Did you know that 80% of teenagers look to their mum for skincare advice?
Shocking isn’t it? Did you assume they got their skincare tips from the web or their friends? Given the above statistic, do you know what causes the breakouts and more importantly how to control them?
You could bring your child to a skincare therapist for professional advice on how best to look after their skin but will your teenage son come willingly? Teenage boys suffer more intense, severe cases of acne which last longer so its really important that you are armed with information on what is happening to their skin, why it has changed suddenly and offer them solutions to clear up and control their breakouts.
In recent years, we have seen children at aged 7-12 whose adrenal glands kick into action encouraging more oiliness on their skin which leads to oilier skin and blackheads before true puberty starts. So we need to help pre teens and teenagers.
Recent surveys show that on the list of teenager’s priorities, personal appearance is higher than having fun with their friends because how can they have fun if they are embarrassed about their skin? Make no mistake, that spot that appeared over night is a big deal!
Teenagers spend on average 29 minutes every day analysing, picking and prodding and trying out a selection of the latest products on their skin. So they certainly have the time to follow a consistent regimen for cleaning and caring for their skin, we just have to show them how.
Teenagers are most likely to develop breakouts on their cheeks and forehead but they can also appear on their chest and back as this is where the adrenal glands are active. By the mid teens, more than 40% of adolescents have acne or acne scarring. Acne is the most common complaint by teens so finding a way to control their skin condition is important.
The first step is to look at what your child is putting on their skin. Their skin is still very delicate and if it is in the throes of acne and breakouts, it will be far more reactive and sensitive so product choice is paramount. You will need to identify a range of products that contain active ingredients to kill bacteria, control the excess sebum and unclog their pores but these products also need to be hydrating and soothing to the skin. Strong harsh products will strip their skin of oil causing itching and inflammation on their skin.
Personally I find that it really helps if teenagers understand what is happening under their skin and I explain it to them in a short skincare lesson prior to a teen facial. The percentage of teenagers who go on to follow a regular cleansing regimen once they fully understand why their skin has change is 95%.
Breakouts can improve but it is important to remind teenagers to continue with a regular cleansing routine to include exfoliating and moisturising to maintain healthy skin.
So why not visit a professional therapist to get some advice on your teen’s skin, through a detailed Face Mapping Skin Analysis, followed by a skin treatment and skincare lesson. Ask the therapist to prescribe the products best suited to your teen’s skin and you are on the way to getting rid of those breakouts!
