What You Need to Know About Acne Care
Adolescence is a time of constant change and new experiences. One new (and often unwelcome) experience that many of our patients face is acne. While acne is a normal part of growing up—in fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, around 85% of people have it in their teens—it’s important to know how to handle it.
As your pediatricians we can help you learn how to manage acne, and guide you through over-the-counter and prescriptions treatments. Today, we’ll share what you need to know about acne care as well as how you can help prevent and treat it.
Understanding Acne
Acne causes pimples and can affect various areas like the face, neck, shoulders, upper back and chest. While some teens are unbothered by their acne, others may find it impacts their self-esteem. Effective treatment can boost confidence and teach valuable self-care skills.
So what causes acne? Usually, it’s the overproduction of sebum, an oil that lubricates the skin and hair. During puberty, increased hormone levels lead to more sebum production, causing pores to become clogged. A normal, healthy bacteria on the skin named C. acnes loves all that extra oil so it starts multiplying, causing redness and irritation.
Preventing Acne
Understanding what causes acne is important because it helps you understand how prevention and treatments work. Here are some prevention tips:
- Wash the skin twice daily with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Avoid harsh scrubs or rough cloths, as these can irritate the skin.
- Resist the urge to pinch, pop or pick at pimples, which can cause infection and scarring.
- Some skincare products, particularly those that are oil-based, can block pores and trigger acne. Opt for water-based or “non-comedogenic” products, which are less likely to cause an issue.
- Encourage regular exercise, adequate sleep and nurturing relationships to help your teen manage stress effectively. While stress doesn’t cause acne, it can aggravate it.
- It’s also common for acne to worsen just before menstrual periods due to hormonal changes.
Options for Treating Acne
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to treat acne, from reducing inflammation to decreasing oil production. We are here to help you sort out all of the different options and products. The following medications are commonly used:
- Small stickers called hydrocolloid pimple patches cover and protect a single pimple while absorbing oil and bacteria from within it. Some have medications in them, so be mindful when combining them with other acne medications or washes.
- Available in many acne-fighting products sold over the counter, benzoyl peroxide helps kill the C. acnes bacteria while also reducing oil production. It can be used on acne anywhere on the body, including as a face wash. To start, use it once a day at a lower strength—from 3.5% to 5%—and be sure to use an old towel and pillowcase, as benzoyl peroxide will bleach fabrics. Make sure to completely dry your skin before getting dressed.
- Topical retinoids, including adapalene, tretinoin and tazarotene, unblock pores but may cause dry skin.
- For more severe breakouts, antibiotics can be used to reduce the C. acnes bacteria as well as inflammation. Products include topical (creams, gels, lotions) and oral (pills) options as prescribed by a doctor.
- For women and girls, taking certain contraceptive pills can block the effect of hormones, which leads to less oil production and less acne.
- For severe acne that has not improved with other treatments, there’s isotretinoin. A pill, it works like retinoid creams to decrease the oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Using it requires close monitoring because taking it during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. For our patients who could benefit from this treatment, we refer to local dermatologists.
Other Important Considerations in Acne Treatment
Patience is key. Acne treatments often take two months before showing results. It’s also important to gradually introduce new products to avoid irritation. Even when seeing results, continuing your treatment routine is necessary to prevent acne from returning. Be sure to use oil-free moisturizers daily, and choose sunscreens to help protect and heal the skin.
Consult Your Portland Pediatricians
Begin your acne care by consulting our clinic. Your pediatrician can guide you on effective treatment options and refer you to a dermatologist if needed. An informed approach will help you manage acne successfully, boosting both confidence and skin health. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us today.