Acne is a condition that is common among teenagers across the world. Over 70% of teens between the ages of 12 and 19, and sometimes into adulthood, have acne in some form or severity. This could be caused by hereditary or poor skincare, but there’s no doubt teen acne can scar more than skin.
Primarily acne is caused by the glands released at puberty that cause the oil glands to produce more oil than is needed. This leads to pores being blocked and the development of pimples or blackheads. Thankfully there’s something a teen, or adult for that matter, can do to combat acne.
If the case of acne is mild, it’s important to wash your face daily with a mild cleanser. This helps open the pores and remove the excess oil. It’s also important to keep your hands away from your face. Eating a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as drinking plenty of water, can also help your skin be healthy.
Severe cases of acne aren’t going to clear up by washing your face. You may have to see a general doctor or dermatologist. They can prescribe gels, lotions, or other medications that can help get rid of acne.
It may be easiest to think that acne will clear up on it’s own over time. The fact is that few people merely outgrow it. In fact, if acne is left untreated, it can cause scarring that is more than skin deep. Severe acne can cause teens to have poor self-esteem or other emotional problems that could be averted if their acne was treated promptly.
While it’s true that most people will develop and have to deal with acne, telling your teen that everyone their age has acne won’t help them. They need you to listen to them and understand that they feel bad about their own acne problem. You don’t have to baby them, but if you’ll think back to how you felt as a teen with acne, you’ll have a better appreciation for what they’re going through.
Here are some other statements that parents have used in the past when talking about acne with their teens. They may even be things your own parents said to you. Think back to how you felt and you’ll know why it’s better to leave these things unsaid:
* “You eat too much junk food, that’s why you have acne.” The truth is that there isn’t any scientific evidence to prove that our diets directly affect acne.
* “If you washed your face, you wouldn’t break out.” This may be partially true. Proper washing is important, but acne starts under the skin’s surface, not on top of it.
* “Popping pimples will get rid of them.” Actually it’s better to leave acne alone. The more you mess with acne the higher the chances are that you’ll develop scarring.
* “Learn to live with it, it’ll go away.” More than 40% of teens with acne have it so severely that they need to see a dermatologist to get it under control.
The old adage says that “beauty is only skin deep.” It’s important for your teen to know that they are the same great person whether they have acne or not. Explain to them that their personality, how much they care about others, and their intelligent conversations are what makes people want to be friends with them. And if they’re true friends, acne won’t keep them from remaining as friends. In fact, it may help them learn to deal with their own when they develop teen acne.
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