Breakouts are the number 1 issue when it comes to teenage skin
Understanding the root cause of teenage acne can help prevent breakouts before they surface. Acne is generally part genetic and part hormonal and is usually triggered by the onset of puberty. The hormones from hypothalamic region of the brain and the pituitary gland triggers the movement of new chemicals in the body, Androgen hormones become more pronounced and are responsible for the majority of teen breakouts. Androgen hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, the excess oil mixes with skin cells they clump together and form a plug, the plugs become infected with bacteria and swell to form a breakout. The pores become enlarged, skin shinier and rougher, sensitivity increases, blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed spots appear on the face, neck, back and shoulders.
What is the difference between a blackhead, whitehead and blind spot?
Blackheads are non inflammatory blocked pores known as comedones and form when a sebaceous follicle (pore) becomes blocked with excess oil, skin cells, makeup and bacteria. Whiteheads occur like blackheads but the pore is closed, these can become inflamed. Inflamed lesions occur when the follicle wall (pore) internally ruptures forming:
- Papules, inflamed red spot
- Pustules, elevated inflamed red spot containing puss which occur if the rupture in the follicle is close to the surface
- Nodules, if the rupture is deep in the follicle it will present as a hard red lump under the skin, the infection is trapped and may turn into a cyst and lead to scaring
Treating teen acne
The key focus is to unblock pores, minimise bacterial infections, control the inflammation, protect and hydrate the skin. I advise thorough cleansing, toning and moisturising day and night with pore clearing, bacteria reducing ingredients, such as:
Salicylic acid, this eats away at bacteria without causing inflammation reducing impacted pores
Hyaluronic Acid to prevent dehydration and sensitivity
Niacinamide to regulate oil production
At Essential Well-being we offer the Teenage Clear Start range of homecare products. Clear Start formulas combine serious medicated ingredients with soothing botanicals treating the bacteria and soothing the inflammation. We support this range with professional treatments and advice.
Avoid
Washing with hot water
Cheap make-up full of artificial fragrances and colours
Astringents which strip the natural oils
Harsh scrubs which irritate an inflamed skin
Ingredients such as S.D. alcohol and lanolin and other common irritants
Avoid direct sun, in the short term the sun will dry out the skin, breakouts and oil, however, the body responds by producing addition sebum and skin cells leading to more breakouts
Tips
Double cleanse every night, hydrate and protect your skin daily with an oil free moisturiser
Wipe your mobile phone regularly with anti-bacterial wipes
Wash your pillowcases weekly, skip the fabric softener to avoid contact with fragrances’ and animal fat
Minimise touching your face
Avoid picking and squeezing spots and pimples. When you have a white head, your body had produced ingredients to fight the bacteria in the follicle, if you burst the spot you allow further bacteria to enter, the squeezing may rupture the base of the follicle, allowing the bacteria to seep into other follicles and create further blemishes