Acne Info for Parents

If you had problem acne as a teen, there's a good chance your child will, too. And while acne may seem like a normal "rite of passage," it doesn't mean they are doomed to suffer with it.

There are still a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about acne. Even well-meaning parents and other adults can give misguided or outdated advice. They may blame acne on certain foods, for example, or believe the answer is to simply wash your face more often. But a lot has changed since you were a teen. Today, we understand much more about acne and how to treat it successfully. Why should your child suffer unnecessarily?

So what can you do to help your child? Start a conversation about how their acne makes them feel. And listen to what they have to say. Talk to them about making an appointment with a dermatologist or other physician to find out what treatment options are available to you. In many cases, your insurance will help pay for the office visit and for the medicines a doctor may prescribe. It may not cost as much as you think. The sooner you start getting treatment for your child's acne, the greater their chances for long-term success.

If you don't have a dermatologist and need to find one in your area, the "Find a Dermatologist" tool at the bottom of this screen can help you. Just enter the first three digits of your ZIP code, then click "Go." It's easy to use!

If you have a child who is dealing with acne, check out MyChildsAcne.com, a helpful resource for parents with information about acne and its treatments.