Here are tips that may help control acne.

  • Don't over-wash or use harsh scrubs. Acne is not caused by dirt. Two gentle washings a day is enough. Too much cleaning can leave skin irritated and dry, triggering glands to produce more oil, increasing the likelihood of pimples.
  • Use oil-free or noncomedogenic products (those that won't clog pores) on your face.
  • Don't squeeze or pick blemishes. Popping pimples can drive acne bacteria deeper into the skin. Picking can lead to more inflammation and permanent scarring.

Don't let acne define who you are. Do what you can to improve your skin, working with a dermatologist, if necessary, and keep doing the things you enjoy.