How do I know what type of acne I have?

Juvenile acne is a common form of acne that mainly appears in teenagers during puberty. This period of life is marked by major hormonal fluctuations, which stimulate the skin's sebaceous glands, leading to excessive sebum production. This sebum, the skin's natural oil, can clog pores and cause various types of skin lesions characteristic of acne.

Typical signs of juvenile acne include:

• Blackheads, or open comedones, form when pores clogged with sebum and dead skin cells open to the air, oxidizing and turning black.
• Whiteheads, or closed comedones, occur when pores remain closed, trapping sebum and dead cells beneath the skin's surface, forming small white or yellowish bumps.
• Papules are small, red, inflamed bumps without pus, often sensitive to the touch.
• Pustules, on the other hand, are red pimples with a white or yellow pus-filled top, usually caused by a bacterial infection.

In more severe cases, juvenile acne can lead to the formation of nodules and cysts. Nodules are solid, painful masses that develop under the skin, while cysts are deep, pus-filled lesions, both of which can leave scars.

The main causes of juvenile acne are hormonal fluctuations during puberty, which increase androgen levels and stimulate the sebaceous glands. This excess sebum can clog pores, creating a favorable environment for the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium that colonizes hair follicles and contributes to inflammation and pimple formation. What's more, the accumulation of dead skin cells can also block pores, aggravating acne.

Genetic factors may also play a role in the development of juvenile acne, with a familial predisposition making some teenagers more susceptible to the condition.

How is juvenile acne treated?

To treat and prevent juvenile acne, it's important to adopt good skin hygiene. This includes cleansing the face twice a day with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove excess sebum and impurities. Topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide,salicylic acid or retinoids can help reduce comedones and inflammation.

It's also crucial to avoid comedogenic cosmetics, which can clog pores. Choosing skincare and make-up products labeled "non-comedogenic" is a good practice. It is recommended not to touch or pierce pimples, as this can aggravate inflammation and cause scarring.

Finally, in the case of severe acne, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist. This health professional can prescribe more powerful treatments, such as antibiotics, oral retinoids or other specific medications to treat severe or persistent acne.

Juvenile acne is a common but often temporary condition, which can be effectively managed with the right skincare routine and treatments. The aim is to maintain clear, healthy skin during this period of hormonal transitions and development.

Adult female acne is a persistent skin condition that affects many women well into their teens, often between the ages of 20 and 40, or even later. Unlike juvenile acne, which is primarily linked to the hormonal fluctuations of puberty, adult female acne is influenced by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, genetics and the use of certain cosmetic products.

Adult female acne often manifests itself differently from juvenile acne. The main features include red, inflamed pimples, cysts and nodules, as well as blackheads and whiteheads. Inflammatory papules and pustules are common, appearing mainly on the lower face, especially around the jawline, chin and neck.

These lesions can be deeper and more painful than those of juvenile acne, often taking the form of cysts and nodules, which can leave scars if not properly treated.

In comparison, juvenile acne is often marked by the presence of open (blackheads) and closed (whiteheads) comedones all over the face, and sometimes on the back and chest. Papules and pustules are also present, but are generally shallower and less likely to leave permanent scars.

The causes of acne in adult women also differ from those of juvenile acne. Hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role in both types of acne, but in adult women they are often linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These hormonal variations can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum, which clogs pores and leads to the formation of acne lesions.

Stress is another factor aggravating acne in adult women. Stress can cause an increase in the production of cortisol, a hormone which in turn can stimulate sebum production and worsen acne. In addition, the use of comedogenic cosmetic products, which clog pores, can also contribute to acne in adult women.

To treat acne in adult women, it's essential to adopt a proper skincare routine. This includes cleansing the face twice a day with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove excess sebum and impurities. Topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinoids can help reduce comedones and inflammation.

Hormonal treatments, such as oral contraceptives or anti-androgens, can be effective in regulating the hormonal fluctuations responsible for acne. It's also important to choose skincare and make-up products labeled "non-comedogenic" to avoid clogging pores. Avoiding touching or popping pimples is crucial to prevent worsening inflammation and scarring.

In short, although adult and juvenile acne share common characteristics, they differ in their main causes, manifestations and appropriate treatments. Understanding these differences is crucial to choosing the best approach to managing and treating each type of acne.