Acne is treated differently depending on what age it appears. Find out how and why acne happens at different stages of life, when to start treatment or let it be, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Newborn baby acne, also called neonatal acne, occurs within the first six weeks of life. Some babies even make their appearance in the world with a few pimples.
Although it’s not true acne vulgaris, newborn baby acne causes red bumps and pimples on baby’s cheeks, nose, and chin.
Infantile acne isn’t as common as neonatal acne, so if you’re noticing pimple-like breakouts on your little one you’ll want to bring it up to the healthcare provider.
Although most cases of infantile acne aren’t a big deal and will clear up without treatment, in some cases your baby’s healthcare provider might want to check for an endocrine disorder.
Some infants may develop more severe papules, pustules, and nodules. Unlike newborn baby acne, severe infantile acne is treated with acne treatment medications (under your healthcare provider’s supervision, of course).
First, are you sure that what you’re seeing is really acne? There are other skin problems that cause acne-like breakouts.
Heat rash and folliculitis, for example, both cause red bumps that can be mistaken for pimples. Anytime your child has a rash you’re not sure about, call the healthcare provider.
If your child really does have a case of acne vulgaris, especially if it’s widespread or severe, your child’s healthcare provider will probably want a full workup done, possibly even a referral to an endocrinologist. This is especially true if your child has signs of early puberty.
Acne breakouts at this age are usually mild, mainly blackheads and comedones with an occasional pimple. Starting an over-the-counter acne treatment now is a good idea.
One thing to keep in mind here; preteens that develop acne early often get more severe acne during the teen years.
There are so many good acne treatments available, so nearly every case of acne can be controlled. It’s just a matter of finding which treatment works best for you.
Start with an OTC acne product, preferably one that contains benzoyl peroxide. If this doesn’t work, make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Depending on your skin, your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical treatment, oral medication, or a combination of the two.
Those treatments you used as a teenager might not be the best choice for adult breakouts, though. Unless your acne is very mild, OTC products won’t do much good.
The better option is to see a dermatologist. You’ll get faster results with prescription medication.
A Word From Verywell
No matter what your age, acne isn’t something that you have to live with. With the right treatment, your acne can be cleared.
