What is Teen Acne?
Acne affects most of us at some point in our life, but most recall suffering it as a teenager. Teen acne starts around adolescence. It is estimated about three-quarters of teens suffer it at some stage, and it can also extend well into adulthood.
The severity of teen acne is related to how many lesions there are at one time, and how much inflammation and bacterial infection is involved. Some will only experience a few spots, while others can develop quite severe cases, that leads to many painful and angry red pimples/nodules and cysts, extending from the their face to the upper body.
Acne starts when an excess of sebum (the natural oils from the sebaceous glands around the hair follicles) is produced. This excess of oils, mixed with the dead skin cells, from the lining of the follicle and the surface, start to plug up the pores of the skin. White heads and blackheads start developing. As the natural bacteria on the skin invade, inflammation or redness begins as the body’s natural immune reactions kick in. Voilà.. This is the recipe of your typical pimple.
If the build-up of sebum and pus from the bacteria go deeper into the skin, cysts and nodules can develop, which are more severe and more painful.
Many teenagers notice their skin, especially on their face, becomes oilier around adolescence. Hormones play a big role in this, as the natural increase of androgen hormones at this time, stimulates activity of the sebaceous glands, producing more of the natural oils of the skin. Adults and even babies are also known to get pimples when they’re going through changes that affect the balance of hormones.
When you realise there are more sebaceous glands in the skin of the face and upper body, it becomes clear why acne occurs more in these areas.
A popular myth is that poor personal hygiene causes acne. In the past, attention was placed on the bacterial infection and the approach was centered on the use of antibiotics and cleanliness. We now know this is not the core factor in acne. While some aspects of skin care, including choice of products, picking at pimples and not allowing the skin to breathe can contribute to acne, there are some individuals who despite good hygiene, still suffer from acne.
Stress, hereditary and some dietary factors can also play a part, and at Ozmedica, we like to make sure you’re informed of the most helpful ways you can make alterations in your lifestyle to assist with the treatment of acne.
Treatments for Teen Acne
Many years ago, the approach to teen acne was centered on it being a bacterial infection and too much oil on the skin, and the approach was to use antibacterials and astringents. Although in some more severe cases of teen acne, antibiotics are required, we now know that the bacteria of acne are part of the normal microbiome of the skin, and that drying up the oils of the skin too much can stimulate the production of even more oils.
Each case of teen acne is unique, based on your inherited skin type, your lifestyle and skin care, and at Ozmedica we have a range of approaches based on the needs of each individual. We find that one of the main concerns is for fast results, but especially in chronic cases, we look for more long-term results that are sustainable.
Outside of some of the lifestyle factors which we support you in pursuing, such as decreasing stress and foods that may aggravate acne, we have a number of approaches, based on your current issues with acne and your unique skin type.
Dermasweep, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can help with exfoliation and nourishment. We also frequently use Lasers and light therapy that target various tissues and cells, stimulating renewal and healing.
Long-term Benefits
Finding the right care for your acne, and a balanced approach, can make a big impact on the lives of teenagers. Confidence is a big issue that can have long-reaching effects, and at Ozmedica we take this seriously.
We’ve had exceptional results in a wide variety of cases, often exceeding what long-term sufferers thought was possible. Our excellent reviews