Talking to Parents About Acne

It's not always easy to talk about acne, even with your parents. But a recent survey shows that parents are much more supportive than their teen thinks. Nearly half of parents said they would support getting their teen prescription acne treatment.

Every adult was once a teen. But your mom or dad may not remember how it feels when it hurts to show your face to the world. So sometimes parents don't take teen acne seriously. "It's a phase," they say, or "Everyone goes through it." Remember, too, that some of the newer generation products were not available when your parents were young. They may even think of acne as a right of passage: "If I dealt with it, you can deal 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 Even well-meaning parents and other adults can give misguided or outdated advice.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 your acne on what you eat, for example, or tell you to simply wash your face more often. But a lot has changed since your parents were teens. We now understand much more about acne and how to treat it successfully.

Acne isn't something you are doomed to struggle with. Start a conversation with your parents about your acne and how it makes you feel. Ask them about your family history and listen to what they have to say. You may find you have a lot in common. Share with them what you've learned about acne on the Differin^® site. Or, send them an email about the site MyChildsAcne.com, written especially for parents of teens.

And 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 treating your acne, the greater your chances for long-term success.