Helping Today" s Teenagers Deal With Acne
An estimated 85 percent of teenagers are affected by acne to some extent, and in some cases its effects can be devastating. A teen with acne can suffer from a lack of confidence, embarrasment and even depression. As parents, many of us are used to helping teenagers deal with acne, although knowing how to effectively treat it is just as important and the right treatment can go a long way to minimizing the negative effects of acne in teens.
There are actually different types of acne, and there is no one cure fits all answer to the problem. One of your first steps if your child suffers from acne is to try to determine what type it is, and that way you can make more accurate decisions about treating it. Since we were teenagers ourselves, a lot of new and effective medications have been devised and the good news is that most acne can be treated well, even if it is not entirely eliminated or cured.
Even if your teenager is not actually asking for help with their acne, it is certain that he or she is concerned by it. If you talk to your teen about acne, you should of course be as supportive and as understanding as possible, and you should also know that acne is not caused by having sex, or eating too much oily food or chocolate. A good strategy is to tell your teen that you had acne yourself when you were younger, and that it is not the end of the world, even though it may seem like it.
You may also want to point out to your teenage child that most teens will suffer from acne at some point and they are not alone. In fact, around 40 percent of teens have acne so severe that it needs a dermatologist to treat it.
It is also a good idea to talk to a dermatologist anyway, just in case your teen's acne is something more serious. A dermatologist is also able to advise on the best course of acne treatment.
You should also point out to your teenager the wisdom of consulting with a dermatologist about the acne, especially if he or she has tried various medications, without success. A lotion, presciption only cream, or oral medication may be recommended, depending on the severity of the condition.
Most importantly, when helping teenagers deal with acne, point out that the acne will not last forever. Most teenagers find that they are not troubled with it once they near the age of 20.
There are actually different types of acne, and there is no one cure fits all answer to the problem. One of your first steps if your child suffers from acne is to try to determine what type it is, and that way you can make more accurate decisions about treating it. Since we were teenagers ourselves, a lot of new and effective medications have been devised and the good news is that most acne can be treated well, even if it is not entirely eliminated or cured.
Even if your teenager is not actually asking for help with their acne, it is certain that he or she is concerned by it. If you talk to your teen about acne, you should of course be as supportive and as understanding as possible, and you should also know that acne is not caused by having sex, or eating too much oily food or chocolate. A good strategy is to tell your teen that you had acne yourself when you were younger, and that it is not the end of the world, even though it may seem like it.
You may also want to point out to your teenage child that most teens will suffer from acne at some point and they are not alone. In fact, around 40 percent of teens have acne so severe that it needs a dermatologist to treat it.
It is also a good idea to talk to a dermatologist anyway, just in case your teen's acne is something more serious. A dermatologist is also able to advise on the best course of acne treatment.
You should also point out to your teenager the wisdom of consulting with a dermatologist about the acne, especially if he or she has tried various medications, without success. A lotion, presciption only cream, or oral medication may be recommended, depending on the severity of the condition.
Most importantly, when helping teenagers deal with acne, point out that the acne will not last forever. Most teenagers find that they are not troubled with it once they near the age of 20.