Teens & Acne

The Florida Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery has some quick tips and reminders for teens and parents of teens for treating and preventing acne.

Please remember that these are guidelines only. It is important to see a Board Certified dermatologist who can best customize a treatment plan.

• While gently cleansing the skin with a mild soap and warm water daily is important, washing too often or scrubbing too vigorously may actually make acne worse. Wash up after physical activity resulting in sweating, especially if you’ve been wearing a hat or helmet.
• A flesh-tinted medicated acne lotion can safely hide blemishes. Loose powder in combination with an oil-free foundation is also good for cover up.
• Choose oil-free, water-based moisturizers and makeup, look for those labeled “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic,” and remember to remove your cosmetics every night.
• Despite many hyped-up claims for over-the-counter products, acne does not clear up overnight; in fact, it often takes between 4 to 12 weeks of treatment to see improvement.
• If your hair is oily, shampoo daily; oil from your hair can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
• Hair products can be irritating to the skin; shield your face when applying sprays and gels to your hair.
• While acne is not caused by specific foods, certain foods may make some people’s acne worse.
• Don’t pick at that! It can be tempting to squeeze or pick at acne, but this tends to make acne worse and can cause scarring.
• Untreated acne can also leave permanent scars, but this can be avoided with proper treatment.
• If home-treatment does not improve acne, take heart that virtually all acne can be successfully treated. A dermatologist can help diagnose and treat persistent conditions.
• Wake up the week of prom with a large painful blemish? In most instances, a board certified dermatologist can administer an injection of medicine to ease the pain and help unsightly lesions disappear.