When acne begins early, between 8 and 11 years of age, it often means severe acne as a teenager. Treating the acne before it becomes severe can:
- Prevent severe acne
- Reduce the risk of acne scars
- Avoid lifelong emotional stress
Studies Confirm Link Between Early Acne and Severe Acne
Two large-scale U.S. studies looked at how acne develops during adolescence. One of these studies evaluated the severity of acne in 468 boys who ranged in age from 9 to 15 years. About half of the boys were African-American and half were Caucasian. The researchers found that acne becomes more common and more severe in adolescent boys as they mature. The researchers concluded that keeping an eye on acne in preadolescents and young adolescents can help determine when treatment, which can prevent severe acne from developing, should begin.
To expand upon these findings, the researchers evaluated acne in girls. This study followed 871 girls for 5 years. Again, about half of the participants were African-American and about half were Caucasian. At the beginning of this 5-year study, the girls were in 4th or 5th grade. Following the girls over a five-year period showed results similar to the previous study. The researchers found that the number of acne lesions and the severity increased as the girls matured. The girls who had significantly more acne lesions at age 10, when the study began, had the most severe acne at age 15. The researchers concluded that the best way to predict how severe acne will be at age 15 is to determine the severity at age 10.
Two large-scale U.S. studies looked at how acne develops during adolescence. One of these studies evaluated the severity of acne in 468 boys who ranged in age from 9 to 15 years. About half of the boys were African-American and half were Caucasian. The researchers found that acne becomes more common and more severe in adolescent boys as they mature. The researchers concluded that keeping an eye on acne in preadolescents and young adolescents can help determine when treatment, which can prevent severe acne from developing, should begin.
To expand upon these findings, the researchers evaluated acne in girls. This study followed 871 girls for 5 years. Again, about half of the participants were African-American and about half were Caucasian. At the beginning of this 5-year study, the girls were in 4th or 5th grade. Following the girls over a five-year period showed results similar to the previous study. The researchers found that the number of acne lesions and the severity increased as the girls matured. The girls who had significantly more acne lesions at age 10, when the study began, had the most severe acne at age 15. The researchers concluded that the best way to predict how severe acne will be at age 15 is to determine the severity at age 10.