A teenager’s life is full of stress and change. From the moment he gets up in the morning to the moment he goes to bed, the young person’s schedule is filled with school, extracurricular activities, social gatherings and other activities. This means that the body and mind are also in constant motion. The body’s immune system is functioning at its highest speed, which can lead to increased production of hormones that cause the formation of juvenile acne. Therefore, it is worth knowing how to effectively deal with this ailment and how to effectively alleviate its symptoms.
What is juvenile acne? Symptoms
Juvenile acne is a chronic skin disease that occurs in adolescents who are approaching the end of puberty (puberty). Often referred to as “acne vulgaris”.It manifests itself in the form of small, red lumps on the face, chest, arms and back. Due to hormonal changes, there is an increased work of the sebaceous glands and overproduction of sebum, which causes blockage of the ducts draining secretions. The consequence of clogged pores is the formation of these thickenings, which can often be accompanied by blackheads, as well as inflammation.
How common is juvenile acne?
This is a very common phenomenon and it is estimated that it occurs in about 85% of girls and 80% of boys during puberty. In individual people, the severity of symptoms and chronic occurrence may vary.
Juvenile acne in boys
Juvenile acne in boys can manifest itself with more intense skin lesions than in girls. The pores of the skin of adolescent boys are particularly sensitive to the effects of testosterone, which accelerates the production of sebum (an oily substance that clogs pores). Often there is also acne on the back.
Juvenile acne in girls
Hormonal changes associated with puberty can cause havoc on the skin of girls, due to the rapid increase in androgenic hormones. Girls begin to mature earlier than boys, and during puberty, their body produces larger amounts of estrogen and testosterone, which can cause breakouts. Increased hormone production means increased oil production and greater rotation of skin cells, which can cause clogged pores.
Juvenile acne on the forehead
Acne on the forehead is common in adolescents because there are fatty glands on the forehead that can cause eczema. They can lead to acne scars and permanent damage to the skin. Young people should try to avoid too much stress and foods rich in dairy and fats. They should also avoid cosmetics that can irritate the skin, such as alcohol-containing face washes!
Juvenile acne – causes
There are many factors that have a clear impact on the formation of acne. The main ones are:
- Hormone activity
- Excess sebum secreted by the skin
- Stress
- Improper diet
- Presence of bacteria
- Properties of sebaceous glands and hair follicles
- Genetic conditions
- Improper hygiene
- Pore size
Juvenile acne – exacerbating factors
There are factors that can increase symptoms and inflammation. Some of them can be avoided, so it is worth knowing what to look for. The main exacerbating factors include:
- Improper diet
- Excessive sun exposure
- Some medications
- Excessive stress
- Hormonal disorders (in girls in the premenstrual period)
- Consumption of dairy products
- Use of stimulants such as alcohol or cigarettes
Treatment of juvenile acne
Acne treatment can be done using many methods. If the changes on the skin are not serious, then we can apply some preventive measures that will help us fight this ailment. However, when a large number of acne lesions appear on the skin of a teenager, on the middle part of the face, chest and back there is an intense secretion of sebum and excessive keratosis in the area of the sebaceous glands, in this case it requires a visit to a dermatologist. The multiplication of bacteria within these glands can significantly increase the severity of acne, so the doctor should decide what form of treatment is best to take.
Medications for juvenile acne
The most effective drugs for juvenile acne have been shown to be topical preparations with antiandrogenic properties – such as those containing benzoyl peroxide – and oral antibiotics. Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient that can be found in many over-the-counter acne medications. It works by reducing the size of the pores on the skin and thus limiting the amount of bacteria that can get into them and cause acne. The disadvantage of this ingredient is that it can dry out the skin, especially if you already use products for sensitive skin.
Topical antibiotics work similarly to benzoyl peroxide, preventing bacteria from entering the pores and causing acne breakouts. They should be used with caution as they may increase the risk of developing resistant strains of bacteria as a result of continuous use. In addition, if you are taking oral antibiotics for other ailments, you should always inform your doctor about any other medicines you are taking so that he or she can carry out a proper assessment of the risk of interactions between them.
Home remedies for juvenile acne
Below are some home remedies and tips to reduce the symptoms of this unpleasant condition:
- Keep your face clean by regularly washing it with warm water and a gentle cleanser.
- Often wash pillowcases – acne bacteria love to multiply in such places
- Do not touch your face so as not to transfer impurities from your hands to your pores
- Try using a tonic after washing your face with water to remove any bacteria that have not been killed by the water itself
- Every few days, use an exfoliating preparation – this will help get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil that block pores and cause acne
- Eat less sugar – it can cause excessive oil production
- Drink plenty of water – this will help flush out impurities from inside the skin
- Wash your face with a cucumber-based tonic – Cucumber supports skin regeneration. To prepare this tonic you will only need a cucumber, a tablespoon of honey and a small amount of water. It is enough to grate the cucumber on a grater, and then mix it with the rest of the ingredients. After waiting 2-3 hours, the solution is ready for use.
Cosmetics for juvenile acne
Improperly selected preparations can have the opposite effect. A person struggling with acne should buy an emulsion or foam for washing, a moisturizing cream and a care preparation containing ingredients that not only care, but also heal, improve the appearance of the skin and accelerate its regeneration. The best products for juvenile acne contain panthenol (vitamin B) and vitamin E – both substances have a soothing effect and rebuild epidermal cells. Moisturizing is also important to rebuild the natural lipid layer, so it is worth using cosmetics that contain vegetable oils (shea butter, avocado oil) and glycerin. An important ingredient is also zinc, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, regulates the secretion of sebum, accelerates the healing of skin lesions and has a high sun protection factor.
In the fight against acne, dietary supplements can also help, which are responsible for proper hydration of the skin and reducing any imperfections and discolorations. These can be supplements such as:
- Royal Skin 500
- Zinamax
- Nonacne
Treatments for juvenile acne
Peels
- Cavitation peeling – removal of dead epidermis using water and ultrasonic waves.
- Chemical peeling – A suitable substance is applied to the skin, which exfoliates the outer layers of the epidermis and stimulates the reconstruction of collagen and elastin. Most often, glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid are used for this purpose.
- Mechanical peeling – this can be a treatment called dermabrasion or microdermabrasion. Dermabrasion cleanses the skin, reduces pores, reduces scars and discolorations and removes the epidermis down to the level of the papillary layer. Microdermabrasion consists in exfoliating the outer layer of the epidermis and accelerating the processes of its renewal by increasing blood flow in the dermis and the production of collagen and elastin fibers.
Laser therapies – With the help of a laser, the top layer of the epidermis is removed and collagen fibers in the dermis are constricted. Thanks to this, there is a significant shallowness of scars.
Needle mesotherapy – using a series of micrococlusions, hyaluronic acid and vitamins are introduced into the skin, whose task is to regenerate and stimulate the skin to produce collagen. This treatment also has a positive effect on increasing the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Microneedle radiofrequency – Stimulating the skin to regenerate using micropunctures and radiofrequency electromagnetic waves that cause the skin to warm.
Diet for juvenile acne
The adolescent years (roughly between the ages of 10 and 18) are a critical period for proper nutrition, including the use of a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Eating a variety of healthy foods is not only important for overall health, but also helps the body produce sufficient amounts of hormones and the optimal amount of sebum (an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that helps maintain adequate levels of hydration for hair and skin). During this period, the body has an increased need for essential fatty acids (especially omega 3), which can be found in fish and nuts, as well as zinc, which is in abundance in products such as red meat, eggs and crustaceans. In addition to the nutrients mentioned above, vitamin C – found in fruits such as oranges – is important to help reduce sebum secretion. You can also not forget about foods rich in protein (meat, fish and seafood) and fresh fruits and vegetables.
