Acne is a common problem among teenagers and young adults, but the effects of these skin break-outs can last a lifetime.

While most teenagers have at least one or two bouts of acne during their teenage years, those who have frequent break-outs or continual acne that seems to go on for most of their teenage years can have a huge effect on a teenager both during their teenage years and beyond.

Your teenage years is a time of many different changes. Children are growing beyond socializing mainly with family to spending more time with peers. It’s a time when socializing is important and interest in the opposite sex is at an all time high. It is also a critical time where people’s self-esteem can either be increased or damaged for years if not for life.

Acne can have a profound effect on children in this age group. It can make them self conscious and in extreme cases social pariahs especially if subjected to cruel remarks or constant teasing. When forced to face these types of thoughtless remarks teenagers often withdraw into themselves losing whatever self-esteem they have built. In most cases as teens outgrow the acne they also find their self confidence and self-esteem returning. However, for those teenagers that suffer from severe acne break-outs for most of their high school years they may carry the scars from that teenage acne on into adulthood.

The acne scars that show on the outside can often be removed by such methods as chemical peels and micro abrasion, but the scars that acne has caused on the inside of a person are not so easy to remove. Even as adults, who no longer suffer from acne break-outs these one time sufferers may still have self-esteem issues and feel they are less attractive than other people.

While there may not be any way from keeping your child from suffering from acne there are things you can do to help them retain their self-esteem and feel better about themselves. Teaching your child that what is on the inside of a person is more important than what is on the outside is important to helping them feel good about themselves. Leading by example and talking about people’s good qualities rather than their good looks is a great way to start. It also helps if you are not focused on your own looks, but rather on helping others and simply being a good person.

Last of all taking the time to notice and compliment your child and others on their achievements will also help keep self-esteem high. By supporting your child, listening to their concerns and helping them to feel good about themselves even when they think they look their worst you can help your child leave those acne break-out problems behind them.