Teenagers Acne | help for parents

How parents can help their teenager through Acne.

Teenagers with acne look to their parents for both emotional support and as a trusted source of advice on how to best treat their growing acne problems.

Even though it may be quite a few years in the past most parents will have experienced pretty much the same common acne condition that their adolescent kids currently have to go through.

One of the best ways for parents to help in this situation is to learn as much as possible about the different types of acne and how it can be treated.

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Medical science has brought to the pharmacy counter many new acne products since we were teenagers so armed with your new and updated you can now help your teenager make appropriate decisions about medications or whether or not there is a need to seek the professional opinion of a dermatologist.

It is fair to say that just because you or I had acne when we were teenagers it doesn't make us an expert in today’s world of creams and potions.

A number of new medications and methods of treatment have been developed so now most of the common acne conditions are able to be brought under control with relative ease.

There are a variety of approaches, so knowing what is currently available will help you decide which is best for your youngster.

When to seek professional help.

If you have any doubts then consulting with a dermatologist is always a good idea – that goes for any skin condition. Those spots that appear on your teenager's skin are most probably going to be acne, but there are other skin conditions that resemble it. Consulting with a dermatologist will give you a definite diagnosis and also provide you with as many treatment options as possible.

Often, trying to initiate conversation with your teenager about acne can be pretty touchy as they are more than likely embarrassed by their outward appearance. Only you know best how to approach your teenager, but in general you need to be as supportive and understanding as possible.

Steer clear of accusing your child of following these habits that cause acne -- the myths about oily foods, chocolate, or sex causing acne – they have all been proven to be untrue. See “ The truth about how your diet really affects Acne” for the full story.

It is quite likely that your teenager will be trying just about everything he or she can lay their hands on to control the acne. Even if they don't want to talk about it to you as a parent, it certainly is going to be one of their major concerns.

As you will probably remember acne can affect your self image and sociability and in the very severe cases it can lead to depression and withdrawal symptoms so you need to keep alert.

Don’t be afraid to let your teenager know that you are available at any time and you are willing to help him or her with their acne. Talking about your own experiences often helps – or alternatively, it certainly won’t do any harm – it may even give your teenager a broader perspective on the condition.

Even though it may be of little comfort, explain to them that most teenagers suffer from acne – in other words, they are certainly not alone in the world. It has been estimated that 85% of adolescents have acne, and of those 40% have acne severe enough to require treatment by a dermatologist.

If, after trying a few of the over-the-counter medications without any reasonable degree of success then it is time to encourage your child to consult with a dermatologist.

You will find that medical treatments are likely to include oral medicines, physical treatments, and ointments and lotions which are applied directly onto the affected area.

These treatments are designed to clear up the acne while, at the same time, offering beneficial relief from the physical discomfort it causes.

Fortunately for all concerned Acne does not last forever. As the adolescence phase passes acne generally becomes less of a problem and your teenager should be greatly relieved to know that by the time they reach their early twenties acne problems should be a thing of the past.