Is Your Teen Struggling With Acne? Here Are a Few Ways to Help Them Cope

Did you know that over 50 million people in the U.S. are struggling with acne and that 85% of them are teenagers? It really goes to show just how common acne is. If your teen is struggling with their acne and you're not sure what to do, here are a few tips you can use to help them cope.

Don't Hesitate to See a Dermatologist

One of your teen's best tools in their fight against acne is help from a dermatologist. Not only can a dermatologist recommend treatment programs for your teen's acne, but they can watch as treatment progresses and make changes to the program as new factors arise. When you take your teen to a dermatologist to treat their skin problems, it's a sign to them that you're taking their acne seriously. That alone can go a long way toward helping your teen cope with this skin condition. When a licensed professional -- an expert on skin -- is working with your teen to treat their acne, you can bet that their confidence will improve and that they'll be better able to cope with their skin issues.

Help Keep Their Skin Clean

While you might not be washing your teen's face for them, there are other ways you can help keep their skin clean to fight off acne. First and foremost, keeping a clean supply of towels and washcloths at the ready for your teen can make a big difference in their skincare routine. When they're washing with dirty washcloths or towels, their skin isn't actually getting cleaned. In fact, using unwashed items could contribute to more bacteria on their skin. In addition, it's a good idea to help them change and wash their pillowcases a few times a week. You might not think it, but pillowcases can hold bacteria and oils from the skin that can clog pores and contribute to acne if they're not changed or washed at least once weekly. If your teen does their own laundry, offering to help them might win you some extra brownie points, too.

Ask How They Feel

While 93% of all online experiences start with a search engine, Google can't tell you how your teen is feeling about their appearance or their acne treatment. Sometimes the best way to help your teen cope with their acne is to ask them to share how they're honestly feeling. If they're unhappy with their current treatment, offer to set up a dermatologist appointment where they can air their concerns. It might feel like your job as a parent to know everything, but the truth is that your teen might just need someone to vent to. If your teen is feeling down on themselves, it might help to share your experiences with acne from when you were a teenager yourself. The ability to relate to your teen and show them that this isn't forever can go a long way in helping them cope with their skin issues.

Helping your teen with their acne woes isn't a one size fits all situation. It will likely take a few different tactics to help your teen cope with their skin issues. But as long as you're trying, your teen will definitely appreciate the support.