Acne

Acne happens when the tiny pores in your child's skin get clogged and inflamed. This often starts during puberty due to hormonal changes, which increase oil production in the face, back, and upper chest. As the oil glands produce more oil, dead skin cells can block the pores, leading to whiteheads and blackheads. When these blockages burst, they cause inflammation and pimples.

Several factors can worsen acne, including picking at pimples, scrubbing too hard, and friction from hats or headbands. Hormonal changes, heavy makeup, and stress can also contribute. It's important to know that acne isn’t caused by certain foods or by dirty skin, though having a family history of acne can increase the risk.

While there isn’t a quick fix for acne, it tends to improve with time. Treatment requires patience and consistency, usually showing results in 4-6 weeks.

To manage acne, wash your child’s face 2-3 times a day with a gentle soap, using warm water to wash and cool water to rinse. Start with a 5% benzoyl peroxide gel or lotion, applying it once a day. If your child’s skin handles it well, you can increase it to twice daily. Avoid applying it near the eyes, mouth, and nose.

If there’s no improvement after 4-6 weeks, schedule an appointment with our pediatrician to explore other options and find the right treatment for your child.