Dermatologists Offer Advice to Parents on how to Talk to Teens About Acne
ARA) – Acne is the most typical skin disorder in america, involving 85 percent of the population at some time in their lives. Approximately 20 million teenagers have acne. “Acne can be especially emotionally devastating for teens because they’re extremely conscious of their appearance and their image, ” says Hilary Baldwin, M. D., associate professor of dermatology at the State University of Ny at Brooklyn. “Several studies have shown that acne sufferers can experience from decreased self-esteem and issues with body image to depression and anger. ” Dermatologists encourage parents to get treatment for teenagers with acne and warn against going for a “wait and see” approach. “Many parents in many cases are stuck in the mindset of past generations that nothing really can be achieved about acne, ” says Sandra Swanson, a Charlotte, N. C. dermatologist. “They still rely on those old wives’ tales that chocolate, pizza, french fries, and their child’s hygiene habits are to blame, and that treatment for acne can be healed or prevented by simple changes in lifestyle. ” Avoiding treatment, however, can make acne worse and may raise the chance for permanent scars. “The ultimate goal of acne therapy is always to help clear up the treatment for acne you have and also to avoid the occurrence of future breakouts, ” says Larry Green, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine. “In general, if your child isn’t responding to natural home remedies and over-the-counter treatments after a month, it’s a wise decision to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists have a greater chance for long-term success if treatment is started at some point. ” On www. caringforyourskin. com, dermatologists from across the country offer advice to parents on how when to communicate with teens about acne and acne treatment, and share a few of the common mistakes they see parents make in their child’s treatment. Perhaps the most common mistake parents make occurs during the first visit to the dermatologist’s office. All too often, parents monopolize the conversation with the doctor , nor give the youngster a chance to verbalize his/her feelings. “For those parents, I inform them in no uncertain terms that this isn’t their condition, but instead the child’s condition and I must hear from him/her, ” says Omaha, Neb. dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M. D. “I believe that it is imperative that parents be there at the first visit and always be offered to discuss issues such as medication, but direct communication between doctor and patient is critical to successful treatment. ” “As far as supporting their child’s acne treatment is worried, most parents do really well, ” says Katie Rodan, M. D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif. “I want to have parents in the room because I’d like their input regarding oral vs. topical medications and other issues that arise where I may need their consent. I also like parents to know the procedure regimen simply because they can help their kids find a workable routine and will give ‘soft’ reminders to utilize the medications. ” “Parents play an important role during treatment, ” says Montclair, N. J. dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M. D. “They need to be supportive and encouraging, but must resist the impulse to nag or criticize, since it could have a counter-effect (i. e., the little one may elect to rebel by maybe not complying with the doctor’s instructions). ” Dr. Downie generally provides her teen patients with written instructions they could put in visible places (like a bathroom mirror) to serve as gentle reminders. “This gives them a sense of ownership to your skin therapy plan. ” For more advice on “Talking to your Teen About Acne, ” and other skincare topics, visit www. caringforyourskin. com. Strategies for teens can be obtained on www. pimpleportal. com. Your website offers details about the causes of acne, how it can be controlled, dispels common myths concerning the condition, and offers details about many different over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Visitors can also ask a panel of dermatologists questions about acne, makeup, and subjects which range from skin to nails to hair.
