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Best Face Forward
Coping with teenage acne By Carma Haley
Acne's association with adolescence and unclean skin causes teens to fear how they are viewed by their peers. Fear of judgment can often have an impact on self-esteem and self-worth.
"Parents often think 'They have pimples, I had pimples, it's just teenage acne and it will go away by itself.' But while it is going away by itself -- which usually gets worse before it gets better -- the whole concept of the teenager being judged by his peers ... is a significant factor and plays a large part in how teens feel about themselves."
Self-esteem problems associated with acne are never as clear as when they happen to you. "I had always had pimples growing up, but it became much worse as I got older," says Jennifer Reno, a registered nurse from southeastern Michigan. "At 17, the [acne] became quite bad. It was worst on my face. I was very self-conscious about it. My self-esteem at that time was incredibly low ... I didn't really withdraw from activities, but I was more aware of looking different, and wondered how people perceived me."
"Parents who have children and teens who are just starting to show signs of acne -- and who themselves have had a strong history of acne -- should know that it's time to get [their children] into the dermatologist," Baxt says. "That's where a lot of the focus should be -- get these kids in early enough to be treated. I don't think you make a teen self-conscious by saying, 'You know, I noticed you have been buying over-the-counter things for your face and maybe it is time we see somebody about it.' You have to figure out where your teen is and be responsive."