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Help! My Tween Is Struggling With Acne
Acne is common among tweens and teens, as about 85% of young people ages 12-24 experience it to some extent. What makes this stage tricky isn’t just the breakouts; it’s the timing. Tweens are still figuring out who they are, and a cluster of pimples before school pictures can feel like a full-blown crisis.
The good news? Most tween acne is mild and manageable with basic self-care and adolescent care from their pediatrician when necessary. To help your child achieve a clear, healthy complexion, schedule an acne evaluation with our board-certified specialists at Millennium Pediatrics in Naperville, Illinois.
Tween acne risk factors
This skin condition is very common during the teenage and pre-teen years, so your tween isn’t alone in their acne struggle. The following may increase the risk of developing acne:
- Growth of bacteria in pores
- Buildup of dead skin cells in pores
- Excess oil production
- Hormone changes
- Puberty
- Some medications
- Family history of acne
Things that might make acne worse include eating certain foods, stress, and high humidity. Other triggers include pressure on the skin from sports helmets, hats, backpacks, or tight clothing and environmental irritants like pollution.
Scrubbing the skin too hard, using oily skin care products, and picking at acne can worsen its symptoms.
5 ways to treat acne in tweens
There are several ways to help eliminate your tween’s acne, including:
1. Topical products
Applying topical acne products to the skin can help reduce acne. Your Millennium Pediatrics specialist may suggest trying certain over-the-counter products or stronger prescription acne medicines depending on your child’s specific needs and the severity of their acne.
2. Oral acne medications
Oral acne medications can also help clear up your tween’s acne if other options haven’t worked. Your pediatrician might provide a prescription for a medication that matches their lifestyle, symptoms, and goals.
3. Healthy skin care routines
Help your tween adopt a healthy skin routine that minimizes their risk of acne. Examples include cleaning their skin at least once daily using warm water and a gentle cleanser, washing their face after sweating, and using an oil-free moisturizer.
Encourage your tween to avoid using irritating skin care products, picking at acne, and excessively scrubbing acne-prone skin.
4. Acne-reducing habits
Certain habits at home can also minimize or prevent acne in tweens. For example, cleaning cellphones, sunglasses, helmets, pillowcases, and sheets regularly can reduce acne-causing bacteria.
If your tween wears makeup, encourage them to remove all makeup at the end of each day and to replace makeup brushes and applicators often. Help your tween eat nutritious foods and drink plenty of water to optimize their skin health.
5. Stress reduction
Stress can trigger acne flare-ups. While some stress is often inevitable, you can help your child discover a sense of calm by encouraging activities like journaling, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and walks outdoors. You can also help them de-stress by working with them to reduce an overly busy schedule.
Is your tween struggling with acne? Schedule an evaluation at Millennium Pediatrics for clearer skin for your child by calling our office or booking an appointment online today.