Acne affects 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30. Since everyone’s acne is slightly different, it must be treated on an individual basis. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your acne. It’s possible to treat mild acne fairly successfully with over-the-counter creams and cleansers that help reduce the bacteria and oil on the skin. If you have lots of breakouts with large, red, painful bumps, you may have severe acne that should be treated by a doctor or dermatologist to prevent scarring. Don’t worry…there are lots of treatment options for teens with acne. There are also lifestyle choices you can make that will help keep your skin healthy — and you happy.

• Reduce your stress! It may sound tough with all that teen angst, but relieving your stress by exercising, journaling, meditating, getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy will help a lot in improving your skin and your mood.
• Take care of your skin. A regular skin care regimen can make a BIG difference. Wash your face twice a day and no more! Washing more than twice a day will irritate your skin and can actually make your acne worse. Wash with a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser. It won’t strip your skin of its natural protective oils and may even treat the dryness caused by the topical medications you use for treating your acne.
• Eat right. Ketchup is not a vegetable. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps your body and mind — so do your best to get plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables (the green, leafy kind) — and lots of H₂O.

If you are the parent of a teen with acne, you can help.

Talk to your teen and ask how he or she feels about acne. Many teens report that acne makes them feel paranoid, self-conscious, unattractive and shy. Encourage them to follow the lifestyle tips above — and let them know that you care enough to get them the professional treatment they need. Your support and guidance will go far in helping them deal with the emotional effects of acne. Here’s how to help:

• Knowledge is power. Teach your child how to take control of his or her acne. Start by sharing the information found on this site. Talk to your child about how acne makes them feel, and reassure him or her that you will help them find treatment that works.
• Get them professional help. When over-the-counter products aren't helping, or if your child has several blemishes that could cause scarring, seek the professional advice of a doctor or dermatologist. Get your child started on proper treatment before acne gets severe, and help your child avoid the emotional and physical scars of acne.
• Learn more about the myths and the facts surrounding acne.

If you don't have a dermatologist, locate one in your area with the DermFinder.