The adolescent years are when puberty begins, and a lot of bodily changes occur due to new hormones. Because the body is working hard to develop during adolescence, acne is one of the most common conditions that teenagers experience. Acne occurs due to oil and dead skin cells plugging the hair follicles, and a teen’s overproduction of skin oil can foster the condition.
Acne goes away on its own for some teenagers, but it can get worse rather than better for other teens. If your child’s acne progresses and doesn’t respond to regular over-the-counter complexion treatments, it’s time to see a dermatologist.
Let’s talk about the types of treatment plans a dermatologist can provide to address your teenager’s acne, and where you can go for dermatology care for the whole family.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medicines are stronger than products you can purchase over the counter. Reasons for a drug being prescription-only can include the fact that the amount used must be controlled, it might have contraindications (negative reactions) with other medications or foods, and it may be limited insofar as how long you can use the medicine – usually due to things like being harmful to the liver.
Dermatologists typically recommend a treatment plan involving a combination of oral and topical medications, including the following:
Antibiotics
One of the most common oral and topical prescriptions for acne is antibiotics. Oral antibiotics for acne include doxycycline or erythromycin, and topical antibiotic treatments include clindamycin.
Doctors prescribe them for a short period only. Antibiotics work by killing skin bacteria that are causing acne.
Isotretinoin
A derivative of vitamin A, isotretinoin is an oral medication that helps to unclog pores. This medicine is only prescribed for severe acne, particularly for teenagers who have tried antibiotics and other prescription treatments without improvement in their acne.
Retinoids
Retinol-based creams and lotions usually contain retinoic acids or tretinoin, which are best for treating moderate acne. Your dermatologist will likely advise your teenager to apply a pea-sized amount on their skin at night, usually three times a week so that the skin can adjust. Using retinoids can make your teenager’s skin more sensitive to the sun, so they will be advised to use sunscreen.
Professional Acne Therapy
Acne therapy can include treatment approaches such as exfoliation, laser procedures, and light therapy. These therapies may be utilized in combination with oral or topical medication.
Light Therapy
The application of visible light therapy is effective at killing acne-related bacteria. Specific wavelengths of light have antimicrobial properties that can help eliminate acne breakouts.
Laser Treatment
Laser therapy helps to treat acne by breaking up scar tissue and stimulating the production of new skin cells. This is not only a good treatment for acne but also for acne scars and dark spots.
Exfoliation
Chemical peels, such as glycolic peels and microdermabrasion, help the turnover of new skin cells by exfoliation. Your dermatologist applies a chemical solution to your teen’s problem area and then vacuums away the dead skin cells that are causing the acne.
Teenager Acne Treatment in Miami, FL
Here at Children’s Skin Center, our board-certified pediatric dermatologist, Dr. Ana Duarte, understands the struggle of suffering from a breakout – especially in the adolescent years. She can help your teenager successfully combat acne with the best treatment options available.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling or texting us at (305)-669-6555. We have convenient locations across South Florida, and we look forward to seeing you!
