How to avoid teenage acne: advice from an experienced dermatologist

Acne appears on the back of a teenager as often as on the face. And if boys don’t worry so much about such rashes, then for teenage girls this is a real problem. And it requires an immediate, and most importantly, the right decision.

Acne on the back of teenagers appears for the same reasons as on the face. And the main reason is the ducts of the sebaceous glands, which become clogged and stop functioning normally. And there are no less of them on the back than on the face.

Such sebaceous glands that are clogged begin to become inflamed from the inside. At this moment, microbes can enter them, which causes the appearance of pus. And in teenagers, acne most often appears due to hormonal changes in the body, which begin at the age of 13–14 years.

What are the types of acne on a teenager's back?

1. Small pimples on the back may appear as a response to constant wearing of synthetic clothing. In this case, the skin does not receive air, but sweats quite a lot. Such pimples appear immediately over a large area and disappear after proper hygienic care.
2. If pimples appear along with severe itching, this may be a sign of an allergic reaction, for example, to a cosmetic product used by teenagers. The same allergy can appear to soap, shower gel, or powder that was used to wash clothes.
3. Large white pimples often appear on the back , which some also call wen. Few people know, but the top layer of skin on the back is quite dense, and there are a large number of sebaceous glands located here. Such glands are literally clogged with subcutaneous fat and because of this, noticeable compactions appear. And if microbes do not get into such a pimple, then it can remain in this state for a very long time.
4. On the back, like on any other part of the body, open comedones or blackheads may appear.
5. Red, inflamed pimples often appear here , but with proper treatment you can quickly get rid of them.
6. If you don’t react to the appearance of pimples, then they can develop into real ulcers . They can reach large sizes and are quite difficult to cure.

Why do acne appear on my shoulders?

Overactive activity of the sebaceous glands is the main reason for the formation of pimples that a person unbearably wants to squeeze out. As a result, the infection spreads further, and dermatological pathology acquires alarming proportions. This is how the general mechanism for the occurrence of rashes works, while its onset can be triggered by many circumstances, in particular:

1. The habit of wearing synthetic wardrobe items that do not allow the dermis to fully breathe. As a result, the sebaceous secretion clogs the ducts, bacteria multiply in them, and an inflammatory or infectious process begins. A similar statement applies to overly tight and dense outerwear, which also prevents normal cooling of the skin;
2. Allergies are another answer to why rashes form on the shoulders. Unfortunately, the quality of modern household chemicals, nutrition and ecology leaves much to be desired, and the body can demonstrate its negative attitude even towards an exotic fruit, a medicine prescribed by a doctor, or a recently purchased shower gel;
3. Harmful addictions such as smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs. All these factors can quickly worsen both a person’s general well-being and appearance;
4. Lack of vitamins, leading to a decrease in the body's defenses;
5. Stress, as a result of which the rash may well distort the skin not only on the shoulders, but also on the chest, neck or buttocks;
6. Addiction to peelings and active skin scrubbing. Such procedures thin the upper layer of the dermis, which performs protective functions, force the sebaceous glands to work even more actively and cause many related dermatological problems;
7. Hair that is too long, causing the skin on your shoulders to sweat quickly and excessively.

If we talk about internal factors that provoke acne, they can be of the following nature:

1. Hormonal, when the concentration of hormones changes depending on the age and condition of a person (pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, menopause, etc.);
2. Dysbacteriosis and other gastrointestinal pathologies;
3. Thyroid diseases or disruptions of the endocrine system;
4. Abnormal liver function;
5. Disturbed activity of the genitourinary system.

Types of rashes

The appearance of acne on the shoulders, as well as their treatment, depends on what exactly causes their appearance. Eg:

1. Hands, shoulders and then the whole body, covered with small and watery formations, indicate the onset of measles - an infectious disease, the accompanying symptoms of which resemble a cold: fever, general weakness, slight cough and mucus discharge from the nose;
2. Lots of red bumps on the shoulders and upper torso should prompt a person to be checked for chickenpox. Despite the fact that the disease most often affects children, it also occurs in adults, but it is much more complicated. In an advanced state, rashes on the shoulders begin to itch very much, and then spread throughout the body;
3. Large and very itchy pimples on the shoulders that appear in response to the use of medications are commonly called hives. They do not require a person to undergo urgent treatment and quickly go away on their own after discontinuation of the allergen drug;
4. Large rashes on the shoulders, filled with pus and accompanied by the formation of dense and dark spots - this is cystic acne, which belongs to the category of deep subcutaneous infections.

Causes

The main reason for the appearance of acne in adolescents, both on the back and on the face, is called hormonal changes in the body. Moreover, this affects the work of all organs, but especially affects the skin.

The sweat and sebaceous glands work especially actively during this period. And increased sweating, poor hygiene and the addition of microbes lead to the appearance of acne. But what else can cause rashes on the back?

• Allergic reaction.
• Incorrectly chosen clothes. It has been noticed that acne on the back most often appears in those who prefer to wear synthetic clothes.
• Poor nutrition. Excessive consumption of sweets, fast food, and fatty foods leads to the fact that the body tries to get rid of everything unnecessary not only through the kidneys and liver, but also through the skin.
• Diseases of the stomach and intestines, glands, kidneys, liver.
• Stress.
• Reduced immunity.
• Violation of personal hygiene rules.

Causes of acne on the back in children under one year old

In children under one year old, pimples on the skin are called prickly heat. This disease appears when hygiene rules are not followed, when the baby sweats excessively, as well as from overheating. The rash can also cause allergies.

If there is any rash on the baby’s skin, it should definitely be shown to a pediatrician. Moreover, few parents know that acne on a child’s body can be symptoms of various serious infections - chickenpox, measles, rubella, scarlet fever.

But purulent acne can cause damage to the body by staphylococcus.

Causes of acne on the back of boys and girls

From the moment puberty begins, real acne appears on the body of many boys and girls. As a rule, they stop bothering you after you reach 20 years of age, although in guys this rash may last longer.

And the main reason for acne is hormonal changes. Since it is impossible to influence this cause, it is only recommended to carefully monitor body hygiene and use preventive cosmetics.

In adults

The causes of back acne in adults are completely different. Moreover, it has been noted that most often this attack occurs in men. And there is an explanation here.

The skin on the back of men is dense, and there are also a large number of hair follicles. The sebaceous and sweat glands work very actively. And it is the hair follicles that can become inflamed due to being clogged with fat.

Other reasons include:

• Smoking.
• Drinking large amounts of alcohol.
• Poor nutrition.
• Stress.

What about women? Yes, acne also appears on their back, but very, very rarely. Women take care of their personal hygiene better than men, eat right and cope better with stressful situations.

But acne can appear due to one or another gynecological disease.

How to treat teenage acne in girls

Treatment must be comprehensive. First of all, you should find out the main cause of acne. A visit to a dermatologist and endocrinologist will be helpful. They will check the condition of the skin and the functioning of hormones and recommend effective treatment.

Depending on the number of pimples on the face, the main stages of acne development can be distinguished:

• From 1 to 10 acne – the first stage;
• From 10 to 40 inflammations – the second stage;
• More than 40 - severe third stage.

Each stage requires its own treatment methods.

Pharmacy drugs and methods

Pharmacies offer a wide selection of anti-acne products. They are presented in the form of lotions, ointments, creams and gels and masks.

Such products as Zenerit, Skinoren gel, Curiosin gel, Baziron and others have proven themselves well. These drugs dry out pimples and regulate the production of sebaceous glands, kill germs and speed up the healing process. A month of using such products will significantly improve the appearance of your skin.

Effective pharmaceutical products:

• Hydrogen peroxide gives an excellent effect in the fight against acne in girls. It must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3 and applied to the inflammation up to 3 times a day. After a week of use, the pimples noticeably dry out and disappear.
• Zinc ointment is also an inexpensive pharmaceutical remedy in the fight against acne. It perfectly relieves inflammation, dries out pimples and helps them heal faster.
• Sulfur ointment is another effective assistant from the pharmacy. It kills germs and bacteria, reduces skin oiliness and helps wounds heal faster. The smell is a little unpleasant, but the effect of the ointment is clearly noticeable after just a few uses.
• The most powerful remedy is salicylic ointment. It has a strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. It should be applied carefully to the site of inflammation. You can apply the product at night and cover it with a band-aid. After just a few days, the pimples dry out and heal.

To treat acne, so-called “talkers” based on medications are used. Tablets of analgin, aspirin, chloramphenicol and streptocide are crushed and mixed with alcohol. Wipe your face with this mixture twice a day. Within a week, the face is noticeably cleansed and takes on a healthy appearance.

Folk remedies

There are many folk methods of combating acne. They are mainly based on herbs that significantly reduce inflammation.

Among them are:

• chamomile;
• sequence;
• calendula;
• sage and others.

The herbs are brewed with boiling water, infused, then filtered and wiped on the face with this product. The procedure should be carried out twice a day for two weeks. The skin gets used to the action of one herb, so it is recommended to change the herb after 10-14 days.

Compresses made from herbal decoctions have a good effect on the skin. To do this, soak gauze in the broth and apply it to your face. Leave for 10-15 minutes and remove.

Aloe is an excellent remedy. A tincture of it perfectly dries out pimples and relieves inflammation. You need to keep the aloe leaves in the refrigerator for 10 days, then boil them in water in a ratio of 1:5 and cool.

Some foods help improve skin condition - egg white, cucumber, kefir, lemon, etc. Masks made from them also relieve inflammation, regenerate the skin and regulate sebum production.

Treatment of back acne in teenagers

What to do when a teenager has acne all over his back? In this case, it is better not to practice self-medication, since first of all it is necessary to establish what caused the disease.

Therefore, if you want to get rid of acne and other rashes once and for all, you should definitely visit a dermatologist or cosmetologist.

If after consultation no diseases of the internal organs, especially the stomach and intestines, were identified, then you can use the following methods of therapy:

• Diet.
• Careful hygienic care.
• The right choice of cosmetics.
• Use of medicinal ointments.

Diet

Diet therapy plays a huge role in the treatment of acne in adolescents. At this age, you should stop eating unhealthy foods such as smoked meats, spicy foods, fatty foods, chips, soda, sweets, and fast food. In some cases, rashes on the back may appear even after drinking large amounts of cow's milk.

How to treat acne in teenagers using special procedures?

• Light therapy and laser therapy. Many teenagers note remission of acne during summer holidays spent at sea. This is due to the effect of sunlight on skin rashes. This principle is the basis for such methods of treating acne in adolescence as phototherapy (light therapy) and laser therapy. Both methods are based on exposing the skin to blue light or infrared radiation aimed at the area of ​​the rash.
• Jacquet massage. The method is based on normalizing the functioning of the sebaceous glands, reducing hyperkeratosis, improving blood microcirculation, eliminating congestion and swelling.

Types of acne and their treatment

Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of such a phenomenon as increased oily skin in adolescents during puberty. However, proper treatment, diet and skin care will help get rid of rashes or significantly reduce their number. But treatment also depends on the type of acne.

From small ones

If a large number of small pimples appear on your back, then it is not advisable to use ointments or masks here.

The best help in this case is a bath with potassium permanganate, sea salt or chamomile decoction.

If desired, you can use salicylic-zinc paste. It can be applied to a large surface of the skin at once.

You can use boric or salicylic acid, calendula, from which the tincture is made, as well as a drug such as chlorhexidine.

From subcutaneous

The most difficult to treat are those pimples and blackheads that are located under the skin and have no way out. Therefore, drugs are used here to absorb and clean pores.

It is best to use a simple compress.

• A large spoon of honey + a small spoon of lemon juice + 10 drops of tea tree oil.
• Mix everything thoroughly.
• Soak a napkin with this mixture.
• Apply on pimples.
• The duration of the compress is several hours.

From purulent

Purulent pimples are very, very painful. This is due to the proliferation of bacteria and the development of inflammation. They cannot be squeezed out. But you can speed up their maturation. And also with the help of ointments it is possible to draw out the pus.

To do this, it is best to use ointments such as:

• Ichthyol.
• Vishnevsky.

Among the traditional methods, it is recommended to use aloe juice, grate potatoes, and lubricate with iodine.

Treatment of acne in adolescents with medications

When prescribing optimal therapy, the doctor evaluates the nature of the rash (the predominance of inflammatory or non-inflammatory elements), its location and quantity, the age of the boy or girl, the gender of the patient, the presence or absence of endocrine disorders.

The primary goals in the treatment of acne in adolescents (boys and girls) are the following:

• normalization of sebum production;
• reducing the level of density and viscosity of fat;
• reduction of keratinization of sebaceous ducts;
• softening comedones and removing their contents;
• fight pathogenic microorganisms and reduce inflammation;
• actions aimed at eliminating scars and post-acne.

To soften comedone plugs, topical retinoids are used - drugs based on vitamin A, its derivatives and synthetic analogues.

To normalize the amount of fatty acids on the surface of the skin, medications based on benzoyl peroxide are prescribed.

For disinfection, drying, exfoliation and providing an antiseptic effect, the doctor may recommend the use of products based on azelaic and salicylic acids.

To reduce the inflammatory process at the mouth of the follicle, it may be necessary to use local products based on zinc oxide and sulfur.

To cope with pathogenic microflora and stop the inflammatory process, antibiotics are used. For acne in a teenager on the face, back and chest, the doctor may recommend the use of products based on erythromycin, etc.

What not to do for teenage acne

In pursuit of quick relief from acne, many teenagers make many mistakes. Let's clarify what not to do in the fight against rashes on the back.

• You should not use antibacterial soap every day. It dries out the skin greatly, resulting in even more acne.
• You should not squeeze pimples, as the infection can also be spread all over your back. The deeper layers of the skin can also be affected.
• Do not use hard washcloths, scrubs or peeling. This can cause inflammation to worsen.
• You cannot use antibiotics without a prescription, as this will lead to the microbes developing resistance over time and it will no longer be possible to overcome them.

Prevention and hygiene

Following basic hygiene rules will keep your skin healthy and help fight acne.

Basic preventive measures:

• cleanse your face twice a day – morning and evening;
• be sure to wash off makeup;
• use cosmetics suitable for your skin type;
• do not use alcohol-containing products;
• do not use soap for washing, only special gels, foams, etc.;
• cleanse your face with a scrub twice a week;
• It is forbidden to squeeze out pimples yourself;
• maintain a daily routine;
• eat well, avoid junk food;
• take vitamin complexes;
• spend more time outdoors
• exercise.

Compliance with these rules will give the growing body everything it needs for development and will avoid skin problems.

See what causes acne on the neck in women. To find out about the causes of acne on the chin in women. You need to follow the link.

How is steroid acne treated?
Find out more. Juvenile acne is a serious problem. It is especially acute for girls.
They are more susceptible to this problem. Complex treatment should begin as early as possible. A large selection of cosmetics in stores and pharmacies, as well as folk recipes, make it possible to effectively fight acne.

Prevention

Prevention helps avoid the appearance of back acne in teenagers. Moreover, there is no need to take any special measures for this. Everything is very simple:

• Wear clothes only from natural fabrics.
• Bedding should also be made only from natural material. It is recommended to wash bed linen once a week.
• Take a shower 2 times a day. Be sure to use scrubs twice a week. But only if there are no acne.
• Establish proper nutrition, excluding fatty, fried and spicy foods.

Consumer Reviews

Yulia Kremleva about La-Cree STOP ACNE tonic (irecommend.ru)

For a long time I could not find a normal toner for my face. I often came across ones that left a sticky film on my face and I wanted to wash my face quickly. In addition, my skin is problematic, oily and therefore requires careful cleansing. Once at the pharmacy I saw a tonic from La Cree. I am already familiar with the series of cosmetics from this company; in general, I like their cosmetics. I decided to experiment and buy their tonic. The tonic is not simple, but Stop Acne. On the packaging it was written that it regulates the functioning of the sebaceous glands, reduces pores, and deeply cleanses the skin. I can say that after a week of using the tonic, the blackheads on my nose disappeared, the pores on the wings of my nose became smaller, and in general my skin somehow became fresher, clearer and began to look much better. This toner is simply magical. The feeling on the skin after using the toner is very pleasant. There is no stickiness! All cosmetics and dirt remain on the cotton pad. It turns out that a regular washing gel does not completely cleanse the skin. I plan to go to the pharmacy and buy La-Cri foam from this series.

Advantages - does not dry out - perfectly cleanses the skin - pleasant aroma - herbal composition

Irina about La-Cree STOP ACNE cream (vseotzyvy.ru)

“The most effective remedy that I have tried, especially since its cost is much more favorable than imported ones. The local action cream-gel relieved inflammation already in the very first days. The cream-gel itself comes in a convenient package; I often take it with me in case of a rash. Together with the cleansing gel, the effect is even better) I recommend”).

Gulya about La-Cree STOP ACNE cream (vseotzyvy.ru)

“I purchased this local cream-gel from La-Cri for my youngest daughter, who had just entered puberty and started having terrible rashes all over her face. In particular, what bothered me the most were large point inflammations in the most visible places where you want them to go away as quickly as possible - forehead, nose, chin. We tried a bunch of products, including pharmaceutical ones, but nothing helped as much as this La-Cri cream-gel. My daughter applies it several times a day to the pimple that bothers her the most and leaves it on. The results of the application are very positive: this gel quickly and actively removed the pimple that was causing concern and eliminated all inflammation. I also liked that after removal the pimple did not cause the appearance of pimples nearby, but simply disappeared and that’s it. I recommend it, of course."

Sources:

1. Schneiderman Paul, Grossman Mark, Differential diagnosis in dermatology. Atlas, Binom, 2020.
2. E.G. Sanakaeva, S.A. Masyukova, I.V. Ilyina, E.V. Vvedenskaya and others, Modern therapy of acne and acneiform dermatoses, Russian Journal of Skin and Venereal Diseases, 2013.
3. Habiff Thomas P., Clinical Dermatology. Acne-like and papulosquamous dermatoses, MEDpress-inform, 2014.
4. Kildiyarova Rita Rafgatovna, Pediatrician for every day. Guide for doctors, GEOTAR-Media, 2020.

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