Acne is a common skin disorder that affects a lot of teenagers. It is one of the most common of all skin conditions. As acne usually occurs around puberty, it can cause great distress at an age when personal appearance is critical. Research has shown that acne has a significant impact on the self-esteem of a teen. Even though the stress caused by acne can vary greatly, most teens with acne are distressed at some point in their adolescence.

It is, therefore, important to treat acne. Parents must consult a dermatologist and buy anti-acne creams. Apart from this, they should play a proactive role to emotionally help their teens overcome the stress caused by acne:

1. Encourage a healthy lifestyle
As acne tends to occur in most of the growing teens, parents should make sure that their children understand about coping up with it. Apart from buying anti-acne ointments, they should also encourage children to learn and follow a healthy lifestyle, which includes a good diet, a fair amount of exercise and rest. Having a healthy lifestyle may prevent acne from becoming severe. It also adds positivity and improves the well-being of teens so that they can deal with acne without getting stressed.

2. Identify the cause of acne
Many parents think their child’s acne is caused by bad hygiene and not washing the face regularly. However, acne is actually caused by many other reasons that include hormonal fluctuations, bacteria, and natural oils in the skin. It happens when the sebaceous gland that supplies sebum to lubricate skin becomes blocked. The gland may become infected and sebum along with pus may build-up, which in turn, can turn into cysts. What must be clearly understood is that acne occurrence cannot be prevented but only controlled. The best way to treat is by identifying the cause and using anti-acne products depending on the skin type.

3. Consult a dermatologist
Consulting a dermatologist may be important when acne does not respond to over-the-counter (OTC) anti-acne medications. Sometimes, prescription medication can be the only solution for severe acne. Continuing research has helped in new medicines and treatment regimens. Along with anti-acne creams, the dermatologist may also advise on diet, exercise and other treatments to control the severity. It is particularly important to remember that early medical treatment of severe acne can prevent scarring.

4. Considering counseling
Although current anti-acne treatments effectively control acne, teens are quite distressed mainly because of misconceptions about the cause of acne and unrealistic treatment expectations. The need for long-term management is often ignored. Counseling can help in overcoming the negative feelings associated with acne and symptoms of social withdrawal.

Teen acne can be a challenging problem. But effective anti-acne products, home remedies, and care from loved ones can make sure that acne doesn’t leave any scars on the psychological well-being of a teen.