Acne has often been seen as a rite of passage for teenagers. But in recent years, what was once fuel for teen angst is now ushering children toward that particular brand of anxiety earlier and earlier. Twelve is no longer as the lower end of the age range in terms of acne presentation. Children as young as seven are now showing up at the dermatologist’s office for acne treatment
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How Common Is Acne in Preteens?
A report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) confirmed that acne is becoming more common in preteens. The research involved 1,277 children and found that more than 40% of those aged seven to nine had acne, and more than three-quarters of those aged 10 to 12 had acne.
“I’ve definitely seen a shift,” said Dr. Latanya T. Benjamin, a dermatologist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. “It’s not uncommon for a 7- or 9-year-old to walk in with the first signs of acne.”
What’s causing the earlier appearance of acne? Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, lead author of the AAP report and a pediatric dermatologist at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, believes that the reason may be that, on average, puberty is beginning earlier than in past generations.
The changes in hormones increase the activity of sebaceous glands, which means more oil secretion. Oil mixes with dead skin cells, clogging pores, trapping bacteria, and initiating breakouts. Stress and genetics can also be factors.
Fortunately, most preteen acne is mild and responds to a simple, pared-down regimen used consistently. More severe acne in early years can be a sign of things to come, so you want to get it under control as early as possible to reduce the chance of it developing into cystic acne or scarring. However, even mild acne that is picked at, or otherwise allowed to become inflamed, can result in scarring or hyperpigmentation, so proper care in early years matters for healthy skin later.
One thing to settle first. If your child is under 12, talk to your pediatrician or a dermatologist before starting any acne treatment product. Over-the-counter acne labeling directs parents to do exactly that, and a doctor can also tell you whether what you’re seeing is acne at all.
Don’t wait for acne to appear before teaching your child good skin care habits.
Beginning around age nine, help your child develop good habits by washing nightly using a mild facial cleanser. Cleansing Milk or Green Tea Cleanser are gentle choices for young skin.
At the first sign of pimples, switch to a cleanser formulated to control acne. Benzoyl peroxide is a well-established over-the-counter acne treatment. It treats acne and helps prevent new acne blemishes from forming. BP 3% Acne Treatment Wash is a good starting point for skin new to acne treatments
For deeper skin tones or skin that reacts easily, Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash is a gentler option. Clinical Mandelic Acid helps improve the appearance of uneven tone and supports a clearer, more even-looking complexion.
Consider adding a toner to keep surface debris from building up on the skin.
Daily Repair Pads are formulated with mandelic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid, and help improve the appearance of congestion while supporting the skin’s moisture balance. The single-use, pre-moistened, textured pads make sticking to a skin care routine simple for preteens.
For quick control of more aggressive breakouts, keep BP 10% Acne Medication Gel on hand and use as needed. Benzoyl peroxide treats acne and helps prevent new acne blemishes from forming.
Quick Tips for Preteens
Start early. Developing good skin care habits before the signs of the first breakout can help reduce future breakouts and the scarring that can occur when acne gets inflamed.
Be consistent. A pimple takes roughly a month to form beneath the surface before it appears, so while the skin may look clear on the surface, the next crop is already forming underneath.
Don’t spot treat. Breakouts are forming across the whole area, not just where you can see them. Apply products to the entire face, not just to individual spots.
Hands off. Teach your child not to pick at pimples. Picking pushes the contents deeper, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of scarring.
Ice is nice! Rubbing ice over a lesion for two to three minutes can help temporarily calm the look of redness and swelling. Use it before applying toner, or as needed.
Use sunscreen. Despite what many people think, sun doesn’t make acne better. UV exposure creates inflammation that can make acne worse and cause dark marks to be left behind once the pimples clear. Those marks are known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Beware of sweaty hats. If you notice pimples along the hairline, it could be from hats, helmets, or headbands, especially if worn during active play. Keep these items clean and wash them after wearing.
See a dermatologist. If your preteen shows signs of more severe acne, don’t hesitate to visit a dermatologist — and see one first if your child is under 12, if breakouts are deep and painful, or if anything is leaving marks behind.
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