Skin Care for Teens

Puberty is an awkward stage no matter which way you look at it, but your teenager's skin can really bear the brunt of all those changing hormones. Pimples and oiliness can cause embarrassment and upset, but fortunately Dr. Ava Shamban, dermatologist star of the hit ABC television show "Extreme Makeover" and author of the book "Heal Your Skin," offered some advice on how parents can help their teens learn effective skin care.

The key is to be prepared. "Good skin care is like a pyramid, starting early and adding building blocks is essential. But knowing when may be tricky because teens begin changing at different ages," Shamban said. "Usually, between 11 and 13 is when acne breakouts start to happen. It's usually best to visit a dermatologist to determine what skin type your teen has (oily, dry or combination); and from there, a proper skin care routine can be put in place."

You may see your teen washing regularly, but perhaps they're undoing the good work of cleansing. "An important factor that is often overlooked, and just as important as cleansing, is to not touch or pick at the skin," Shamban said. "This often leads to infections and sometimes permanent scarring."

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If a blemish appears, tell your teen not to panic. "First off, tell them don't pick at it," Shamban said. "Before they go to bed, make sure they cleanse with a gentle, non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cleanser. Then have them use products that contain salicylic or glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment on the blemish. This should help with the inflammation and redness and hopefully stop the pimple or blackhead in its tracks." If you're caught with none of these products, Shamban advises crushing an aspirin in water and dabbing it on the blemish.

If you're stocking up on your teen's skin care products, the drugstore offers plenty of solutions. "I recommend Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment," Shamban said. "The 2.5 percent concentration of benzoyl peroxide is enough to get the job done and low enough to avoid irritation in most skin types."

If drugstore products aren't controlling your teen's skin issues, you may need to visit the dermatologist for extra help. "I always recommend monthly facials, a gentle cleanser and exfoliant, and topical retinoids such as tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene," Shamban said. "These work very well to clear pores and to reduce the frequency and severity of acne outbreaks."

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If nothing is working and you're concerned your teen may end up with acne scarring, there are more steps you can take. Ask your dermatologist about antibiotics. "If they have moderate to severe acne and other courses of treatment, including hormonal treatments and topical antibiotics, aren't working, then oral antibiotics may be given," Shamban said. "Oral antibiotic therapy should be given long enough to blast the bacteria, but not long enough for the bug to develop resistance."

You may have heard of Accutane — a strong medication used to treat serious acne. "Accutane is generally prescribed when all else fails," Shamban said. "There are several potential side effects associated with it, [but] it's as close to a cure to acne as we have," Shamban said. If you're interested in Accutane, be sure you and your teen are well-informed of all its effects by your doctor.

If you're wondering how to separate your teen from her cell phone, this information just may do the trick: "Cell phones are breeding grounds for bacteria, as we use our phones all the time and place them in all sorts of locations — in purses, desks or dropped on the floor," Shamban said. "When you're talking on the phone, the warmth and moisture creates the perfect host area for bacteria to thrive and cause acne. Also, the rubbing of the phone against the face can lead to 'acne mechanica,' pimples caused by pressure and friction." Give your teen sanitizing wipes for her phone and tell her texting is best.

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It's not only acne your teen may be worrying about. If he's starting to shave, help him protect his skin with a few pointers. "To minimize ingrown hairs and rashes, use a hot washcloth to soften the hair first," Shamban advised. "A gel-type shave cream is usually best; never shave bare skin — ever. They should shave downwards with the hair, not against it, then rinse with cool water to close the pores so bacteria is less able to move in. Finally have them use a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel — a natural antiseptic — to wipe down."