DermExcel™ | Tween with Congested Pores

your dermal diagnosis™ results

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We're thrilled you're taking proactive steps to understand your skin better. Below, you'll find your most recent Dermal Diagnosis™ results. Use this data as a roadmap to achieving healthier skin.

Date	Dermal Diagnosis™	Profile and Treatment Plan

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS™ RESULT BREAKDOWN

Aging Score	Hydration Score	Pigmentation Score	Inflammation category

Date	Dermal Diagnosis™

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS™ RESULT BREAKDOWN

Aging Score
Hydration Score
Pigmentation Score
Inflammation category

's Dermal Diagnosis™ Profile

Pre-teen / Tween with Congested Pores

For a pre-teen experiencing congested pores, understanding and managing skin health can be both challenging and essential. During this transformative phase of life, hormonal changes often lead to increased oil production, which can cause pores to become clogged with excess sebum, dead skin cells, and impurities.

Congested pores are characterized by blackheads and whiteheads, which are visible signs that the skin is struggling to remain clear and breathable. These issues are especially prevalent in pre-teens due to their developing skin adapting to new biological rhythms.

A skincare approach for someone in this age group with congested pores should focus on gentle yet effective solutions. It is crucial to use products that cleanse deeply without stripping the skin of its natural oils, which can paradoxically increase oil production. Salicylic acid, known for its ability to penetrate into the pores and dissolve the sebum buildup, can be particularly beneficial.

Educating pre-teens on the importance of a consistent skincare routine is vital. Regular cleansing, using suitable exfoliants, and applying moisturizers appropriate for oily and congested skin types will help manage and reduce pore congestion. Encourage a manageable and not overly complex routine, ensuring it becomes a consistent part of their daily habits.

For pre-teens, navigating skin care with congested pores is about building healthy habits, using the right products, and understanding their skin’s needs as they grow. With the right guidance and care, they can achieve clearer, healthier skin that will boost their confidence during these formative years.

benefits

barriers

goals

YOUR SKIN'S MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Clogged Pores

↑ Sebum

microbial growth

≈ hormones

Benefits of your Tween Congested Pores skin type

↑ Elasticity

Natural Oils

↑ Collagen

Faster Healing

The skin at this age is naturally more elastic due to a higher concentration of elastin fibers. This elasticity allows the skin to withstand environmental stress and repair itself quickly, reducing the likelihood of long-term damage from congestion.
Tween skin’s natural oils, hydration, and elasticity create a barrier against environmental stressors like pollution and bacteria. Even with congested pores, this resilience allows the skin to recover from external damage better than older skin.
Tween and pre-teen skin has higher collagen levels, contributing to its plumpness, elasticity, and faster repair. Even if pores are congested, the skin can often bounce back quickly and heal well without long-term damage, as collagen promotes a youthful, resilient complexion.
Pre-teen skin can heal more quickly from minor injuries, including blemishes from congested pores. This rapid healing minimizes the risk of scarring and allows for a quicker recovery from breakouts or irritation.

Barriers to your skin health

≈ Hormones

↑ Sebum

↓ cell turnover

Thicker Skin

During puberty, increased levels of androgens (such as testosterone) stimulate sebaceous glands, causing them to produce excess sebum (oil). This overproduction can lead to clogged pores and congestion.
The sebaceous glands in tween skin are more active during this stage, producing more oil than necessary. The excess oil combines with dead skin cells, clogging pores and creating an ideal environment for congestion.
Skin cell turnover can slow down or become irregular during this developmental stage, accumulating dead skin cells on the surface. These dead cells block the pores and trap oil and bacteria, worsening congestion.
Tween and pre-teen skin tends to be thicker due to higher levels of collagen and elastin production. This can make pores appear smaller but deeper, increasing the likelihood of pore blockages as oil and debris get trapped.
Tweens can experience hyperkeratinization, where the skin produces too much keratin, a protein that binds dead skin cells together. This excess keratin can clog hair follicles, leading to conditions like keratosis pilaris, or acne.
Increased activity of sweat glands can mix with sebum and dead skin cells, contributing to pore congestion. Excess sweating can lead to blockages if sweat is not properly cleansed from the skin.

your frustrations

Congested pores: Comedones in the form of blackheads and whiteheads.
Texture: Rough skin texture with an altered microbiome.
Misinformation: With internet and social media access, tweens might follow skincare advice that is inappropriate or damaging for their skin type, leading to frustration when these methods do not work or worsen their skin condition.
Self-Esteem: Even minor skin issues can have a significant impact on self-confidence.
Maintaining Consistency: Sticking to a skincare routine can be challenging, especially if you adjust to new responsibilities. Skipping skincare steps due to a busy schedule or lack of interest can lead to changes in skin health.
Sensitive Skin: Your skin may be sensitive and react negatively to harsh skincare products, environmental factors, and physical or emotional stress.

your goals

Improved texture: Smooth skin texture with clean pores.
Clear Skin: Skin clear of acne and blemishes.
Develop Healthy Skincare Habits: Establishing a simple, effective skincare routine that sets the foundation for skin care into the teenage years and beyond.
Education About Skin Changes: Insight on skin changes and how to adjust your skincare regimen accordingly.
Prevent Skin Damage: Consistent sun protection to prevent future skin damage, such as sunburns or premature aging, is a proactive skincare goal.
Boost Self-Esteem: Maintaining healthy skin can help improve self-esteem, and make you feel more confident in your appearance.

Pre-teen / Tween with Congested Pores

treatment objectives

Support Healthy Skin Renewal

Adolescence is a time of rapid skin cell turnover. This treatment aims to support this process, promoting a fresh, youthful appearance.

Balance Oil Production

For tweens who are starting to see an increase in oil production, treatment aims to gently balance this to prevent clogged pores and early breakouts.

Sun Damage Protection

Protect against harmful UV rays, preventing sun damage and encouraging the habit of daily sunscreen application.

Control Early Breakouts

As tweens approach puberty, they may begin to experience their first breakouts. The treatment aims to prevent and control these early instances of acne.

Unclog pores

Dissolve and extract cellular debris and prevent skin cells from clumping together in pores to ensure that the pores remain clear and free from blockages, which can lead to breakouts.

Soothe Skin Irritations

Soothe common skin irritations, including minor rashes or sensitivity, which tweens may experience due to environmental factors or the onset of hormonal changes.

include

Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents.
Pore decongesting and sebum regulating agents.
Broad spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants - preventing premature aging and DNA damage.
Chemical exfoliators to accelerate in-pore exfoliation.
Skin-identical medical-grade ingredients penetrating the skin to activate a biological response.

avoid

Damaging lifestyle habits, e.g. smoking, tanning beds, excessive sun and sugar consumption.
Toners and foaming cleansers containing soap & sulfates.
Fragrance in skincare products.
Harsh anti-bacterial products that disrupt the skin's natural microbiome.
Irritating plant extracts and essential oils that will trigger sebum production and secretion.

Pre-teen / Tween with Congested Pores

Active Ingredients your skin needs

Retinoic acid analogue

Retinoic acid, often referred to as tretinoin in its pharmaceutical form, is the active form of Vitamin A. It is widely recognized for its powerful effects in dermatology and skin care, particularly in treating acne and signs of skin aging.

Retinoic acid works at the cellular level to modify gene expression and affect cell growth. In treating acne, it promotes the turnover of skin cells, reducing the likelihood of pore-clogging and helping to clear existing breakouts. Additionally, it decreases the cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells, further preventing the formation of comedones.

Retinoic acid's ability to stimulate collagen production is a key benefit in anti-aging skincare. This leads to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and an improvement in overall skin texture and tone. It also aids skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation by accelerating cell turnover, bringing new skin cells to the surface faster, and shedding pigmented and damaged cells.

Despite its benefits, retinoic acid can irritate the skin, causing side effects like redness, dryness, and peeling, especially during the initial period of use. Its potency means it is generally available by prescription and requires careful monitoring by a healthcare professional.

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a newer, esterified form of retinoic acid. Unlike cosmetic retinol, HPR binds directly to the retinoid receptors of the skin cells without needing conversion. This direct binding allows it to deliver similar benefits to retinoic acid, such as stimulating collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and reducing signs of aging, but with a lower risk of irritation.

HPR is considered more gentle and less irritating than traditional retinoic acid while offering comparable benefits. With HPR, everyone has access to the benefits of prescription retinoids without the risk of side effects.

Physiological Effects

Cell Turnover and Renewal: HPR promotes rapid cell turnover, aiding in the exfoliation of dead skin cells and generating new cells.
Skin Texture: Promoting cell renewal improves skin texture and addresses issues like roughness and dullness.
Collagen Production: It stimulates collagen production, which is essential for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.
Acne Treatment: Effective in treating acne by unclogging pores and reducing the size of sebaceous glands, it diminishes both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
Pigmentation: It can reduce hyperpigmentation by accelerating the turnover of hyperpigmented skin cells and inhibiting melanin production.
Photoaging: Effective in treating signs of photoaging, reversing some of the damage caused by UV radiation.

Special Benefits

Retinoid Receptor Activity: HPR, an ester of retinoic acid, binds directly to retinoid receptors in the skin, enabling it to work without needing to be converted into retinoic acid.
Lower Irritation: Typically, it causes less irritation than retinoic acid, making it more suitable for sensitive skin types.
Collagen Stimulation and Anti-Aging: Like retinoic acid, HPR helps in stimulating collagen production and has anti-aging properties.
Acne and Hyperpigmentation: It effectively treats acne and reduces hyperpigmentation, often with fewer side effects than retinoic acid.
Stability and Penetration: HPR is more stable and lipid-soluble, so it penetrates the skin more effectively and is less prone to degradation.

References

Zaenglein, A. L., Pathy, A. L., Schlosser, B. J., Alikhan, A., Baldwin, H. E., Berson, D. S., ... & Thiboutot, D. M. (2016). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74(5), 945-973.e33.
Fisher, G. J., Wang, Z. Q., Datta, S. C., Varani, J., Kang, S., & Voorhees, J. J. (1996). Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. New England Journal of Medicine, 337(20), 1419-1428.
Truchuelo, M. T., Jiménez, N., Jaén, P. (2018). Assessment of the efficacy of a new complex-based retinoic acid and retinol in a 3-month study using objective methods and skin biomarker analysis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 17(3), 347-354.
Mukherjee, S., et al. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging.
Randhawa, M., et al. (2015). Hydroxypinacolone retinoate: a new retinoid and its use in dermatology. Skin Therapy Letter.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid, a renowned beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is a cornerstone in dermatology and skincare due to its exceptional keratolytic and comedolytic properties. Its unique ability to penetrate oil-laden hair follicle pores makes it particularly effective in treating acne-prone and oily skin types.

Salicylic acid dissolves skin debris (sebum and dead skin cells) that clogs pores and causes acne. It's a mild antibacterial and powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce the redness and swelling associated with breakouts.

What sets salicylic acid apart in dermatological treatments is its ability to exfoliate the skin, not just on the surface but within the pores themselves. This is due to its oil-soluble nature, which allows it to penetrate deep into the pores and dissolve the keratin plugs that lead to blackheads and whiteheads.

Furthermore, salicylic acid also has the capacity to adjust the pH of the skin, creating an environment less favorable for the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Salicylic acid's efficacy in treating various skin conditions, particularly acne, has been extensively documented in the scientific literature. Studies have consistently shown its ability to reduce acne lesions in terms of count and severity. Additionally, salicylic acid is highly recommended for its effectiveness in treating other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and dandruff, due to its ability to soften and remove scales and flakes from the skin.

Physiological Effects

Keratolytic Action: Salicylic acid is known for its ability to exfoliate the skin by dissolving the intercellular 'glue' that holds skin cells together, helping to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.
Comedolytic Effect: It is particularly effective in reducing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) by unclogging pores and preventing the formation of new comedones.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Salicylic acid reduces inflammation, which is beneficial in treating acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Sebum Regulation: It helps to regulate oil production, making it a valuable ingredient for managing oily and acne-prone skin.
Penetration Enhancement: Due to its lipophilic nature, it can penetrate sebum-filled follicles, effectively treating acne located deep within the pores.

Role in Managing Dermatological Conditions

Acne Vulgaris: Salicylic acid is a cornerstone in acne treatment, effectively preventing and treating existing acne lesions.
Psoriasis: Its keratolytic properties make it helpful in softening and removing scales associated with p