ASK THE DOC: 'My son is developing acne and he’s very self conscious about it. What can we do to manage this?'
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Q. My son is developing acne and he’s very self conscious about it. What can we do to manage this?
A.Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch.
Acne most commonly develops on the:
face – this affects almost everyone with acne
back – this affects more than half of people with acne
chest – this affects about 15 per cent of people with acne
Don’t wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day.
Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.
Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse.
Don’t try to “clean out” blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring.
Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics.
Use water-based products described as non-comedogenic (less likely to block the pores in your skin).
Completely remove any make-up worn before going to bed.
If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free, water-based emollient.
Regular exercise can’t improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem.
Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising, as sweat can irritate your acne.
Wash your hair regularly and try to avoid letting it fall across your face.
Several creams, lotions and gels for treating spots are available at pharmacies.
If you develop acne, it’s a good idea to speak to your pharmacist for advice.
Treatments can take up to three months to work, so don’t expect results overnight, and you may need to try a few treatments to find one which is right for you.
