Does your teen have acne? For teenagers, acne is one of the most painful parts of adolescence. Acne effects not just the skin, but your teen's self esteem as well. Support, love and information are the most instrumental things parents can give to teenagers.
Learn What Acne Is
Of course, having had acne as a teenager doesn't make an adult an instant expert. New medications and over the counter items are now available that enable most common acne conditions to be minimized. Visiting a dermatologist is usually a good idea for any medical problem. Those spots that you see on your teenager's skin are probably acne, but there are other skin conditions that look like acne. Does your teen have acne? Having a discussion with a dermatologist will give you a solid diagnosis, and also offer you the widest variety of treatment options available.
The Cause of Acne
Acne can be a difficult subject to talk to your teenagers about, because might be embarrassed by their acne, particularly if they have a lot of pimples, blackheads or severe acne. You know how best to speak with your child, but in general you'll want to be supportive and understanding. Educate yourself about the difference between myths and facts about acne: the myths about greasy foods, chocolate, or sex causing acne are now acknowledged to be simply not true. Most likely, your teenager is already trying everything he or she knows of to control the acne. Even if they are unable to verbalize about it, it's probably one of their major concerns. Acne can affect self-esteem and relations with peers, and in severe cases can lead to depression and social withdrawal.
Psychological Scars of Acne
Let your teenager know that you are on their side and that you are willing to support him or her with their acne. Verbalizing about your own experiences may help and certainly can't hurt. It could give your teenager a deeper understanding of you, and a broader view on his own acne effects. While it may be small comfort, remind your child that for almost all teenagers, acne is part of adolescence and they are not by themselves. It is estimated that 85% of adolescents have acne, and 40% have acne severe enough to need treatment by a dermatologist.
Consult A Dermatologist
So does your teen have acne? If you've already experimented with a couple of over-the-counter medications without success, tell your child to go to a dermatologist. While nothing may completely remove acne, it is good to wash the skin, keeping the pores clean and free from bacteria. Medical treatments can include oral medications, physical treatments, and ointments and lotions that are applied directly on the pimples. These treatments can help eliminate the acne while offering relief from the physical embarassment it causes. Fortunately, acne effects are short-lived. As your child gets older the acne should become less of a problem, and by the time they are in their early 20s it will most likely be a thing of the past. For teens, acne can be painful, but with your help, proper skin care, medicine and information, you can help your teen overcome this and many other problems.
For more info, see
Teenager Acne or
Acne Effects. Ron King is a web developer; visit his articles on
Skin Care Product Review.
