728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Body Image › Coping with Teenage Acne

Coping with Teenage Acne

Tips for Combating Zits

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Diet Plays a Small Role
One of the most common misconceptions regarding acne is that eating chocolate or greasy foods causes breakouts. Yet, Baxt says, only a small percentage of cases are actually inflamed by diet. "There is no scientific evidence that diet plays a role with adolescent acne," Baxt says. "I do feel that stimulants in the diet may play a role in the pustule component of acne -- the white heads. However, in adult acne, diet may play a role and some teenagers have an adult form of acne. So I advise the teens I treat to stay away from alcohol, caffeine, shellfish and nuts."

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.

Self-Esteem Sinks
"I often see teens too late in the development of acne to help with [self-esteem] as an issue," Baxt says. "There are so many myths that have been perpetrated about pimples on the adolescent population. Teens tend to feel dirty and that no one is going to accept them or the way they look.

"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."

sad teen girlSelf-esteem problems associated with acne re 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."


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

Found 1 comment
Displaying all 1 comments below

Re: Coping with Teenage Acne by Anne on 08/15/2010 02:30AM

I helped my daughter to hide her pimples but I always say to her that she should not prick it. I bought a pimple concealer for her. It really helped her. Womens Health Questions

add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.