Teenage Acne

Acne Affects Up to 90% of Teenagers
Acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin leading to painful spots and breakouts. Severe acne can cause permanent scars and low self-esteem.

What Happens with Teenage Acne

Hormone
During puberty, the male sex hormones called androgens, greatly increase in boys and girls. This spike of the hormone causes a rise of sebum (excessive oily substance) level produced on the skin. Before the hormone and sebum levels reach a balance, this condition can lead to breakouts and acne.

Stress
Emotional stress can also cause a change in the gut microbiome, reduce gut barrier function, and potentially lead to skin inflammation. A human study reported that stress can reduce good bacteria in your gut (lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species) which have acne-fighting properties1-2.

When an imbalance of good and bad microbes disrupts gut barrier function, gut bacteria will travel to the bloodstream and gather in the skin causing skin problems. Stress also triggers the release of chemical signals into your blood circulation causing skin inflammation.

Unhealthy gut
Beneficial bacteria in your gut help remove waste from the body through a regular bowel movement. Imbalance of the gut microbiome disturbs the normal detoxification process necessary for the body, and thus leading to constipation.

Constipation causes reabsorption of toxins and waste into the bloodstream through the colon. To eliminate the unwanted materials from your body, they exit through your largest detoxification organ - the skin. The side effects are acne and skin breakouts.

Diet
Many teenagers have an increase in appetite due to rapid growth that needs more energy. They tend to crave tasty foods high in fat and sugar, which are part of their immediate reward system. These foods are easy to grab and give them quick satisfaction. Indeed, teenagers represent the greatest consumers of high-calorie junk foods.

High-calorie junk foods including fast food, refined carbohydrates, and dairy products worsen the acne because these foods reduce anti-inflammatory microbiome in your gut. In contrast, consuming low-glycemic foods which are rich in fiber and wholefoods protects teens from acne3. You indeed are what you eat. You can manage and even prevent acne through nutrients and food approach.

6 tips to reduce acne

• Eat fiber-rich veggies and meals. Plenty of fruits and vegetables improve bowel regularity.
• Reduce intake of junk foods, fast foods, and soft drinks. These foods encourage the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Keeping hydrated is essential to regulate bowel movement and prevent constipation.
• Avoid popping or squeezing pimples. This helps to prevent bigger acne outbreak caused by bacterial infection to other pores and hair follicles.
• Reduce stress. Exercise and get quality sleep.
• Restore a healthy gut with probiotics. Probiotics enhance nutrient absorption and reduce inflammation triggered by harmful bacteria and yeast. As many teenagers are less likely to be eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, a probiotic supplement is necessary.

Reference
[1]Knowles, S. R., Nelson, E. A., & Palombo, E. A. (2008). Investigating the role of perceived stress on bacterial flora activity and salivary cortisol secretion: a possible mechanism underlying susceptibility to illness. Biological Psychology, 77(2), 132-137.
[2] Lolou, V., & Panayiotidis, M. I. (2019). Functional role of probiotics and prebiotics on skin health and disease. Fermentation, 5(2), 41.
[3]Cordain, L., Lindeberg, S., Hurtado, M., Hill, K., Eaton, S. B., & Brand-Miller, J. (2002). Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization. Archives of Dermatology, 138(12), 1584-1590.