Acne is a common disorder of the hair follicles mainly of the face and trunk (chest and back) with onset in prepuberty that can continue until adulthood. Prepubertal acne, i.e. acne occurring between the ages of 7 and 11 years, resembles adolescent acne in several respects and is considered an initial sign of devastation. White and black spots tend to predominate, especially in the 'T-zone' (i.e. the forehead, nose and chin) of the face, but inflammatory lesions, i.e. red pimples and pustules, may also coexist. Every parent whose child starts to show the first signs of acne is advised to consult the most expert in the condition, the dermatologist, in time and follow his or her useful advice.
The YES
- Encourage the child to establish a skin cleansing routine. This includes washing the face, morning and evening, with a mild liquid cleanser to remove sweat, dirt and residues of skin care products. Washing is done only by hand and it is advisable to avoid sponges or brushes.
- We choose the appropriate skin cosmetics and sunscreens for the care of children's skin, which should be clearly marked "non-phagesogenic" or "oil-free", so as not to aggravate acne.
- Encourage the child to wash his/her hair regularly and help him/her to choose haircuts and hairstyles to keep the hair away from the face so that the hair oils do not end up on the face.
- Despite popular belief, eating chocolate, sweets and soft drinks does not make acne worse. This is why we do not impose withdrawal diets on children. Instead, we advise them that a healthy, balanced diet without extremes helps overall facial and body image.
The NOs
- Hands should be kept away from the face. Do not tease or break out pimples because the risk of contamination and the possibility of permanent scarring increases.
- Make sure not to use hair products such as hairsprays, foams, gels because they often end up on the face and clog the pores of the skin, aggravating acne.
- Avoid consulting non-specialists (family, internet, TV) in the choice of acne treatment products, the only competent person is our dermatologist.
- We do not exaggerate the issue of acne but we do not underestimate the importance of the skin's image for our child's psychology.
At any age, the good appearance of the skin has a positive effect on our psychological mood. Let us help our children practically so that a very common dermatological condition such as acne does not cause them mental and physical suffering.
