Teenage acne: symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention
Discover effective treatments to relieve teen acne pimples, comedones and cysts. Learn about topical options, oral treatments and preventive measures.
Acne is a very common inflammatory skin disease. It affects 80-90% of teenagers, starting at around age 11 for girls and 12 for boys.
The most severe cases occur between the ages of 15 and 16.
Although often not severe, acne can be a real ordeal for teenagers and have a major impact on their lives. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available which, combined with a healthy lifestyle, will make acne symptoms disappear.
Symptoms of teenage acne include the appearance of pimples on the face, especially the cheeks, forehead and chin, as well as on the back, shoulders and upper torso. The pores are visibly dilated and the skin has an oily, shiny appearance.
Papules and pustules (pimples)
Pimples, also known as pustules, are papules (small bumps) filled with pus. They appear mainly on the face, chest and back.
Open comedones (blackheads)
Open comedones, commonly known as blackheads, usually appear on the face, nose and forehead, but also on the neck, chest and back. They are 1 to 3-mm plugs that clog pores. They are deposits of melanin.
Closed comedones (whiteheads)
Closed comedones are whiteheads that appear as small white bumps. Whiteheads are mainly located on the face. They are caused by an accumulation of keratin and sebum in the pilosebaceous follicle.
Red pimples
Red pimples are superficial inflammatory lesions that may contain pus. They are basically blackheads or whiteheads that become irritated and develop into red pimples.
Cysts or nodules
Cysts or nodules are deeper, more painful lesions than comedones. They appear in cases of severe acne and are caused by infection of the sebaceous glands.
What causes teenage acne?
There can be many causes of acne, but hormonal imbalances are one of the main causes of teenage acne.
3 types of causes
Hormones
At puberty, hormone secretion increases and the sebaceous glands produce more sebum. Sebum production is essential for the skin, as it acts as a protective barrier. However, in the event of overproduction, sebum will accumulate in the skin's pores and create pimples.
Genetics
Genetic factors are also involved in teenage acne. In fact, heredity plays a major role in the development of juvenile acne symptoms.
Environmental factors
Other environmental factors can promote the appearance of acne, such as :
Air pollution Sun exposure Stress Lack of sleep Consumption of foods with a high glycemic index Use of irritating products
How is acne diagnosed?
The symptoms of acne can be confused with those of rosacea or couperose, which are also responsible for the appearance of redness and skin lesions.
To diagnose acne, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. He or she will be able to analyze your symptoms and define the most appropriate medical treatment.
There are different types of acne:
Hormonal Retentional Inflammatory Cystic Conglobata Fulminant
Each type of acne requires a specific medical treatment, which can be prescribed by your dermatologist after analysis of your skin lesions.
Teenage acne generally disappears spontaneously after puberty, but medical treatment can help get rid of it more quickly.
In the following cases, it is essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible:
Persistent acne, even with the use of appropriate cleansing and moisturizing products Cysts and scars Redness around lesions Acne still present after the puberty period
Les traitements pour soulager les symptômes de l’acné chez l’adolescent
Il existe plusieurs solutions pour traiter l’acné chez l’adolescent, que ce soient des traitements topiques ou des traitements oraux.
Topical treatments are particularly used for mild acne, targeting pimples in a localized manner.
Retinoid-based creams are often recommended as the first treatment for minor to moderate acne.
An antibiotic-based cream can be used to treat the symptoms of teenage acne. This cream is available on prescription
Amino acids play a major role in skin care, helping to maintain healthy skin. They are essential for skin hydration and help reduce inflammation.
In addition to topical treatments, oral treatments may be prescribed by your dermatologist to treat more severe cases of acne that do not respond to topical treatments.
Oral antibiotics are used to combat inflammatory bacteria that are resistant to local treatments. They are available on prescription.
Retinoids are mainly used as topical treatments, but oral administration can be used to treat severe acne.
In the most severe cases of acne, isotretinoin-based treatment may be prescribed by a dermatologist. However, this type of treatment requires close medical supervision, due to its many side effects.
In addition to the medical treatments mentioned above, it's also possible to limit the symptoms of acne with the right skincare routine.
Facial cleansers for acne-prone skin gently cleanse the skin without irritating it. They are soap-free and help strengthen the skin's barrier against dirt and pollution particles.
Adopt a routine of cleansing your skin twice a day, in the morning and evening, to limit acne symptoms.
Exfoliants should be used sparingly, and no more than once a week, to avoid irritating the skin and/or aggravating inflammation.
On a daily basis, use a sunscreen with SPF between 30 and 50+ to protect your skin from sunburn and inflammation. BIODERMA Photoderm Milk SPF 50+ helps prevent sunburn and is particularly suitable for acne-prone skin. It is oil-free, non-comedogenic and does not clog pores.
In addition to a good skincare routine, you can limit the onset of teenage acne by avoiding certain triggers, such as stress or lack of sleep.
How can I reduce or prevent the effects of cystic acne?
As we have seen in this article, acne is not only linked to genetic or hormonal factors, but can also be triggered by other elements.
Follow a healthy diet
By adopting a healthy diet with foods with a low glycemic index, you avoid stimulating sebum production. A healthy diet based on fruit, vegetables and fiber will help combat skin aging and regulate acne outbreaks
Drink plenty of water
Hydrating your skin also means hydrating your body. Drink water regularly to allow the epidermis to eliminate the waste products present in your body and thus limit skin dryness, often the cause of inflammation.
Getting enough sleep
Lack of sleep increases stress hormones and can intensify inflammation. Insufficient or interrupted sleep leads to an overproduction of corticoids, which in turn hampers the immune system and leads to the appearance of skin imperfections such as acne and psoriasis.
Managing stress
Stress hormones stimulate skin inflammation and are very often responsible for the appearance of acne. By learning to manage your emotions, you can control your acne outbreaks. Don't hesitate to get help from a specialist such as a sophrologist or psychologist to learn how to manage your stress.
Use non-comedogenic skin care products
The Sébium BIODERMA range is dedicated to combination to oily skin. It offers specific hygiene and skincare products, recommended by dermatologists, and particularly suited to teenagers.
For daily cleansing, Sébium H20 Micellar Water purifies and limits sebum secretion. Non-rinse and non-comedogenic, it provides an immediate sensation of freshness.
For your daytime skin care, BIODERMA Sebium Lotion helps regulate skin pH and visible sebum production. Non-comedogenic, it visibly tightens pores and helps minimize the appearance of imperfections.