Teaching Teens About Acne

Acne is not caused by eating French fries, or a dirty face. But many teens today still believe these myths and misconceptions regarding acne and its development. Unfortunately, the facts about acne can't always be completely explained during those time-crunched doctor visits.

But according to a report published in the February 2008 issue of the Archives of Dermatology, teen who read or watch a presentation about acne quickly learn the facts about this common skin condition, and the information sticks with them for a long time.

Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine had approximately 100 teens, ages 13 to 17, complete a questionnaire to assess their current knowledge of acne. Then the teens were randomly given a written handout or assigned to watch a computerized presentation about acne, its development, and treatment options. The researchers found that the teen's knowledge of acne immediately increased, and this information stayed with them when questioned again one month later.

Both the audiovisual presentation and the written handouts proved to be effective teaching tools. Researchers hope that by teaching teens more about their skin, they will be more likely to stick with their acne treatment regimens, which will ultimately give them better results.

So what does this mean to you? Learn all you can about acne and your skin. If you're a parent, make sure your teen has the facts about why and how acne develops, and how it's treated. The more teens know about acne, the better equipped they are to treat it.