Compare Acne Treatments to Find the Best for Your Teen
Many teens suffer from acne and there are many acne treatments on the market claiming to cure it, but which ones really work? Which ones are worth the money? And, let’s be honest, who is willing to try all of them to find the best acne treatment? With dozens of different acne products to choose from, it’s hard to decide which treatments are worth using and which you should avoid. With the right treatment, you can keep your teen’s acne under control. But what’s the best acne treatment for them?
How Acne Treatments Work
Acne develops when sebum (an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin) and dead skin cells plug the hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in acne. Acne treatments work by reducing oil production, speeding up the growth of new skin cells and the removal of dead skin cells or fighting bacterial infection. And, some acne treatments work by doing several of these at once.
Acne Treatment Options
Mild cases of acne can sometimes be controlled at home by gently washing the affected area(s) with warm water and a mild soap twice a day to remove dead skin cells and excess oil and using a topical over-the-counter acne treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid. Proactiv is a great example of an over-the-counter solution.
If the acne does not respond to this treatment, sometimes combination therapy may be used. Combination therapies, such as the use of both prescription creams and oral antibiotics, target all the causes of acne, which makes the treatment plan more successful. For example, products derived from vitamin A (retinoids) can be combined with oral antibiotics for better treatment of acne because the retinoids promote cell turnover and prevent the plugging of the hair follicle while the antibiotics kill acne bacteria and reduce inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide is also effective when combined with topical antibiotics because it dries up the oil, kills bacteria and promotes sloughing of dead skin cells. Then, the topical antibiotics kill bacteria on the skin’s surface and fight inflammation.
Advanced Acne Treatments
Cosmetic procedures like chemical peels and microdermabrasion can also help control acne. Chemical peels use chemicals (like glycolic or salicylic acid) to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores and generate new skin growth. These chemical peels are often used with acne creams or gels for better penetration of the medication. Microdermabrasion involves a device that blows crystals onto skin. These crystals gently abrade the skin’s surface to exfoliate and unclog pores. Similar to chemical peels, microdermabrasion is often used with other acne treatments to increase their effectiveness.
Laser and light-based therapies reach the deeper layers of skin without harming the skin’s surface. Some laser systems are thought to damage the oil glands, causing them to produce less oil. Other laser and light therapies target the bacteria that cause acne inflammation.
Regardless of the treatment your teen uses, be sure they have realistic expectations. While acne can’t be cured, it can certainly be controlled. And don’t panic! In most cases, they won’t start seeing improvements for six to eight weeks, and their acne might even get worse before it gets better. But, if teens stick to their treatment regimen, their patience will usually be rewarded with clearer skin.