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Skin Conditions: Teenage Acne
Almost all teens get acne. It happens when an
oily substance called sebum clogs pores.
Pimples usually pop up on the face, neck, back,
chest, and shoulders. Acne isn't a serious health
risk, though severe acne can cause permanent
scars. Acne can also damage self-esteem.
What Does Acne Look Like?
Acne can appear as one of the following:
Whiteheads: White dots that are pores
impacted with oil and skin covered by skin
layers.
Blackheads: Black bumps that are impacted
pores in which material pushes out through the
follicles. The black color is not from dirt. It may
be from bacteria, dead skin cells, and matter
that react with oxygen.
Papules, pustules or nodules: More serious
lesions appearing red and swollen due to
inflammation or infection of the tissue around
the clogged follicles, which are often painful and
feel hard.
Cysts: Deep, pus-filled pimples.
Why Do Some People Get Acne and Others
Don't?
It is not clear why some people are more prone
to acne than others.
The exact cause of acne is not known, but
hormones called androgens can play a role.
Androgens increase in both boys and girls
during puberty. Androgens make the skin's oil
glands get larger and make more sebum.
Androgens also can increase because of
hormonal changes related to pregnancy or
starting or stopping birth control pills.
Genetics may also matter. If your parents had
acne, you may have inherited that tendency.
Some medications (for example, epilepsy
medication, prednisone, androgens taken as
medicine, and lithium) can cause acne.
Cosmetics that have a greasy consistency may
also clog pores. Water-based products are less
likely to cause acne than oil-based makeup.
Other things that can make acne worse include:
Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the
skin; harsh scrubbing
Picking or squeezing blemishes
Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight
collars
Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls
and adult women two to seven days before the
start of the menstrual period
Stress
How Is Acne Treated?
Dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin
problems) often treat acne, particularly in
severe cases. Family or general practitioners,
pediatricians, or internists can treat milder
forms of acne.
Treatments may include:
Nonprescription ("over the counter" topical
treatments: "Topical" means that you put these
products on your skin. They're not pills. These
include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and
sulfur. These treatments are available in many
forms including gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and
pads. When these products are used regularly,
they are moderately effective in treating acne. It
may take 4-8 weeks for skin to improve.
Prescription topical treatments: These
include benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, tretinoin,
tazarotene, adapalene, and azelaic acid.
Prescription oral drug treatments: For
people with moderate to severe acne, doctors
often prescribe oral antibiotics (pills) in addition
to topical medication. Oral antibiotics are
thought to help control acne by curbing the
growth of bacteria, thereby decreasing
inflammation. They are usually taken daily for
four to six months and then tapered and
discontinued as acne improves. The most potent
oral drug, isotretinoin, is usually taken once or
twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks. It is believed to
reduce the size of the oil glands so that much
less oil is produced and to help prevent clogged
pores. That curbs the growth of acne-causing
bacteria. Because of the risk of birth defects,
women of childbearing age must not be
pregnant and must not become pregnant while
taking isotretinoin.

Skin Conditions: Teenage Acne
(continued)
Acne Prevention Tips
Here are tips that may help control acne.
Don't over-wash or use harsh scrubs. Acne is
not caused by dirt. Two gentle washings a day
is enough. Too much cleaning can leave skin
irritated and dry, triggering glands to produce
more oil, increasing the likelihood of pimples.
Use oil-free or noncomedogenic products (those
that won't clog pores) on your face.
Don't squeeze or pick blemishes. Popping
pimples can drive acne bacteria deeper into
the skin. Picking can lead to more inflammation
and permanent scarring.
Don't let acne define who you are. Do what you
can to improve your skin, working with a
dermatologist, if necessary, and keep doing the
things you enjoy.