Acne is one of the most common skin conditions among people of all age groups, but it can be especially troublesome during the teenage years. Thankfully, a large percentage of teens outgrow it by the age of 20. However, there is ample research that shows it’s a good idea to have teenage acne treated as soon as possible.
Not only does acne cause unattractive pimples, but it can also have some pretty serious long-lasting effects on your teenager. Teenage acne can also lead to:
- Low self-esteem: Many teens who live with teenage acne report that their acne makes them feel bad about themselves. Because of their low self-esteem, these teens often avoid social interactions and even make up excuses to avoid school events, classes, or work when their acne is flared up.
- Depression: In severe cases, low self-esteem caused by teenage acne can result in depression. Sadly, there have even been reports of teens who believe they have “bad acne” thinking about committing suicide.
- Dark spots on the skin: Dark spots can be left behind even after the acne is healed. These dark spots may take months or even years to disappear completely.
- Permanent scars: Teens who experience cystic acne and nodules are often left with scars after their acne clears. These scars may fade somewhat over time, but they never go away completely.
How to Help Your Teenager Cope with Teenage Acne
Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help your teenager cope with teenage acne. The best way to minimize the possibility of long-term emotional and physical scarring is to have the condition treated early before it becomes a serious problem.
Many parents are already aware of the negative impacts of teenage acne. If you’ve already tried various over-the-counter and prescription treatments without success, we have some additional suggestions for you to try.
Herbal Medicine: A Natural, Effective Solution
The drugs and treatments traditionally recommended to treat teenage acne can sometimes mask the symptoms, but they usually don’t do anything to address the root cause of the problem. That’s why teens who have acne will often have to continue using the drug for the rest of their lives. Many will get temporary relief during a flare-up, only to have the symptoms return over and over again.
Herbal medicines do the exact opposite. Their goal is to resolve the root cause of the acne, resolving the problem for good, as well as treating the symptoms. This results in returning the skin to normal, and thus, lasting change.
How Does an Herbalist Treat Teenage Acne?
An herbalist will sit down with you and your teen to discuss their health history, lifestyle, and any other contributing factors that may be influencing their acne. The herbalist will then put together an herbal formula that will treat your teen’s unique presentation. For this reason, the herbalist will often select completely different herbs and dosages for each acne patient. As your teen responds to the treatment and their skin begins to heal, ingredients and amounts of the herbs will continually be adjusted.
Most teens will see their herbalist every two weeks until their acne is resolved. As herbal medicine treats the body as a whole, it is not uncommon for teens to see other seemingly random symptoms resolve as the treatment progresses. They will often notice improvements in digestion, elimination, sleep, stress, energy, and more. The best part is that herbal formulas are 100% natural, safe, and cause no adverse side effects. Moms can rest assured that herbal medicines will be safe in the short and long term for their teen.
Next Steps
Moms, if you are concerned about how your teen’s acne is affecting their life, and you have tried everything with no lasting results, there is hope! It’s time to send your teen to an herbalist who specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology. To learn more about solving acne through herbal medicine, check out the Amethyst website, and watch this video.
About the Author
Dr. Olivia Hsu Friedman, LAc, DACM, Cert. TCM Dermatology is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats acne patients via video conferencing using only herbal medicine. Olivia serves on the Advisory Board of LearnSkin, is the Chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists Board of Directors, and is a faculty member of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Support Group sponsored by The National Eczema Association.