(ARA) - Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, involving 85 percent of the population at some point in their lives. Approximately 20 million teenagers have acne.
"Acne can be especially emotionally devastating for teens because they are extremely conscious of their appearance and their image," says Hilary Baldwin, M.D., 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."
Dermatologists encourage parents to seek medical treatment for teenagers with acne and warn against taking a "wait and see" approach. "Many parents are often stuck in the mindset of past generations that nothing can really be done about acne," says Sandra Swanson, a Charlotte, N.C. dermatologist. "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."
Avoiding treatment, however, can make acne worse and may increase the chance for permanent scars. "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 general, if your child is not responding to home remedies and over-the-counter treatments after one month, it's a good idea to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists have a greater chance for long-term success if treatment is started sooner rather than later."
On www.caringforyourskin.com, dermatologists from around the country offer advice to parents on how and when to talk to teens about acne and acne treatment, and share some of the common mistakes they see parents make during their child's treatment.
Perhaps the most common mistake parents make occurs during the first visit to the dermatologist's office. Too often, parents monopolize the conversation with the doctor and do not give their child a chance to verbalize his/her feelings. "For those parents, I let them know in no uncertain terms that this is not their condition, but rather the child's condition and I need to hear from him/her," says Omaha, Neb. dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D. "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."
"As far as supporting their child's acne treatment is concerned, most parents do really well," says Katie Rodan, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif. "I like to have parents in the room because I want their input regarding oral vs. topical medications and other issues that arise where I may need their consent. I also like parents to know the treatment regimen because they can help their kids find a workable routine and can give 'soft' reminders to use the medications."
"Parents play an integral role during treatment," says Montclair, N.J. dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. "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)." Dr. Downie generally provides her teen patients with written instructions they can put in visible places (such as a bathroom mirror) to serve as gentle reminders. "This gives them a sense of ownership to the treatment plan."
For more advice on "Talking to Your Teen About Acne," and other skincare topics, visit www.caringforyourskin.com.
Tips for teens are available on www.pimpleportal.com. The site offers information about the causes of acne, how it can be controlled, dispels common myths about the condition, and offers information about a variety of over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Visitors can also ask a panel of dermatologists questions about acne, makeup, and subjects ranging from skin to nails to hair.
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
This article was posted on January 20, 2002

Further Reading on Acne skin care problems and solutions:

 

Internet Keywords
Internet Keywords På Internettet kommer der ofte nye muligheder for markedsføring og trafikskabelse. De forskellige metoder har hver deres...read more

Microdermabrasion Skin Improvement Technologies
Microdermabrasion is a ventilation technique for the skin that helps repair facial tissue that has perhaps taken a beating from the sun and other...read more

Choosing The Right Acne Product To Move On With Your Life
When talking about acne products, “to buy or not to buy” is not the right question to ask. Rather, it should be “which acne product to buy”. For...read more

Following Acne Skin Care Regime
The basic fallacy about acne skin care that most of the people commit, is to understand the role played by the skin in the human system in...read more

Acne treatments
Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial, drug for treating severe acne. Now with FDA representative David J. Graham?s statement...read more

Chronic Adult Acne
Chances are, if you find yourself reading this article, you have suffered the feelings of embarassment, self-consciousness and insecurity an acne...read more

Get Rid of Acne
Reports show that over 90 percent of all adolescents and almost 25 percent of all adults suffer from acne at some time. Acne affects males and...read more

6 Effective Ingredients Of Quality Acne Treatments
If you ask an acne patient who for many years, has used a vast range of topical acne treatments in the hope of finding one that successfully got rid...read more

Homemade Acne Treatments
Homemade acne treatments are usually considered as a primary remedy for acne. Acne is a skin problem which includes different manifestations such as...read more

Acne Skin Care Treatment Product Information
Your skin is an organ with a very complex structure, serving as an important factor in the metabolic process and playing an important role in...read more

The Physical Effects Of Acne
The effects of acne — both physical and emotional — can last much longer than your breakouts. Even after lesions have healed, they can leave behind...read more

Do I Need to Stop My Acne Skin Care Regimen During Pregnancy
Pregnancy usually brings along with it a host of medical concerns which prompt behavioral and lifestyle changes. It is common knowledge that...read more

Acupuncture for Acne Treatment
There are many different types of acne treatments available, and one that tends to go unnoticed is acupuncture treatment. Results can be varying when...read more

Acne Scarring
A detailed and comprehensive discussion of acne scars starts with causes of scarring, prevention of scarring, types of scars, and treatments for...read more

A Review of Acne Diets
To suffer from acne? This affliction can be a rather tumultuous one if you don't seek to proper treatment. The way we look, as...read more