Too much chocolate and greasy foods giving your kid acne? Not likely. Your teen’s acne may be more your fault than theirs.
Okay, “fault” may be strong, but your teen’s bad skin might have more do to with genetics than outside sources, or even their hormones.
Most kids have mild breakouts or blemishes, due to those raging hormones, which is normal. In some cases, however, those pimples can turn into severe acne and carry on into adulthood, needed abrasive chemical treatments to help the problem. This can cause severe scarring, not only to the skin, but to your child’s self esteem.
This finding comes from a recent study of over 1,000 Iranian high school students that showed of the 14 percent that had moderate to severe acne, 20 percent of those had parents with the same problem.
It may not seem like much, but that is double the 10 percent of kids with acne issues who’s parents were blemish free.
Acne can do a real number on the way your kid feels about their appearance, so if you are feeling guilty about your kid’s “pizza face” moniker, there are a few things you can do to help.
Despite popular belief, fried foods haven’t been proven to cause acne. (You don’t have to tell them that though, if it gets them to eat their veggies.)
Vitamin A has been shown to be the best at improving acne and complexion. Look for topical creams or oral medications like antibiotics or isotretinoin- usually prescribed by a dermatologist. Many also find improvement by using products containing benzoyl peroxide, which are more readily available at your local drug store. Aside from medicine, remind your child to wash their face daily, and to avoid touching their face with their hands as much as possible.
