While some teens only develop mild acne, others may need to visit their doctor or dermatologist to treat the painful cysts and nodules that develop under their skin.

If your child is feeling self conscious about skin breakouts then there are a range of things you can do to help them. The first step is to understand the severity of the acne.

Mild acne

Mild acne is considered to be mainly whiteheads and blackheads, especially if they don’t cover large areas of the face or body. Blackheads look like small bumps and usually occur on the face, but you can find them on the back, neck, arms, shoulders and chest. The top of the blackhead is visible and is dark in colour. They occur when the pores of the skin become plugged with dead skin cells and sebum, an oily protective substance. They are not caused by trapped dirt and have nothing to do with how well the skin is cleansed. Usually hair grows from hair follicles in the pores and underneath this sits sebaceous glands which produce sebum, an oil that helps to keep your skin soft. When these pores become plugged, they produce a bump called a comedo. If the bump stays closed it is known as a whitehead, but if it’s open the dead skin cells turn black because they react to oxygen in the air. This is known as a blackhead.
There are some contributing factors that increase your chance of developing whiteheads and blackheads.

• Hormonal changes during the teen years cause an increase in oil production
• Menstruation
• The build-up of certain bacteria on the skin
• Taking certain medicines
• Hair follicles that become irritated when skin cells don’t shed on a regular basisIf your teen suffers from mild acne, speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatments that are suited to their skin type.

Moderate acne

Acne is considered to be moderate if there are raised red bumps and/or pustules and these occur over large parts of the face and body. Your teen may find that their breakouts last longer and often don’t clear up entirely. If over-the-counter treatments are not effective your pharmacist can refer you to your doctor who will prescribe different treatments or may refer your teen to a dermatologist.

Severe acne

Some teens can develop painful hard, red cysts under the skin that can take a long time to clear. These breakouts can occur on large areas of the face and body and can have a profound effect on your teen’s self-esteem and confidence. If left untreated severe acne can cause scarring, so it’s important to speak to your doctor about appropriate treatment sooner rather than later.

There are a lot of myths surrounding acne, especially around food, hygiene and make-up. Your pharmacist is an easily accessible source of advice and can answer many of your questions. They will refer your teen to a doctor if needed. Speak to the friendly team at Capital Chemist Curtin, a service-based community pharmacy located at Curtin Shopping Centre.