Understanding Childhood Acne

By Heather Gano, MD — VIV Wellness, Dallas, TX

When "little breakouts" aren't so little

Childhood acne — yes, it exists. While many associate acne with the teenage years, numerous children start developing clogged pores, small bumps, or early breakouts as young as seven or eight.

These changes are often associated with the initial hormonal shifts of adrenarche, when the adrenal glands begin producing mild androgens (hormones that stimulate oil glands).

For some children this causes shiny skin and occasional pimples; for others, it can result in severe acne before puberty even starts.

What causes it

Even before puberty, several factors can cause acne:

• Increased oil (sebum) production due to hormonal changes.
• Bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) thriving in oily pores.
• Clogged hair follicles from dead skin buildup.
• Inflammation triggered by diet, stress, and skin products.

Genetics also plays a strong role — if a parent had early or severe acne, their child is more likely to develop it too.

How to tell when it's time for professional care

A few scattered whiteheads are normal. But if your child's breakouts are:

• Persistent or spreading
• Causing redness, tenderness, or dark marks
• Leading to self-consciousness or picking behavior

…it's time for a professional evaluation. Early treatment helps prevent scarring and can make a huge difference in confidence.

Our approach at VIV Wellness

At VIV Wellness, we take a gentle, evidence-based, and age-appropriate approach to pediatric skin. Our treatments are designed to calm inflammation, balance oil production, and protect the skin barrier — without over-drying or irritating delicate young skin.

Step 1: Personalized skin assessment

We evaluate your child's skin type, diet, skincare habits, and, if needed, hormone profile. This helps us determine whether the acne is purely surface-level or influenced by deeper hormonal activity.

Step 2: Medical-grade yet gentle treatments

Depending on your child's age and severity, we may recommend:

• Customized home skincare with mild cleansers and retinoid alternatives (like adapalene or botanical actives).
• HydraFacial® Teen treatments for gentle pore cleansing.
• LED light therapy (blue/red light) to reduce bacteria and inflammation naturally.
• Professional extraction facials, when appropriate.
• Low-dose topical medications or compounded blends if breakouts are moderate to severe.

Step 3: Lifestyle and education

We help parents and kids develop simple routines they'll stick to — focusing on:

• Avoiding heavy or pore-clogging products.
• Consistent cleansing after sports and sweating.
• Nutrition guidance, reducing dairy and high-glycemic foods that can worsen acne.
• Managing stress and sleep — yes, even for kids.