Acne is a skin condition that affects people of all ages, but it tends to be more common in teenagers. Suffering from teenage acne is difficult and can result in low self-esteem and other issues.
While there is no single best acne treatment, there are plenty of treatments that can help improve the condition. And, all of those treatments are highly effective.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the best acne treatments for teens in 2022. We’ll also discuss some of the most common causes of acne breakouts and ways to prevent them.
So if you or your teenager is struggling with acne, keep reading!
What Is Teenage Acne?
Acne is a form of skin condition that affects people of all ages, especially teenagers getting ready to head to college.
However, it’s most common in teens because they go through hormonal changes during puberty.
Teen skin acne is known as acne vulgaris and it’s commonly present on your face, chest, back, neck, and shoulders.
Causes of Teenage Acne
Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum which is released through your sebaceous glands.
During teenage years, the hormones go wild which is when your sebaceous glands go into overproduction of oil and sebum.
These get trapped in your pores alongside bacteria, which inflames your skin and results in acne. The most common types of inflammatory acne are:
- Whiteheads – Whiteheads appear when your pores are clogged by dead skin cells and bacteria.
- Blackheads – Blackheads are the least invasive form of acne, they happen when your pore gets clogged, but not fully. Blackheads are the easiest to remove.
- Pustules – Pustules are found very deep underneath the skin. They are very big and painful and should never be squeezed.
Best Acne Treatment for Teens
Almost everyone will experience acne at some point in their lives. It’s one of the most common skin conditions around.
For teens, it can be especially tough to deal with, because their skin is still adjusting to all the changes happening during puberty. So what is the best acne treatment for teens? Let’s find out.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatments are very effective in getting rid of acne scars, but also controlling sebum overproduction.
They use high-intensity light beams to create an increased collagen production, which leads to faster skin rejuvenation and regeneration.
It helps with hyperpigmentation, skin tone, skin texture, and diminishing acne.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is very important because it helps you get rid of dead skin and excess oils on your face so that they don’t get trapped inside your pores and inflame the skin.
If you already have a lot of acne, use a gentle exfoliator. If you use one that’s very harsh, it may aggravate your acne.
Acne-Specific Skincare Routine
Create an acne-specific skincare routine that includes ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or other non-comedogenic compounds.
We recommend consulting with a licensed dermatologist first so that they can evaluate your skin and suggest the best skincare routine.
Manual Extraction
Manual extractions are another way to get rid of acne, especially blackheads and whiteheads. Professionals use special tools to remove the gunk from your pores and calm down inflammation.
Manual extraction should never be performed at home. Instead, visit a licensed dermatologist, have a consultation, and see whether manual extraction is suitable for you.
Retinoids
Retinoids are another very effective ingredient for getting rid of acne. There are different types of retinoids like retinol, granactive retinoid, tretinoin, and adapalene.
This compound has the power to unclog your pores and prevent dead skin from going in. This ensures smooth and even skin.
Acids
Acids are one of the most effective ways of preventing and getting rid of acne. These are the ingredients that are particularly suitable for acne-prone teens:
- Salicylic acid
- Azelaic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Mandelic acid
- Linoleic acid
- Ferulic acid
LED Therapy
Low-level LED light therapy is proven to be beneficial for healing the skin. It improves the skin regeneration rate and helps get rid of blemishes.
An added benefit is that it helps boost collagen production, which is great for retaining a healthy and glowy complexion.
You can book LED therapy treatments with dermatologists or purchase a LED mask you can use at home.
Bear in mind, though, that commercial LED masks don’t work as well as professional tools.
What do the Experts Say?
Individuals with elevated levels of hormones called androgens are more prone to acne.
These hormones increase more during the teenage years, which is another reason why teens are more prone to different types of acne skin conditions.
They warn that skincare is very complex, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to diagnose and evaluate your skin first, to see which ingredients would work best.
Acne Prevention Tips
Below, we’ve compiled a quick list of tips that will help prevent acne and calm down your skin:
- Wash your face twice a day
- Exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells
- Use pimple patches as a spot treatment
- Change pillowcases every two days
- Use a separate face towel
- Use non-comedogenic products to avoid clogged pores
- Avoid touching your face
- Clean your makeup brushes regularly
- Don’t squeeze any pimples
- Wash your face twice a day
- Don’t use too many harsh chemicals at once
- Be careful which actives you combine
Conclusion
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, we’ve highlighted some of the best acne treatments for teens in 2022.
We hope this information will help you find the right solution to clear skin.
Acne is a common problem for teenagers heading to college, but it can be treated effectively with the right products and ingredients.
Have you tried any of these treatments? What has been your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
