Doctors Top Tips for Managing Teenage Acne
Acne is an unfortunate fact of teenage life.
When puberty hits, most teenagers notice unsightly pimples regularly appearing on their face, shoulders, back, and chest. About 85% of teens are affected by acne to some degree.
While some are unfazed by their blemishes, for others, the psychological effects of acne can be profound. Acne can affect how teens feel about themselves and result in low self-esteem, poor body image, social withdrawal, depression, anger, and anxiety.
The good news is, there’s no short supply of information on how to prevent and manage teenage acne. So here are our top tips.
1.Only use non-comedogenic products
Some hair and skin products such as makeup, sunscreen, moisturiser, shampoo, and conditioner contain oil or other ingredients that can cause breakouts.
When choosing products that you’ll be applying to your face (or around it), always be sure to select products labelled “non-comedogenic,” which means they are formulated in a way to prevent blocked pores and breakouts.
2. Use a mild cleanser twice daily
Wash your face daily with a gentle, no-soap cleanser, which will clean your face without aggravating inflamed skin.
Most teens should wash their faces once daily. However, if you have oily skin or your face gets dirty or sweaty throughout the day, wash your face twice a day.
Additionally, be sure to not over-wash your face. While you might think that washing your face a lot will help prevent acne, it can instead dry out your skin and lead to more breakouts.
3. Moisturise daily with oil-free products
While it might seem counterintuitive to moisturise acne-prone skin, it’s essential to do so.
When your skin becomes dry, it triggers the production of more sebum (oil), which can clog your pores and lead to more breakouts when produced in excess.
4. Take your makeup off before bed
While it can be tempting to crawl into bed without taking your makeup off and washing your face, doing so is a must. Even non-comedogenic makeup can cause acne if you sleep in it.
5. Avoid over-exfoliating
Some people may think they can get rid of acne or prevent it by scrubbing their skin. Wrong!
Scrubbing can irritate your skin and can cause it to break out. So instead, be gentle with your skin when cleansing and avoid using cleansers or other products containing ‘beads’.
If you’d like to use an exfoliator, use one that’s considered ‘gentle’ and preferably only once per week.
6. Avoid popping or picking at pimples
While it’s tempting to pick and pop pimples, it can lead to scarring and irritation.
Instead, use a spot treatment that contains retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid.
When to see a doctor for acne
If you’re a teen or a parent of a teen struggling with acne, please know that it can take six to eight weeks of applying the above tips to start to see improvements, so try your best to be patient and not discouraged.
If your blemishes aren’t responding to the above routine, it may be time to consult with a doctor. In addition, some teens may need stronger treatment to get their acne under control, such as a prescription medication.
Regardless of how you manage and treat acne, keep in mind that although acne can be frustrating, most cases can be resolved.
If you’d like to consult with one of our doctors about your (or your child’s) acne, please book an appointment with us today by calling 02 9399 9399.
Image source: Unsplash - Thomas Mowe
