Teen acne along hairline--is there anything I am missing?

[cintinative]

My boys (almost 13 and 15) both have a fair amount of acne along their hair line.

So far what they are doing (although possibly imperfectly?) is this:

• Clean face nightly with a soap-free gentle cleanser (Purpose)
• Clean face nightly with an acne skin toner 
• Use acne cream (with benzoyl peroxide) 
• Use a dandruff shampoo with salicylic acid at least once a week. 

 

My one son really only has acne on the hairline. The other has it on his chin and back as well.  

I really can't think of anything else to suggest except maybe to 1) shower more often (they only shower every other day), 2) use the shampoo more often or 3) wash their face more often (I suspect they don't wash their faces in the morning)

They both tend to touch their foreheads a lot during school--just unconsciously. So I suspect that is not helping. 

We did cut their hair recently--it was super long because of lack of access to hair cuts. I hoped that would also help.

Does anyone have suggestions for back acne, like a body wash? 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

[bolt.]

It might be a shampoo allergy. Ask them if their backs itch after showers.

It's probably just a 'boundary issue' -- they avoid getting face wash in their hair, so they leave a margin around the hair line. They avoid getting shampoo in their face, so they leave a margin around the hair line. Therefore the hairline probably gets very little of either product. I'd say, encourage them to get the edge of their hair wet when they wash their faces, so that the skin under that hair gets washed. (It will be easy to tell because the hair will be damp.)

[cintinative]

20 minutes ago, Thatboyofmine said:

Shower everyday using dandruff shampoo like head n shoulders.    

Is it  not important if it has salicylic (sp?) acid?  I don't think head n shoulders does. They currently use T-Sal, but not every day. 

[cintinative]

21 minutes ago, bolt. said:

It might be a shampoo allergy. Ask them if their backs itch after showers.

 

My youngest is the only one with bumps on his back (he is also further along in puberty, or seems to be??)  Anyway, he hasn't mentioned it itching, but that is a good thought. We do have allergies here. I didn't notice a change when we switched shampoos but I will ask to be sure.

I had back acne as a teen so he might just be following my genetics. 

[klmama]

I would suggest using a benzoyl peroxide foaming wash in the shower every day for face, scalp at hairline, and back.  You can get it in 4% or 10% from various companies.  It will bleach towels or clothing if not rinsed well ( it turns many colors reddish-orange), so you may want them to use it in the shower.  

 

[Ellie]

Sometimes it's diet that causes acne, and usually dairy products are the culprit.

[catz]

40 minutes ago, klmama said:

I would suggest using a benzoyl peroxide foaming wash in the shower every day for face, scalp at hairline, and back.  You can get it in 4% or 10% from various companies.  It will bleach towels or clothing if not rinsed well ( it turns many colors reddish-orange), so you may want them to use it in the shower.  

 

Switching to a 10% bp wash used in the shower made a big difference in both my kids.  My oldest has grown out of most acne ssues, but I can tell when my 15 year old skips it.  

[Kebo]

I have heard that changing the sheets and pillowcases daily is helpful.  That's a lot of laundry, but maybe change out pillowcases daily and wash sheets frequently.   

[gardenmom5]

how often do they wash their hair?  and do they use something that will really clean the oil?  (suave clarifying, or similar, is good for that.).

with backne - check their diet.  I'd also put acne ointment on dudeling's back and when I do, it helps clear it up.

 

[cintinative]

30 minutes ago, gardenmom5 said:

how often do they wash their hair?  and do they use something that will really clean the oil?  (suave clarifying, or similar, is good for that.).

with backne - check their diet.  I'd also put acne ointment on dudeling's back and when I do, it helps clear it up.

 

 

They are both using Suave Clarifying. It was one of the first things I changed when I noticed the acne starting. But they only wash their hair every other day. That might be an issue. My oldest has curly hair though and I've noticed it is really dry laterly (he never remembers conditioner). So I am hesitant to tell him to wash it more often. 

[gardenmom5]

1 hour ago, cintinative said:

 

They are both using Suave Clarifying. It was one of the first things I changed when I noticed the acne starting. But they only wash their hair every other day. That might be an issue. My oldest has curly hair though and I've noticed it is really dry laterly (he never remembers conditioner). So I am hesitant to tell him to wash it more often. 

you might want to talk to them about "how" they are washing their hair.  do they get to the scalp?  or focus on their hair?

eta: if things are too drying, the body will compensate by producing more oil.

Edited May 14, 2020 by gardenmom5

[cintinative]

42 minutes ago, gardenmom5 said:

you might want to talk to them about "how" they are washing their hair.  do they get to the scalp?  or focus on their hair?

eta: if things are too drying, the body will compensate by producing more oil.

 

Good question. Sometimes i think they just put it on and rinse it off. LOL

[fairfarmhand]

I had great success with my dd by having her change her pillowcase each night and showering/washing hair daily.