Without a doubt, teenagers get concerned if they start to grow acne on their face. But should their parents be concerned as well? Is teenage acne just a phase or is it something major that parents should intervene with?

Acne is very common in teens because their sebaceous glands seem to be in overdrive during the puberty stage. As a result, the face secretes too much oil, and those oils are what cause acne. The hormonal changes during puberty also play a big role in the development of teenage acne.

With that said, it is clear to see that acne is a natural phenomenon during a teenager’s life. Eventually it will come and there’s little you can do to stop it. What you can do is to control those zits from covering up all of your face. A few pimples on the face should be manageable. But if they start to get out of hand, that’s when you should get concerned.

It is quite interesting to know that acne flare-ups are often times triggered by stress. This is the reason why teenagers almost always complain of zits on their prom night or during that much-anticipated first date. As parents, you should inform your sons and daughters not to worry too much about the upcoming major social event in their lives, as they run the risk of developing that dreaded acne that could take days to subside.

To treat teenage acne, the use of topical creams is most advisable. A teenager’s face is fresh and sensitive. Subjecting it to the rather harsh treatment procedures of removing acne is not yet feasible. Most of the time, topical treatments could do the trick. Surgical removal of acne is only for older individuals and for those who deem that topical creams for acne is no longer effective for them.

Depending upon the severity of the teenage acne, dermatologists may also prescribe oral medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Vitamin A derivatives can also help in speeding up the healing process. These drugs work from the inside while topical creams do the job from the outside.

There are many treatment regimens for teenage acne available in the market today. It is very important that you learn more about these products before purchasing them. If you can ask your dermatologist about them, do so. Some regimens could be too harsh on a teenager’s face. And it could leave ugly scars at that.

The parent’s role when teenage acne strikes is more on treatment support and encouragement. Acne should not really be a cause of concern. It is completely natural with teens. Acne is just one indication that your child is gearing up for adulthood. And on that note, with the thought of your children entering adulthood, acne would probably only be a minor concern.