Puberty. For some, just thinking about it brings up very vivid images: stubborn acne, general restlessness, and the all-consuming crushes of high school. (I wonder what Brandon, my eighth-grade geography student, is up to these days?)
So when rumors of a “second puberty” circulated online, I cringed. Just a little. If you, too, make a big effort to have a happy, healthy complexion, you might also be wondering: What does this mean for my skin?
What is second puberty?
Well, the good news is that it’s not true. Somehow, it is. Let me explain.
While (first) puberty refers to the huge physical changes that occur during puberty, second puberty is a colloquial term with no medical basis. Second puberty is best described as the very common, very natural hormonal fluctuations that occur in your twenties and thirties. This is often exacerbated by life stages like switching or stopping birth control, which also often occur during this exploratory phase. (Our bodies are still growing, forming, and becoming what we’re supposed to be!)
(Sometimes there’s no way to know what’s going on with your body other than to consult a doctor, so if you’re experiencing puberty-like symptoms, we recommend putting down your Zappo and making an appointment.)
What does this mean for my skin?
Acne
Many factors can cause puberty-like pimples to develop in adulthood (whiteheads), including stress, poor diet, birth control, and health conditions like endometriosis or PCOS.
Here’s how you can help:
Use acne-fighting ingredients like willow bark extract (a natural form of salicylic acid) to deep cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Use chemical peels regularly to relieve congestion, and use a detoxifying mud mask 1-2 nights a week to push impurities to the surface and prevent recurrence.
Loss of Elasticity
Changes in skin elasticity are an inevitable part of the aging process, as our collagen levels slowly decline throughout adulthood. Dryness and dehydration often go hand in hand, as your skin becomes thinner and therefore produces less oil.
Here’s how you can help:
Use a hydrating serum on top of a nourishing facial oil to combat dry patches and protect the skin barrier from moisture loss. Finally, apply a firming face cream to visibly reduce fine lines and ensure your skin stays soft.
Vitamin A also boosts collagen production, which speeds up skin cell turnover. So it’s an effective option for anyone looking to reduce wrinkles, combat acne, and reduce dark spots.
Sun Damage
Since second puberty occurs a little later, you’ll have accumulated some sun damage, whether it’s accidental or not. As a result, your skin may develop more freckles, sun spots, or hyperpigmentation.
Here’s how you can help:
Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen every day (do we need to remind you?). Incorporate a vitamin C serum into your routine to fade dark spots, fight free radicals, and avoid potential damage from environmental pollutants.
Be sure to regularly monitor new and existing moles on your body so you can spot them at your next skin check and make sure nothing is turning ominous or cancerous.
Can I prevent a second puberty?
No. That’s okay.
While there are ways to take care of your skin and manage the effects of second (third, fourth, fifth…) puberty, your body changes as you age and so does the way it looks and feels.
It’s a privilege to know our bodies and be able to take care of them. At every stage.
