Tween Acne and Irritated Skin
Your tween is starting to develop blackheads and mild pimples, so you head out to the drug store and buy him an acne cleanser. And he is actually using it!
Everything is going great until your tween starts to complain about dry skin. That's when you notice the redness and irritation.
Tween skin is still young and sensitive, so many of the acne cleansers available can irritate their skin. What's a parent to do?
If OTC acne products are drying out your tween's skin, try this:
- Try a salicylic acid cleanser, rather than benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid can be less drying to tween skin than benzoyl peroxide.
- Have your tween use an acne cleanser only at night, and a non-medicated cleanser in the morning.
- Don't forget the moisturizer! The moisturizer you use isn't the best choice for your tween. Instead, get him a non-medicated, oil-free and noncomedogenic brand. Hypo-allergenic and fragrance free is a plus. (I personally love Purpose, but shop around to find one that suits your tween. She's more likely to use it if she likes it.)
- If your tween's skin is excessively irritated, stop using the product. Give your doctor a call if the reaction seems severe, or your child's skin isn't improving even after discontinuing use.
More About Tween Acne:
Should You Go Back to the Dermatologist?
A few days back, standing in line at the grocery store, I overheard (OK, I eavesdropped on) the conversation between two women behind me. One was lamenting about her acne, and complaining that the medication her dermatologist gave her wasn't working.
The other told her, "Your doctor obviously doesn't know what he's doing. I wouldn't even go back."
Harsh words, I thought. But I could definitely identify with the frustration. It's tough to start using an acne treatment and not see results.
But does that mean you should drop your dermatologist?
Many of you are probably in this situation -- not getting results and wondering if you should go back to your dermatologist. Here's why you should.
Further Reading:
How To Cleanse Your Face
I know what you're thinking -- do people really need to be taught how to wash their face? After living with a 13-year-old boy, I can honestly answer yes.
Wondering how your cleansing technique stacks up? This how-to video gives you the lowdown on proper facial cleansing.
Further Reading:
Getting Rid of Blackheads
Want to know the question I get asked most often (besides "Mom, what's for dinner?") It's how can I get rid of blackheads?
Even those without inflamed acne can suffer from these blemishes. Blackheads are very common, and very stubborn.
You have to be willing to be patient and extremely consistent with your treatment to get rid of blackheads. It will take a combination of daily skin care, and a treatment that works for comedonal acne.
And don't think prescription medications aren't for you. Even if you don't have inflamed acne blemishes, prescription treatments may be just what you need to get those blackheads in check. If OTC products aren't working, ask your dermatologist for advice.
Further Reading:
Finding a More Permanent Filler for Acne Scars
Dermal fillers are one of the better treatment options for depressed or pitted acne scars. During treatment, a filler substance is injected into the acne scar. The depressed area of the scar "plumps" up, and the skin becomes more even.
It's a great treatment option. The downside: the results are only temporary. The treatment must be repeated to keep scarring at bay.
Research, made possible by a private grant, has been done to test a more permanent solution. Artefill, a permanent dermal filled approved by the FDA to improve those "smile" lines, was used in a small study to treat atrophic acne scars.
The results, which were presented at the 2010 Orlando Dermatology Conference earlier this week, seem promising. Maybe soon those with acne scars will have a more permanent dermal filler solution.
Further Reading:
New iPhone App for Treating Acne
You really can do anything with your iPhone! Even treat acne.
Yes, you read that right. Apparently, there is a new iPhone app you can purchase that supposedly helps you clear acne as you talk on the phone. Blown away? I was too.
Called AcneApp, it's meant to turn your iPhone into a miniature version of a professional light treatment. Once on, the iPhone will alternately send out both blue and red light, in theory zapping zits while you chat with your BFF. AcneApp is the brain-child of Houston based dermatologist, Greg Pearson, MD.
The idea behind AcneApp is based in science. Many dermatologists use blue light therapy to treat acne. It's thought to kill the bacterium that contribute to acne breakouts. Red light therapy can be used to treat inflammation.
But before you get to excited over this latest innovation, know that effectiveness of AcneApp has not been proven, and it isn't FDA approved. There is also no way of knowing the specific wavelength coming from your own iPhone.
Skeptical? I am. But I am totally intrigued by the concept. And who knows? Maybe in the future we will be treating many medical conditions with our cell phones.
Further Reading:
At What Age Did Your Acne First Appear?
Yesterday, I met with a woman whose nine-year-old was battling fairly severe acne. Another client just began breaking out for the first time, in her fifties.
Although acne is often thought of as a teen problem, it doesn't discriminate. At what age did your acne first appear? Did it hit you during the typical high school years or did acne surprise you later in life? Take the poll.
Further Reading:
What Is Your Favorite Moisturizer?
What is it about wintertime that makes skin problems all that more evident? Not only have my clients have been asking about acne, but also how to treat eczema, chapped skin, and just general skin dryness.
What's more, many of my clients who think they're suffering from acne but are actually dealing with rosacea. The cold, windy weather seems to make it even more apparent.
The best bet for super-dry skin, whether caused by the frigid weather or drying acne treatments, is a good moisturizer. But when you have acne, finding a good moisturizer can be tough.
Have you found the perfect product? Tell us about your favorite moisturizer, and what makes it the absolute best for acne-prone skin.
Further Reading:
Being a Smarter Patient
Have you decided this is the year to finally see a dermatologist about your acne? Good for you!
Our About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment has put together a list of health care resolutions that will not only help you take charge of your acne treatments, but all of your health care choices too.
It's definitely a must read, and these resolutions are ones everybody can keep. Here's to a healthier 2010!
Further Reading:
How Would a Dermatologist Treat Their Own Adult Acne?
That's the premise behind the video short titled "If I Had Acne in Middle Age." Amy Taub, MD, talks about why acne appears in middle age and how best to treat it.
Adult acne is fairly common, especially in women. If you have it, you know it doesn't respond well to the acne treatments you used as a teenager.
Dr. Taub suggests instead medications like spironolactone or procedures like photodynamic therapy.
The video does mention low-dose Accutane being a treatment option for adult acne. Accutane was taken off the market several months ago, but there are other brands that can be used as alternatives. If you're interested in going this route, ask your doctor about low-dose isotretinoin.
Dr. Taub also mentions how acne in adult women tends to be inflammatory nodules and cysts, mainly around the jawline, chin and neck. In my experience I've found this to be true as well, both in myself and the clients I work with.
I recommend seeing a dermatologist for adult acne. It generally doesn't respond well to over-the-counter washes and the like.
Although it's tough to be dealing with acne well past the time you thought you would have outgrown it, take heart knowing that adult acne can be controlled.
Further Reading: