Steps to treat acne with your teenager

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Steps to treat acne with your teenager

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So as a parent, what's your plan of action when your teen develop acne? I think one of the most important things to do first is to explore with them how they feel about it. What kind of impact is it having on their quality of life? There are times when it bothers the child and not the parent, bothers the parent and not the child and just make sure you're on the same page there. If it doesn't bother your child and your child is well-adjusted and confident, it's okay not to treat it aggressively. But if it does bother them and you agree, the first step if possible is to see a dermatologist to confirm that it is standard acne and to get the best possible treatment. Now I acknowledge that that's not possible for everyone, so what can you do at home? The first thing is to get your child on a reasonable skincare regiment. So morning and night gentle cleansing and oil-free moisturizing. There are so many products out there that have claims about acne treatment. They are scrubs, they are toners and most of them cause more problems than they do good for your child so don't waste your money. If you're going to try something, an over-the-counter for mild acne, benzyl peroxide is one of the oldest topical treatments we have and it's highly effective. It actually penetrates well into the oil gland, it reduces bacterial balance, it helps with inflammation. Now be ready, it can cause symptoms of dry and peeling and those are ones that you can combat with your gentle soap-free cleanser and moisturizer. It will also bleach pillows and PJs, so be ready and have old pillows and old PJs so that doesn't happen. If a trial of benzyl peroxide for a couple of months isn't helping your child, then you really should see your family doctor or your dermatologist to get better treatment.
TEEN, Health and Development, Acne

View Shannon Humphrey's video on Steps to treat acne with your teenager...

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Shannon Humphrey

Dermatologist

Dr. Shannon Humphrey is at the forefront of innovation in dermatology. Her active dermatology practice in Vancouver, British Columbia, is centered on the principle of using world-leading dermatological technologies and products to deliver healthy beautiful skin.

As the Director of Continuing Medical Education and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Humphrey teaches in the undergraduate, post-graduate and CME dermatology programs and also established an acne and rosacea subspecialty clinic. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Humphrey is an active clinical trialist, serving as the principal investigator for numerous pivotal cosmetic clinical trials.

Dr. Humphrey is a regular voice in local and national media and is an active committee member with the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Women's Dermatologic Society, and the Canadian Dermatology Association.

A recognized expert in the use of soft tissue fillers and neuromodulators in particular, Dr. Humphrey is a frequent speaker and oft-published author on these topics with a continued focus on her personal passion for achieving natural-looking results.

Dr. Humphrey received her Bachelor of Science and MD with distinction from Dalhousie University, completed her dermatology residency at the University of British Columbia and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology.

Acne, Rashes and Skin Conditions
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