The Many Faces of Pediatric Acne: How to Tailor Nonprescription Acne Treatment and Skincare Using Cleansers and Moisturizers
June 2022 | Volume 21 | Issue 6 | 602 | Copyright © June 2022
Published online May 31, 2022
Lawrence A. Schachner MD FAAD FAAPa, Anneke Andriessen PhDb, Latanya Benjamin MD FAAD FAAPc, Madelyn Dones MDd, Leon H. Kircik MD FAADe, Ayleen Pinera-Llano MDf, Linda Keller MDg, Adelaide A. Hebert MD FAADh
aDivision of Pediatric Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, FL
bRadboud UMC, Nijmegen and Andriessen Consultants, Malden, The Netherlands
cAssociate Professor of Pediatric Dermatology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
dBaptist Health Hospital, Nicklaus Childrens’ Hospital, Miami, FL
eIchan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN; Physicians Skin Care, PLLC, Louisville, KY; DermResearch, PLLC, Louisville, KY; Skin Sciences, PLLC, Louisville, KY
fKing Bay Pediatrics, Miami, FL; General Pediatrics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL
gBaptist Health Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, Miami, FL
hDepartment of Dermatology and Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX; Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX
Abstract
Background: Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common, complex, multifactorial disorder. Various expressions of acne in childhood can be categorized by age, severity, and pubertal status.
Objective: To improve pediatric acne patients’ outcomes, various expressions of pediatric acne to educate and tailor nonprescription acne treatment and skincare using cleansers and moisturizers were defined and discussed.
Methods: An expert panel of pediatric dermatologists and dermatologists reviewed and discussed nonprescription acne treatment and skincare literature. The results from the literature searches were used together with the panel’s expert opinion and experience to adopt various expressions of pediatric acne and prevention, treatment, and maintenance of the condition using nonprescription acne treatment and skincare.
Results: The panel agreed on sixteen acne patient profiles addressing various age categories of pediatric acne: neonatal acne: birth to ≤ 8 weeks; infantile acne: 8 weeks to ≤1 year; mid-childhood acne: 1 year to <7 years; preadolescent acne: ≥7 to 12 years; adolescent acne: ≥12 to 19 years or after menarche for girls. Nonprescription acne treatment and skincare products containing lipids such as ceramides play an important role in monotherapy, adjunctive, and maintenance treatment; however, their role in pediatric acne is not well defined and requires more studies.
Conclusion: Pediatric acne deserves more attention from healthcare providers treating children regarding differential diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance using nonprescription acne treatment and skincare.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(6):602-612. doi:10.36849/JDD.6872
INTRODUCTION
Acne vulgaris (acne) is a complex, multifactorial disease with significant social, psychological, and physical consequences.1-6 Acne is most prevalent in teens and is considered a chronic condition with a prolonged course of acute outbreaks, relapses, recurrences, and a significant psychological impact.2-4 Acne is associated with lower self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.3,4 There are various expressions of pediatric acne, based on age (neonatal, infantile, mid-childhood, preadolescent, and adolescent), severity (mild, moderate, severe), type (eg, comedonal, papules, pustules, nodular), and other characteristics (eg, oily skin, pomedal acne).5-8
