Adolescence has its challenges. One of them is acne, a condition in which pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes develop on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, upper arms, or buttocks.
Most teens experience some level of acne. It is the most common skin condition in the United States. Unfortunately, acne can be an unpleasant experience for teens and their parents because it can have a negative impact on a teen’s self-image and self-esteem.
At Nexclin Medicine, we’re here to help. Naima Cheema, MD, offers the most up-to-date therapies for the effective treatment of acne and acne scars. She also understands the impact acne can have on teens and their families.
Dr. Cheema offers the following advice on how to help your teen survive acne.
Blemishes develop when follicles in the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Gentle cleaning is best for acne-prone skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that is best for your teen’s skin type and encourage your teen to use it in the morning, evening, and after exercising, and to rinse with warm (not hot) water.
Encourage your teen to avoid the use of products that irritate the skin, such as astringents, exfoliants, and toners.
Picking or squeezing pimples can lead to scarring, so encourage your teen to avoid this practice.
The bacteria on your teen’s hands could contribute to acne breakouts.
Although stress doesn’t cause acne, it can make it worse. Some good stress-management strategies for teens including getting enough rest, exercising, and taking time to do things they enjoy. Meditation and yoga can also help reduce stress.
Don’t wait too long to have your teen’s acne evaluated and, if necessary, treated. Early treatment can prevent future breakouts and scarring. And it can help your teen’s self-esteem during what could be a challenging experience. Acne treatment options include:
These are medicines that you apply to the skin. They include over-the-counter and prescription treatments that kill bacteria, reduce oil, or cut back on inflammation.
These are drugs such as antibiotics or isotretinoin that your teen takes internally and that fight acne on a system-wide basis.
Exposing skin to a specially calibrated wavelength of ultraviolet light can help destroy bacteria. Dr. Cheema offers weekly light therapy sessions to help with acne. Light therapy may also be administered in conjunction with a treatment known as aminolevulinic acid.
Be sure your teen understands that the UV light used during light therapy is very different from the UV light in tanning beds or the sun.
The best way to help your teen get through the acne years is to work with an experienced, compassionate care provider. Georgia teens and their parents trust Nexclin Medicine to provide the most advanced acne treatment available. Call us today at 770-648-2959 or use our online scheduling tool to make an appointment.
