Characteristics of teenage skin and tips for caring for it

In this article, we explain the characteristics of teenage skin and hair and provide some practical advice on how to care for them appropriately.

Adolescence is a period of major physical and emotional change, and the skin is no exception.

Hormonal changes play an important role during this stage of life. Hormones are produced by different glands throughout the body and are involved in many physiological processes, including the changes that occur during puberty.

Characteristics of teenage skin and hair

During puberty, the sex glands and adrenal glands become more active and produce higher levels of hormones, which are responsible for many of the changes that occur in the adolescent body.

In girls, breast development and changes in body shape occur, while in boys the voice deepens and the upper body becomes broader. In both sexes, hair begins to grow in the pubic and underarm areas, while boys also typically develop more facial and chest hair.

The sweat glands also become more active. Apocrine glands, in particular, become active around puberty. These glands are located mainly in areas such as the underarms and genital region, and their secretions can develop a stronger odour when broken down by skin bacteria. For this reason, appropriate personal hygiene becomes particularly important during adolescence.

From a dermatological perspective, some of the most noticeable changes involve the sebaceous glands, which produce the sebum that helps lubricate the skin and hair. Sebum production increases during adolescence, particularly under the influence of androgens.

As a result, the hair may become oily more quickly, and conditions such as seborrhoea or dandruff may become more noticeable.

The most common skin condition associated with adolescence, however, is acne. Hormonal activity increases sebum production and influences changes within the pilosebaceous unit.

Acne lesions develop when excess sebum and dead skin cells contribute to obstruction of the hair follicle. The bacterium Cutibacterium acnes, which is naturally present on the skin, also plays a role in the inflammatory process.

Different types of lesions can develop. Inflammatory lesions, such as papules and pustules, may appear red, tender or contain pus. Open comedones, commonly known as blackheads, develop when a blocked follicle remains open at the skin surface. Closed comedones, or whiteheads, occur when the follicular opening remains closed.

Treatment of acne in teenagers

Treatment of adolescent acne often begins with a consistent cleansing and skincare routine designed to remove excess sebum without damaging the skin barrier.

A dermatologist specialising in acne treatment may recommend topical treatments containing ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, which has antimicrobial and comedolytic properties.

Topical retinoids are also commonly used because they help normalise follicular keratinisation and prevent the formation of comedones. Depending on the type and severity of acne, topical or oral antibiotics may also be prescribed for inflammatory disease, usually as part of a broader treatment strategy designed to minimise antibiotic resistance.

What about isotretinoin? Oral isotretinoin is a highly effective treatment for selected patients with acne. It is particularly important in severe acne, acne at risk of scarring and cases that have not responded adequately to other treatments. It may also be considered in some patients with a substantial psychological or quality-of-life impact. Because isotretinoin can cause adverse effects, treatment requires medical supervision and appropriate monitoring. Common effects include dryness of the lips, skin and mucous membranes. Most importantly, isotretinoin is highly teratogenic and must not be taken during pregnancy. Patients who could become pregnant must follow strict pregnancy-prevention measures during treatment and for the required period afterwards. The possible relationship between isotretinoin and mood or psychiatric symptoms has been extensively studied. Current evidence does not support a simple causal relationship, but patients should still report significant mood changes or other concerning symptoms to their doctor during treatment.

There are many misconceptions surrounding acne. You can find some of the most common ones in our article on acne myths.

Tips for caring for teenage skin and hair

Caring for normal teenage skin does not need to be complicated or involve a large number of products. The same basic principles apply as at other stages of life: cleanse, moisturise and protect.

Washing the face once or twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water is generally sufficient to remove excess sebum and surface impurities without unnecessarily disrupting the skin barrier. An appropriate lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser can then be used when needed.

Teenagers who wear make-up should choose non-comedogenic and oil-free formulations where appropriate and remove make-up thoroughly at the end of the day.

Sleeping in make-up can contribute to pore blockage and irritation and may aggravate acne. Eye make-up should also be removed carefully to reduce the risk of irritation around the eyelids and eyes.

Hair styling is also common during adolescence. Hair gels, sprays and other styling products should be chosen carefully, particularly in people with sensitive skin or a history of contact allergy. The same applies to hair dyes, bleaching products, straighteners and curling irons.

Frequent colouring, bleaching and excessive heat can damage the hair fibre, leading to dryness, breakage and changes in texture. However, this type of damage affects the hair shaft rather than causing follicular alopecia.

Tight hairstyles and extensions require a separate consideration. Repeated or prolonged pulling from very tight braids, dreadlocks, extensions or ponytails can cause traction alopecia, particularly around the hairline and temples. For this reason, hairstyles that cause persistent tension, scalp discomfort or pain should be avoided. When hair-shaft damage is caused by bleaching, colouring or heat styling, reducing these practices and allowing healthy hair to grow out can gradually improve its appearance.

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