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.

Remind your child that acne is temporary.

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.

Bring your teen to a good 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.

When people tease someone, their self esteem and confidence naturally plummets. This can have a devastating effect on your teen. Make sure you're around to boost their spirits again. Praise them generously, but make sure your comments are sincere and not mere flattery. Above all, tell your adolescent how talented and special he or she is, in order to raise morale.

Society is very judgemental and negative towards people with acne problems, so be sure to provide your teen with positive reinforcement. Reinforce the fact that it is just a temporary condition, and be sure to support your child.