• What causes acne?


• How is acne different in boys?


• Acne treatments for boys


• What can boys do to prevent acne?


• TIps for shaving when you have acne

What causes acne?

Acne or pimples is a skin condition that occurs because of clogged pores that result from an overproduction of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance secreted from the sebaceous glands under the skin of the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. Acne is most common in teens because of the hormonal activity of puberty, which stimulates sebum production.

How is acne different in boys?

In most teens, acne starts with the onset of puberty, a time of increased hormonal activity. In boys, puberty starts later than it does in girls, so boys typically get acne at a later age.

Another key difference is that boys have more androgens, a type of hormone associated with male characteristics (deeper voice, body hair). Androgen stimulates the sebaceous glands, making it a chief culprit of oily skin and acne on boys.

In teens, treating acne early is especially important to prevent it from getting worse or causing scars.

Boys are more likely to get acne on the chest and back, and their acne tends to be more severe and long-lasting.  Boys who shave may also be at a higher risk for acne flares, especially if using dull, low-quality razors or not using shaving cream.

Finally, boys tend to be less likely to use skincare products than girls, so they may not be aware of the treatments available for acne. They may also be less likely to seek help for their acne.

Acne treatments for boys

• Danne Acne Alkaline Wash is a very effective in-clinic treatment at Invigor8.  It is recommended to treat acne breakouts promptly to avoid or reduce appearance of pigmentation and scaring.


•  The goal of any acne treatment is to kill bacteria either in-clinic or at home is to remove dead skin cells, and lower sebum production to avoid getting acne scars on the face.  Although there are acne scar treatment like skin needling, preventing acne is still the best acne treatment. The Invigor8 Paramedical Skin Technicians will choose a treatment based on the severity of the acne, which could be mild, moderate or severe, and provide advice to prevent further acne breakouts.


•  Cleanse twice a day but not with soap. The ideal cleanser is pH balanced, mild and would not block the pores. It should contain no or minimal perfume, alcohol and surfactant that may cause allergy or irritation.


•  Many mild cases may respond to simple home care prescription such as Danne Acne Wash.  For moderate to severe cases, Invigor8 Paramedical Skin Technician will recommend something stronger to avoid prolonging the acne and the risk of scarring. In that case, you may be prescribed in clinic treatments like Alkaline Wash or Chemical Peel combined with herbal supplement such as Panaxea Clear Skin.


• In some cases, dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin (accutane or roaccutane), an effective prescription medication that carries potentially serious side effects. The doctor must monitor you closely for such side effects if you take this medication.


•  Invigor8 Medi-Spa solutions work with you through all stages of acne treatments from prevention, cure and reduction of scar tissues.  Our Scar Reduction Treatment (SRT) is an effective acne scar treatment that reduces 70% of the acne scarring resulting from severe, often cystic acne.


• Stick with it. No prescription or treatment can do its job properly unless it is given time to work. It’s very important to be patient and follow prescribed treatment, for as long as directed. If you do not see results right away, do not be discouraged. Your treatment is hard at work preventing new lesions from forming. Stopping treatment early will likely cause pimples and zits to reappear.

What can boys do to prevent acne?

• Cleanse your skin twice a day with a mild DANNE Deep Pore Cleanser or Cosmedix Purity Clean; avoid scrubbing hard with a washcloth—it will not help the acne go away and it may worsen the condition by irritating the skin and spreading the bacteria.

• Teens tend to get acne in the T-zone of the face (chin, nose, and forehead), so use an oil-free moisturizer if possible, and use less moisturizer in those areas.

• If your hair is long enough to touch your face, wash it daily to keep oil away from your skin. Avoid letting hair products touch your face.

• Wash your face gently after working around oily substances (such as in a hot kitchen or gas station).

• Bathe or wash your face after exercising, especially areas of the body that come into close, prolonged contact with sports gear (such as helmets, shoulder pads, backpacks, or bike shorts).

• Do not touch your face, because the oil and bacteria from your hands can worsen your acne.

• Avoid the temptation to pick at or squeeze your pimples or zits—this can irritate them and cause scarring.

• If you are using a medication or undergoing treatment, give it time to work. Your skin may look worse before it looks better, and it may be 6-8 weeks before you see improvement. If you do not see results after two months, talk to your Invigor8 Paramedical Skin Care Technician about switching treatments or adjusting your prescription.

• The sooner you treat your acne, the easier it will be to bring it under control. Virtually any case of acne is treatable, and it’s much easier to eliminate lesions in the early stages, which keeps them from growing and prevents scarring.

Tips for shaving when you have acne

Boys with facial hair know that shaving and acne can be a challenge. These tips may help minimize skin irritation when shaving with acne:

• Before shaving, soften the hairs. Wetting the face thoroughly with lukewarm water can help soften the hairs.

• Experiment. Try shaving with electric and safety razors to see which works best for you.

• Make sure the blade is sharp. This helps prevents nicks from a safety razor, which can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.

• Shave lightly. This can help avoid nicking acne lesions, which can make acne worse. 

• Never try to shave off the acne. This aggravates the condition and makes the acne worse.

Invigor8 Medi-Spa provides the following advice on skin concerns for general information purposes only.  In following the information provided in these pages, audiences accept that this does not replace in-clinic consultation, analysis and recommendation.  

The best results are achieved when the correct home care products are combined with regular salon treatments.   We guarantee you will be most delighted with the results from Invigor8 Medi-Spa.

Contact us to book your appointment or if you have further queries.  

• phone (08) 9443 3442 at Yokine 


• SMS 0432 782 424


• Facebook on www.facebook.com/Invigor8


• email to info@invigor8skin.com.au

We look forward to seeing you regularly.