It affects up to 80% of boys and girls between 12 and 18 years old. In addition to the medical aspect, on which many false myths are still circulating, it is also necessary not to underestimate the psychological aspect on teenagers
Alessia is 13 years old and has been fighting with youth acne for months. Brufoli who cannot control are continuously appear on the face, and this makes her feel insecure. Every day follows skincare advice on social media, try products suggested by influencers, but the results do not come.
As happens to many teenagers, the weight of acne is not only on the skin: it can affect mood, self -esteem and on the relationship with others. Really knowing what youth acne is, what it depends on and how to treat it is the first step to deal with it with more serenity.
What is youth acne
What is youth acne? It is a very common skin inflammation in adolescence: according to estimates, in fact, it affects up to 80% of boys and girls between 12 and 18 years old. It is not a simple passenger imperfection, but a condition that can have more or less mild forms, from a few pimples to paintings that require medical treatment.
In most cases it manifests itself as acne on the face, in particular forehead, nose and chin (the so -called “zone T”), but it can also appear on back, shoulders and chest.
Types of pimples: symptoms and manifestations
When it comes to youth acne often we often think generically of the “pimples”, but in reality there are different types of injuries that can appear on the skin, with different characteristics and meanings.
The first and most frequent are the closed comedes, also known as white comedes (or white points): small reliefs under the skin that are formed when the sebum and dead cells remain trapped inside the hair follicle. On the other hand, when the cap that obstructs the follicle is open, the material oxidizes in contact with the air and appears the typical black or comedone open.
Next to the comedes can develop inflammatory lesions: the papules (small red and painful reliefs) and the pustules, which contain pus. In the most important forms, nodules and cysts may also appear, deep and painful injuries that have a greater risk of leaving permanent scars.
Understanding what comedes are and distinguishing between black, white, papules and pustules is not just a curiosity: it allows the doctor to evaluate the severity of the acne and choose the most suitable treatment. A acne composed almost exclusively of comedoni will in fact need different approaches than a predominantly inflammatory or nodulo-crime form.
Causes of youth acne
Youth acne does not have only one origin, it is the result of the interaction of several biological and environmental factors. For this two boys of the same age can have very different events.
The main mechanism concerns the increase in sebum production, typical of puberty. Under the influence of androgenic hormones (present in both boys and girls), the sebaceous glands become more active and produce a greater amount of sebum. This, together with the inspection of the skin and the accumulation of dead cells, promotes the obstruction of the hair follicles, giving rise to comedoni.
Inside the obstructed follicles can proliferate a bacterium normally present on the skin, the Cutibacterium Acneswhich in some people unleashes a marked inflammatory response. It is precisely inflammation that transforms a black or white point into a red and painful papulian or pustular.
In addition to these main mechanisms, there are factors that can aggravate the situation or influence their trend:
- Familiarity. If one or both parents have had significant acne in adolescence, children are more likely to develop it.
- Stress. The emotional changes and the typical tension of adolescence can worsen skin manifestations.
- Diet. Some studies suggest a role of diets rich in simple sugars and dairy products, even if there are no universally “prohibited” foods.
- Environmental factors, such as smog, sweat and use of cosmetic products that can encourage the production of comedoni.
These elements never act alone, but add up and intertwine, making each case of acne unique and explaining why some teenagers have only a few lesions while others develop more serious forms.
When does youth acne pass?
When does youth acne pass? The answer is not the same for everyone, because the trend of acne is closely linked to the hormonal balance and individual predisposition.
In most cases, acne tends to gradually improve with the end of puberty, when hormonal levels stabilize and the sebaceous glands become less active. For many boys this means that pimples clearly reduce between 18 and 20 years, until they disappear or remain in mild form.
However, it is not uncommon for acne to persist even beyond, reaching up to 25 years or, in some people, continuing in adulthood. This happens above all when there are family factors, initially severe forms or hormonal imbalances (for example polycystic ovary syndrome in girls).
For this reason it is not always useful to wait for acne to pass by itself: early intervention can reduce symptoms, improve the quality of life and prevent complications such as permanent scars.
Care for youth acne
The care for youth acne must be personalized: there is no single remedy valid for everyone, because each teenager can present a different picture for gravity and type of injury. The goal is to reduce inflammation, prevent scars and improve the quality of life.
In the lighter forms, characterized above all by closed comedes and some occasional pustles, simple remedies for youth acne can be enough, namely:
- Delicate non -aggressive detergents, to be used once or twice a day;
- constant routine of hygiene and skin care, avoiding rubbing or washing the skin too much;
- Cosmetics and products for non -comedogenic youth acne.
The dermatologist can also advise creams for youth acne based on topical retinoids (which favor cellular turnover) or benzoile peroxide (with antibacterial and anti -inflammatory action).
For the forms of moderate acne, however, or when there are numerous papules and pustules, the topical treatment can be associated with local antibiotics or, in the most resistant cases, with oral therapies. Also in this phase, constancy is essential: the results come after weeks, not in a few days.
For serious forms, or in the presence of deep nodules, cysts or scars in formation, it is essential to turn promptly to the dermatologist. In these cases, therapy may include systemic antibiotics, hormones (for example contraceptive contraceptive in girls) or oral retinoids such as isotretinoin, which require strict medical supervision.
Natural remedies and youth acne
Many teenagers resort to the use of natural remedies for youth acne. We speak, for example, of products based on Aloe or Tea Tree Oil. Well, it must be specified that these can play a complementary role, but that do not replace medical treatments in any way. In addition, it is important that each product is chosen with caution, not to further irritate the skin.
Prevention of scars and management of the outcomes
One of the main objectives of the treatment of youth acne is to prevent it from leaving permanent signs. Acne scars, especially the deep ones, can become an aesthetic and psychological problem certainly more difficult to manage pimples themselves.
The first rule of prevention is not to crush pimples: squeezing the lesions increases the risk of infection and healing results. It is equally important not to interrupt therapies early: youth acne products require time and constancy to act, and abandon them too soon favors the repercussions.
When the scars are already present, there are targeted dermatological strategies, such as chemical peeling, laser, microneedling or filler, which can attenuate their visibility. However, these treatments must always be evaluated on a case -by -case basis and entrusted to expert specialists.
Psychological impact on the adolescent
Youth acne is not just an aesthetic question: it can have a strong weight on daily life. Many guys report insecurity, avoid photos, feel judged by peers or areolated. In some cases, discomfort can affect mood and participation in school and social life. This is why it is important that parents and teachers recognize the emotional impact of the acne and do not minimize it (“you will see, it will pass …”). A careful listening, family support and, when needed, the help of a dermatologist or a psychologist can make a difference in the care path.
False myths about youth acne
Many wrong beliefs are still circulating around the youth acne, in particular it should be emphasized that:
- It is not caused by poor hygiene, so wash more often does not make it disappear;
- It does not depend on “chocolate” or individual foods, even if a balanced diet can help;
- It is not enough to “leave it” so that it passes by itself.
Defect these myths helps the boys not feel guilty and live the path of care with more serenity.
