Can we grow out of acne?

“Don't worry. It's something that you'll grow out of.”

I would imagine that you may have heard this before or even said it yourself. Maybe as a teen, when your hormones were finding their way into some semblance of pending adulthood, amidst the teenage angst. But I always have to chuckle when I hear someone say this as if adding more trips around the sun and patience are the secret sauce for acne to disappear. It may just be a temporary fluke, and you were; unfortunately, the one to be dealt the crappy hand, and its unknown expiration date happens to come gift-wrapped alongside maturity. Miraculously, one day, you wake up, and your face full of acne is no longer present because you turned 20. I wish it were that simple, yet there is a smidge of truth that has nothing to do with age. So, let’s dive deeper into what is happening when you “grow out of it.”

Let’s think about acne in the form of a math equation. While this hasn’t been something that has been proven, it is a simple hypothetical that I believe makes sense in understanding what is really happening when you put everything together. So, back to the equation. You have individual variables that include and are not limited to diet, lifestyle, emotions (stress), medications, skincare, environment, and genetics. Each variable carries a slightly different weight, but when several become part of the equation, the result often becomes disharmony that can present itself as acne.

Now, let’s dive into the “grow out of it” part. Chronological age has very little to do with it as a whole. Sure, there are times when hormone fluctuations from adolescence, pregnancy & late adulthood (also variables), but it all comes down to the season you are in. Allow me to expand on this through a recent experience.

I had a guest seeking my expertise in holistically bringing her skin back to health. Before her arrival, I spoke extensively with her mother to gather some clues on the variables we were up against. Her acne wasn't super noticeable at a distance. The skin just appeared lackluster and dehydrated. She didn’t have many inflamed lesions. Most of the acne was stagnant, just hanging out under the surface, biding its time comfortably. She was a Senior in high school, which can be a stressful time, right? You’re on the cusp of being a legal adult, liberated from the duties of youthhood, about to (possibly) enter college, leaving the comforts of home. She was in cross-country, running 5-6 miles every day. This alone is incredibly taxing on the adrenals. Pair this with a lack of nutrient intake, poor sleeping habits, and medications that impair digestion, which leads to nutrient deficiencies, and you have a perfect storm with heavily weighted variables. But here is the catch… she is a Senior. She will soon graduate, and cross-country running will end. Perhaps she will decide that she is done with running altogether after she flips her tassel to the other side. A few variables (major ones) could be eliminated due to the change of season. Her nutrient deficiency could improve once she isn’t burning calories and running on a deficit, no pun intended. Sleep could also begin to improve if her cortisol levels are allowed to rest, allowing her to rest. Some heavy hitters could start to wane one by one, and the skin and body could be given a fighting chance to repair itself. Thus, the result is “growing out of acne” and age wasn’t the factor. Lifestyle, diet and emotions were. One of the many caveats to just letting the season pass is the visual reminder of what was once there, such as scarring and pigmentation.

“The key to being patient is finding something to do in the meantime”

- unknown

Now, let’s see a different scenario: Instead of seeing a holistically trained esthetician or professional who could help bring to light the variables that need attention, she decides to see a dermatologist or her primary care physician. They, doing what they typically do, prescribe her medications. It’s usually trial and error. Maybe Isotretinoin (Accutane), an antibiotic, or hormone adjuster. Usually, with medications, you can anticipate it could take about three months to start seeing signs of improvement. Say that during these three months, she graduates high school. Those variables I mentioned above still go by the wayside, and she slowly starts to clear. What is the credit given to? The medications, right? Not the problematic variables that were in and of themselves the issue. I often refer to this phrase, “The key to being patient is finding something to do in the meantime.” These medications or the treatments/skincare the esthetician could solely focus on are all that “something” that is being done while they are “being patient”. So, if the variables do not change or are exchanged for other equally or more significant weighted variables, then the equation will still result in the same answer. Acne. Different medications, treatments & skincare may continue to be experimented with, and the credit will go to whatever was being implemented when the variables finally started to get eliminated from the equation and the acne cleared.

This is why so many say, “This (insert skincare/treatment/Rx) isn’t working for me.” or, “I had to do three rounds of (insert Rx) before my acne cleared.” The variables hold the answer to the equation.

It seriously sucks that there isn’t an easy fix for acne. Bandaid approaches are simply that and may give you a feeling of being productive or doing something beneficial while you await results. But know that your skin is signaling that some recon needs to take place. Finding a practitioner who takes the whole body and root cause approach will be the most successful in clearing your acne or at least significantly minimizing it for the long haul. Remember, the variables will constantly change throughout life, and once you are aware of what they are and how they affect you, you can gain some control on managing them. Who likes feeling in charge of themselves? (You’d better raise your hand!)

As always, I love your face!

Summer Serrano

Owner || Intuitive & Quantum Esthetician || Certified Corneotherapist || TCM Enthusiast

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