Being a teenager is incredibly hard. Not only do kids face relational challenges they also deal with changing and raging hormones, leading to the dreaded, A-C-N-E! Approximately 70 million people have acne, and according to Dr. John Rupp, MD, at Dermatology Specialists of Kansas City, most teens get acne. “When puberty hits, testosterone increases in both females and males. Hormones cause the sebaceous glands (in the pores) to produce sebum (oil) which can plug pores, causing blackheads, whiteheads or pimples,” he says.
Common Acne Myths
- Popping pimples makes them disappear faster
- Tanning gets rid of acne
- Greasy foods, chocolate and soda pop cause acne
- Makeup gives you acne
Rachel Bartel, APRN, BC, a KCMO nurse practitioner specializing in adolescent medicine, reports, “I mostly hear (myths) about chocolate and soda. Nothing you eat makes it worse. Although I’ve had some kids say that cutting back on some things makes their acne better. It might just be better health overall.”
Rupp agrees: “Increased stress levels produce more testosterone, which causes more oil. So try to keep stress levels down.”
What about Treatment?
The American Academy of Dermatology says, “Many young people manage their acne with over-the-counter (nonprescription) treatments. By their mid-teens, more than 40 percent of adolescents have acne severe enough to require some treatment by a physician.”
Rupp says he “recommends OTC benzoyl peroxide and a gentle cleanser with 2 percent salicylic acid. Dermatologists are not big fans of scrubbing beads.” They can worsen acne. For moderate acne, patients are “encouraged to use a retinoid, such as Retin-A, Retin-A Micro or Differin every night. Dermatologists try to do everything topically first, then use oral antibiotics.”
Prevention of Outbreaks
The AAD suggests, “It is best to wash your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water once or twice daily. Washing too often or too vigorously may actually make your acne worse.” Bartel recommends her patients “keep their hands off their faces and not pick their pimples.” She also says she has difficulty getting the teens to use the medications. “The side effects (from the medications) including redness, dryness and flaking, can be worse than the acne.”
Terry Aubuchon, Stillwell mother of three, says, “the hardest part with a (teenager) is compliance. Getting them to use the products can be challenging.”
When to See a Dermatologist?
Rupp suggests, “When over-the-counter products don’t do the job, it’s time to see a dermatologist.” Teens need to realize prevention of scarring is important and to take treatment seriously.
“When it comes to their skin, you do what you have to do to avoid scarring, especially since severe acne runs in our family,” Aubuchon says. Educating your teen about proper skincare, acne and scarring is the best thing a parent can do. Encouraging a healthful diet, getting enough sleep and drinking eight glasses of water a day, may possibly help your teen’s acne; but if it doesn’t, the rest of the body will appreciate it!
Stacey Hatton is an Overland Park nurse and mother of two young girls. American Academy of Dermatology recommends their website, AcneNet. It can be accessed at www.SkinCarePhysicians.com/acnenet. Other acne information can be found at www.AAD.org.