Safe and Effective Acne Treatment Options for Kids
Most people think of teens and young adults as the ones that need to worry about acne problems, but for many parents the reality is quite different. Studies conducted by dermatologists have shown that even some children in their pre-teens have developed some form of early acne.
Many doctors believe that this is linked with the trend of puberty starting earlier, which causes an increase in hormone production. This increase in hormones triggers several types of changes in the body, including some that take place in the skin during adolescence that cause pimples and other acne symptoms.
Physical Effects of Acne on Kids
The physical symptoms of acne are virtually identical to those seen in teens and young adults. Generally, the first symptoms in young children are milder versions of those seen in older teens and young adults. It shows up as patches of blackheads and whiteheads on common acne areas like the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks. Early treatment of these areas will help minimize the appearance and reduce recurrences.
Emotional Impacts of Early Acne
Acne in young children can also have some effects that might not be so visible to the naked eye. There is an emotional aspect that comes with early onset acne that many children, and their parents, are not prepared for. Children may become embarrassed or shy, lose confidence, or start avoiding social situations they would usually embrace.
Heading back to school after a long summer can be especially stressful if a child has just started showing signs of acne. These feelings can be troublesome, but parents can help with the right amount of planning and preparedness. Giving your child the information, habits, and tools they need can make a big difference in their confidence level heading in to a new school year.
Being one of the few, if not the only child, who suffers from acne at a young age can be very difficult to handle. Parents need to be actively involved, supportive, and helpful to assist their child in understanding how to treat and prevent acne’s effects on the skin. Developing effective habits and being diligent with treatment is essential.
What Acne Treatments Are Best for Kids?
Much like treating acne for teens and young adults, the best treatment approach for many young children is a balance between good skin care habits and choosing the best products to supplement those habits. Here, we will explain a few of the most effective habits and products to treat acne, as well as a couple of tips for when it’s time to go back to school.
Good Skin Care Habits for Kids
Treating acne effectively needs to start with good skin care habits. Once these good habits are established, managing acne becomes much easier and many acne sufferers report a reduction in the severity and frequency of breakouts.
Cleaning and Washing Skin
One thing that is often overlooked when dealing with proper skin cleaning is the hands. Kids are notorious for being forgetful hand washers, which is especially a problem for those prone to develop acne. The hands are a big source of dirt and bacteria. Rubbing or scratching the skin on the face transfers whatever is on the hands to your face. Thorough hand washing habits are critical to minimize the transfer of acne causing dirt and bacteria.
Cleaning the face itself should be done regularly. A good rule of thumb is that the face should be washed twice a day, and should be done with a gentle cleanser formulated specifically for acne-prone skin.
Back to School Tip: Invest in a pack of wet wipes or pre-packaged cleaning cloths that are formulated for acne-prone skin that you can tuck in to their pocket or backpack. If they get a dirty face during the day, they’ll have easy access to a better option than the harsh soaps usually found in the school bathrooms.
Managing Sun Exposure
Kids spend a lot of time outdoors, so you’ll need to invest in a sunscreen for kids that won’t irritate their skin or make their acne worse. Some general things to look for are sunscreens that are not heavy, oily, or too thick. As long as the SPF rating is 45 or higher, they’ll still be getting the same level of protection from harmful UV rays. You may need to try a few different sunscreens until you find one that suits the skin of your child.
Back to School Tip: Make sure you pick up an extra bottle of your kids’ sunscreen for them to keep in their backpack at school. This way they will always have the proper skin protection they will need for recess during those sunny days or when gym class heads outside.
Safe and Effective Acne Products for Kids
Most drug stores and supermarkets have a massive wall of acne products to choose from, and this can be confusing when trying to pick the right one for your child. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for products to help manage your child’s acne.
Acne-Fighting Cleansers
The most common ingredient that you will see on cleansers marketed towards acne sufferers is salicylic acid. Its purpose is to help penetrate in to clogged pores on the skin and gradually dissolve the clogs and dirt that cause pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.
Another pair of common ingredients is benzoyl peroxide and sodium sulfacetamide. Cleansers and other skin care products that contain all three of these ingredients deliver the best results and are most effective at removing acne-causing dirt and bacteria from the skin.
Acne-Fighting Technology
In addition to an effective skin cleanser, tools like the Silk’n Blue Acne Eliminator are excellent ways to help relieve, treat, and prevent acne.
The Silk’n Blue acne treatment device targets the bacteria that causes acne deep in the pores of your skin with blue light technology, which helps reduce the amount of oil produced on the skin. By targeting the bacteria and reducing the production of oil, the Silk’n Blue Acne Eliminator helps reduce the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.
Fighting Acne Together
Kids shouldn’t feel like they are alone in their fight for clear, acne-free skin. Parents need to be there along the way, helping their kids develop the best habits and equipping them with the best tools to relieve, treat and manage acne. Make sure that you’re looking for the early signs of acne in your children, such as those small patches of blackheads, and start treating it early.
If you have concerns about acne that has started to appear in your children, it’s best to speak with your family doctor, or seek a referral to a pediatric dermatologist. They will be able to suggest the best combination of treatment options specifically for your child, and will help monitor the problem as your child grows.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful, and that you’re now better prepared to help your child manage the problems of acne and help them achieve clear skin and more self-confidence!
