Acne, Skincare and What You Need to Know For your Kids

Let’s talk today about acne. While I have definitely had a monster of a pimple here and there in my life, I was lucky enough to miss the acne teenage years.  My sister battled it, as did many of my friends. I remember from their experiences how self-conscious their acne made them feel – and at such an important time in your life!

Those teenage years can really shape your future confidence so I would think it’s really important these days to get acne disease taken care of for those who suffer from it.

In a recent survey done by the makers of Epiduo® (adapalene/benzoyl peroxide) Gel 0.1%/25.%, there were some interesting findings. I know I was intrigued by some of these statistics myself.

I think as Moms, we have so many concerns for our children and we sometimes downplay skincare as an important health-related issue for our kids.  One of the survey findings found that 66 percent of moms of 9 to 11 year olds let at least a month go by without thinking  about the health of their child’s skin.  And less than half (41 percent) would bring up any skin problems during a visit with their child’s pediatrician.

I know in my case, we’re rarely at the pediatrician’s office anymore with my boys.  If we are, it’s for a quick sick visit or the annual well visit.  If we’re there for a case of Strep, I know for sure I wouldn’t be talking to the doc about skincare. I’m trying to get in and out!

And if we are there for a well visit?  Between all the regular things they do at the check up (height, weight, eyes), I can see where skincare would not be at the top of the list of items to discuss with the doctor, but still think that it would be a simple question to ask.

Here’s some other food for thought. Puberty is coming at an earlier age for our kids than it did for us. I know when I think of my own self and puberty, I think of myself at 13 or 14.  I certainly don’t think of me at age 9 to 11, which is in reality the time that some of today’s kids are beginning to experience puberty. (I know I can attest to this personally – my 9-year-old son is showing early signs!  I’m not ready!)

Puberty brings pimples for many children.  And I think today’s Mom tends to think of pimples as a rite of passage. I know I did before working on this post!  (I totally remember standing around the locker room as a teenager talking to girls about popping pimples – it was a thing.)

The same survey I mentioned earlier in this post also found that two in three moms agree that pimples are a rite of passage and “they just happen to everyone. And 52 percent of moms also believe that they can’t do anything to prevent pimples.  So while I have some good memories of laughing with my girlfriends about our whiteheads, if there’s a way to help prevent my kids from getting them, I’m gonna do it!

It’s not the 80s anymore and there are advanced treatments in medicine that can help your child treat the pimples they have and prevent new ones from forming. (One of these is Epiduo Gel, which was approved for children as young as 9 years of age by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2013

I personally found the results of the survey really eye opening. With the whole early onset of puberty, our generation probably wouldn’t even think to talk to a doctor when our kids are just 9 years old and breaking out with their first pimple.

I hope you guys can learn from these findings, as I have. With a 9 year old boy who is definitely starting to show some signs of puberty, it’s so good to know that we can seek help by simply going to our pediatrician and discussing skincare with him without having to see a dermatologist.

Visit Epiduo.com for more info on this acne treatment.

Important Safety Information

Indication: EPIDUO® Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (>1%) in patients treated with EPIDUO® Gel were dry skin, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation and skin irritation. Warnings/Precautions: Patients taking EPIDUO® Gel should avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps and wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided. Erythema, scaling, dryness, stinging/ burning, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis may occur with use of EPIDUO® Gel and may necessitate discontinuation. Click here for full prescribing information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.  Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Disclaimer: I have been compensated for this post.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.