It isn’t easy to find an adolescent who’s never experienced acne! The main reason for seeing a dermatologist, juvenile acne affects 15 million people in France and 80% of adolescents, including 15% who have a severe form. The condition lasts four to six years on average and then the lesions disappear, usually between the ages of 18 and 20.
In some cases, they persist into adulthood but the mechanisms at play in adult acne are quite different. We are going to explore the age at which acne starts, its causes, the typical forms in adolescence, and the aggravating factors.
Acne begins during puberty and varies depending on the individual. It is triggered by the production of sex hormones, which depends on several biological and environmental factors. Girls and boys are not necessarily affected at the same age or in the same places.
In general, there are pimples and blackheads on the face and the areas with the most sebaceous glands, i.e. the upper back, cleavage, and T-zone.
Sex hormones are responsible for numerous physical changes in adolescence, especially in the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Adolescent acne is polymorphous, comedonal and inflammatory, caused by the accumulation of sebum that cannot be evacuated. There are two types of blemishes:
1: Open comedones, commonly called “blackheads”
2 / 3: Skin-coloured closed comedones or microcysts (causing the skin to appear grainy when seen in profile using low-angle lighting)
In both cases, the blemishes promote bacterial (C. acnes) proliferation, causing follicular inflammation and progression to inflammatory acne.
Several lifestyle aspects can have a negative impact on acne, including the cosmetic products used, make-up, the sun, diet, and the use of a mobile phone in particular.
This is particularly important. Bacterial proliferation aggravates acne, which is why the skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed on a daily basis. But it should not be stripped!
The sun is most certainly not an ally for problem skin, even though it tends to dry out lesions at first. In reality, sun exposure thickens the skin, causing blemishes to be less visible. When the summer is over, patients experience the dreaded rebound effect, which is when numerous pimples reappear simultaneously. People with acne should therefore avoid over-exposure to UV rays. There are multiple sun care products that have been designed to protect acne-prone skin. Whether tinted or not, they can provide a matte finish and are capable of protecting and treating at the same time.
Diet has long been suspected of playing a role in acne. Studies are currently in progress to scientifically validate various hypotheses, but it is known that some people can reduce their acne by eliminating dairy products from their diet. Some experts claim that industrial processed foods high in fat and sugar, which tend to be very common in the diet of teenagers, contribute to the development of acne. So while it’s fine to eat burgers and tacos from time to time, they should be part of a balanced diet consisting of lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also remember to drink plenty of water, which has multiple health benefits for the skin.
Mobile phones are an integral part of life for adolescents but are also highly effective bacterial vectors. They should thus be cleaned on a regular basis, keeping in mind that they are often stored in or placed on dirty surfaces (handbags, pockets, bar tables, floor for recharging, etc.). You can also use earphones or headphones to keep your phone from touching your cheeks.
