Teenage acne is treated with the same methods as any type of acne. Most resolutions involve topical creams coupled with basic skin care regimens, such as washing the face with a gentle cleanser, avoiding the use of pore-clogging lotions and watching what touches your face, recommends the Mayo Clinic. It is often advised that conservative methods are used before turning to more aggressive forms of treatment, especially with teenage skin.
OTC Acne Creams
For teens, or anyone suffering from acne, the Mayo Clinic recommends over-the-counter (OTC) acne creams. Those containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are the most effective, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, but some people respond favorably to creams made with sulfur, resorcinol or lactic acid. Any of these active ingredients work by helping to remove dead skin from the face while drying excess oil and killing the bacteria that may be causing the breakout.
Prescription Acne Creams
If OTC solutions fail to provide results, teenagers may benefit from topical medications available only with a prescription. Topical retinoids are extremely effective, advises the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), since they clear blockages in the follicle, which can help reduce inflammation, encourage cellular turnover and aid in recovery. The AAD lists a number of topical retinoids that have been successful in treating acne, such as tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene.
However, not all skin can tolerate retinoids, so a topical antibiotic may instead be needed to help treat teenage acne. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that certain antibiotics, like erythromycin and clindamycin, can be quite effective topical solutions in these situations. When used over a short period of time, antibiotics can reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin, asserts the Mayo Clinic, helping to lessen inflammation of the follicle and speedup recovery.
Another prescription option for teenage acne is a combination cream. This type of topical treatment has more than one active ingredient, including retinoids, antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology goes so far as saying that combination creams are more effective than solitary agents. A retinoid or benzoyl peroxide is often coupled with an antibiotic, such as erythromycin or clindamycin.
The National Institutes of Health also indicate that azelaic acid can effectively treat acne. A study conducted by the Department of Dermatology at Leeds General Infirmary of Yorkshire, England in 1989 demonstrated that a 20 percent concentration of azelaic acid can reduce the inflammation of acne within a month. The substance essentially acts as antibacterial agent, which helps to kill the bacteria causing the acne.
Oral Medications
Besides topical treatments, teenage acne may respond to oral antibiotics as well, suggests the Mayo Clinic. The AAD provides a number of options for oral antibiotics, including doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, erythromycin and trimethoprim. The severity of the acne and the response to previous treatments usually dictate the type of oral antibiotic prescribed by the doctor. Regardless of which drug is used, a teen should experience a decrease in inflammation as the medication kills the bacteria linked to acne. Much like topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics are typically used in the short term, due to the potential of bacterial resistance. The Mayo Clinic sets this time frame at roughly three to four months.
Contraceptives
Both the AAD and the Mayo Clinic state that oral contraceptives can provide results for some women. Norgestimate with ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate with ethinyl estradiol are two of the most common birth control pills used in the treatment of acne, but other estrogen-based contraceptives may be just as effective, maintains the AAD.
Other Treatments
Once topical and oral solutions have been exhausted, other treatments may be necessary to improve the appearance of teenage skin. The Mayo Clinic recommends using light or laser therapy to clear more moderate to severe acne. These forms of treatment expose the skin to waves of light or laser energy, helping to kill bacteria, dry excess oil and reduce inflammation of the follicles. A dermatologist can recommend which treatment is best for a teenager.
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