Adolescents have acne due to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty. These hormones stimulate the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands of the skin, clogging the pores and promoting the appearance of pimples.
During puberty, your body starts an intense production of certain hormones, especially androgens like testosterone. These hormones stimulate the glands in your skin, called sebaceous glands, responsible for producing sebum. As a result, they operate at full capacity and produce much more sebum than necessary. This greasy surplus makes your skin shinier and promotes the appearance of acne. Hormonal surges during this period are common, which is why breakouts often occur unexpectedly during adolescence.
During adolescence, the skin glands start to produce more sebum (a type of natural oil that usually hydrates the skin). But when there is too much, the sebum accumulates in the pores and eventually clogs them. At this point, dead cells stick to it, creating small plugs called comedones. These comedones can be open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads). And that's the beginning of pimples! The longer the pores remain clogged, the greater the chances that bacteria will come and settle in, turning a simple comedone into a lovely inflammation.
Your skin naturally harbors a lot of bacteria, particularly one in particular: Cutibacterium acnes. Normally, this is a peaceful coexistence. But when your pores are clogged and there's a lot of sebum, these bacteria take advantage of the situation: they multiply rapidly. Their excessive proliferation then triggers an immune response, in other words, inflammation, leading to redness, swelling, and pimples. In short, it's bacterial chaos that contributes to your acne.
When bacteria proliferate in a clogged pore, the body is clearly not pleased. As a result, your immune system goes on the defensive and triggers an inflammatory reaction. This causes redness, swelling, and sometimes even pain. Those infamous red spots you see appearing are ultimately nothing more than a defensive reaction of your skin against the bacterial invasion and the accumulation of sebum and dead cells. And that's why some blemishes can become painful or sensitive to the touch, clearly indicating that your skin is actively fighting to get rid of the problem.
Stress really affects the skin. When you stress, your body secretes more hormones, particularly cortisol, which prompts your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil, the infamous sebum. The result: oily skin, clogged pores, and bingo, pimples!
And your plate matters too. Research shows that eating too many super sugary foods or those rich in refined carbohydrates (like pastries, sodas, white bread, fries...) increases the risk of getting pimples. Why? Because these foods cause your blood sugar to spike, which can exacerbate acne breakouts by stimulating sebum production.
In short, stress and a poor diet is the perfect combo to give a boost to your acne.
The sun may create the illusion of temporarily improving acne, but in reality, prolonged exposure dries out and sensitizes the skin, leading to a rebound increase in acne as soon as the effect wears off.
Emotional stress can influence acne breakouts. The increase in stress hormones can stimulate sebum production, thereby facilitating the occurrence of acne.
Here is the translation: "Touching or popping acne bumps can worsen inflammation and leave permanent scars: it's best to let your skin heal naturally or consult a specialist."
Contrary to popular belief, acne does not only affect teenagers: many adults continue to experience episodes of acne well into adulthood, sometimes even into their forties or beyond.
Yes, there are different medical treatments, ranging from topical creams or gels to oral treatments (antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, isotretinoin). These treatments should be tailored to each teenager by a dermatologist based on the nature and severity of their acne.
No, acne is generally not related to a lack of personal hygiene. It is mainly caused by hormonal fluctuations, increased sebum production, and bacterial overgrowth. Excessive or overly aggressive cleansing of the skin can even worsen acne by further irritating the skin.
To avoid worsening acne, it is recommended to refrain from touching or popping pimples, to use non-comedogenic cosmetic products suitable for acne-prone skin, and to regularly but gently cleanse the face with mild soap or specific cleansing gels.
Studies indicate that certain high glycemic index foods (sugar, white bread, processed snacks) and dairy products can influence or exacerbate acne flare-ups in some individuals. A balanced diet can therefore help reduce the occurrence of breakouts.
For most teenagers, acne gradually decreases as hormones regulate, usually in the early twenties. However, some adults continue to suffer from acne and require dermatological follow-up.
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