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In brief
- In puberty, hormones make your skin produce more sebum. Clogged pores, blackheads and spots are part of that, often first on the forehead, nose and chin.
- A short routine helps most: cleanse gently twice a day, don't squeeze and apply sun protection every day.
- In the salon we keep it simple: a good cleanse, two products for home and an explanation of why picking backfires.
- If you're coming with a teenager, WhatsApp us beforehand. Then we discuss whether treatment makes sense right now.
- Inflamed spots that hurt, lumps under the skin or pitted scars that remain? Then your child sees the GP first.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
Why do teenagers get spots so often?
Hormones control how much sebum your skin makes. In puberty they go up, and your sebaceous glands work harder. So that is exactly when you see spots and blackheads, often first on your forehead, nose and chin.
Sebum and dead skin cells together block a pore. If that pore stays open, the contents darken and you have a blackhead. If bacteria get involved, it turns red and tender: a spot.
Almost every teenager has to deal with it. For most, it stays with blackheads and the odd spot. If they become inflamed, deep and painful, it's called acne, and a doctor should be involved.
A routine a teenager can keep up.
The shorter the routine, the better the chance it will stick. This is enough.
| Topic | What | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Gentle cleansing, a light cream and sun protection | Oily skin needs moisture too, and sun protection prevents marks from staying dark |
| Evening | Make-up and sun protection off, then gentle cleansing and a light cream | Sebum and the day's dirt come off, and your skin doesn't dry out |
| After exercise | Quickly rinse or cleanse your face | Sweat and sebum then sit on the skin for less time |
| Pillowcase and phone | Change and clean regularly | Sebum and bacteria build up there |
Which cleanser is right for you is explained in cleansing your face. Introduce new products one at a time, so you can see what works.
Good to know about spots.
Squeezing makes it worse
Part of the contents then ends up deeper in your skin. The inflammation grows, and a mark or a pitted scar is more likely to remain.
Drying out backfires
Strong products dry out your skin, and dried-out skin actually makes more sebum. Gentle cleansing and a light cream work better.
Your skin needs time
Your skin renews itself in about four weeks. So only expect a new routine to make a difference after a few weeks.
Grey dots on your nose are normal
Those are usually sebaceous filaments. They are part of normal skin and come back by themselves after emptying. More in removing blackheads.
What we do in the salon for a teenager.
With a teenager we keep it simple.
WhatsApp first
WhatsApp us beforehand and include the age. Then we discuss whether treatment makes sense right now and what you can expect.
A good cleanse
After mild acids and steam, we remove blackheads and blockages by hand. We work around inflamed areas.
Two products for home
A gentle cleanser and a light cream. You don't usually need more.
Picking explained
Why squeezing backfires, and what you're better off doing when a spot comes up.
Steady maintenance
For maintenance, a facial cleanse every four to six weeks is enough. If there are spots too, the Acne treatment is the better fit: four to six times, every four weeks.
Which treatment suits which skin?
| Topic | What suits | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly blackheads | The Quick cleansing, 45 minutes | Every four to six weeks |
| Blackheads and a few spots | The Acne treatment, fifty minutes | Four to six times, every four weeks |
| Inflamed, painful spots | The GP first | A treatment in the salon comes after that |
| Red or brown marks after spots | Patience and sun protection every day | It's discolouration, and it fades by itself over the months that follow |
For parents of a teenager with spots.
Take it seriously
Spots weigh on the confidence of many teenagers, even if it doesn't look that bad to you. Ask what your child wants, and let them help decide about an appointment.
Help with a short routine
A gentle cleanser, a light cream and sun protection in a fixed place by the sink. The fewer the steps, the easier it is to keep up.
Keep an eye on their mood
If the skin weighs heavily on your child's mood, or they withdraw, the GP is a good first step.
Always mention medication
If your child uses a prescription cream, a course of antibiotics or isotretinoin, tell us beforehand. The skin is then more vulnerable, and we discuss it first.
What does a treatment cost?
You pay per session. For spots you usually do a series, so those amounts are shown too.
| Treatment | Per session | Usual course | Full course (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acne treatment | €75.00 | 4 to 6 sessions | €300.00 to €450.00 |
| Full cleansing | €75.00 | 3 to 4 sessions | €225.00 to €300.00 |
These are the prices at Moons in Enschede. A single Quick cleansing costs €59.00. All prices are on the prices page.
See your GP with inflamed acne.
If the spots are inflamed and hurt, you feel lumps under the skin or pitted scars remain, see your GP first. They can prescribe medication or refer you on if necessary. A treatment in the salon can come afterwards, and goes well alongside the medical side.
Frequently asked questions about spots in teenagers
Why do teenagers get spots?
In puberty hormones rise, and they get the sebaceous glands working. Sebum and dead skin cells block a pore, and if bacteria get involved, a spot forms.
From what age can a teenager have a facial?
WhatsApp us beforehand and include the age. Then we discuss whether a treatment makes sense right now. Often a good routine for home is enough to begin with.
What helps against teenage spots?
Cleanse gently twice a day, use a light cream, apply sun protection every day and don't squeeze. Give it a few weeks. If the pores keep filling up, a facial cleanse in the salon helps.
What skincare suits a teenager with spots?
A gentle cleanser, a light cream and sun protection. You don't usually need more. Strong products against spots dry out the skin, and dried-out skin actually makes more sebum.
Is it okay to squeeze spots?
Better not. Part of the contents then ends up deeper in your skin. The inflammation grows, and a mark or a pitted scar is more likely to remain.
What does a beauty therapist do for spots?
In the salon we empty clogged pores after mild acids and steam, work around inflamed areas and calm the skin. You leave with an explanation of a routine for home.
What does a facial cleanse cost for a teenager?
At Moons in Enschede the Quick cleansing costs €59.00 and the Full cleansing €75.00. The Acne treatment costs €75.00.
How often should a teenager come to the salon?
For maintenance, a facial cleanse every four to six weeks is enough. With blackheads and spots, you do the Acne treatment four to six times, every four weeks.
When should you see your GP about spots?
If the spots are inflamed and hurt, if you feel lumps under the skin or if pitted scars remain. Also if the skin weighs heavily on a teenager's mood, the GP is a good first step.
Do teenage spots go away by themselves?
In most teenagers they ease off once puberty is over. Until then, a good routine keeps the skin calmer, and you prevent marks or pitted scars from being left behind.
Do products from the pharmacy or drugstore help?
A gentle cleanser and a light cream can come from the pharmacy or drugstore just fine. Be careful with strong products against spots: they dry out the skin. Use them on one small area, and not all at once.
Can a teenager with spots wear make-up?
That's fine, as long as it's removed properly in the evening. Then cleanse gently and finish with a light cream.
Do I have to come along as a parent?
We'll discuss that when you WhatsApp us beforehand.
What can you do about red or brown marks after spots?
Patience, and sun protection every day. It's discolouration, and it fades by itself over the months that follow. A pitted scar is something else; there's more under acne scars.
Can a teenager have a peel too?
With a teenager we start with cleansing. If the pores keep filling up, a mild peel can be the next step later on, once the skin is calmer.
Can a teenager who uses medication for their skin be treated?
Always mention it beforehand. With isotretinoin, a course of antibiotics or a prescription cream the skin is more vulnerable. Check with the doctor first whether a treatment is possible.
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