Parents Can Help With The Battle Of Teenage Acne
With the onset of puberty, thousands of teens are impacted by acne. The severity of the problem ranges from very mild cases, with occasional zits and blemishes marring an otherwise perfect face to extreme cases that are prolonged eruptions that consistently cover the facial dermis and other parts of the body.
Acne can also appear on your teen’s back, chest and other areas – not only on their face. Acne can not only can result in physical scarring, it can emotionally scar a teenager as well. Puberty brings hormonal changes and fragile emotions, and acne can wreak havoc with a teenager’s self-esteem. Teasing and name-calling can hurt as deeply as a physical wound, embarrassing and humiliating a teen leaving long-lasting effects.
For mild cases of acne, regular cleansing with antibacterial cleansers, using a balancing facial toner and oil-free moisturizers can help impede eruptions. There are hundreds of products available over the counter for treating mild acne issues. Make sure your teenager sticks to a daily skin care regimen, as this will help to shorten the length of outbreaks and prevent future eruptions. Parents should remind their teenagers that a healthy diet and daily skin care will not only help win their battle with acne, but also be a part of a healthy lifestyle that will shape their body into maturity.
Parents of a teenager suffering from severe acne would be well advised to seek the professional advice of a dermatologist. Persistent acne, with blemishes, zits and pustules covering most of the dermis, can cause permanent scarring. These doctors specialize in problems with the dermis, with human skin. They have arsenals of prescription medications and cutting edge medical treatments that can reduce the number of eruptions and help prevent permanent scarring. Often they will find other factors or underlying conditions, such as eczema, that are also contributing to the acne problem. If your teen has not had any visible improvement using over the counter acne preparations, then it is appropriate to make an appointment with a dermatologist.
It is important that your teenager is reassured that their value has not changed because of their acne. As parents, you need to boost their confidence and let them know that you love and accept them, whether their acne is mild or severe. Assist them in developing a daily skin care regimen, purchase acne preparations to help them control outbreaks. Plan your family’s meals so they are both healthy and nutritious. If warranted, bring your child to a dermatologist.
As a parent, you play an important role in helping your child through the turbulent teenage years. Assisting them with their battle against facial acne will strengthen your bond.
