Treating teen acne before heading back to school

NEW YORK (WABC) -- As students head back to school we know that stress can contribute to acne, but there are a number of other factors too.

What everyone wants to know though is what the best way to treat it is?

Back to school is the perfect time to address this with making new friends and new first impressions.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a difference, and getting a daily routine can keep it all in check.

16-year-old Mackenzie Kyle has beautiful skin, but like most teens she's been dealing with acne.

"I just kept my head down and wore my hair over my face more, it's just not a good feeling," Kyle said.

Acne during the teenage years can be physically and psychologically scarring.

"It can also dramatically affect teens' self-esteem, confidence, their interaction with peers," said Dr. Whitney Bowe, of Advanced Dermatology.

Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe tells all her teens to follow a daily routine.

Cleanse every morning and before bedtime, but don't overdo it, you can make acne worse!

"They'll use things like buff puffs, loofahs and washcloths. And those abrasive fabrics can actually create micro tears in the skin and trigger outbreaks," Dr. Bowe said.

To prevent outbreaks there are many over the counter drugstore options, the two ingredients to look for are salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

"Salicylic acid acts to calm inflammation and it also exfoliates the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is a very powerful antibacterial agent, in fact it kills bacteria, it doesn't just slow their growth," Dr. Bowe said.

Bacteria and oil can buildup on pillow cases, so wash them frequently to prevent flare ups. Cellphones can also be a problem.

It's not just the dirt, grime, and makeup; it's also the friction of the phone on your face. So use the speakerphone or a headset.

For Mackenzie, her field hockey mask makes her skin breakout.

"Here and here get really bad during field hockey season," Kyle said.

But if it's been a month and over the counter options are not working, it's worth seeing a dermatologist.

They may offer light or laser treatments, injections, and prescription medications.

And for anyone with long hair, one thing that really helps is keeping your hair off your face and back while you sleep.

So before bedtime, putting your hair in a high pony tail and a simple soft cheap headband can really make a difference, whether you're a teenager or not.

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teen, teenager, health news, dr. sapna parikh

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