Will You Outgrow Your Acne? Teen vs Adult Acne

Acne can happen at any age and is always frustrating regardless of when or where you get it. While it is mostly associated with teens or puberty, the reality is many adults still suffer from this skin condition. It occurs when the hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This leads to the formation of spots, pimples, or even cysts. 

Teen and adult acne may look the same, but your skin acts and behaves differently as you grow older. Read on and learn the differences between teen and adult acne. 

Teenage acne

Acne in teens forms the same way as adult acne. It can also be genetic or associated with puberty and hormonal changes. The location of the acne can differentiate adult acne from teen acne. For teens, it commonly appears on the cheeks and forehead, as well as the chest and back. It is also common for teens to have more blackheads than adults.

Teenage acne often appears due to androgens (male hormones). Both girls and boys have these hormones and their level normally rises during puberty. This can overstimulate the oil glands and cause excess oil or sebum production. It can then clog your pores and lead to the formation of pimples or acne. 

Your genes also play a part in the formation of acne. If a family member (first-degree relative) has or had acne, you are more likely to develop this skin condition too. Genetics may also partly explain why acne is severe in some people. Others also have a hereditary tendency to overproduce oil, dead skin cells, or even excess androgen.

Adult acne

Acne doesn’t always clear up in your adult years. In fact, you can have acne during your teen years and continue to get it as you get older. You may also not suffer from teenage acne, but start to develop it during your 20s or 30s. Hormones can also be a culprit in adult acne, as well as other factors like stress, pollution, and certain medications.

Acne in adults can appear almost anywhere, but it is more common on the chin, around the mouth, and along the jawline. Chronic stress and hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, are associated with adult acne. Certain health conditions can also affect hormones, which can then contribute to acne or worsened acne conditions. 

Treating adult acne can be more difficult, as adults have slower cell turnover rates. Teens also have more resilient skin, which is why they recover faster from breakouts. Other skin issues like dehydration, pigmentation, and sensitivity can also make treating adult acne more challenging. 

What happens after acne?

Once your acne has cleared up, your skin may still be left with dark spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scars. Picking or popping active acne increases your risk of both scarring and discoloration. It can also make your acne worse, as touching a blemish can transfer bacteria from your hands to your face.

This only makes it important to keep your hands off your face. It may be hard to do so, but this plays a big part in how your skin will look after your acne has healed up. It is also advisable to look for an acne treatment that can also fade pigmentation, as well as reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Treating your acne

The right acne treatment can depend on what’s causing it or the type of acne you have. Topical skin products with benzoyl peroxide and salicylic are commonly used, especially for mild acne. Antibiotics, retinoids, or hormonal therapies may also be prescribed if topical products can’t clear your acne. Talk to your healthcare provider to know the right treatment. 

You need to wait for about 6 to 8 weeks or more for your acne treatment to work. Being patient and consistent matters. It is also important to avoid habits that can worsen your acne. These include touching your face or picking your blemishes, over washing your face, and sleeping with your makeup on.

How can microneedling help?

While microneedling is commonly used for acne scarring, it is also beneficial for occurring acne. At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we use Dermapen 4, which is an advanced micro needling system. It is an upgraded version with increased power and speed to vertically pierce the skin and address a range of skin issues.

Dermapen creates miniscule needle punctures in the top layer of the skin. This causes micro-trauma, which then induces an immune response that results in the creation of new collagen. There’s also the benefit of improving blood flow in the treated area, creating and providing a healthy foundation for new skin.  

Both teens and adults can turn to Dermapen microneedling to keep acne under control. It stimulates the body’s repair and renewal function, serving as a natural acne treatment. It can help your skin look clear and healthy by:

• Reducing the appearance of existing and future pigmentation
• Treating acne scarring brought upon by previous breakouts
• Boosting the production of collagen and elastin
• Activating lymphatic drainage

You may be also glad to know that Dermapen has a range of serums (MG-Collection) exclusively designed for microneedling. There is a formulation specifically designed to clear skin and address acne, brighten pigmentation, restore skin, and reverse scars and signs of aging. 

Other aesthetic treatments for acne

Acne medications can help improve your skin condition, but there are also cases where aesthetic treatments may be recommended. Just be sure to talk to your provider or aesthetic doctor to learn more about these procedures and find out which one is right for you. 

VI Peel Purify – This chemical peel is specifically formulated for treating acne and other concerns caused by acne symptoms. VI Peel Purify has the original VI Peel formula with additional ingredients to effectively fight acne and associated symptoms. It is suitable for active acne, teen acne, oily skin, and acne-prone skin.

Its benefits include:

• Kills acne-causing bacteria
• Increases cellular turnover to unclog pores
• Reduces comedones
• Calms redness and inflammation

Clarifying Facial with Sapphire – This features the Sapphire Blue Light Technology, which is FDA-cleared for clearing inflammation, killing acne-causing bacteria, and healing the skin. This facial also involves microdermabrasion, extractions, and a specialized mask to remove dead skin cells, clarify congestion, and soothe skin. 

Laser Genesis Skin Therapy – This US FDA-cleared laser technology can treat and improve enlarged pores, fine lines, skin redness, and uneven skin texture. It gently heats the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen and improve skin quality. Laser Genesis can be combined with a chemical peel to combat breakouts. 

To learn more about these procedures and other aesthetic treatments for your skin concerns, get in touch with us. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to find out which treatment suits you best.