Experts in Dermatology Give Parents Pointers on How to Have the Acne Conversation with Their Teens

 Experts in Dermatology Give Parents Pointers on How to Have the Acne Conversation with Their Teens

The ARA - With 85% of the population affected at least once, acne is by far the most common skin problem in the US. Acne affects almost 20 million teens.

"Acne can be especially emotionally devastating for teens because they are extremely conscious of their appearance and their image," explains Hilary Baldwin, M.D., an associate professor of dermatology at the State University of New York at Brooklyn. "Several studies have shown that acne sufferers can experience everything from decreased self-esteem and problems with body image to depression and anger."

The "wait and see" approach is discouraged by dermatologists, who advise parents to seek medical treatment for their teens' acne. "Many parents are often stuck in the mindset of past generations that nothing can really be done about acne," says Sandra Swanson, a dermatologist from Charlotte, N.C. "They still believe in those old wives' tales that chocolate, pizza, french fries, and their child's hygiene habits are to blame, and that pimples can be healed or prevented by simple lifestyle changes."

But, skipping treatments could exacerbate acne and raise the likelihood of scarring. "The ultimate goal of acne therapy is to help clear up the pimples you have and to prevent the occurrence of future breakouts," says Larry Green, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine in an interview. Typically, it's recommended to take your child to a dermatologist after one month if home cures and over-the-counter medications aren't working. The sooner therapy begins, the better the dermatologist's chances of a positive outcome in the long run.

On www.caringforyourskin.com, dermatologists from all across the nation share their experiences treating adolescent acne, as well as tips for parents on when and how to talk to their children about the condition and its treatment.

When taking their child to the dermatologist for the first time, parents often make the most rookie mistake. All too frequently, parents speak over their child when they visit the doctor, preventing them from expressing how they really feel. "For those parents, I made it clear that this is not their problem, but their child's problem, and I need to hear from them," says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., a dermatologist from Omaha, Nebraska. "I think it is imperative that parents be there at the first visit and always be available to discuss issues such as medication, but direct communication between doctor and patient is critical to successful treatment."

"Most parents do really well" when it comes to supporting their child's acne therapy, says Katie Rodan, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif. When decisions like whether to administer medicine orally vs topically or handle other matters requiring parental agreement come up, I prefer to have them present so I can get their thoughts. Parents should be aware of their children's treatment plans so they may assist their children in developing a routine and provide gentle reminders to take their meds as prescribed.

"Parents play an integral role during treatment," says dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. of Montclair, N.J. "They need to be supportive and encouraging, but must resist the impulse to nag or criticize, as it could have a counter-effect (i.e., the child may elect to rebel by not complying with the doctor's instructions)." Teens see Dr. Downie for regular checkups, and she usually gives them written instructions to post somewhere conspicuous (like a bathroom mirror) to remind them. "This gives them a sense of ownership to the treatment plan."

Visit www.caringforyourskin.com for additional tips on "Talking to Your Teen About Acne" and other skincare subjects.

Teens can find advice on pimpleportal.com. There is a wealth of information on the site regarding acne, including its causes, how to control it, common misconceptions about the illness, and several over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Also, there will be a panel of doctors available for visitors to ask questions on anything from hair and nails to acne and makeup.

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