Discover the best way to get your child’s acne under control.
 

You may be surprised to discover that acne isn’t just for those teen years. While acne does happen most often to children and teens between the ages of 12 to 17, it can also happen earlier in life. If your little one is dealing with breakouts, our Santa Monica, CA, pediatric dermatology team can provide you with the answers and treatments you need. Here are tips for addressing childhood acne,
 

Stick to a Daily Cleansing Routine

By the time your child is nine, they should be washing with a gentle cleanser every night before bed and in the morning. This can help to prevent pores from getting clogged and to reduce the risk for more serious forms of acne developing later in your child’s life.
 

Use Acne-Fighting Cleansers

If you start to notice papules, whiteheads or blackheads, you may want to pick up a cleanser that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These are the two most commonly used acne-fighting ingredients. With everyday use, your child should start to see an improvement within 6-8 weeks, with the full efforts happening by 12 weeks. If you don’t notice an improvement in 12 weeks, you may want to switch cleansers or try a new product.
 

Leave Pimples Alone

While your child may be tempted to pick at or try to pop pimples, it’s important they leave them alone. While our dermatologists can safely extract pimples and cysts, your child runs the risk of causing an infection or scarring if they try to pop or squeeze pimples themselves. Leave it to the professionals!
 

Consult a Dermatologist

If your child’s current skincare routine isn’t enough to get your child’s pimples under control, our Santa Monica, CA, dermatologists can help. We offer comprehensive pediatric dermatology services to children and teens. If in doubt about whether your child is dealing with acne or not, give us a call. Our dermatologists can often determine if your child is dealing with acne, or another skin condition, through a simple physical exam.
 

Treatment with Vary

How we decide to treat your child’s acne will depend on several factors including your child’s age, their health, the type of acne they are dealing with and the severity of their symptoms. Common treatment options include,

• Over-the-counter creams or cleansers
• Topical or oral prescription medication (prescribed by a qualified dermatologist)
• Draining and extractions

If your child is dealing with pimples, know that our Santa Monica, CA, dermatology team provides pediatric services to help your child or teen get clearer skin. To schedule a consultation with us here at Santa Monica Dermatology Group, simply call (310) 829-4484.