Acne For Teenage Guys: Prevention And Treatment

Have you experienced the begrudging feeling of waking up with an acne outbreak one morning? Unfortunately, this is a familiar sight that many teenage guys experience at some point thanks to the bodily changes brought by puberty. Not only that but they are also caused by other physical and even emotional factors such as stress. Because of this widespread condition, a lot of teenagers experience insecurity and frustration. Fortunately, there are methods of eradicating or at least minimizing the effects of acne.

For this article, we will talk all about the causes and treatments for acne in teenage guys. In one of the sections, We will address the effects of fluctuating testosterone levels as well. Finally, we will also discuss the causes to give an insight into how we can treat acne for teenage guys.

When Does Acne Start To Show

A typical season for acne in males is around puberty, seen between ten and thirteen years old. It is more severe in persons who have oily skin. Hormonal changes are another factor that contributes to acne occurrence. They produce oils that can clog pores and allow bacteria to multiply, which can result in acne.

In addition, men frequently have acne growth on their backs and faces as a result of excessive sweating. Due to the fact that men shave their faces regularly, acne breakouts can also occur in men. Shaving may create scarring and open pores, which may result in inflammatory acne.

Causes Of Acne

➡️ Excess Oils

The buildup of excess oils in the face can eventually clog the pores and lead to pimples. Especially during puberty, the level of facial oils is pretty unstable. Some teenagers’ faces are less oily than others, and it depends on genetics and lifestyle. This cause acts as a partner-in-crime for the next factor.

➡️ Dirt

Excess oil in the face can be worsened by dirt. Bacteria and dirt can eventually clump up in the pores and cause mayhem. This is why some of the pimples become inflamed and prone to leak with pus. Throughout the whole day, your face has already accumulated a large amount of dirt and dead skin.

➡️ Hormonal Changes And Fluctuating Testosterone Levels

During puberty, the body’s hormones are volatile. This, of course, has a lot of effects on the skin. The testosterone levels are often fluctuating during this stage, which can affect acne. It has been found that male teenagers with high testosterone are somewhat more prone to acne. Meanwhile, teenagers with low testosterone are prone to acne-causing dry skin.

➡️ Dry Skin

Dry skin is more prone to breaking, which places that part at risk for developing acne. Bacteria, oils, dirt, and dead cells can clump together in dry skin cracks. You can avoid this cause by keeping the face moisturized while still not causing it to have excess oils.

➡️ Stress

Stress can cause the oil glands on your skin to become hyperactive. This leads to excess oil, which of course, leads to acne. It can also cause hormonal imbalances and other harmful effects on the body.

➡️ Genetics

People who have parents or relatives with acne have been found to develop them as well. Though no specific gene causes acne, it causes other factors like hormonal imbalances and excess oil.

➡️ Sleep Deprivation

Lack of sleep can cause the skin’s texture to change. It becomes lackluster, which causes it to become prone to acne. Sleep deprivation can also lead to the buildup of stress which further increases the effects of acne.

Prevention And Treatment Of Acne

🚩 Good Quality Hygiene

If you have been walking around outside all day, your skin will definitely not be clean. So make sure you clean the skin properly during showers. You should also regularly change your bedsheets and facial towels. More importantly, avoid touching your face without disinfecting your hands. Your face is especially prone to developing acne, which is why you should keep it safe from dirt.

🚩 Avoid Popping Pimples

Popping pimples can leave scars on the skin, which exposes it to bacteria. Instead of getting rid of the acne, you may experience another outbreak. It would be advisable just to let it go away by itself as the body goes through the natural healing process. It is also highly advisable to avoid touching your pimples. Since the skin is exposed during outbreaks, you should avoid getting more bacteria by touching them.

🚩 Using Facial Products

Finding the right facial product can become a long process of trial and error. Some facial products can make it worse, while others seem not to work at all. The trick is to let the facial product do its job for at least a month. You should never expect instant effects because they need to be applied consistently. Some of the types of facial products include:

✅ Cleanser
✔ Eye Cream
☑ Face Mask

✅ Moisturizer
✔ SPF Sunscreen
☑ Facial Scrub

✅ Toner
✔ Serum
☑ Concealer

These are the facial products that are part of most skin care routines. However, they can often be pricey, and it is much more efficient to buy a complete bundle.

🚩 Healthy Diet

Having a healthy diet is one of, if not the most critical factors for reducing acne. Not only will it minimize the effects of acne, but it will also improve your overall health. You should eat more lean protein and hormone-balancing food. Boiled eggs, ginger, and leafy greens are all excellent options for increasing testosterone. You should also take multivitamin supplements or those containing Vitamin D and Iron.

🚩 Minimize stress

School and work can be very stressful both physically and mentally. Therefore, it is always a good idea to take time for yourself. Whether playing sports or games, exercising, hobbies or simply resting, you should make time for it. This way, you will be able to minimize the effects of Stress and Sleep Deprivation.

🚩 Facial Treatments

There are some facial treatments available that can eradicate acne indefinitely. An example of this is the laser treatment which removes acne scars and pigmentations. These treatments, however, can become quite costly. There is also the possibility that the effects will not last for long.

🚩 Seeing A Dermatologist

If you’re willing to spend extra money on your acne treatment, your best bet is to go to a dermatologist. This medically trained expert will be able to provide medications and remedies for curing acne. However, you will need to pay the professional expenses of the dermatologist and buy the required medicines. These professionals also specialize in hair and nails if you have problems with them.

Vitamins You Need To Take For A Clear Face

💊 Vitamin A

Acne harms the skin, and vitamin A can help to counteract this. Vitamin A is one of the antioxidants that fight harmful compounds that can cause damage to the skin cells. It is also efficient in slowing down the onset of skin aging. Vitamin A also has anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates the production of new skin cells, and protects the skin from environmental harm.

Vitamin A supplements in oral preparation do not have the same effect as vitamin A. Therefore, it is strongly advisable to choose topical preparations rather than oral supplements for this vitamin. Because of the nature of Vitamin A, it can quickly accumulate in the body fat, and an excessive content of Vitamin A can be pretty harmful.

💊 Vitamin D

Calciferol or Vitamin D has antibacterial capabilities as well as the ability to enhance the immune system. Vitamin D does have the same anti-inflammatory properties as vitamin A. Bacterial acne can cause inflammation, so taking Vitamin D will lighten the reddish appearance of the acne. Vitamin D is beneficial for more than only bones; it is also known to cure various skin disorders. It is possible that having enough levels of this vitamin in your body will help to reduce the severe symptoms of your acne, like irritation and itchiness.

💊 Zinc

Zinc is a common treatment to help reduce the accumulation of oil in your face. Oil can increase the building up of acne because it traps dirt and clogs the pores resulting in inflamed bumps. Zinc supplementation for acne treatment also benefits aiding in the fight against bacteria or viruses on the skin’s surface. Additionally, zinc may help alleviate some of the skin irritation experienced when having different severity of acne. It will also aid in the reduction of the development of breakouts and acne scars.

💊 Vitamin C

This vitamin is often known as ascorbic acid. Scars heal fast if you have enough amount of vitamin C in your body. However, it takes time for your skin to repair after having an acne breakout. Acne scars can form if the acne is not treated correctly. These scars are most commonly associated with severe acne with pus and blood.

Additional risk factors for scarring include chronic acne, genetically acquired acne, and manual interventions such as pinching or squeezing. Aside from that, vitamin C is a popular antioxidant that has been shown to lower stress in both the skin and the body. Keep in mind that this vitamin is water-soluble and that the body does not manufacture enough of it to meet your body’s needs. It is, therefore, preferable to use oral supplements to enhance the effectiveness of your acne treatment.

💊 Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps reduce skin inflammation, which means that taking it can enhance your immune function and assist with tissue repair. Within three months of usage, vitamin E was found to be beneficial in managing chronic acne if used topically. It is also frequently used with other supplements such as zinc and vitamin C.

You can also choose topical preparations such as creams and ointments. You can also choose serums on the skin’s surface based on the condition of the skin. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E may have just a minor impact on the overall treatment of acne. However, it is incredibly effective as an anti-aging supplement. In addition, it can assist in making your skin look more radiant and youthful, regardless of your age.

Bottom Line

Puberty is a stage of perpetual change for a teenager’s body. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet will help you immensely when dealing with acne. Always remember that your body is still changing, and acne is not 100% avoidable. Consider yourself and prioritize taking good care of your health, and your skin will eventually follow.

For other grooming tips like exfoliation, refer here.