Study: Pre-Teens Now Getting Acne At Younger and Younger Ages
Even though 40 to 50 million of us deal with acne regularly, and even though fully 85% of us will suffer with acne in our lifetimes, it often feels like you're the only one dealing with skin problems. And when you're dealing with acne at a vulnerable young age, it can feel like your acne is worse than everyone else's, or that your pimples are the only thing people notice when they look at you.
These self-conscious feelings will be familiar to many adults who suffered with acne in their teenage years. Those painful years can leave emotional and physical scars, and 40% of teenagers will develop some acne or acne scarring by the time they turn 15. Unfortunately, doctors around the country are reporting that they are seeing younger and younger patients come in for acne treatment.
Dermatology Times, an online dermatology website, reports that this is a growing problem among pre-teens all over North America. One new research report found that out of 1,277 children, 41.6% of children ages seven to nine had acne, and more than 75% of kids ages 10 to 12 did too.
The research shows that acne is no longer popping up at age 12 for the first time, and this early onset can be a predictor of skin disease and potential scarring later in life.
How To Treat Acne in Pre-Adolescent Children?
While early onset acne might be troubling, the best acne treatment for kids are often the same as they are for adults. The first course of action is preventative measures, like regularly washing the face, improving diet, and using common OTC medications.
Of course, if problems persist or worsen, then it's time to book an appointment with the best dermatologist in your area, especially for severe acne treatment.
Treating Dermatology Online: Skin Care for Teens
In telemedicine such as online dermatology, patients consult with a highly experienced doctor online, and it's an increasingly popular option for certain types of common, non-life threatening health conditions. That's why dermatology telemedicine services are on the cutting edge of healthcare today. And if the thought of seeing a doctor over the internet seems strange, it will likely seem less strange to a pre-teen or adolescent, who already do everything online.
That's why online dermatology appointments are an ideal match with early onset acne.
If you or one of your children is dealing with severe acne and common remedies have failed to help, then it's time to find a dermatology specialist who can help.
Understanding Adult Acne
Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition that affects around 50 million Americans. Acne is typically associated with young adulthood. Indeed, in the throes of pubescence, angry, hormonal teenagers are expected to have unsightly acne. But come adulthood, your acne will disappear and your skin will become surreptitiously clear, right?
Wrong.
While acne typically begins in young adulthood, adults are susceptible to developing acne, too. Approximately 85% of people develop acne at some point in their lifetime; from your early 20s to your late 50s, acne in adults is developed for a number of reasons.
So why do adults suffer from acne? In truth, it could be for a number of reasons, but here are the two most common:
Hormones
Stress or changes in your hormone levels from menopause, menstruation, or birth control can incite acne for adult women.
Medications
Certain medications, such as antiseizure drugs, lithium, and corticosteroids. In addition to medication, adult acne can also be a symptom of other, more serious conditions.
Talk to your local dermatologist to better determine the cause of your adult acne.
Combating Adult Acne
Dealing with adult acne can have grave social and personal consequences regarding positivity and self-esteem. In tandem with a great dermatology clinic, the best skin treatment for acne is relatively simple and can be followed by anyone:
- Wash your face every day, but no more than twice a day.
- When washing your face, use warm water and a gentle cleanser. Avoid harsh exfoliators and extreme temperatures.
- Use a gentle washcloth or baby cloth when washing your face.
- When drying your face, pat it dry, as to avoid irritation.
Seek Help
As far as over the counter solutions go, look for gentle cleansers that won't strip your skin of essential oils. When looking for the best skin care treatments over the counter, look for creams with salicylic acid or retinoid, as well as benzoyl peroxide.
Above all, it is recommended to seek the help of a dermatologist clinic or a dermatologist online for help. Adult acne could be indicative of a more serious problem. For the best treatment possible, as well as the best medications, look to a dermatologist for help.
The 3 Steps To Acne-Free Skin
Sometimes, if you have pretty serious acne, it can be a pretty serious bummer. But even though it may feel like you're the only one trying to fight acne scars, blackheads, and back acne, the truth is that nearly 85% of people will have acne at some point in their lives. In fact, acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., and currently affects 40 to 50 million Americans. Even still, it's good to know the best skin care routines to help you treat your acne. Here are some of the best skin care tips you can follow to avoid acne scars and improve your skin.
Keep it clean
If you haven't been keeping your skin clean, then your breakouts are going to get worse. Make sure you wash your face at least once a day, and keep it regularly moisturized so that your skin doesn't dry out from your cleanser. Otherwise, excess oils can build up on your skin and give you blemishes and blackheads. Find the right cleanser that helps to clean your skin without damaging it or clogging your pores.
Keep it protected
When you plan on being out in the sun, you want to make sure that your skin has the protection it needs to block out harmful UV rays. Otherwise, you can increase your skin's chances of developing cancer. The best skin care treatment involves a little bit of regular sun for vitamin D and a lot of sunscreen, to help shield too many UV rays from hurting your complexion.
Keep it cared for
The truth is that you can't be sure if your skin is in the best health possible unless you take it to a professional. Make sure that you visit a dermatologist if you have really persistent acne that won't respond to the over-the-counter treatments. But sometimes, it can be as simple as keeping your skin clean and happy.
You may have been born with this face, but that doesn't mean you need to accept bumps and scars. Take these steps to help kick acne out of your life, and off your skin.
These 3 Things Could Be The Source Of Your Body Acne
Acne is proven to be the most common skin disorder in the U.S., and it affects nearly 50 million Americans. With nearly 85% of people reporting to have had acne at some point in their lives, it's a universal quest to find the best skin care treatments that will help you prevent acne scars. But what about people who experience back acne? Before you can find the best body acne treatment, it's important to become familiar with some of the causes of body acne, so you have the information you need to avoid acne scars and further breakouts.
Hormones
One of the most common acne causes is hormonal unbalance. This could be caused by the process of puberty, or could be the result of a greater issue. Make sure that if your back acne doesn't respond to over-the-counter treatments, you let your doctor know immediately, so they can help you find the real cause of the breakouts and establish a care regimen for you.
Clogged pores
If you're experiencing persistent back acne, it could be a result of the products you use clogging your pores. This could be your usual body wash or conditioner, even if you've been using it for a while. Try switching your hair and body products, and make sure that you're thoroughly washing your body to remove excess dirt and oils.
Irritation
In order to prevent acne scars, you should never pick at or pop your zits. This could irritate the surrounding tissue, causing additional breakouts and increasing your likelihood of acne scarring. Make sure that you leave any existing breakouts alone, and let them run their course, or you pose the risk of causing additional breakouts and making the entire situation worse.
If your acne won't respond to the over-the-counter treatments or adjustments to your skin-care routine, make sure you see a dermatologist. These specialists will be able to help you find the specific causes of your acne, whether it's on your face or on your body, and can plan the best routine for you.
These Changes Can Help Clear Up Your Acne
If you have cystic acne, you're not alone. Currently affecting nearly 40 to 50 million Americans, acne is a condition that at least 85% of people will experience at some point in their life. By their teenage years, more than 40% of young adults have already experienced acne, back acne, and/or acne scars. It can seem like the best skin care routines are few and far between, but the truth is that there are simple ways for you to avoid additional breakouts. Small changes to your routines can make a big difference when it comes to your skin. Try these easy tricks today, and you'll be sure to see an improvement in your skin.
Wash your pillowcases
If you've been experiencing stubborn breakouts, even if you diligently wash your face, it could be your pillowcase. When you sleep on the same pillowcase for more than a few nights, you leave behind all of the oils and dirt that your face has gathered for all those days. This debris can re-enter your pores at night, and can lead to additional breakouts. Make sure you wash your pillowcase a couple times a week, so you can rest easy knowing there's a safe place for your skin to rest.
Wash your makeup brushes
When you use the same tools to apply makeup day after day, they get clogged up with the products, and also additional oils from your face. Make sure that you wash your makeup brushes regularly using a gentle brush cleaner, or a makeup-removing face wash. Let them air dry and repeat every couple of days. Not only will you notice a decrease in your skin's breakouts, but you'll also see a more even makeup application with a cleaner, softer brush.
Wash your glasses
Some people don't notice that their glasses can be covered in makeup, oil, and dirt. Specifically around the bridge of the nose and where the lenses rest near the cheeks, you could experience breakouts from clogged pores and oily buildups. Make sure that you regularly clean the frames of your glasses, so to reduce the extra exposure to contamination, and prevent irritation to existing cystic acne.
If it seems like you've tried everything, over-the-counter and behavioral changes included, pay your dermatologist a visit, and find out what the best path of care will be for you.
When Should You See a Dermatologist For Your Acne?
When you're part of the 85% of people who will experience acne at some point in their life, then you've probably dealt with plenty of acne treatment remedies. The amount of acne treatment products on the market today offer a wide array of choices you can make to find the best skin care routine for you. But when is it time to take your acne really seriously? Here are some of the signs that you should take your acne concerns to your dermatologist.
Acne treatment products don't work
If your acne gels, creams, and washes have stopped reducing your breakouts, then it could be a sign that your acne isn't going to clear up anytime soon. Usually, acne is caused by oil and dirt deposits clogging your pores from external contact. But you could also have cystic acne, which won't respond the same way to cleansers designated to remove oil. Visit your dermatologist if these products don't work for you.
You have scarring
Acne scars can form when a pimple pops, due to the impacted tissue surrounding it. To avoid acne scars, it's important not to pop, pick, or squeeze your zits. This could lead to further damage and contamination of your breakouts, or complete reformation of the ones you tried to pop in the first place. To avoid the creation of acne scars, be sure to keep your hands off your breakouts, but if you already have substantial scarring, seek out a dermatologist to figure out the right care routine for you.
It affects your day-to-day life
Anywhere from 40 to 50 million Americans are affected by acne, so you can be sure you're not alone. Even still, it can feel as though unwanted and severe acne controls your life, just by controlling your face. Take a stand against your breakouts, and find a dermatologist that can work with your skin type to establish the best care routine for you. You'll thank yourself when your skin is clear, vibrant and blemish free.
Stop Acne By Stopping These Habits
If you're one of the 85% of people who will have acne at some point in your life, you've probably tried everything to get rid of pesky breakouts. About 40 to 50 million Americans are discovering that finding the best acne treatment isn't easy. Many home remedies boast the quickest solutions, but can mean disaster for your skin (I'm talking major acne scars). The best skin care treatments are really up to your dermatologist, but here are some things you need to avoid when trying to banish your breakouts.
Do not pop your zits
Squeezing or popping your pimples can cause serious scarring, but also may be one of the reasons why you still experience breakouts. Though it feels like a quick acne treatment solution, touching your face is one of the worst things you can do for blemish-prone skin, because your hands are covered with their own natural oils, as well as the oil and dirt from anything they've touched. Not only will popping your zits cause tissue trauma and unnecessary bleeding, but it also exposes that fresh wound to contaminants and other clogging oils.
Do not over-wash your skin
Sometimes it feels like the best acne treatment is to scrub your zits away. But too much cleaning can have the opposite effect. Washing your face too many times can be abrasive on your skin, causing inflammation, which leads to additional breakouts. Wash your face once in the morning and once at night, and channel all of your cleansing urges into keeping your hands oil-free and away from your face.
Do not eat greasy food
Lots of people think that a greasy diet is directly responsible for acne. The truth isn't so far off, though. When you eat greasy food, you get that grease on your hands, and when you touch your face, that grease gets on your skin. Therefore, if you avoid touching greasy foods, you can avoid these extra oils getting trapped in your pores.
The moral of the story is: don't touch your breakouts! It may be difficult not to pick and poke, but avoiding interaction with and contamination of your skin will be the difference between a beautiful complexion and a serious pain-in-the-face.
You Popped That Pimple, Now What?
You couldn’t resist. You’ve popped that pimple, and now you wish you hadn’t. A while back on the blog, we listed the Top 5 Reasons NOT to Pop Your Pimples, but regardless you went ahead and did it. We’ve all heard that messing with a pimple is a bad idea, and the truth is — it’s a terrible idea!
When popping a pimple, you may inadvertently force the debris from the pore deeper into the follicle. That can cause the follicle wall to rupture and spill infected material into the dermis (the innermost section of the skin.) Not only can you cause scarring, but the squeezing pressure may force bacteria into the dermis from below.
Additionally, popping a pimple can lead to a nodule (hard, red, painful blemish deep within the skin) or a cyst. The most serious form of a blemish, cysts are large and painfully inflamed lesions. Clearly a hands-off policy is the best choice when it comes to your skin.
But now that you’ve done it, not to worry. We have a few simple solutions that will help you heal.
- Use an antibacterial wash to clean the area, such as benzoyl peroxide. Try one with 2.5%-5% Benzoyl Peroxide to start, as you may find it can be very drying.
- Apply a topical salicylic acid to the spot. If you find the over-the-counter creams to be too harsh and drying, try a toner with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works to promote the shedding of the epidermis more readily, open clogged pores and neutralize bacteria within. It also helps prevent pores from clogging up again by constricting pore diameter, and allowing room for new cell growth.
- Moisturize with a non-comedogenic lotion and apply a facial sunscreen with zinc as normal to keep the area from becoming overly dry. A sunscreen with zinc in it will not only protect you from the sun, but you’ll also find that it helps with acne reduction as well.
If you stick to this simple plan, you should find that in a few days your acne spot will be cleared up, although you may have a red mark. If this occurs, try adding a chemical exfoliant with glycolic acid in it to your routine, which will promote cell turnover and help prevent additional blemishes from forming.
Summer Skin Care
Summer is here. This means barbecues, the beach and other outdoor fun. However, rising temperatures, a poor diet and sunscreen can irritate pores and cause oilier skin.
Water’s Edge’s team of acne dermatologists answer questions and provide advice on the best summer skin care for acne prevention.
Is diet important for clear skin? It is not proven that ingesting fried or greasy foods causes acne, according to our acne dermatologists, but oils remaining on the skin can clog the pores. Certain foods may trigger breakouts and should be avoided to prevent flare-ups. A healthy diet and plenty of hydration is recommended to enhance the well-being and look of your skin.
What is the oil on skin? The oil produced on our skin is called sebum and its purpose is to keep the skin from drying out. However, an increase in production may cause breakouts and irritation. Prevent breakouts by minimizing the oil and bacteria on the skin. A regimen can be as simple as washing the face with soap and water. Antibacterial soap like Dial or Cetaphil will reduce the bacteria. Wash immediately after sports and workouts. If oil persists, a toner or benzoyl peroxide product may need to be added.
What kind of skin products should I use?
Clogged pores may need a retinoid. Retinoids, like Retin A Micro, speed up the skin-cell turnover time by putting a light peel on the skin, which prevents pores from clogging. Be careful to choose makeup, moisturizers and sunscreens that don’t clog pores. Check the labels and look for wording like non-comedogenic, non-greasy or oil-free. Products like Cerave and Cetaphil are just two available options. Elta MD and Minus Sol are sunscreens available in our office. A facial is recommended by our cosmetic dermatologists and estheticians, and this service is available in many of our offices. to keep the skin from drying out. However, an increase in production may cause breakouts and irritation. Prevent breakouts by minimizing the oil and bacteria on the skin. A regimen can be as simple as washing the face with soap and water. Antibacterial soap like Dial or Cetaphil will reduce the bacteria. Wash immediately after sports and workouts. If oil persists, a toner or benzoyl peroxide product may need to be added.
Look your best all year! Good skin care is recommended all year. Our desire at the Florida center for dermatology is to help you look great, but protecting your skin from damage and harmful rays is most important. Always moisturize your skin, keep it well hydrated and use protective clothing and sunblock. The skin is our first line of defense and should be protected every day.