11year old boy acne... help!!

[bitofabelly]

Ok so I have attached a pic of his forehead....and his chin is faaar worse...he is going through puberty, hair down below etc... I just don't know how to manage his skin...he washes it most evenings, has used different things like sudocreme, acnecide, bioderma facial wash....they are getting worse and he is practically the only one in his class going through this. I don't want him to suffer years of bad skin, does anyone have recommendations that would work. Thanks so much

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

Have you been to the GP in case he can get something strong?
Dh went through it really bad he got some serious stuff from GP and was cleared in weeks

[bitofabelly]

I'm conscious that he is only 11, so didn't want to go down that road too early. He has cut out drinking milk and drinks water now, used to be a bit of a milk junkie. The acnecide has 5% something in it but seems to make his skin worse!

[ktmummy1]

When I started with this on my forehead ar a similar age, I used oxy duo pads -I'm not sure whether they still do them but it was an alcohol basses solution on a cotton pad. I used them religiously morning and night for my early teen years and my skin cleared within weeks. I continued to use them even after the spots dried up. For me, the spots were caused by oily skin I think.

[ethelb]

I had acne from 11 and wish my parents had invested in a dermatologist or really pushed the GP from the start. It was grim. If it had been treated as a medical issue rather than some kind of failing (dietary or otherwise) by people around me, it might have been a bit easier.
Dermatological treatment requires some persistence and you shouldn't be chopping and changing so much. Dairy restriction should be considered a last resort in an 11 year old growing boy!
But if you want some actual practical advice then my derm says you need a cleanse, tone and moisturise regime and long term antibiotics to have the best impact. And if he starts to get cystic acne please send him to a derm or someone with appropriate expertise to deal with it before damage becomes permanent.

[bitofabelly]

Thank you everyone for your replies, that's my feeling too that people question diet etc. He is really healthy...already 5ft 4, and does have milk on cereal etc, just trying to encourage him to drink more water as he does quite a bit of sport.... and wasn't drinking anything rather than drinking warmish milk. He's great for water now. It's hard going as sometimes he is great for the face cleaning... other times..like a typical 11 year old he says...later mom.., and then it doesn't happen. Good advice about chopping and changing and I will definitely re-visit gp and dermatologist if things don't improve.

[Liara]

Do try giving him zinc and omega oil supplements, though. They can really really help with acne and hormonal stuff.

[Lancelottie]

DS and DD both swear that cod liver oil has done more for them than anything else they've tried.

Possibly they're just growing out of the acne anyway, but I'm not about to object to a couple of teenagers scoffing multivit-with-fish-oil capsules (though I did have a quick check on PubMed for safety records).

[ktmummy1]

Honestly try oxy duo pads , they are quick and simple to use - and really cleared mine when I was about 13- they looked exactly like your sons

[Wolpertinger]

Honestly don't hold off on GP - this is bad acne and you won't solve it with over the counter stuff and he will be miserable. Just go. Sudocrem and Bioderma are not acne treatments anyway - he needs a prescription!

[bitofabelly]

Do you mean an antibiotic prescription? I'm a bit clueless as I didn't have bad acne, but have his every interest at heart...so any advice is most welcome

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

OP texting Dh to find out, he was teenager when he got his meds for this.. Will let you know

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

Ok he took rocutanne which is high strength form of vitamin A but he was about 15 so GP must be sure before prescribing .good luck X

[Wolpertinger]

He would need to have a real life assessment - options for acne treatment have changed significantly since we were kids however DH had antibiotics for his and his brother had Roaccutane.

Meanwhile I put up with mine and got bullied because my mum thought you didn't go to your GP for stuff like that - now age 40 it's never gone away and I'm on prescription treatment - Retin A and it's gone for the first time ever. You can't stop this with how well or not he washes his face or what he eats, yes there are a few effective topical treatments but they are few and far between and you will end up spending a fortune when the NHS would have happily helped you better.

Go now before it gets worse, before he gets depressed and even worse before he gets permanent scarring - DH has permanent scars which is why his younger brother got taken to GP sooner and got better treatment.

[Burtrix7]

As someone who had bad acne from that age I urge you to take him to the doctors if nothing else works. I waited until I was 17 and the doctor basically told me I should have come earlier in order to avoid scars. Great to hear at 17! Mine cleared up with a dab on cleanser prescribed by the doctor within weeks. My school years would have been easier if I was pushed to go earlier.

[ells1e]

Try using Sudocrem! This is very sensitive and will dry out the spots and reduce his acne immensely- if you carrry on using it. You can use it as an exfoliater, a moisturiser and a cleanser. You can find more information on the Sudocrem website. www.sudocrem.co.uk/care-skin-cream?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3Ofgv5fr1QIVa7XtCh0gnQNnEAAYASAAEgK_9PD_BwE

[sausagepastapot]

Deffo go into Lush, Angels on Bareskin is amazing as is Fresh Farmacy, Tea Tree toner and the face masks. They'll give you samples of everything, really amazing stuff.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

See the doctor,my friend's daughter had similar and was given a medicated wash.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Sudocrem is what all the teens I know use

[Tralalalalz]

See the doctor. My son uses a combination of antibiotic called lymecycline and a cream called epi- duo and it has cleared his skin up almost completely.

[Eendjes7638]

Baby acne is nothing to worry about. You can read more about it on accutaneforacne.com/acne/baby-acne/. If it still bothers you, just go to a dermatologist.

[RobertGrey1961]

I will help you with some tips.

1. After washing skin rinse with any of the following herb infusions:

a) chamomile which is purifying
b) yarrow to eliminate toxins
c) catnip which is an antiseptic
d) lavender which is antiseptic
e) thyme which is a strong germ killer

1. Turmeric paste mixed with chana dal powder or whole wheat flour is very effective homemade acne masks. Haldi powder mixed with sugarcane juice helps to remove pimples.

1. Put egg whites all over your face (like a mask)..egg whites are driers and will remove all the impurities from your face. Leave it on until every spot is dry (depends on the type of skin you have) it works so well. use for 2-3 days or continue use. It works wonders for curing Acne!!

Find even more tips on pharmacyrxs.com. Good luck!

[JannekeSm]

Accutane has been shown to target a variety of important factors that contribute to acne. It shrinks the oil (sebaceous glands), helps prevent clogged pores, inhibits the growth of certain bacteria on the surface of the skin, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Like all medications, Accutane carries some risks and possible side effects. However, some of the potential adverse effects of Accutane are severe, so it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider and understand all the pros and cons before you take the medication. You can find more information on onlineapotheek.io/roaccutane-kopen-30-x-20-mg/

[BigusBumus]

My son was exactly the same at 11 and is now 14. I had terrible acne as a child and was on an antibiotic called Minocin for about 3 years.

I was just about to go down the same tetracycline route with DS when we tried this new soap i'd seen advertised on Facebook called Carbon Therapy. I bought some and he uses it every day in the shower and its made a massive difference! He has far fewer "new spots" and the red mark where an old spot was fades much quicker. You can buy it online or in the chemist. Takes a couple of weeks to work, but its far gentler on the skin than some of the other OTC things.

carbontheory.com/

Also, my doctors criteria for getting things on prescription is that the acne must be bad enough to be elsewhere (ie the back) and not just on the face. Don't know if this is universal.

[barefootcook]

Bigus- just wondering if once a day with the soap is enough? DS12 would remember to use it once in the shower because I would remind him but am not sure about twice. Am hoping it works as am not keen on harsh products just yet.

[TwilightSkies]

Ok I would try and work on his diet, rather than rubbing harsh chemicals on his face.
2L a water a day, no milk (it’s absolutely terrible for skin), plenty of veg and fruit, cut down on sugar and high starch carbs if he eats a lot of them. Good quality protein.