Gentle, Expert Skin Care for Babies, Children, and Teens
At Aglow Dermatology, we understand that children’s skin needs special attention. From newborn babies with sensitive skin to teenagers dealing with acne and changing hormones, every stage of childhood brings unique dermatologic concerns.
Dr. Dina Strachan provides warm, thoughtful care for children of all ages—from infancy through adolescence—with an approach that helps both children and parents feel comfortable, informed, and supported.
Children are not just small adults. Their skin is different, their conditions can look different, and treatment plans need to be tailored to their age, skin type, lifestyle, and family needs. Our goal is not only to treat skin conditions, but also to help children build healthy habits that protect their skin for life.
Whether your child has eczema, acne, warts, a rash, a mole that needs evaluation, or simply sensitive skin that needs guidance, we are here to help.
Why Pediatric Dermatology Matters
Healthy skin habits start early.
Many lifelong skin issues begin in childhood. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent discomfort, reduce scarring, improve confidence, and help children avoid long-term complications.
A significant amount of lifetime sun damage happens before age 18. Teaching children good skin care habits early—including sunscreen use, acne care, and healthy skin awareness—can reduce future risks of:
- Skin cancer
- Premature aging and sun damage
- Acne scarring
- Chronic eczema flares
- Pigment changes and skin irritation
- Poor skin care habits that become harder to change later
Helping children feel confident in their skin also supports emotional well-being, self-esteem, and healthy self-care routines.
Skin Concerns by Age
Newborns and Babies
Babies have delicate, sensitive skin that can be prone to irritation and inflammation.
Common concerns include:
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Dry skin
- Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis)
- Diaper rash
- Birthmarks
- Rashes and allergic reactions
- Heat rash
- Infant acne
- Sensitive skin reactions
New parents often worry about whether something is normal—and sometimes reassurance is just as important as treatment.
We help families understand what to watch, what to treat, and when to be concerned.
School-Age Children
As children grow, they become exposed to school environments, sports, swimming, and close contact with other children, which can increase certain skin conditions.
Common concerns include:
- Warts
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Ringworm and fungal infections
- Imppetigo and bacterial infections
- Rashes
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Poison ivy
- Eczema flares
- Moles and birthmark monitoring
- Nail infections and paronychia
Children may also develop skin irritation from soaps, fragrances, sports equipment, or hair products.
Hair Loss in Children and Teens
Hair loss is not just an adult concern—children and teenagers can experience hair thinning, shedding, or patchy hair loss too.
Because hair is closely tied to confidence and self-image, hair loss can be especially upsetting for both children and parents. The good news is that many causes of pediatric hair loss can be diagnosed and treated effectively when addressed early.
Common causes of hair loss in children include:
- Alopecia areata (sudden round patches of hair loss)
- Tight hairstyles causing traction alopecia
- Scalp inflammation from eczema or seborrheic dermatitis
- Fungal infections like ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis)
- Hair shedding after illness, stress, or major life changes
- Hormonal changes during adolescence
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hair breakage from styling practices or chemical treatments
- Underlying medical conditions affecting the scalp or hair growth cycle
Some children may also develop hair loss related to habits like hair pulling (trichotillomania), while others may have inherited patterns of hair thinning that begin surprisingly early.
Because not all hair loss is the same, proper diagnosis is essential. Treatment depends on understanding the cause—not simply trying random products.
Dr. Dina Strachan has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating hair loss in patients of all ages and all hair textures, including children and teens. Early evaluation can help prevent permanent hair loss and support healthy hair growth.
If your child has patchy hair loss, increased shedding, scalp itching, or thinning around the hairline, a dermatology evaluation is important.
Teens and Adolescents
Hormonal changes during puberty often create new skin concerns that can affect confidence and self-esteem.
Common concerns include:
- Acne and acne scarring
- Oily skin
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Dandruff
- Excess sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Body odor concerns
- Unwanted facial or body hair
- Ingrown hairs
- Razor bumps
- Dark marks after acne (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
- Hair thinning or shedding concerns
Early acne treatment is especially important because preventing scars is easier than treating them later.
Moles, Skin Checks, and Skin Cancer Prevention
Children get moles too.
Most moles are normal, but some should be monitored—especially if they are changing, growing quickly, unusually dark, irregular, or causing symptoms.
We also help families learn the ABCDEs of mole monitoring and when a skin check is appropriate.
Sun protection is one of the most important investments in your child’s long-term skin health.
Sunscreen for Children
Children should begin using sunscreen regularly by 6 months of age.
Babies younger than 6 months should generally be kept out of direct sun whenever possible using:
- Shade
- Protective clothing
- Hats
- Physical barriers like stroller covers
For older babies and children, sunscreen becomes an essential daily habit.
Regular sunscreen use helps reduce:
- Sunburns
- Skin cancer risk later in life
- Hyperpigmentation
- Premature aging
- Worsening of scars and acne marks
Helping children make sunscreen part of their normal routine creates habits that last a lifetime.
Pediatric Dermatology for Skin of Color
Skin conditions can look different in children with darker skin tones.
Rashes may appear darker, lighter, purple, gray, or as changes in pigmentation rather than obvious redness. Conditions like eczema, acne, and inflammation can also leave long-lasting pigment changes.
Dr. Strachan has extensive experience caring for children of all skin tones and understands how to diagnose and treat pediatric skin conditions safely and effectively in skin of color.
This matters—because early treatment helps prevent unnecessary scarring and discoloration.
Common Pediatric Dermatology Services
We commonly help children with:
- Eczema treatment
- Acne treatment
- Wart removal
- Molluscum treatment
- Rash diagnosis
- Mole checks
- Birthmark evaluation
- Seborrheic dermatitis treatment
- Hyperhidrosis treatment
- Excess hair concerns
- Nail infections
- Sensitive skin management
- Allergy-related skin problems
- Skin infections
- Fungal infections
Helping Kids Feel Comfortable at the Dermatologist
Children need a different approach.
We focus on making visits calm, reassuring, and age-appropriate so children feel safe—not scared.
We work closely with parents to create realistic treatment plans that fit everyday family life and help children succeed with their skin care routines.
Because the best treatment plan is the one your family can actually follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a rash is not improving, eczema keeps returning, acne is leaving marks, a mole is changing, or you are simply unsure whether something is normal, it is a good time to schedule a visit.
Early treatment often prevents bigger problems later.
Yes—very commonly.
Many babies develop eczema in infancy, especially if there is a family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema. Early treatment helps reduce itching, sleep disruption, and skin infections.
Yes.
Most moles are harmless, but regular monitoring is important—especially if a mole is changing in size, color, shape, or behavior.
Absolutely.
Treating acne early is often the best way to prevent permanent acne scars and pigment changes. Treatment plans are customized based on age, severity, and skin type.
Children should use sunscreen regularly by 6 months of age.
Babies younger than 6 months should be protected mainly with shade, clothing, and avoiding direct sun exposure.
Very much so.
Acne, eczema, visible rashes, sweating concerns, and unwanted hair can significantly affect self-esteem—especially during adolescence.
Treating these concerns is not just cosmetic—it can meaningfully improve quality of life.
Schedule a Pediatric Dermatology Visit
Your child deserves expert skin care—and you deserve answers you can trust.
Whether you are worried about a newborn rash, persistent eczema, a wart that won’t go away, or acne that is starting to scar, we are here to help.
Dr. Dina Strachan and the team at Aglow Dermatology provide thoughtful, experienced pediatric dermatology care for children of all ages in New York City.
Let us help your child feel comfortable, confident, and healthy in their skin—for today and for the future.