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TEENAGE ACNE
Acne is far from a simple skin condition. It possesses the power to produce both physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Acne does not discriminate against race, gender or age. It elects to play a prominent role in them all. Though acne can begin at almost any stage in life, this blog entry will focus primarily on teenage acne.
I think we can all agree that teenagers face enough pressure without the added stress that acne can cause. It is important to take this condition seriously. It is particularly important for those teens that are embarrassed or ashamed to get the treatment they need. Many of the adult patients who come to see us in our Champaign, Illinois offices report that their parents thought that acne was just a part of adolescence; that nothing could be or should be done to control it. And now as adults, they are still dealing with the poor self-image they developed during that time.
Too often, at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center, we see adult patients whose emotional scars far out-weigh their physical ones. After Dr. Castillo has removed their acne scars with CO 2 full face laser resurfacing and dermabrasion, they are excited and proud of their new smooth, beautiful skin. However, some patients still find it difficult to over-come the deep seeded emotional scars that acne leaves behind.
Acne can have a devastating effect on a teen’s self-esteem and body image. Has your teen become withdrawn, refused to go to school or a social event because of their acne? Acne can abruptly turn a self-assured, social butterfly into a self-conscious recluse. This type of emotional distress can be prevented or at least minimized with immediate treatment for their acne.
The treatment for acne can be as complex as the condition itself because acne comes in different forms with many treatment options. To make it as simple as possible, if your teen has mild acne (black heads and white head without pustules) over-the-counter topical solutions like Benzoyl Peroxide or salicylic acid may be all it takes to put a smile back on their face. In some instances, they may need a medical-grade strength at-home skincare regimen such as Castillo MD Skin Science along with the addition of chemical peels, laser light treatments, Acne facials or microdermabrasion may also be effective. If your child has moderate to severe acne, don’t wait, seek medical treatment. Your doctor can help control the out-breaks with education, oral and/or topical prescription medications. If your child is experiencing deep pustules, red, inflamed skin, cystic acne, or is beginning to scar, a more aggressive treatment such as Accutane (isotretinoin) may be required.
It is important to acknowledge the psychological effects that some teens develop when suffering from acne. If you notice that your teen is avoiding friends and social situations, the support of a mental health professional may also be needed to assure they have the coping tools to maintain a healthy self-image during this stressful time.
Talk with your teen about the idea that acne treatments are preventative in nature. This means that the treatment is not meant to clear the present acne but is used to prevent future acne break-outs and inflammation. Most treatments will take a few months to become effective. Encourage your teen continue faithfully with their treatment regimen even though they feel like it is not working. They are likely to become frustrated at times until they see the results of their dedication has finally paid off.
Roxanne Hammond, RMA
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
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https://www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.com
800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)
Skin Care & Laser Specialist for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery