Parents, Need Help Talking to Your Teen About Acne?

I have a preteen son who, like most preteens, is now battling blackheads and pimples. Luckily, because I've been in the skin care industry since he was two, he's used to me doling out skin care advice to friends, family, people in line at the grocery store. So to him, it doesn't seem weird when our big mother-son outing is shopping for skin care products. He's also used to me giving him pointers on the correct way to wash his face (a skill at which by now I hoped he would be proficient. But he's eleven. I sometimes have to remind him to use soap.) I think because this is just part of what I do, and he hasn't had it any other way, he's been very receptive to my advice.

But, I know other parents aren't so lucky. Sometimes it seems the last person your teen wants to get advice from is you. And sometimes, you may be unsure yourself about how to approach your child about beginning acne treatment.

A booklet called Talking Acne with Your Teen may be helpful. Created by parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba and dermatologist Dr. Linda Stein Gold, this guide suggests conversation starters, offers info on teen acne treatment options, and gives tips for building your child's self-esteem.

And, after many years of working with teen acne clients and their parents, I have a few tips of my own:

• Start treating acne right away. Too often parents take the "wait and see" approach, thinking their child's acne will clear on its own. Yes, acne is common in the teen years. But early and consistent treatment can help keep acne to a minimum and prevent scarring.
• Enlist the help of your doctor, nurse practitioner, or esthetician. Having a professional explain the importance of good skin care and the consistent use of medications can have a big impact on teens. And it can eliminate the need for nagging, preventing friction between you and your teen.
• Don't dismiss your kid's feelings. Even if a pimple doesn’t seem like a big deal to us, it can be of huge significance to a teen. Let them express frustration and anger without judgment. Remember, acne can affect your child's self-esteem. Help them build self-confidence by reminding them of their good qualities, and getting them engaged in activities they love and in which they can excel.

Got advice on how to deal with your teen's acne? Share it with other parents on the forum.

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Related Topics:

• Talking to Your Teen About Acne
• Teen Acne Basics
• Acne and Self Esteem