Remember what it was like to be a teenager with acne? Or maybe you are a teenager with acne. Or maybe the parent of one. Or maybe you have acne in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. An estimated 85 percent of teens get acne, and for some it begins to pop up in the tween years. If you were one of them, then you know how damaging acne can be to your skin and your confidence at that age. As parents, it’s crucial to take mild or bad teenage acne seriously, because it’s important for your child to build a positive self-esteem during these formative years. Luckily, there are safe and effective over the counter and prescription-strength acne treatments for teens available to help your child keep their complexions clear as their hormones fluctuate. The goal is to treat acne early.
First, let’s understand what your tween or teen is going through from a scientific point of view. Whiteheads occur when the opening of the hair follicle becomes clogged with sebum (oil). When there are hormonal changes such as puberty the follicles produce more oil than normal, which is why they often break out. Blackheads and painful cysts can both be part of the teenage acne cycle as well. There’s no one-size-fits-all method to the madness, but it’s important to treat the skin condition as soon as it starts.
5 reasons to treat the early signs of acne
For some, they prefer to let acne run its course, but we recommend beginning to treat it at the onset to prevent hyperpigmentation, scarring, emotional distress and more. Here are a few reasons why you should consider intervening early.
Speed up results
Your teen may start out noticing a few whiteheads on their forehead, but a few whiteheads can quickly turn into a nose full of blackheads. Try getting ahead of it as soon as the first few pimples pop up to set up a maintenance routine and speed up acne-clearing results.
Reduce the chances of scarring
Bad teenage acne can often result in permanent scars. If your teen is a picker, even mild acne can leave scars. When you treat acne as soon as it starts, you’re setting your teen up for a clear complexion long after their teenage years.
Get ahead of hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin in the skin. If a pimple is picked at or severe, it may leave behind a dark spot on the skin.
Keep acne under control for the long run
Treating acne early can save your teen years of uncontrollable breakouts. When it comes to skincare, it’s always easier to prevent than it is to correct.
Lessen emotional destress
Whether your son or daughter has one pimple or ten, acne can severely affect their self-esteem. Numerous studies report that during these years, acne can cause anxiety and depression. When looking at the skincare condition as a mental health issue, you realize how important it is to help your teens navigate this serious situation early.
The takeaway
If you begin to see your child dealing with the early signs of acne or if they already have bad teenage acne, you can help. Start with a topical over-the-counter skincare regimen that includes benzoyl peroxide (also known as BP or BPO) like one of these. The acne-clearing ingredient is an antibacterial treatment that’s penetrates deeply into your pores to kill P. acnes (acne-causing) bacteria on your skin. Since it’s anti-inflammatory, it also helps to reduce redness and soreness that often comes with those pesky pimples. If you find your child’s acne seems to be out of control or severe, always consult your dermatologist.
