13 Tips to Help You Get Rid of Teenage Acne

Acne is a common condition that many teenagers face. Most teens will have acne in some form, but at times it can make your child feel embarrassed. As a parent, the severity of acne matters. Even mild acne can cause distress in teenagers. Helping your child manage acne can make this period less stressful and reduce its long-term effects. You and your child can follow the 13 tips below to manage or clear up acne:

1. Make sure they use safe acne practices and wash problem areas twice a day with a gentle cleanser. You can look for products that contain topical benzoyl peroxide as the main active ingredient. It is important to apply the cleanser with the fingertips and rinse the skin with lukewarm water.
2. After washing the skin, treat it with a topical product that contains adapalene. Adapalene helps reduce flare-ups and prevent new pimples. Apply a pea-sized amount to the whole face, avoiding sensitive areas such as the eyes and mouth. It can also be applied to body areas such as the chest and back.
3. Avoid excessive scrubbing and washing with things like facial brushes, astringents and cleansing face masks. These can irritate the skin and make acne worse.
4. Remind them to use their acne treatment regularly, but avoid putting pressure on your child. A small study suggests that occasional reminders about treatment are more effective than daily reminders, because constant reminders may be seen as pressure.
5. Avoid touching or squeezing problem areas. This can trigger acne, make it worse and lead to scarring.
6. Make sure they use a clean face mask every day. A dirty face mask can undo other prevention strategies. Use regular laundry detergent and hot water to wash face coverings that touch the face.
7. Washing the hair with shampoo every day may help. This is especially important if there are problem areas along the hairline.
8. Shower after activities that cause sweating and oil production. Exercising and wearing headphones or a helmet can increase sweat and oil production.
9. Treat acne early. New pimples will be easier to treat. Early treatment may help reduce acne in adulthood and prevent scarring.
10. Protect the skin from the sun. Sun exposure can make acne worse, and some current treatments can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. If your child will be out in the sun, make sure they use an oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen.
11. Avoid using too many cosmetics. Cosmetics can clog the pores and make acne worse. Avoid items that irritate the skin or put pressure on it, such as phones, helmets, backpacks, tight collars and straps.
12. Help your teen manage and reduce the stress of the changes that come with puberty. Stress can cause acne flare-ups.
13. If you do not see improvement after using safe acne treatments for several weeks, you can make an appointment with a dermatologist or pediatrician who can help with stronger treatment options.

Stress is one of the factors that can increase acne. If acne does not improve within a few weeks, the treatment plan may be changed. We recommend consulting a dermatologist to strengthen the treatment options.