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Skin Care for Teens

Acne

Acne is the number one skin problem for teens. Most teens suffer with pimples and mild acne, more severe cases can cause physical and emotional scarring. The good news is that there are numerous treatment options available to treat acne scarring.

As with most medical conditions, early intervention is a plus in treating acne scarring. In addition to producing the best results, an early response to acne problems helps reduce the intensity and amount of treatment needed.

Dark haired male teen looking closer at acne in mirror

Acne Treatments

Used individually or in combination, depending on the nature and severity of the acne scars, the following treatments can help restore a smooth appearance to even a badly disfigured face:

The bottom line is that there are safe, effective treatments for acne scarring. Patients who have suffered with acne through their teenage years and beyond no longer need to live with acne scars.

Lasers and Energy-based Devices

There are a number of lasers and energy-based devices that are used to treat and improve acne scars. Examples of these devices include, but are not limited to: the CO2 laser, which tightens collagen below the skin to repair deeper scars; the Erbium: YAG laser, which is excellent for very precise sculpting; Picosecond lasers; and radiofrequency.

Sun Exposure

Adolescence is a time for children to become more independent. It’s important for teens to have the knowledge and tools to make smart choices, and those choices can have an impact on their skin health.

It's important to use sun protection, even if it’s more popular to get a great tan. Keep in mind both the medical and cosmetic risks of unprotected sun exposure, and teach children from an early age to always use sunscreen and other sun protective measures. Just one serious sunburn over your lifetime can increase your risk of skin cancer by as much as 50%. That's why sun protection is crucial — not only to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, but more importantly, to help prevent skin cancer.

teen female wearing sun hat and sunglasses in a tropical setting
Two teen girls laughing and applying facial cream

Unwanted hair

The sudden appearance of hair in unwanted places or in excess quantities can become a source of self-consciousness and can involve extensive time daily to remove. Laser and intense pulsed light technologies have advanced hair removal past the days of creams and electrolysis. Long-lasting results are usually achieved after a few treatment sessions. Consult with your local dermatologic surgeon to learn if these methods are suitable for your skin type and hair color.

Lifestyle factors

More than sun exposure, smoking causes wrinkles at an early stage for smokers compared to non-smokers. Smoking causes changes in the composition of the skin, causing premature ageing. Based on scientific studies, the skin loses its elasticity and acquires small red lines due to the dilation of blood vessels. The more you smoke, the more your skin ages.

Serious damage cannot truly be undone without surgical options, but rapid improvement in many problems can be seen relatively quickly once smoking has been ceased.

Consult your local dermatologic surgeon for options to counteract any serious damage.

 

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