info@tokyofamilies.com
Catherine Meunier is a family medicine physician and genetic counsellor who was trained in Montreal, Canada. Her areas of particular interest are pediatrics and women’s health. She is the mother of a 5 year old son and a 2 1/2 year old daughter and has been living in Tokyo for the last 9 months.
Q: “My adolescent has acne”
A: “Unfortunate, but it will pass!”
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder, often affecting adolescents between the ages of 11 and 20. The rapid rise of pubertal hormones causes an elevated level of oil in sebaceous glands of the skin, which when trapped, gets infected by a bacteria leading to inflammation. There are various degrees of manifestations ranging from closed pores (whiteheads), to open ones (blackheads), all the way to painful cysts. A careful history identifying aggravating factors (medications, cosmetics, stress, too much washing, “picking,” menstruation, etc) is useful. No single factor is responsible for acne and the severity and duration vary greatly from one person to the other. There are several treatment options and each must be tailored to the needs of the patient.
Acne should be considered a medical condition, warranting early consultation and care. Patient education is crucial, aiming at dissipating common myths and maintaining a positive body image. There is no validated scientific evidence that a poor diet causes acne. Poor hygiene also does not “cause” acne; however, washing gently with tepid water, twice a day does help to avoid unnecessary irritation. Stress, on the other hand, increases certain hormone levels, in turn, aggravating acne. Successful treatment decreases stress, thus positively impacting acne control.
Remember that any treatment must be followed and adjusted regularly and that it may take up to 8 weeks to see any improvements. Most importantly, acne can be improved and controlled in most patients, and early intervention may increase your child’s quality of life.