Help Your Teen Heal from Psychological Scars Caused by Acne

No, this is not another ad for Proactive. It is an unsolicited testimonial designed to provide encouragement for parents of teens with acne.

I got my first pimple when I was 10 years old. Little did I know back then that it was the beginning of a long, painful battle with acne. I had enough going for me to attract my share of friends, but I was not immune to cruel comments and insults from other kids that would plague me all the way through my sophomore year of college. Confused by mixed messages that I often received regarding my appearance, such as "You're pretty but you need to wash your face more," my self-esteem suffered and I longed to be in someone else's body - someone more beautiful with smooth, glowing skin.

I don't know if I would've survived the psychological trauma of acne had it not been for my parents. The countless visits to the dermatologist and money spent on acne creams and antibiotics were only part of the support they provided. What had a more lasting impact was the fact that my parents taught me that there was so much more to me than my skin and that my beauty was far greater than what people saw on the surface.

If your pre-teen or teen suffers from acne, the best thing you can do is encourage them to see that their attractiveness emanates from within. Sure, you would do well to schedule a visit for them with a dermatologist or research skin-care information that might be of help, but there is a strong possibility that the more frequently your teen's acne becomes a focal point in your discussions, the more he or she will develop their sense of worth around the appearance of their skin.

There were times when my parents could see that I was hurting inside; times when I didn't want to pose for family pictures or when I spent hours in the bathroom obsessing over my skin. However, it was during those times that my parents took it upon themselves to redirect my focus to other things, such as my talents, skills, hobbies and the importance of making a difference. I began to write poems to express my innermost feelings, and I developed a love for writing, which to this day I still possess.

It's good practice to downplay your teen's acne as much as possible. When they complain about their skin, you may want to nonchalantly mention that a lot of people battle acne, including big-name celebrities and former beauty queens. Casually drop a few names and encourage them to do their own research on these individuals. They will be surprised by some of the things they find out!

Never minimize your child's feelings about having acne, but let them know that they are not alone and that people worth knowing will see them for the whole person they are. I have had far more friends in my lifetime who valued me for the person that I am and the qualities that I posses than people who chose to harp only on my looks. As for the latter individuals, I eventually found strength to let them go.

As a parent, you can help your teen overcome the psychological scars caused by acne by contributing to the overall development of their value system and focusing their attention to the things that matter most in life. Never buy into the notion that your child's peers or the media will have a greater long-term influence on their development than you. Plant seeds of wisdom in your child and cultivate them each day. Encourage them to choose their friends wisely and surround themselves with people who build them up instead of tearing them down. Don't worry if your efforts do not appear to be paying of right away; just continue to let your teen know that he or she is the greatest. One day you'll see how much of a difference your support made!