A simple trip to a Pediatrician should be able to get you some help and guidance.

By: Dr. Lisa Di Enno, MD, FAAP

Acne is one of those things that everyone experiences to some degree – some worse than others. While babies and adults can have various forms of acne, most kids, from their early teens until their early 20s are those most commonly dealing with the struggle. And, the truth is, a lot is going on in the lives of teens – so much so that an acne outbreak can have devastating effects.

Thankfully, a simple trip to the pediatrician should be able to get you some help and guidance. Your concerns are extremely valid and should never be dismissed. Instead, the doctor should approach the situation with quite a few questions. Be patient as the answers to these questions can help he or she determine the best course of action.

Here are a few of the most common questions your pediatrician should ask regarding your son or daughter’s acne:

• At what age did the acne begin to appear?
• Where did it start?
• Is there anything that makes it better or worse?
• Do you use any hair products or cosmetics that are oily or thick?
• Do you use any oils or creams on your face?
• Do you get regular exercise? This movement increases blood flow which increases oxygen and nutrients to your skin.
• Do you eat healthily? Good nutrition is important for healthy skin.
• Do you drink enough water?
• Do you get enough good, quality sleep? This is when your body repairs itself.

After discussing your child’s acne, lifestyle, and current skincare routine, your pediatrician is likely to discuss and recommend a routine that will help build healthy skin habits. For instance, your teen should be following a regimen every morning and every night that looks like this:

Morning:

• A cleanser designed for the face.
• Toner or astringent (for oily or acne-prone skin).
• Sunscreen designed for the face (at least SPF 30).

Night:

• A cleanser designed for the face.
• Toner or astringent (for oily or acne-prone skin).

Be sure to choose products that are designed for your teen’s skin type. These are generally categorized into normal, sensitive, oily, dry, or combination skin. Using the right products is the key to maintaining healthy skin. It should be noted, however, that products need to be used consistently for 3 months to determine whether or not they are working. Don’t jump from product to product.

Acne comes in varying degrees of severity – and it can have more than a physical impact on your teen. If you feel that it needs some attention, reach out to your pediatrician. Did I mention this is something that can easily be handled via telemedicine?

Schedule an appointment with XpertCare today!   https://xpertcare.vsee.me/u/clinic

Dr. Lisa Di Enno is the Chief Medical Officer at XpertCare Pediatric Digital Clinic. You can contact her at lisadienno@xpertcare.online  or text her at 760.696.0601 to schedule an appointment.