Multiple treatment options are available to help teenagers clear up acne.
Treating Teenage Acne
Acne is a very common skin condition that, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, affects approximately 85% of teenagers. It occurs when the skin’s pores become clogged with dead skin cells and excess oil and cause bacteria to multiply. Hormonal changes during puberty can increase oil production, leading to acne.
Acne can appear as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or nodules and cysts, and may be accompanied by redness or tenderness. While acne most commonly appears on the face, it can also affect other areas of the body, such as the neck, back, and chest.
Treatment Options
Advancements in medicine have produced many options for treating acne:
Benzoyl peroxide can be found in over-the-counter products, with a 4% concentration used for the face and 10% mainly used for body acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria without causing bacterial resistance and reduces oil production.
Another over-the-counter option is adapalene cream or gel. This helps with whiteheads and blackheads if used nightly after gentle cleansing. It also helps prepare the skin for stronger retinoids commonly prescribed as part of an acne topical regimen. Retinoids promote skin cell turnover, reducing inflammation and preventing clogged pores.
Topical or oral antibiotics are prescribed to kill skin bacteria and reduce redness. Hormonal component of acne is addressed differently with several safe and effective topical and oral options, such as Winlevi and spironolactone.
Accutane is an oral medicine used to treat severe cystic acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville® – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
