It’s a teenage rite of passage along with the first day of high school, getting a driver’s license and going on a first date — although it hardly stirs the same enthusiasm.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne affects 85 percent of all teens — that means more than 20 million kids get up every morning praying they’ll look in the bathroom mirror and see clear skin.
It’s best to tackle acne problems before they become serious, says Dr. Bonnie Furner, a dermatologist in San Antonio and a clinical professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
“So much of acne is prevention to begin with, so when you begin to see those very early changes that’s when you encourage your child to begin to wash twice a day,” Furner says. “A lot of time, that’s all you need to do for minor acne.”
Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands in the skin. The glands secrete an oily substance called sebum that results in plugged pores, pimples and — in the most severe cases — cysts and nodules. It most frequently occurs where the sebaceous glands are more numerous, including the face, chest, neck, back and shoulders.
Hormones play a primary role in causing acne, but the condition can be aggravated by stress, poor hygiene, a bad diet and some medications.
Acne typically strikes during puberty, but as any 40-year-old bemoaning the double whammy of pimples and wrinkles will tell you, it’s not restricted to a single age group.
Treatment depends upon the severity of the outbreak and can be topical, oral or both.
Furner says that for mild cases, a name-brand, over-the-counter product with salicylic acid is a good place to start. These include Oxy Clean, Propa pH and Stri-Dex.
If twice-a-day washing doesn’t do the trick, Furner might advise adding a benzoyl peroxide wash or gel at night. Products in this category include Benoxyl, Clearasil and Noxzema.
If over-the-counter treatments don’t work, Furner recommends consulting a dermatologist. Oral and topical antibiotics, topical retinoids and low-dose contraceptives (for young women) are among possible treatments.
Toners and astringents, particularly those with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, should be used cautiously since they can irritate the skin and cause breakouts.
Even with an arsenal of products and consistent use, it will take about six weeks to see improvement in skin. Experts urge parents to help by supplying products that are easy for teens to use, and offering low-key reminders.
“The last thing you want to do is have a power play about washing your face,” Furner says. “That is a recipe for disaster.”
Not to mention more pimples.
