Acnecan be common for tweens between 7 and 12 years old.
Fortunately, early treatment can help keep your child’s acne from getting worse as they enter adolescence.
This article covers some things it’s possible for you to do to keep your child’s skin healthy.
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It also goes over how to treat mild breakouts before they get worse.
Why Do Kids Get Pimples?
Acne usually starts when children reach puberty.Some kids showearly signs of acneas soon as age 7.
Acne in children between the ages of 7 and 12 is called preadolescent acne.
It is often the first sign of puberty and is common in this age group.
According to some research, preadolescent acne may be around 1.6 times more common in girls than in boys.
The prevalence increases with age.
Girls who have severe preadolescent acne may get their periods sooner than their peers.
Preadolescent acne may also be worse in hot weather, though this is still controversial.
Look for smallblackheadsand red bumps (papules) on your child’s skin.
When the spot gets infected with bacteria, it will become inflamed.
Aninflamed pimpleis red, swollen, and painful.
As acne gets worse, it can spread to the forehead, cheeks, and chin.
Your goal is to catch your child’s breakouts before they start to spread.
Startacne treatmentas soon as you notice comedonesdon’t wait to see if your child’s skin clears up.
Acne does not improve on its own.
The sooner you start treatment, the better the results will be.
Kids should beginwashing their faces every nightat around age 9.
If cleansers dry out your child’s face, have them use a moisturizer after washing.
Be sure to choose a moisturizer that is oil-free and fragrance-free.
Your child’s skin is sensitive, so choose gentle products.
Harsh products can cause more skin irritation.
ensure you discourage scrubbingit won’t clear acne, but it can irritate the skin.
It’s a very successful acne treatment that works by killing bacteria that cause inflammation.
Look for a benzoyl peroxide cream with 5% strength.
Benzoyl peroxidecan be purchased over the counter (OTC).
You’ll find it in the skincare aisle of the pharmacy or grocery store.
Watch for redness, irritation, or excessive dryness.
If these side effects occur, have them scale back their use to every other day.
Picking or popping can force infected material deeper into the skin and make a blemish worse.
Tweens may find it hard to stop picking at their acne.
You’ll need to gently remind them to keep their hands away from their face.
Explain that popping pimples can make them redder and easier to see.
Popping and picking can also cause more breakouts.
Don’t wait to reach out for more help.
The sooner acne is treated, the better.
A dermatologist can create an acne treatment plan for your child.
Have your child use a mild cleanser nightly.
For inflamed acne, a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help.
Acne cream can also be used to treat persistent acne.
Teach your tween not to touch their face or pick at acne.
This can make breakouts worse and could lead to infection.
American Academy of Pediatrics.What causes acne?
Eun DH, Kim JY, Jang YH, Lee SJ, Lee WJ.Clinical investigation on preadolescent acne.Ann Dermatol.
2019;31(2):249-251. doi:10.5021/ad.2019.31.2.249
Nemours KidsHealth.Why do I get acne?.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Teens and acne treatment.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.
