This is a great time for parents to encourage their tweens/teens to take care of their skin and develop good habits that could effect them later. Parents should encourage washing face daily – emphasizing using a gentle cleanser and toner if appropriate and no scubbing. Avoiding wearing too much makeup to help prevent clogging pores. This is also a great time to talk to tween/teens about the importance of sunblock and wearing daily sunblock and avoiding tanning booth to prevent future sun damage and skin cancer.

Over The Counter product recommendations –
pHisoderm 4-Way Daily Acne Cleanser is a product that works for all skin types.
Cetaphil normal to oily cleanser, Cereve gentle cleanser, Skinceutical or Neutrogena ETOH-free toner, Panoxyl foaming wash, Neutrogena clear pore treatment, noncomedogenic sunblock, Stridex pads, OTC hydrocortisone

Adolescent acne:
Studies show that during adolescence close to 100% of the population has at least an occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple – regardless of race or ethnicity. These studies also confirm that acne most frequently occurs between ages of 12 and 20. The likelihood of developing acne is greatest during adolescence because hormone levels become elevated. In most cases, acne begins between the ages of 10 and 13. Adolescent acne commonly disappears between the ages 20 and 25. However, severe acne, also known as nodular acne or cystic acne, may not resolve until 30-plus years of age.

Effective Skin care for acne:
The biggest secret to keeping acne under control is maintaining healthy skin as much as possible. This means keeping the skin clean and protecting it from sources of damage like sunshine and harsh cosmestics.
1) Cleansing your skin – always use a gentle soap or specialized skin cleaner and wash your face once or twice a day. Use a soft cloth to moisten your face and then apply the cleanser to all areas from the hairline to the neck. Rinse the cleanser with plenty of water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
If you have especially oily skin, you may need to use an astringent or toner.
2) Protect your skin from the sun- many of the medications used to treat acne cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunshine and more vulnerable to burning. Always wear sunscreen when outdoors.
3) Choose your makeup with care – the best choice for good skin care for acne is to wear no makeup at all, but if you feel you must wear makeup choose noncomedogenic.
4) Avoid popping pimples, don’t do it! You are only inviting more trouble because the bacteria which causes pimples will spread. Popping pimples can also lead to permanent scarring.

Treatment:Over-the-counter products.
Benzoly peroxide, salicylic acid are the most common OTC medications used to treat acne.
Use hydrocortisone cream to spot/ treat a big pimple.
Generic: Benzoyl peroxide cream, gel, lotion, or soap.
Clearasil, Oxy Night Watch, Clearasil Clearstick Maximum Strength

When to see a dermatologist:
When none of the over-the-counter products and or remedies have worked.
Beginning to see scars after acne lesions clear.
Have painful, pus-filled lesions.
Have dark patch that is darker than my skin appears when my acne lesions clear.