Teen Acne
Teen Acne: a Parent’s Guide
If you are the parent of an adolescent who is having problems with unsightly eruptions, you will want to read this guide to dealing with Teen Acne. It is important to understand the true acne causes and separate them from the myths you may have heard while you were growing up.
It is also important to remember what it was like to be faced with pimples when you were growing up, and approach your teen on a level that he or she will respond positively to. As parents, we hate to see our kids suffer. Good information and the right approach can be just what you need to help them through the difficult teenage years.
Understand the Basics
All teenagers are prone to acne. It is a part of growing up. Surprisingly, some children even as young as age nine experience the occasional breakout.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not chocolate and greasy fried foods that cause teen acne. Pimples are the response of the hair follicle when it is over inundated with oil and dead skin cells and the resulting plug is filled with bacteria. Although a healthy diet is always a good idea, it is not a form of acne prevention.
When you were young, you may have scrubbed at your face to get rid of the problem or applied various products to dry out your skin. This does not help teen acne. Vigorous scrubbing merely irritates already sensitive tissue and completely removing the skin’s natural oils also removes its protection.
Squeezing those blackheads and whiteheads might make them look better temporarily, but it opens up the pustule and allows additional bacteria to enter. This could cause an infection.
Teach Basic Acne Skin Care
If you can, teach your child the basics of good skin care before he or she suffers from breakouts. Kids should know that ordinary hand soap is too drying to be used on delicate facial skin. Show them how to pat their face dry rather than using a rough action with a towel. You may also need to remind them to clean their face of sweat, such as after participating in sports or simply playing outside on a hot day.
Teach your teens to spot the early signs of acne formation and take the necessary steps to prevent it from spreading further or getting worse. Ensure they have a good over the counter acne medication available to treat spots before they erupt into an angry red mass. This will also prevent scarring.
Communicating with Teens
If you notice your teenager’s face starting to break out, open up the lines of communication right away. He or she may never ask for your help in getting rid of pimples, so it is up to you reach out and bring up the subject.
Your approach is very important. Remember that you are dealing with an adolescent whose self esteem may already be suffering and pimples can be a big deal to them. Try not to be judgmental and tell them that everything they are doing is wrong.
Instead, start with a simple statement that shows them you care and offer to buy them the necessary acne treatments to clear up their skin. Make sure you have enough time to answer their questions and address their concerns.
Your teen may refuse to talk about their acne. They might be embarrassed by the problem or have other reasons for not opening up. See if you can determine the underlying issues and address those as necessary.
Discuss Options for Acne Treatments
It is vital to find the proper acne product to help your teenager. This will depend on the severity of their breakouts, the time they spend on their appearance, and even their gender. There are many over the counter remedies that are a good place to start.
If their teen acne is more advanced, you may want to suggest they visit a dermatologist for a prescription. A doctor can prescribe birth control pills, androgen suppression medicines, or antibiotics and can rule out other skin conditions such as eczema. Laser, light treatments, or a special night cream may also be prescribed.
There are many ways to treat Teen Acne. Help your teenager by suggesting a daily skin care regimen and providing him or her with acne treatment products.