Contrary to what many people are influenced to believe, a young person’s skin does not require a million products to remain healthy, radiant, and beautiful. The term “less is more” comes to mind. The keys are simplicity, quality and consistency – these staples make all the difference. As parents of teenagers and pre-teens, it is important to understand skin care basics. This is especially true when it comes to more challenging skin problems, like acne. Supporting your child’s skin health while avoiding trendy pitfalls that come from social media influencers is critical, and that’s where an expert can come alongside you and help your child feel confident in their own skin.

Basics
Let’s start at the beginning: Let’s say that your child has relatively “normal” skin. There are three necessities to every skin care regime: a gentle cleanser, a vitamin C/antioxidant serum, and sunscreen/SPF30+. A gentle and effective cleanser that provides a deep clean without stripping the skin of naturally derived oils is a necessary puzzle piece. This cleanser can help to maintain balance in your skin barrier, which assists the skin in preventing trouble with acne and dryness. It's important to note that if your child wears makeup, they may need additional guidance to remove their makeup thoroughly, and even double cleanse.

After cleansing, using a vitamin C/antioxidant serum helps brighten the complexion and protect the skin from the damage caused by the environment. Be careful here- not all vitamin C serums are created equal. Consult with a trusted healthcare provider to help you choose the right one for your child. Lastly (and arguably most importantly!) a sunscreen with SPF 30+ that can be worn daily that protects against UV rays- the ultimate premature ager.

Acne
One of the most frustrating skin issues that affect the young is, of course, acne. A healthcare provider, especially from a trusted medspa, can be a wealth of information and it’s important to reach out to one if your child is facing this challenge. Acne treatments are not one-size-fits-all. Because acne varies in its severity and type, having help to tailor the right approach for your child can yield the best results.

Acne is deceiving in that it does not show up immediately after a trigger. Because acne is an inherited disorder of the follicle that interferes with its function, the pimple or blackhead/whitehead—also known as a comedone—that is present today may have started forming 3–4 months prior. This also explains why it may take 3–4 months to see the desired results from treatment. Patience is a virtue here.

Unfortunately, even when you gain control over active outbreaks, hyperpigmentation and scarring can be left as a reminder. The great news is that there are very effective treatment options that can reduce and may eliminate these unwanted reminders. These include chemical peels, laser treatments, microneedling and professional skincare.

Of course, the correct at-home treatments can be effective and are necessary for managing this inherited condition, but there are many times that a more aggressive approach is needed. Seeking help from a MedSpa professional or dermatologist can bring clarity to a tough situation. Not only can they provide recommendations, but they can also assess whether or not a treatment is working, if any adjustments need to be made, and if additional modalities are needed.

Social Media
Young people are often turning to social media to gain access to skin care “best practices.” Let this serve as a caution: some (not all) of the information shared on social media is not reliable or appropriate for your child’s skin. It’s not always evident if an influencer is being paid to promote a product, and typically the influencer may not be educated in the product’s proper use. They certainly aren’t taking your child’s specific health concerns into consideration. Following the wrong trend can lead to long term effects for your child’s skin and their skin barrier.

If you feel that your child needs help with the basics of skin care or is navigating the challenges of acne, or other skin care challenges, please reach out to Renovare MedSpa, here in Mechanicsville. We are passionate about our patients’ skin care needs and want to help them overcome any issues they may be facing. Our decades of experience in the healthcare field have given us a heart to help people, and that’s exactly what we do.