Teen Acne
At what age does teenage acne start?
Teen acne can start as young as eight to 10 years old. At this young age, children can experience blackheads and congestion in the skin. However, this is uncommon. Typically we start seeing acne between the ages of 13-16 years in females, and 13-18 years in males.
How long does teen acne last?
Teenage acne can last for years well into the early to mid 20’s. It depends in what is causing the acne, typically it is internal factors that cause breakouts.
Acne treatment for teens: Getting rid of acne
Home care
First and foremost, proper home care is very important. Having a cleanser that contains a light dosage of salicylic acid is helpful. Salicylic acid keeps the skin clean and clear of inflammation at home. The cleanser will help strip away the thick oil barrier, clean out the pores, and rebalance the skin’s ph. We recommend using it twice a day along with a light-weight moisturizer.
Treatments
Our go-to teen acne treatment of choice is our Teen Facial. In general, teen facials focus on manual extractions. The skin is prepared with a deep-pore cleanse before extractions.
Peels for Teens?
Depending on the level of acne and the age of the teen, chemical peels may be too strong. However, at 10-20%, a peel boost is light enough to be done on teens over 16 years old.
Peel boosts are mild skin acids we use to treat skin conditions such as acne and hyperpigmentation. They are an add-on service for facials meant to amplify results. The downtime required is 24 – 48 hours, where the teen must refrain from heat, exercise, or strenuous activity.
Adding a peel boost to your teen’s Pore Facial is ideal when breakouts are consistent.
What can worsen teenage acne breakouts?
Picking at the skin can sometimes get rid of whatever buildup is in the pimple, but it is typically not done properly when done at home. As a result, it leaves your skin susceptible to infections. We have all the right tools and aftercare when we do extractions here.
Another factor that can worsen breakouts is improper cleansing. For example, not using the right products or not cleansing at all, or using products that are too strong for their skin.
Some teens wear makeup. Makeup can block the skin. Makeup may not be being washed away properly. Having a good pre-cleanser is very important for those that are wearing heavy-based makeups, such as primers, foundations, concealers, and powders.
By comparison, primers alone are a huge contributor! Someone that has an oily skin type is likely to be using a pore minimizing or mattifying primer. These products are relatively heavy as they are meant to give you a nice, smooth canvas. The downside is that they can really clog and congest the skin.
As far as diagnosing acne, this is something that would be done by a physician. Hormones are a big factor; they are fluctuating which can cause acne. Sometimes there can be dietary issue. If the acne is cystic or out of control, your teen may need to see a dermatologist first in order to go on a treatment cycle because sometimes antibiotics or acne medication such as accutane is needed to help from the inside.
Book your Teen Acne Treatment!
Peace, Love, and Great Skin!
Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885 7108
dermica.ca