HomeAll About Acne10 Tips for Clearer SkinClearing Up Acne MythsAsk A PhysicianTips for Parents
BenzaClin® (clindamycin 1%-benzoyl peroxide 5% gel) Topical Gel is indicated for the treatment of acne.

Parents Corner

Print page  Print this page     Tell a friend  Tell a friend

Talking to your teen is the first step in a successful acne treatment program

Encourage open discussions with your teen: Talk to your teen openly about all aspects of growing up, particularly issues like acne that can be managed with the proper care. Be prepared for these discussions and reassure them that you are there to help them through it. Read below for more tips on helping your teen with acne.

Help your teen stay on track for clearer skin with simple tips and reminders such as:

Emphasize good skin care
Teach your teens positive skincare habits at an early age. If you are washing your face twice a day, moisturizing and using sunscreen, your teen may replicate your actions.
Have fun teaching your teen
A fun lesson may be to teach your teen about how to properly use makeup or how to shave. For teenage girls, teach her how sharing makeup with friends may spread bacteria which can lead to acne. They should also be taught to use oil-free makeup only. To help your teenage boy, show him how to shave lightly, precisely and only when necessary to avoid nicking blemishes.
Reduce stress in your teen's life
If you see that your teen is stressing over homework, dating or extracurricular activities, try to see if you can lend a hand or listen to his or her problems. Stress has an impact on hormones and may trigger acne flare-ups
Be informed
Educate yourself by understanding the causes of acne and the treatment options that are available. Show your teen that you care by taking the time out of your schedule to be well-versed in his/her treatment options. Go to the dermatologist with your teen and get written instructions for a daily regimen.
Consult a dermatologist or pediatrician
Take your teen to a dermatologist or pediatrician that can examine your teen's acne. A medical professional will provide feedback on the cause, type and severity of acne. They can also make recommendations for medications and regimens based on your teen's skin type and the severity of your teen's acne.
Hands off
If you see your teen constantly touching his/her face, remind him/her that the dirt, oil and bacteria on their hands may cause or aggravate breakouts. It can also lead to scarring and dark patches.
Don't pop it!
Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but it can cause it to stay around longer. It is recommended to avoid squeezing, pinching or picking acne. Any manipulation can lead to scarring.
Promote a healthy lifestyle
Help your teen get involved in sports, dancing or other activities that will keep him/her moving. Also, pack a healthy lunch for your teen before he/she heads off to school. This will help reduce the chance that he/she will eat food that may affect acne. Exercise has also been shown to decrease stress which can improve acne.
Keep a watchful eye
After a dermatologist prescribes a skincare regimen for your teen, watch to make sure he/she is implementing it daily—and correctly. Many teens don't always follow their skincare regimen. Keep teens on the right track by keeping an eye on their skin. Ask them what they are putting on their faces and guide them accordingly. Call your doctor if your teen experiences any side effects.
Encourage an open environment with your teen
Let your teen know that acne can be managed with proper care. Be prepared for these discussions by researching the topic beforehand and reassuring your teen that you are there to help him/her though it.

Remember to consult a doctor
Remember to take your teen to a dermatologist or pediatrician that can examine your teen's acne. A medical professional will provide feedback on the cause, type and severity of acne. They can also make recommendations for treatment based on your teen's skin type.

Q&A about your teen's skin with Dr. Downie
How common is teenage acne and what are the causes?
Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 million to 50 million Americans. By mid-teens, more than 40 percent of teens have acne.

The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place as young people mature from childhood to adolescence. While there are numerous myths about the causes of acne, it is thought that androgens, the hormones teens get more of during puberty, trigger the oil glands to produce oil. In people who are affected by acne, the dead skin cells mix with the extra oil and clog the hair follicles in the skin. Bacteria then grow within the hair follicles and causes further irritation of the skin creating pimples.

Heredity plays another important role as acne can run in families. If you or your spouse had acne as a teen, there is a chance that your teen will develop it too. Stress can also aggravate acne.
How do I approach my teen about their skin?
Have conversations with your teen about becoming an adult and the challenges that come with it, including acne. It is important that you share your personal experiences with your teen and take an active role in helping him/her seek an appropriate treatment from a dermatologist.

Tell your teen to wash his/her face twice a day and not pick at his/her acne.
How do I know when its time to take my teen to a dermatologist or a pediatrician?
I recommend taking your teen to a dermatologist or a pediatrician when you see more than a few pimples. Make an appointment with your teens' dermatologist or pediatrician for an evaluation of your teen's acne. A topical medication, like BenzaClin® (clindamycin 1%-benzoyl peroxide 5% gel) Topical Gel, may be considered. The doctor will determine the best treatment approach based on your teen's acne.
How should my teen care for his/her skin?
It is very important to find a skincare regimen that works for your teen. I advise parents to promote healthy skin care and closely monitor their teens to make sure that he/she does the following as part of his/her daily regimen:
  • Gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening, as well as after heavy exercise.
  • Avoid rubbing, squeezing, pinching or picking blemishes which can lead to the development of scars or dark blotches.
  • Limit sun exposure as many medications that are used to treat acne can make skin more prone to sunburn.
  • Wear oil-free sunblock with an SPF 30 daily — rain or shine, throughout the entire year.
What is the best way to treat acne?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for acne. It is different for everyone and requires personalized treatment. If your teen has not had positive results from previous treatments, consider seeing a dermatologist or pediatrician who can recommend the right acne treatment for your teen.

Acne treatments take a while before you may see results. Remember to be patient! Make sure your teen sticks to a skincare regimen and follows their dermatologist's direction as this is the most common reason why treatments fail.

Discover your teen's skin type and treatment advice with Dr. Downie

Type 1: Oily
Oily skin tends to be shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads and blemishes.
Dr. Downie's Advice:
  • Do not scrub skin clean. While scrubbing away oil and grime may seem like a good idea, scrubbing actually irritates acne-prone skin. Remind your teen that irritating the skin generally leads to breakouts. Wash gently with a washcloth.
  • Use the right cleanser. If your teen is dealing with excess oil, they will need to use a cleanser meant specifically for oily skin. A gel based cleanser works well to eliminate oil and clean out your pores.
  • Makeup Rules. If your teen wears makeup, advise him/her to be cautious with the products they use. Whenever purchasing makeup, oil-free makeup and foundations are a must. Your teen should look for products that are labeled "oil free" or "noncomedogenic."
  • Grainy scrubs should be used no more than once or twice a week.
Type 2: Combination/Normal
This skin type may tend toward dryness on the cheeks and oily in the T-zone, which includes your forehead, nose and chin. These areas tend to break out more often and have a greater tendency toward blackheads, whiteheads and irritation.
Dr. Downie's Advice:
  • Always opt for a mild cleanser to remove dirt and oil from combination skin. Keeping it mild means it will not over-dry the dry areas and will still remove oil from the oily areas.
  • When it comes to moisturizing your dry patches, make sure your teen uses an oil-free lotion. Oil-based lotions will block pores and cause possible break-outs.
  • Maintain a daily skincare regimen. Encourage a consistent cleansing routine to help maintain clearer skin year round. Glycolic acid cleansers work well.
  • Sunblock (oil-free) with a SPF 30 should be used daily and reapplied.
Type 3: Sensitive
Sensitive skin tends to be thin and delicate with fine pores. It flushes and turns red easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can be rashy.
Dr. Downie's Advice:
  • Your teen should avoid abrasive soap, facial scrubs, toner, astringent and masks. These can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin is more prone to break-outs. Dry, irritated skin also makes it more difficult to tolerate many acne medications.
  • Be gentle. When washing the skin, your teen should use lukewarm water and gently apply a mild cleanser with his or her fingertips. Washcloths and puffs tend to be too abrasive. Limiting washing to twice a day can help reduce irritation and dryness.
  • Use hypoallergenic moisturizers to keep skin from reacting to perfumes or other additives. If your teen's skin has a product reaction, it may become exceedingly dry, flaky and irritated. The offending product should be discontinued immediately.
  • Use an oil-free sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin.
Type 4: Dry
Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. This skin type has a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and red patches. In people of color, skin may appear dull or uneven from dead skin buildup.
Dr. Downie's Advice:
  • Use warm, not hot, water. Hot water may remove natural oils from the skin more quickly than warm water. The more natural oils removed, the drier the skin becomes.
  • Look for a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that moisturizes. Deodorant bars, fragrance in soaps and products containing alcohol can lead to dryness.
  • Alcohol-free. Avoid alcohol-based astringents, which strip your teen's skin of natural moisture.
  • Avoid grainy scrubs
  • Oil-free products should be used if the skin is acne-prone
  • Stick to gentle SPF 30 sunblock for daily use