Acne: A normal part of growing up
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| Dr. Ruffin Craig is a board-certified dermatologist. |
In fact, acne – a biological response to the circulation of hormones – usually starts to occur during the early teen years, says Dr. Ruffin Craig, a board-certified dermatologist. “The oil glands are set to start ticking with the presence of hormones.”
Acne, which can be treated with a range of medications depending on severity, is caused when the skin’s oil glands plug up with dead skin cells and oil, trapping bacteria that is normally found on the skin, Dr. Craig says. This usually starts with the “T” zone – the forehead, nose, and chin – around the ages of 10-12.
The good news is that after a few months, the oil glands mature and deliver the oil to the surface. Unfortunately, as some oil glands mature, other oil glands are ready to start acting up and cause acne.
It’s a cycle that usually reaches a peak between the ages of 16 to 18 and that is repeated until the teen-ager and all of the oil glands mature, says Dr. Craig.
About 80 percent of teen-agers have some acne and about 20 percent of adults in their 20s and 30s have adult acne. Depending on its severity, he says, acne can leave both physical and emotional scars.
“The younger you are when acne starts, the more severe it can be,” Dr. Craig says. Acne also is more likely to be severe in people with light-colored hair and light-colored eyes. Acne also tends to run in families. If your parents had severe acne, you’re likely to have it, too.
Keeping acne under control
Drug store counters are full of treatments for acne. When these don’t work, your physician has several treatments he can prescribe to clear up your acne.
Teens, as early as 10-14, can use over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide and oxy products (such as Clearasil), and products with salicylic acid (such as Stri-Dex), Dr. Craig says. If those don’t work, a physician can prescribe medications, often using a combination of antibiotics and topical creams to treat the acne until the patient reaches young adulthood.
For the worse cases, when other treatments don’t work, Accutane is successful, Dr. Craig says. After a regimen of five months, 80 percent of the people using Accutane have clear faces. Patients can take additional rounds when necessary.
Accutane isn’t for everyone, he says. It cannot be taken if you are pregnant. It also can cause depression and can affect the liver and blood fat level. For the most part, Dr. Craig adds, people on Accutane are happy “because their faces are doing well.”
Patients with acne should seek medical attention when they start getting puss and inflammatory lesions, Dr. Craig says. “It’s important to prevent scarring.” Acne also can cause psychological problems.
“The message,” he says, “is that acne can be treated and cleared up.”