Acne vulgaris, or common acne, is the most prevalent skin disease in the US. It affects almost 17 million people and accounts for a quarter of all visits to dermatologists. The incidence of acne peaks in adolescence: almost all teenagers get acne at one time or another. The following article is intended to help you and your teen curb the potentially damaging effects of acne both on exterior appearance and interior well-being.

What causes acne?

Acne usually starts in the teenage years because of the hormonal changes that occur as we mature. The body begins to produce hormones called androgens, which are male hormones but which are found in both men and women. These hormones cause an excess of oil to build up in the pores. When this oil clogs the pores, it leads to whiteheads and blackheads, which are also called comedones.

When pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, a bacterium called P. acnes that already exists in the pores begins to increase. Together, these lead to the inflamed, red pimples which you commonly see in acne. In more severe acne, there can also be very large, deep blemishes on the skin called cysts. There may also be acne on the back and chest in addition to the face. Other things that can contribute to acne are stress, environment, genetics, and the use of certain cosmetics.

Treatment

Your child’s primary-care provider can prescribe effective medications that can be used to help improve your teenager’s acne. Some medications help reduce the build-up of excess oil and fight the bacteria that cause inflammation. Other medications help to unclog the pores. Still others help reduce the production of hormones.

Because acne usually involves a combination of causes, most teens will receive a combination of medications. Some treatments are given orally, while some are applied directly to the skin. Your physican can be helpful in explaining your teen’s particular treatment regimen.

An important aspect of treating acne is to establish realistic expectations for your teen. It usually takes about four to six weeks for the average pimple to develop, and it will take about as long for acne treatments to start working. It may take up to three months for acne to clear significantly. This may be disappointing to teens who want their acne to go away immediately. But it is important to help them to understand why persistence in acne treatment pays off.

Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about acne that you should be aware of and explain to your teenager:

Washing and scrubbing the face a lot will help. → Frequent face washing and scrubbing will not help clear acne and can actually make it worse. Also, many over-the-counter acne products may not be effective and can worsen acne. Talk to your teenager’s provider about proper skin care and what products to use.

Blackheads are dirt. → Blackheads are caused by the build-up of oil and dead skin in the pores under the skin, which turn black when they are exposed to air. They are not dirt, and frequent face washing will not make them go away.

A bad diet causes acne. → There is no medical evidence that greasy foods or chocolate, for example, cause acne. However, if certain foods seem to aggravate acne in your teen, he or she should avoid them.

Squeezing pimples will help clear up acne. → Squeezing, pinching, and popping pimples can worsen the appearance of acne, create significant infections under the skin, and cause permanent scarring.

Makeup and sunscreens do not make acne worse. → Make-up, sunscreens, and other facial products can certainly aggravate acne. You and your teen should look for skin-care products that are labeled noncomedogenic (which means that they don’t block pores and cause whiteheads or blackheads).

Positive Steps Outside and In

• You can help your teenager deal with the physical and emotional effects of acne by taking the following positive steps:
• Don’t treat acne lightly.
• If you haven’t already, take your child to see his or her primary physician. Even in cases of mild acne, it may make sense to start treatment right away. Sticking to a treatment program can minimize the emotional effects that acne can cause.
• Watch out for signs of emotional distress. Regardless of the severity of your child’s acne, be alert for signs of emotional distress. Acne has been associated with a wide range of psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
• What’s important is not how severe you think the acne is but how severe your teenager perceives it to be.
• Explain the causes and treatments of acne to your teenager. Helping your teen understand the causes and treatments of acne will give her or him a broader perspective on the condition and provide concrete reasons for sticking to a treatment regimen.
• Above all, be sensitive and caring. Adolescence is difficult enough, even without the added problems that acne can create. The clinicans at Hyde Park Pediatrics are ready to help provide your teenager with support, encouragement, and treatment, and referral if necessary.