Is it possible to prevent acne? Can I treat my teen's acne without seeing a dermatologist?

Prevention of acne really doesn't exist. Good facial hygiene is important, but as this is in part hormonally mediated, hygiene is only a small part of the issue.

In concert with your pediatrician, there are effective prescription medications that include more rapid turnover (peeling) of the outer layers of the skin, as well as topical/oral antibiotics that may be helpful in treating the bacterium linked to infection within skin glands that are part of the acneiform process.