How to treat acne in a 13 year old?

Dr. Irwin
March 7, 2013
My daughter is 13 years old, her pimples on her nose creates bumpy scars, one medium size was on the side (crease) of her right nose, her skin on the side of her nose is not smooth, with blackheads. She gets pitted scar (small for now) when a blackhead here and there will come off. How do I prevent this? especially the bumpy scars? is she ok to use glycolic cleansers? How to make her skin on her nose smooth again? Is she safe for microdermabrasion? The rest of her skin does not have pimples, oh, she have pimples on her forehead too.

As puberty is tending to start earlier in some countries, including the U.S., acne is also beginning at younger ages.

This is a great time to start her on a simple regimen.   At the drugstore or on this site are some good acne products.  In the morning, have her wash with an acne wash and apply a product with 5% benzoyl peroxide (anti bacterial) to just the area with blackheads.   At night she can wash again, and apply a gentle salicylic acid (2%) product to the affected area.  Also, helpful on the nose are the Biore strips (drugstore) specifically for the nose area.  They help to lift out the plugs. Remeber it takes 4-10 weeks to see a difference with a new acne regimen and that if she gets irritated, the product should be stopped. 

Generally, microdermabrasion done by a very experienced aesthetician with credentials, is fine.  If acne runs in the family, it’s a good idea to have her seen by a dermatologist now.   

For more product recommendations, please check our list of Top 50 Products. 

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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