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How to Treat Teen Acne

A Skin Laundry protocol for teen acne, so teens can learn best practices early on.

Being a teenager is already an emotional rollercoaster—and acne can make it feel even rockier. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, around 85 percent of teens experience acne, making it the most common skin condition in adolescents. Hormonal changes during puberty trigger increased oil production, which can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and breakouts. And while acne is incredibly common, that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.

In fact, teen acne can leave behind more than just scars—it can affect self-esteem, confidence and even mental health. At Skin Laundry, we believe in early intervention with safe, dermatologist-approved treatments to set teens up for a lifetime of clearer, stronger skin.

“We’re not just here to improve teens’ skin today, but rather empower them with the education, tools and services they need to make skincare—and self-care—a lifestyle,” says Dr Roberta Del Campo, a board-certified dermatologist and Skin Laundry’s Chief Medical Officer.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about teen acne, from what causes the condition to how to treat it at home and how Skin Laundry’s Laser Facials, Resurfacing Facials and Peels can help.

What Causes Teen Acne

“By definition, all teenage acne starts from comedonal acne,” Del Campo says. “This is a non-inflammatory type of acne that occurs when pores become clogged with sebum, dirt and debris.” This type of acne can lead to the development of blackheads or whiteheads; it can also transition into more inflammatory acne, which may lead to papules (small red bumps), pustules (red bumps filled with pus) and painful nodules and cysts.

While these breakouts often appear on the face, they can also show up on the chest, shoulders, and back. Roughly 1 in 3 teens will experience moderate to severe acne, which may lead to scarring or long-term pigmentation if not properly treated.

At Skin Laundry, we believe early intervention with safe, dermatologist-approved treatments can set teens up for a lifetime of clearer, stronger skin.

The Psychological Impact of Teen Acne

Acne isn’t just skin deep. Studies show that teens with moderate to severe acne are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety, depression and social withdrawal. For many, breakouts coincide with formative years when identity and confidence are still developing.

“Acne is a medical condition and treating it early can make a huge difference not just for the skin, but for emotional well-being too,” says Del Campo. The first step in tackling acne is to adopt a consistent skincare routine that targets the root causes of the condition.

Treating acne early can make a huge difference not just for the skin, but for emotional well-being too.

Accutane, Topicals and Teen Skin

When dealing with teen acne, many parents look to well-known solutions like strong over-the-counter formulas or prescription medications such as oral isotretinoin (commonly known by brand names like Accutane). While these treatments can be helpful for certain skin types, they’re not always the best first step—and they may come with side effects that are important to consider.

“Topical treatments that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide can be very effective, but they can also be irritating,” explains Dr. Roberta Del Campo, Skin Laundry’s Medical Director and board-certified dermatologist. “In some cases, they may disrupt the skin barrier or trigger sensitivity, dryness, or allergic reactions—especially when used too frequently or without professional guidance.”

She also cautions that some acne treatments, whether prescribed or over the counter, may actually increase irritation and inflammation, which can make acne worse before it gets better.

Accutane, a prescribed retinoid medication, also carries risks. “While Accutane is effective for extreme cases of resistant acne, this medication should be very carefully considered,” Del Campo says. Side effects can range from chapped lips and dry skin to thinning hair and even depression. Patients require monthly bloodwork and dermatologist visits, and women on Accutane must take monthly pregnancy tests.

Unlike Accutane, which works systemically by shrinking oil glands and can cause significant side effects, Skin Laundry’s Signature Laser Facials target acne locally—destroying bacteria and boosting collagen without affecting the whole body. Laser facials help clear mild to moderate acne and improve redness, scarring, and discoloration—issues Accutane doesn’t address. Plus, laser treatments have minimal side effects and support overall skin health as part of an ongoing care routine, making them a gentler, more holistic option for many teens.

“Given the potential risks and need for close monitoring with Accutane, having a non-invasive option like our Signature Laser Facial to treat both acne and scarring—without systemic side effects—is a highly appealing alternative,” says Del Campo.

How Skin Laundry Treats Teen Acne

Every teen’s skin journey at Skin Laundry begins with a thorough clinical evaluation. “This helps our providers create a personalized treatment plan that tackles everything from active breakouts to scarring,” explains Del Campo.

From there, we build a protocol based on each teen’s specific skin type and concerns. That might include a customized mix of Laser Facials, Resurfacing Facials and medical-grade peels.

We take a holistic approach—treating not just pimples, but also dark spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, textural changes, and scarring. Because acne isn’t one-size-fits-all, neither are our treatments.

The Signature Laser Facial

This award-winning, non-invasive laser penetrates deep into the skin without harming the skin barrier. It reduces pore size, balances sebum, fights bacteria and inflammation, and speeds healing. Plus, by boosting collagen production, it helps fade acne scars over time.

“Our lasers calm inflammation, repair the skin barrier, heal active breakouts and improve acne scars—because acne is about more than just pimples,” says Del Campo.

Your teen may also receive Targeted Laser Facials — a focused version of our original, hero treatment that zeroes in on specific problem areas such as breakouts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Learn more about the Signature Laser Facial here.

Every teen’s skin journey at Skin Laundry begins with a thorough clinical evaluation.

Chemical Facial Peels

Our Rejuvenator and Revitalizer peels both target specific acne-related concerns. Rejuvenator, a gentle chemical peel, decongests pores, brightens dull skin, boosts hydration and helps fade hyperpigmentation that acne can leave behind.

Meanwhile, Revitalizer is a detoxifying carbon peel that balances oil and refines pores for clearer skin. It breaks up dead skin cells, tightens enlarged pores and delivers anti-inflammatory benefits.

Though these treatments are called peels, the skin won’t necessarily peel afterwards. More common side effects include fine flaking and redness which are signs that the treatment is working. These side effects can be minimized with non-comedogenic, over-the-counter barrier-repair treatments such as Aquaphor.

Power Resurfacing Facial

The Power Resurfacing Facial uses nanofractional radio frequency (RF) technology to smooth skin texture and fade dark spots, helping teens manage scarring and discoloration for a more even complexion.

Our nanofractional RF resurfacing device is highly customizable making it safe and effective for all skin types and tones. The treatment stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, diminishes textural irregularities and other signs of skin damage with little to no downtime and lasting results.

Power Duo Facial

The Power Duo Facial combines the Power Signature Facial with a full-face Power Resurfacing Facial and additional targeted spot treatments. This treatment targets both surface and deeper skin layers, addressing all concerns in one session. The Power Signature Facial delivers over 2x the energy beneath the skin to correct and prevent breakouts, calm redness and rosacea, break up hyperpigmentation and stimulate collagen for clearer, firmer, healthier skin—faster. It also includes added passes that can increase treatment strength by up to 50%. The Power Resurfacing Facial with targeted spot treatments improves texture, boosts collagen, increases cell turnover, and creates microchannels for better product absorption—leaving skin brighter, firmer, smoother and healthier.

How to Care for Teenage Skin at Home

Building a simple, consistent skincare routine is one of the best tools teens can use to prevent breakouts and protect their skin barrier. Here’s what dermatologists recommend:

Cleanse twice a day

Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser in the morning and at night. After sports or sweaty activities, teens can use micellar water or cleansing wipes to refresh the skin.

Hydrate—don’t dry out

Even oily, acne-prone skin needs moisture. Use a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer to keep the skin barrier balanced and prevent rebound oil production.

Always apply sunscreen

Broad-spectrum SPF is essential—even for acne-prone or deeper skin tones. UV exposure can darken post-acne marks and accelerate skin aging.

Don’t pick or pop

Picking at pimples can spread bacteria and increase the risk of scarring and discoloration. Use hydrocolloid pimple patches instead to speed healing and protect skin.

Discover our complete line of dermatologist-approved skincare products

Why Choose Skin Laundry for Teen Acne?

Acne can be frustrating, and teens often reach for quick fixes like harsh products or picking at their skin, which only make things worse. Our expert-led approach helps them understand that real results come from consistency and care, not shortcuts.

Skin Laundry’s dermatologist-developed Teen Acne Protocol gives teens access to medical-grade treatments that support the skin barrier, reduce redness and—most importantly—build consistent, healthy skincare habits.

“With over a decade of medical laser experience, I worked closely with Skin Laundry’s team to create safe, effective protocols tailored to teen acne,” says Dr. Del Campo. “We tracked real case studies and refined our methods until we saw the results we wanted.” The payoff? A first-of-its-kind Teen Acne Protocol, powered by Skin Laundry’s advanced lasers and built specifically for growing skin.

Getting started is simple. Book a treatment and your teen will begin with a clinical evaluation. Our clinics are welcoming, inclusive and staffed with providers who truly get it—many of whom have dealt with teen acne themselves. We treat all skin types and tones and we’re here to help teens feel good in their skin again.

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Doctor's Note