A Mother’s Perspective on Teen Acne
August already??!!
I just finished a wonderful long weekend at the lake and my 17-year-old son, Ryan, actually had a good time hanging out with his parents!! Ok, his friend came along, so that may have contributed a bit. We are weeks from starting his senior year and his immediate goal, he informed me, is to “fix my acne, Mom”. So I wanted to share this month a little different focus…practicing what I preach to other teens and moms about the frustrations of their teenager’s acne….not only how it affects teens, but how it affects my teenager, Ryan, as well. (He is going to kill me!)
Acne is such a difficult condition to treat and manage – and the education process is key. We help treat the current flare, and try to minimize the breakouts and triggers by educating the teen and their parents on what we can and can’t control. Compliance is so important. If the products are not getting on the skin, they will not see success. Patience is also key….it takes time to correct and improve the condition of the skin, and if your teen is like mine, he/she has very little. Our job as their parent is to instill compassion and consistency. Do not blame them….it is not their fault. Get as much education as you can to help them through the process. Making sure everyone’s expectations and goals are set is key for a successful journey – not only to help clear current flares, but to achieve long-term management as well. Acne is a chronic skin condition that can be managed, but not “cured”.
Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by blockage of hair follicles in the skin from excess oil and dead skin cells. Bacterial overgrowth in the blocked hair follicle leads to irritated, red, painful, pus-filled pimples. Some things that can contribute to the inflammatory process are genetics (yes, one more thing our kids can blame on us!), hormones, overall poor choices in lifestyle, stress, and environmental exposure, just to name a few. Things we can control are being compliant with a customized product/procedure protocol that may include microdermabrasions, specific chemical peels, and even laser.
That is where we come in. Let us at the LVC evaluate your teen’s skin and review their medical and treatment history, talk to them about compliance, and set realistic goals. We combine our medical grade skin care, lifestyle tips and in-office treatments to help manage their acne symptoms and reduce unwanted or unexpected complications. We cannot manage your acne without your help. It takes time to see a change and not all treatments work the same for everyone. It generally takes 4-6 weeks to start seeing results and another few weeks for clearer skin. We will monitor their progress and make necessary changes to their treatment plan according to the skin’s response. In severe cases, we work alongside a dermatologist to ensure the best outcome for your teen.
I do have to throw out huge kudos to Ryan; he is very compliant. He washes morning and night, uses his Clarisonic brush, and applies his products diligently. SkinMedica has helped with his breakouts, and I rest assured knowing that he will not suffer from scarring. He has allowed me to peel his skin, “vacuum” it with microderms, and is ready and willing to do whatever I recommend. So, with my help and guidance, and lots of support, he will begin his senior year with healthier skin and, with time, grow out of acne!!!
