How to Get Rid of Teenage Acne

Approximately 85% of all teens deal with acne to one degree or another.^[1] Contrary to popular belief, no link has been found between diet and acne.^[2] The actual cause is due to hormonal changes in teenagers, which produce additional facial oils. Most of these cases are basic and can be cleared up with a daily washing regimen that combats the extra facial oil. However, some cases may be severe or persistent enough to warrant a trip to the dermatologist.

Steps

Using over-the-Counter Treatments

1. Keep hair clean. This step is especially important for teens with long hair. Oily hair or hair products in constant contact with the face can help clog pores. Even those with short hair can see blemishes around the hairline due to oily hair or hair products. Ensure hair is cleaned regularly.^[3]
   
2. Wash twice daily. One of the biggest causes of teenage acne is increased oil production based on hormonal changes. Washing your face once a day can still leave oil behind to clog pores. Instead wash once in the morning and once in the evening with warm water and a mild oil-free cleanser.^[4]
   
   • Use clean fingertips and not a washcloth to clean your face.^[5]
   • Do not use a regular bar soap or body wash. Always use a gentle scrub especially formulated for facial skin.
   • Do not over wash. Washing the face more than twice a day can dry out the skin, which can actually cause the oil glands to go into overdrive production and make the acne worse.^[6]
   • It can take anywhere from four-to-eight weeks of a daily regimen before you notice a significant difference.^[7]
3. Use over-the-counter medications. Depending on the severity of your acne, you should also use an over-the-counter medication once or twice a day. The two most commonly used OTC acne treatments are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.^[8]
   
   • OTC medications come in gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and pads.^[9] Gels and creams are good for spot treatments of problem areas whereas pads, soaps, and lotions are more commonly used on the entire face.
   • In addition to clearing pores, these medications have slight antibacterial qualities that make it more difficult for the acne-causing p. acnes bacteria.^[10]
   • Benzoyl peroxide formulations are usually a 2.5% solution and salicylic acid formulations are usually 2% solutions.^[11]
4. Apply a moisturizer. Since the additional washing and OTC medications can dry out skin, you want to add a daily moisturizer to your regimen. A standard lotion can have oils that will clog pores as well, so find an oil-free moisturizer that is nonacnegenic or non-comedogenic.^[12] These words simply mean that the product will not cause acne or clog pores.
   
   • If you apply a moisturizer for daytime use, then you should find one with an SPF of 30 as well.^[13]
5. Use non-comedogenic cosmetics. While certain cosmetics like eye makeup and lipstick aren’t likely to cause acne trouble, others such as blushes and foundations can clog pores and worsen acne.^[14] Make sure than any cosmetics applied to other parts of the face say they are non-comedogenic, which means that they will not clog pores. All major brands provide such products, so they are not difficult to find.^[15]
   
   • Mineral-based makeup powders can also cause or exacerbate acne, so they should be avoided as well.^[16]

Treating Persistent or Severe Cases

1. Consult a dermatologist. If you have persistent acne that doesn’t respond to the first method or if you have severe, cystic acne, then you should consider meeting with a dermatologist who can prescribe other medications.
   
2. Ask about birth control. For many women, certain birth control medications can help regulate acne-causing hormones. Since hormones are the initial cause of acne, regulating these hormones can lead to decreased breakouts.^[17]
   
3. Ask about acne-treating antibiotics. Oral antibiotics can decrease the amount of the p. acnes bacteria on your skin, which can decrease inflammation.^[18] Oral or topical antibiotics may be one of the first treatments that a dermatologist recommends for persistent acne.
   
   • Antibiotic treatments will usually require daily dosages for four-to-six months. After which point, they will be tapered off.^[19]
4. Ask about other topical prescription options. In addition to some topical antibiotics, a dermatologist may want to prescribe other topical medications. These can range from prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide to azelaic acid^[20] or tazarotene.^[21]
   
   • Most of these medications are meant to reduce skin lesions and inflammation associated with acne.
5. Ask about isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is one of the most effective acne treatments available. However, it’s also the medication with some of the worst side effects and usage is closely monitored.^[22] Isotretinoin actually shrinks the size of oil glands, which causes them to produce less oil.^[23]
   
   • Side effects of isotretinoin include increased risk of depression, and it has also been tied to birth defects, so women who are pregnant will not be prescribed the medication.
   • The medication is typically taken once or twice a day for sixteen-to-twenty weeks with results that are often permanent.^[24]

Tips

• Don't use a regular lotion as moisturizer. It can also clog pores, make sure you use something for your face.
• Since a cleaning regiment can take several weeks to produce a significant difference, you’ll have to stick with it and have patience.
• Don't use just any soap as your cleanser. Hand and regular bar soap will clog pores and make acne worse.
• Make sure to wash your face shortly after exercise, sports practice, or any other activity that can lead to clogged pores from sweating.
• Do not pick at or squeeze blemishes. In addition to causing inflammation, you can spread around acne-causing bacteria.^[25]
• Don't sleep with make-up on. Make sure to wash your face with water and use facial wipes.
• When you wash your face, always put cold water on it as soon as you're done as this will close the pores and will stop bacteria or germs getting into the pores.

Warnings

• Isotretinoin use should always be closely monitored. Women who have the risk of becoming pregnant should not take the drug, and anyone who starts feeling symptoms of depression while taking the drug should consult with their dermatologist immediately.

Things You'll Need

• You will need a gentle cleanser. It doesn't have to be a cleanser that specifically treats acne. As long as it fits your skin type (oily, dry, normal, sensitive, etc.) it will work.
• A spot treatment such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
• Moisturizer

Related wikiHows

• How to Clear up Acne With Birth Control
• How to Reduce Pimple Redness and Size (Aspirin Method)
• How to Make Your Own Pore Strips at Home
• How to Make an Acne Zapping Facial

Sources and Citations

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