Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While it is typically associated with adolescence, adults can also experience acne. One type of acne that is particularly challenging to treat is maturation arrest acne. In this article, we will discuss what maturation arrest acne is and how to treat it.

Maturation arrest acne is a type of acne that occurs when the skin's natural shedding process is disrupted. It looks like little pebbles stuck under the skin that seem to hang around forever. In a general acne life-cycle, the comedones mature into blackheads, which have been oxidized. But here, the maturation process is stopped or arrested. Instead, the clogs get trapped and the accumulations continue to grow in size.

Normally, skin cells mature and shed naturally, but in cases of maturation arrest acne, skin cells become stuck in the follicle along with excess oil, leading to a small pebbly-looking clog. These clogs are tightly impacted in the pore and don’t allow bacteria to collect, and so don’t typically get inflamed.

There are several factors that can contribute to maturation arrest acne. One of the most common causes is hormonal imbalances, particularly excess androgens. Androgens are male hormones that are also present in females in smaller amounts. When there is an excess of androgens, the sebaceous glands in the skin produce more oil, which can lead to clogged pores and acne.

Other factors that can contribute to maturation arrest acne include:

• Products - using products with pore clogging ingredients
• Diet - eating inflammatory foods, dairy, and other foods that can impact the lipid profile of sebum
• Omega Fatty Acid deficiency - can negatively affect the lipid profile and certain medications. In some cases, the condition may also be hereditary.

Treating maturation arrest acne can be tricky, but with the right combination of treatments, at home products, and diet adjustments, it can be effectively minimized.

Come in for regular acne facials, where your esthetician will use steam and enzymes to effectively soften clogs and gently extract impactions. Additional modalities like high frequency and LED therapy will help to reduce sebum production and inflammation.

At home treatment includes the use of digestive/exfoliating products like enzymes, acids (our favorite is the Vivant 8% Mandelic Acid Serum, available at the spa) retinols, and benzoyl peroxide. Retinoids work by increasing the rate of skin cell turnover, which helps to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells in the follicles. Benzoyl peroxide provides powerful antibacterial support, and is also an effective comedolytic and keratolytic agent, meaning it unclogs pores and sloughs off dead cells.



Supplementation of Essential Fatty Acids is also important for this type of acne, as it helps to soften/normalize the lipid profile of sebum, making it less sticky and therefore less likely to accumulate in pores. Additional lifestyle tips include maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, avoiding picking or squeezing acne lesions, and using gentle skin care products that are non-comedogenic (meaning they won't clog pores). It is also important to avoid excessive sun exposure, as this can worsen acne and increase the risk of skin damage.

In conclusion, maturation arrest acne is a challenging type of acne that can be difficult to treat. However, with the right combination of treatments, home care and lifestyle changes, it is possible to improve the condition and achieve clearer, healthier skin. If you are struggling with maturation arrest acne, book our Acne Facial today!