Chances are you know a person who suffers from acne. Dermatologists, pharmacists, skin care experts and even television infomercials offer a wide variety of ointments and creams to treat the red marks from acne, but there is no simple cure for the emotional side effect created by this nefarious skin condition.

Studies show that acne is quite common during adolescence. Despite its prevalence, however, the social stigma associated with acne can be stressful for many teens and can produce feelings of depression, shame, and self pity. As a parent of a teenager with acne, you can have more of an impact in fighting these feelings than you may think. There are several things you can do.

Reaffirm that acne is not long term to your child.

As a guardian, you need to be there and give encouragement to your child. Explain that it will not last forever and stress the importance of moving on despite any negative reactions from others who surely have problems of their own they are dealing with.

Take your adolescent to a competent dermatologist.

Do not wait for your teen's acne problem to get worse before you go and see a dermatologist. The earlier the better. Do your homework to find a dermatologist who deserves your trust. Accompany your teen to their visits to the dermatologist. Also, help your teen follow the reminders and instructions of the dermatologist.

Lead your child to making the correct decisions.

There are some things or acts that may worsen acne. See to it that you are available to remind your teen to refrain from those actions which would only worsen the situation, such as trying to "pop" any pimples which could leave scarring. Explain the cause and effect of acne problems and be sure to answer questions that your teen has.

Boost your teen's self-confidence.

Self-confidence plunges when teasing arises. The effect to your teen would be negative so be there to boost their self-esteem. Be generous with praises, but do not use them just to flatter. Tell your teen about how wonderful his or her talents are. This would be a lift to his/her morale.

You are a parent, and you could help your teen feel better as they make their way through the difficult phase of acne. This is just a stage; it will surely come to an end. Be there and support your child.