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    Teen Acne Treatment

    By: Dr. Zoe Rafaat

    Teen Acne? Let’s Kick It to the Curb with CBD, Clean Ingredients, and a Little Help from Your Favorite Esthetician!

    Teenage years are a time of immense growth, discovery, and yes, challenges. One of those challenges that many teens face is acne. It can be overwhelming—not just because of the physical discomfort but also because of the emotional toll it takes on self-confidence. 

    While it’s impossible to completely prevent acne during adolescence—hormones are simply part of growing up—there are effective ways to manage and reduce its impact. Let me guide you through understanding teen acne and how we can work together to address it. 

    As a luxury esthetician, I’m passionate about helping teens navigate this difficult phase of life with kindness, expertise, and a focus on long-term skin health. I’m here to help teens (and their parents!) tackle acne with some seriously effective treatments. Together, we can take the stress out of skin care and get you back to feeling glowing and confident. 

    Let’s dive in.

    What’s Really Going On with Teen Acne? (Spoiler: It’s Hormones!)

    First, let’s understand what’s going on behind the scenes. During puberty, your body produces higher levels of hormones like estrogen and testosterone. This natural hormonal surge boosts oil production in your skin. While this oil is a good thing—it helps to protect and hydrate your skin—it can also cause problems when it combines with dead skin cells to clog pores. Toss in acne-causing bacteria (hello, P. acnes!) and you’ve got breakouts.

    But don’t panic—this is totally normal. It’s just a part of growing up! However, what’s not normal is not having a plan to control it. That’s where I come in.

    The Different Faces of Acne (and How to Deal)

    1. Non-Inflamed Acne: The Little Bumps and Blackheads

    Non-inflamed acne usually shows up as small, skin-colored bumps or blackheads, often around the forehead, nose, and chin. These little guys are typically caused by excess oil, dehydration, and not enough exfoliation.

    How to treat it? A combo of retinols and gentle exfoliating acids works wonders here. Retinols encourage skin renewal by shedding dead skin cells, while acids help dissolve oil buildup. Hydration is also crucial to keep your skin balanced and healthy.

    2. Inflamed Acne: The Red, Painful Pimples

    When acne turns from annoying to ouch, you’re dealing with inflamed acne. These breakouts are often painful and red, caused by bacteria flourishing in clogged pores.

    How to treat it? This requires soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients that calm the skin, reduce redness, and help prevent future flare-ups. I’ve got the perfect products to treat these pesky pimples and leave your skin feeling clear and calm.

    Why Professional Care Makes All the Difference

    Every person’s skin is unique, and so is their acne.Let’s be real—skincare products can be hit or miss, especially when acne’s involved. Some things can even make your skin worse! Using the wrong products or over-treating the skin can exacerbate the problem.That’s why a professional esthetician is key to creating a custom acne-fighting treatment plan. I create personalized treatment plans that address the specific needs of your teen’s skin. This includes professional facials to deeply cleanse and treat the skin, as well as customized at-home regimens (we call them ‘lineups’) to maintain results. I’ll work with you to design the perfect lineup that includes professional facials and skincare products that actually work for YOUR skin.

    Consistency is key when it comes to acne treatment, and I’ll be right there to guide you through it.

    Holistic Approaches to Healthier Skin

    Managing acne isn’t just about skincare products. It’s also about education, lifestyle adjustments, and healthy habits. Here are a few practices I encourage:

    • Consistent Cleansing: Washing the face every night can significantly reduce breakouts. If you wear make-up, or have long sweaty practices, always double cleanse! Throw those make-up wipes away and always wash Micellar water off of the face. 
    • Mindful Nutrition: Reducing dairy and sugar consumption can minimize inflammation and oil production.
    • No Picking Policy: No touchy the facey! Picking at pimples can lead to scarring and worsen the condition. I take time to explain the long-term effects of this habit to teens. 
    • Hydration and Balance: Proper hydration helps maintain a healthy skin barrier, which is essential for preventing irritation from active ingredients like retinols and acids. There is a difference between hydration and moisturization 😉
    • Exfoliation: Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells and oil buildup, creating an environment less hospitable to bacteria. We go over this schedule in detail because there is such a thing as too much exfoliation!

    The Magic of CBD for Acne: Nature’s Acne-Fighting Hero

    CBD is a total game-changer in acne care. This natural powerhouse is making waves for acne-prone skin, and here’s why:

    • Balances Oil Production: Too much oil = clogged pores = breakouts. CBD helps balance oil production, so your skin stays hydrated (but not greasy!)
    • Soothes Redness & Inflammation: Acne often means inflammation. CBD works wonders by reducing swelling, calming angry pimples, and promoting healing.
    • Supports Skin Healing: Not only does CBD calm breakouts, but it also helps speed up the healing of acne scars, leaving you with smoother, more even skin.
    • Gentle & Non-Irritating: Unlike harsh acne treatments, CBD is gentle and won’t strip your skin. It hydrates and calms, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

    What NOT to Use for Acne: Watch Out for These Ingredients!

    Not all skincare products are created equal. Some can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Here’s a quick list of ingredients to avoid:

    • Dyes & Fragrances: These can irritate the skin and cause more breakouts.

    Why to avoid them: Both dyes and fragrances are common irritants that can trigger allergic reactions or inflammation, leading to redness, irritation, or even more breakouts. Since acne-prone skin is already sensitive and inflamed, adding these unnecessary chemicals can worsen the situation, causing irritation or further clogging pores.

    • Dimethicone: Dimethicone is pervasive amongst skincare and can be found in sunscreens, many primers, moisturizers, and makeup. This ingredient can clog pores and lead to more acne.

    Why to avoid it: Dimethicone is a silicone-based ingredient used in many primers and moisturizers because it gives products a smooth, silky texture. However, it’s non-breathable, so it can trap oil, dirt, and bacteria inside the pores. This can lead to more clogged pores and potential breakouts, especially for acne-prone skin that already struggles with excess oil.

    • Alcohol-Based Products: They might dry out oil, but they actually strip the skin too much, triggering even more oil production.

    Why to avoid them: While alcohol-based products might seem like a quick fix to dry up excess oil, they actually cause more harm than good in the long run. These products strip the skin of its natural oils, triggering the skin to produce even more oil to compensate for the loss. This can create a cycle of over-drying and overcompensating, worsening acne over time. Plus, this leaves the skin barrier compromised, making it more susceptible to irritation and further breakouts.

    • Harsh Scrubs: Scrubbing your face too hard can damage the skin and worsen acne. Stick with gentler exfoliants like enzyme masks or chemical exfoliants.

    Why to avoid them: Scrubbing your face too aggressively with rough exfoliants can damage the skin's protective barrier, causing microtears and irritation. This can lead to increased inflammation and exacerbate existing acne. Harsh physical exfoliants can also spread bacteria around the skin, making it harder to heal breakouts. Gentle exfoliants like enzyme masks or chemical exfoliants (like AHAs or BHAs) are more effective without causing harm or irritation.

    By choosing skincare that’s free from these ingredients, you’ll reduce inflammation and prevent further breakouts, giving your skin the care and balance it needs to heal and stay clear.

    Ready to Take Your Skincare to the Next Level?

    If you’re tired of dealing with acne and want to see real results, it’s time to level up your skincare game with professional treatments. Here’s how we can take your skin to the next level:

    • Medical-Grade Chemical Peels: Medical-grade chemical peels help treat teen acne by deeply exfoliating the skin, unclogging pores, reducing excess oil, and targeting acne-causing bacteria. These peels contain powerful ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which help dissolve dead skin cells, minimize breakouts, and improve skin texture. They can also reduce post-acne marks, promoting a clearer, smoother complexion over time.
    • CBD + Microneedling: Microneedling is well known for smoothing out acne scars and improving skin texture. Adding our CBD Booster to microneedling enhances acne treatment by reducing inflammation, calming redness, and regulating oil production. CBD's antibacterial and antioxidant properties help combat acne-causing bacteria while promoting faster skin healing. Combined with microneedling, it boosts skin regeneration, soothes irritation, and improves overall skin clarity.

    A PRFCT Skin Lineup for Teens

    A proper assessment is important when it comes to treating teen acne. Tailoring the right ingredients to one’s skin type and skin concerns is what we do! A great skincare routine is essential to managing acne—and it all starts with the right products.The following lineup includes acne-specific active ingredients along with clean, dimethicone-free supporting products.

    AM Routine:

    PM Routine:

    My Commitment to Your Teen’s Skin Health

    Helping teens achieve clear, healthy skin is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. With a thoughtful combination of professional treatments, carefully selected products, and small lifestyle changes, your teen can see noticeable improvements in their skin and confidence. It would be my privilege to guide them on this journey toward radiant skin and self-assurance.

    Book your appointment today and let’s get you glowing! 

    -Samantha Wcislo, PRFCT Lead Esthetician

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