Questions and Answers on Acne

Noted parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba and dermatologist Dr. Linda Stein Gold help solve common teen and acne dilemmas.

My daughter’s prom is in a few weeks and her skin looks terrible. I’m worried it will spoil this amazing memory. What can we do?

Not looking your best, especially for an important occasion, can be a real problem – especially for teens who are already dealing with so many other emotional ups and downs. First, you should remind your daughter about all of her special qualities and reassure her that you will work together to make the best of the situation. The reality is that there is no quick fix for acne. Even with the right treatment, it can take a number of weeks to start seeing noticeable results.⁴ The sooner your daughter sees a doctor to get effective treatment, the sooner she’ll be on her way to clear skin. Ask the doctor if there is something he/she recommends as a temporary solution to help cover and reduce inflammation for that special night. The good news is, if she follows her treatment regimen as prescribed by her doctor – she hopefully won’t need the cover-ups by the time graduation rolls around!

My son has tried just about every acne product you can buy in the drug store, but his skin is not clearing up. What’s our next step?

Only a doctor can prescribe medicines that get to the root of acne formation to not only clear existing blemishes, but also prevent new ones from starting. Also, using too many different products can be irritating to the skin, making acne worse.^9b I would suggest you make an appointment to talk to your child’s doctor to determine the best treatment for your son’s acne.

I think my son’s acne may be affecting his self-esteem. What can I do to help him?

We often think of acne as a cosmetic issue, but it can cause emotional scars as well. Acne can make your child feel frustrated, angry and even depressed.¹¹ In a recent study, 39% of teens said they avoided going to school because they were embarrassed by acne.^1b And, 55% of 11-18 year olds said acne prevented them from having a boyfriend or girlfriend.^1c Treatment has progressed a long way since we were teens, and there’s no reason your son should suffer. I suggest making an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible to get recommended professional treatment and also to rule out other causes of depression.

Get the full scoop on talking to your teen about acne. Download a free copy of the Talking Acne with Your Teen e-guide.

GET MORE ideas about how to talk to your teen and help him or her manage acne. Sign up to receive expert tips and information about acne delivered right to your inbox.

It can be scary to see a doctor for the first time. Learn more about what to expect at the dermatologist so you and your teen can arrive calm, cool, collected, and prepared.

Need help finding a dermatologist near you? Visit www.Differin.com and we’ll help you find one!

What is a Dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a physician—a medical doctor—who is trained and qualified to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of skin diseases and skin disorders. At least 90% of dermatologists’ time is spent in direct patient care.

What is dermatology?

Dermatology is the science of human skin biology and those diseases and syndromes that can cause skin changes.

What happens during a visit to the dermatologist?

Typically there are three elements to an examination: Patient History, Physical Examination and Laboratory Evaluation.

Patient History—the dermatologist will ask your teen questions about his/her past medical history, family history, and how he/she has been feeling lately.
Physical Examination—the dermatologist will check out your teen’s skin and gather information about his/her condition. The dermatologist will look at what kinds of lesions your teen may have, how many there are, and where they are located.
Laboratory Evaluation—sometimes a dermatologist may need to run some tests to confirm a diagnosis.

What should I expect from my teen’s visit to the dermatologist?

You should expect the following:

An interest in your teen, his/her condition and his/her concerns.
A medical/dermatologic history that is relevant to your teen’s skin condition.
A physical exam that covers all areas your teen is concerned about.
A reasonable explanation of the diagnosis (or suspected diagnosis) and any tests or procedures that may be necessary for investigation or confirmation.
A complete explanation of any prescribed medication and/or treatment.

How can I help the dermatologist make the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for my teen’s skin condition?

You and your teen should provide the dermatologist with an honest and accurate history of your child’s condition.
- When did it start?
- Where did it start?
- What has your teen put on it, either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription?
- What makes it better or worse?
- What does your teen think is the cause?
- Does it itch? Does it hurt?
- Does the itch/hurt wake your teen from sleep at night?
- Did your teen ever have this before? What was it called?
- What was it treated with? Did it get better with the treatment?
- Does or did any of your family members have the exact same thing?
Bring all your teen’s medicines, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription, in the exact same containers that they are kept in. Make sure you and your teen tell the dermatologist:
- What medications does your teen take on a regular basis, either prescription or OTC?
- What medications does your teen take sometimes, either prescription or OTC?
- Is your teen allergic to any medications, either prescription or OTC? What happened when your teen tried the medication he/she is allergic to?
- Does your teen have other allergies (such as to foods, things he/she touches, etc.)? What happens when your teen encounters something he/she is allergic to?

Michele Borba

Michele Borba, Ed.D., is an internationally renowned educator and award-winning author recognized for her practical, solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s behavior, self-esteem, character, and social development, and to build strong families. A sought-after motivational speaker, and educational consultant to hundreds of schools and organizations, Michele offers realistic, research-based advice culled from a career of working with more than one million parents and educators.

As a recognized expert on child development, violence prevention, and character development, Dr. Borba appears regularly on TV and radio talk shows including “Today,” “The View,” “Fox & Friends,” “The Early Show,” and “NPR: Talk of the Nation.” She has been interviewed by numerous publications including Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Reader’s Digest, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Better Homes & Garden, Parenting, and Child. Her articles have been published in Redbook, Parents, and Family Circle.

Dr. Borba is the author of 21 books including “12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know: Getting Back to Basics” and “Raising Happy Kids, Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me!” and “Esteem Builders,” used by 1.5 million students worldwide.

Dr. Borba received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of San Francisco; a master’s in Learning Disabilities and a bachelor’s from the University of Santa Clara, and earned a Life Teaching Credential. She lives in Palm Springs, California with her husband and has three grown sons.

Linda Stein Gold, MD

Dr. Linda Stein Gold is the director of clinical research and division head of dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She has done extensive research in all aspects of general dermatology and has been the principal investigator in more than 100 clinical trials. Dr. Stein Gold’s work has been published in many major dermatology journals. She is a popular international lecturer on acne, psoriasis and general dermatology.

Dr. Stein Gold has appeared many times in the media educating the public on important aspects of skin health. She lives in Michigan with her husband and three children.