Acne can leave emotional, as well as physical, scars. This doesn’t have to happen to your teen.
Did you have problem with acne as a teen? Then there's a good chance your teen does, or will, too. Because you know how having acne feels, you have a head start on offering support and guidance. If you didn’t have acne yourself, and your teen does, it’s important to learn what it is and how it’s treated —and especially important to stay aware of how he or she feels about it.
Unfortunately, there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about acne. As a result, even well-meaning parents and other adults can give incorrect information and advice. They may blame acne on certain foods, for example, or believe that more frequent face-washing is the answer (it isn’t). Many parents are not aware that acne is a medical condition, and not a rite of passage that everyone grows out of.
That said, is there a reason for optimism in parenting a teen with acne? Yes, and it lies in the fact that a lot has changed since you were a teen. Today, we understand much more about what acne is and how to treat it successfully. Even mild acne can benefit from physician treatment.
If your teen doesn’t seem to want to talk, you may be comfortable starting the conversation with some acne facts, [Link to Living With Acne landing page] which can help you be sure you are giving your teen correct and up-to-date information. Also be sure to let him or her know that much more can be done to treat acne today than when you were a teen.
Tips:
- Reassure your teen that having acne is more “normal” than not having it, since he or she has plenty of company—some 40 to 50 million Americans. No wonder there have been so many advances in treating it!
- Check out our Talking Acne with Your Teen Guide, a helpful resource for parents who want to have meaningful talks about acne with their teens.
Suggest making an appointment with a dermatologist, or your current family doctor or pediatrician to start your teen on the path to clearer skin. The sooner you can help your teen get control over acne, the greater the chance for success. Chances are you’ll both feel more confident and in control once you know what acne treatment the doctor thinks is right for your teen.
In many cases, insurance helps pay for the office visit as well as medicine. Most insured patients will pay no more than $35* for Epiduo® Gel with an Epiduo® Gel Instant Advantage Card. Uninsured or cash patients please click here for more information about how you can save on Epiduo® Gel.
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