Updated June 08, 2015.
Acne is a big problem that affects millions of teens. And although plenty of effective treatments are available to treat acne today, many kids go without treatment. By reviewing these common questions and myths about acne, you can make sure your child's acne gets the proper attention.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene or eating too much chocolate, or by any of the other myths that people believe.

Instead, acne is typically caused by the rise in hormones during puberty, especially androgens, and their effect on oil glands in the skin.

What Are Some Common Acne Treatments?

In addition to the many over-the-counter topical products with benzoyl peroxide, commonly used prescription acne treatments, some of which are used together, include:

• Acanya gel - a new combination of Clindamycin Phospate 1.2% and Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
• Azelex (Azelaic Acid Cream)
• Benzaclin
• Benzamycin
• Brevoxyl Creamy Wash
• CLENZIderm M.D. gel - a solubilized form of 5% benzoyl peroxide
• Cleocin
• Doryx - (delayed release doxyxyline) - a once a day form of doxycycline
• Doxycycline (Monodox)
• Duac
• Differin (Adapalene Gel or Cream)
• Epiduo gel - a combination of Differin (Adapalene) and Benzoyl Peroxide
• Minocyclin (Minocin)
• Monodox (Doxycycline)
• Retin A (Tretinoin)
• Retin A Micro
• Solodyn - extended release minocycline
• Tazorac (Tazarotene Cream)

And Accutane (Isotretinoin) is still used for the most severe forms of acne that can't be cleared up with other acne treatments, although because of possible severe side effects, it is only used under close supervision.

Who Can Treat Your Child's Acne?

Especially if your child only has mild or moderate acne, your pediatrician should be able to treat your child's acne.

If your child doesn't improve after several months of treatment, especially after a step up in acne treatments, then a Dermatologist can be helpful.
Many parents seem to overlook their child's acne problem though and don't bring it to their pediatrician's attention, either because they think they can treat it effectively on their own or they don't think it is important enough to go to the doctor for. So be sure to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to discuss your child's acne and see what treatment options are available.

Common Acne Myths

In addition to the myth that eating chocolate causes acne, other common myths about acne include that:

• acne is an unimportant problem. Teens with acne can actually have problems with self-esteem and can have anxiety and depression, so acne is actually an important problem that should be treated when necessary.
• a sun tan will improve your acne. In reality, a tan can actually damage your pores and make your child's acne worse in the long run. A tan may dry your child's skin, especially if it is oily, and make it seem better in the short term, but it will eventually get worse again. Keep in mind that most acne medicines make you extra sensitive to sun burns too.
• you can make your acne go away by using extra acne medicine or washing your face more. Both of these things will typically just irritate your child's skin and make her break out more. It is important to wash your face twice a day with a mild soap and encourage your child to use his medicine only as prescribed.
• acne medicines should work right away. It can usually take several weeks or months to see the full effect of an acne medicine. In fact, your child's acne may get a little worse before it gets better when you start a new acne medicine.
• acne will go away, so you don't need to worry about treating it. Although acne is often thought of as a teen problem, many people don't outgrow their acne as teenagers and it continues to affect them as adults if it is not treated properly.

<sub>Sources:

Del Rosso J.Q. Optimizing Use of Oral Antibiotics in Acne Vulgaris. Dermatologic Clinics - Volume 27, Issue 1 (January 2009).

McNamara, Damian. Acne Toolbox is so full 'The Top Won't Close.' Pediatric News. April 2009.</sub>