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Almost all teens get acne. It happens when an oily substance called sebum clogs pores. Acne isn’t a serious health risk, though severe acne can cause permanent scars and can also damage self-esteem.
How Does Acne Manifest?
Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin, which has sebaceous glands that connect to the hair follicle, which contains fine hair. In healthy skin, the sebaceous glands make sebum that empties onto the skin surface through the pore, which is an opening in the follicle. Keratinocytes, a type of skin cell, line the follicle.
Normally as the body sheds skin cells, the keratinocytes rise to the surface of the skin. When someone has this, the hair, sebum, and keratinocytes stick together inside the pore. This prevents the keratinocytes from shedding and keeps the sebum from reaching the surface of the skin.
The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles and cause inflammation, redness, heat, and pain. When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills the bacteria, skin cells, and sebum into nearby skin, creating lesions or pimples.
What Are Some Severe Symptoms Of Acne?
It produces symptoms familiar to all of us. Cystic type is even more visible because it is the most severe form and produces cysts and nodules alongside inflammatory papules and pustules. Acne can also cause visible scarring.
All forms of skin condition can affect self-esteem and mood, but the risk of psychological distress is higher for cystic type as it typically has a greater impact on the appearance of the face and disproportionately affects young adults who may be more socially sensitive.
Most people with skin condition do not usually experience physical symptoms, but the skin’s appearance can cause emotional distress. In cystic spots, however, the distress may be greater, and the cysts may be painful.
The importance of treatment is underlined by the risk of scarring from long-term conditions. This can produce long-term and permanent damage in the form of:
- Shallow depressions in the skin
- Red, raised scars
- Small, deep pits, known as ice-pick scars
- Larger pits
What Is The Treatment For Acne?
- Have your teen use over-the-counter products. Look for products that contain topical benzoyl peroxide as the main active ingredient.
- Avoid facial scrubs, astringents, and facial cleanser masks, as well as excessive scrubbing and washing. This can irritate the skin and worsen your skin problems.
- Do not touch or pick at problem areas. This can trigger skn codit, lead to infections and cause scarring.
- Make sure your teen is wearing a clean face mask every day. A dirty face mask will counteract other prevention strategies. Be sure to wash masks before wearing them the first time.
- Shower after activities that cause sweat and oil production. Exercising and wearing a hat or helmet can increase sweat and oil production.
- Treat acne early. It is easier to treat a few pimples than a breakout. Early treatment also can help prevent acne in the adult years and reduce scars.
- Protect skin from the sun. Sun exposure can make acne worse, and some medications make the skin susceptible to the sun’s rays.
- Avoid excessive amounts of cosmetics. Cosmetics can cause pores to clog and worsen acne.
- Help your teenager manage and reduce stress. Stress can cause it to flare.
If your teen has tried over-the-counter products for several weeks and has not seen improvements, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or pediatrician who can prescribe stronger medications and help with treatment options.
- Hydroquinone 2% – this is a skin-bleaching agent which lightens skin where hyperpigmentation has occurred. This agent works by stopping the skin coloring agents and serves as a bleaching action. Consistency is key to treating hyperpigmentation. You’ll want to use this ingredient every day for maximum results. Follow all product instructions carefully.
Recommended acne medication may include:
