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Original poster

Doctor for Acne

142 replies

Elliejane · 06/08/2024 11:55

Hi
Just wondering about taking my son to see doctor for acne . He is 17 and it’s getting worse . We have tried pretty much everything you can buy yourself . It’s mostly on his cheeks and has horrible white heads also and red inflamed .

Have tried tea tree, Cerave wash (initially helped) ,dots for spots ,salicylic acid various brands , freedmen gel , usual acne products like clearsil etc .

I know nhs is busy but just not sure what else to try . I tried pharmacy and got a cream but told not to use in sunny days so was bit worried over that
any ideas ?

Could maybe book a private dermatologist also ?

He keeps his skin clean and never had issues until last few years but it getting worse .

Ellie

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
UmberMoose · 24/06/2026 13:26

Elliejane · 03/05/2026 09:27

Hi

Its a while since I posted so wanted to update. Things got a lot better around August to October last year with skin I would say totally clear. That was just with antibiotics. Then around November to December spots back . Saw a different gp in Feb who kept him on antibiotics and started differin. He has now been on 10-12 weeks ish and skin is not great. Still getting acne break out on cheeks and jaw line and skin is very dry now with scaly patches under and on chin .

His skin looks red at times like mild sunburn.

I just don’t know what to do next its not severe acne and no scarring

We do not want to do accutane so please dont suggest that . We have our reasons .

Should we ask for referral to dermatologist now? Last time I mentioned they said it was not bad enough to refer. I could afford to go private .

He is 18 and starts his first year uni exams tomorrow so that probably not helping

I bought a led mask for £300 and he has used that a few times but I not sure if that good idea or not.

I know its only spots in scheme of things but hard

Ellie

Thanks for the update

Spondoolies · 18/06/2026 12:47

Definitely get a referral, I am a big advocate of Accutane, but I understand that you want to avoid it. The best thing apart from that is using tretinoin and hydroquinone cream, you can get this prescribed from the doctor or go online to Skin and Me or Dermatica to fill in a questionnaire and send photos. I am currently using this alongside the antibiotics my GP has prescribed.

lidlbitupset · 18/06/2026 12:36

Hi @Elliejane I would definitely get a private dermatologist appointment. By the way, we tried an LED mask and I'm not sure at all, as it is a condition that fluctuates, but I felt it made things worse.

Original poster
Elliejane · 03/05/2026 09:27

Hi

Its a while since I posted so wanted to update. Things got a lot better around August to October last year with skin I would say totally clear. That was just with antibiotics. Then around November to December spots back . Saw a different gp in Feb who kept him on antibiotics and started differin. He has now been on 10-12 weeks ish and skin is not great. Still getting acne break out on cheeks and jaw line and skin is very dry now with scaly patches under and on chin .

His skin looks red at times like mild sunburn.

I just don’t know what to do next its not severe acne and no scarring

We do not want to do accutane so please dont suggest that . We have our reasons .

Should we ask for referral to dermatologist now? Last time I mentioned they said it was not bad enough to refer. I could afford to go private .

He is 18 and starts his first year uni exams tomorrow so that probably not helping

I bought a led mask for £300 and he has used that a few times but I not sure if that good idea or not.

I know its only spots in scheme of things but hard

Ellie

OP posts:
UmberMoose · 15/10/2025 15:00

Best is to visit a doctor first and I will still share my routine for my acne if that helps:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf
Evening:
Merit or LRP moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel

Marmaladelover · 01/08/2025 08:05

When DH changed to dry shaving , years ago , that stopped the acne he was enduring .

lidlbitupset · 31/07/2025 19:37

Hi @Elliejane

we use Shave Secret shaving oil, because from my extensive googling this is the most gentle on the face.

Spots on the jawline are known to be related to stress, so I don't know if there's any particular thing he might be stressed about right now.

We have just finished Roaccutane after a loong six months (got a lot worse before better) and his skin is so clear and smooth it makes me so happy to look at him. We had some side effects but fortunately no low mood or anything like that. He was on a low dose for his weight and in fact doctors now are prescribing very low doses for longer periods, to minimize side effects.

But I do appreciate it's not for everyone.

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 31/07/2025 19:28

It may be a reaction to whatever he is using to shave if they are only appearing after shaving. Razor burn can include white heads and inflammation

Is he

  • cleansing his face with a gentle exfoliator and warm water before shaving?
  • Is he using a good sharp razor? (My DH likes Harry’s)
  • Does he change his razor weekly?
  • Is he using a shaving cream or gel that is both alcohol and fragrance free? (My DH uses Bulldog)
  • Does he pat dry with a clean towel instead of rub?
Spondoolies · 31/07/2025 16:34

Definitely try the Duac again but if he is still getting outbreaks by your next appointment I think you should consider going down the roaccutane route, it’s a good time to be on it going into autumn/winter as you don’t need to worry about the sun exposure as much and it can also cause you to sweat more so best in colder months. It’s really hard to get rid of hormonal acne but roaccutane is amazing.

I also recommend the hydrocolloid spot patches you can get on Amazon or chemists, they shrink and heal spots really fast. I sometimes use a bit of Duac (let it dry) with a spot patch over night if I have the odd spot to get rid of.

Original poster
Elliejane · 31/07/2025 13:29

Thanks its worth a try

OP posts:
ladyofshertonabbas · 31/07/2025 12:30

Sorry if interfering but I had a male friend growing up who suffered terribly with acne, more like boils it was so bad. It turned out to be a dairy allergy, worth a go?

Original poster
Elliejane · 31/07/2025 12:21

Update on my son acne as he been an antibiotics now for 4 months. So initially was not much improvement but in last month the ones on his cheeks and forehead are pretty much all gone and no new cystic spots at all. He stopped duac when we were away in italy as worried about sun sensitivity and ruining towels and bedding in hotels. That seemed to make it better. Had follow up gp appt last week and she really happy with progress so said another 1-2 mths . So that is good news and no scarring (maybe one tiny one) .

However in last 2-3 days he has 2 new cystic spots appear with a white head on cheek but also a lot of spots on jaw line . These appeared as small spots when he started antibiotics but they have flared up last few days . Seem to get much worse after shaving.

We really thought we had cracked it but he is disappointed to get more back again. Should we try duac again on ones on jaw line? Next appt is a month time

OP posts:
lidlbitupset · 26/05/2025 14:31

That sounds so painful @Elliejane , I think it's cheilitis, DS has suffered from it too, we pack hydrocortisone cream into the sort bit, with his mouth open as wide as possible (painful but necessary) then put vaseline on the top overnight.

Original poster
Elliejane · 21/05/2025 21:41

@lidlbitupset glad to hear its finally working for you

OP posts:
Original poster
Elliejane · 21/05/2025 21:41

Mixed . Sometimes I think its def improving but then next day it changes. He has review 1st week in June.

One thing that he has got is cracked corners of lips with crusty bits . He had tonsillitis earlier in year and it came after that . Saw advanced nurse practitioner who did not give him anything. So went to pharmacy who gave a fungal and steriod cream which cleared it up fine . However its back now and cream not helping this time so going to see gp next week, i wondering if sude effect from antibiotics. Reason I wonder is I had tooth infection in april and needed 3 different antibiotics and got same at side if my lips which went away after stopped

OP posts:
lidlbitupset · 20/05/2025 12:40

Hi @Elliejane how is your DS doing? We are in month 5 of roaccutane and things are finally starting to happen - no new spots at all, just a bit of redness and inflammation. I hope he's doing well, what a difficult time this is for them 🙄

lidlbitupset · 07/05/2025 07:44

Elliejane · 06/05/2025 17:10

Forgot to ask could the new spots be from antibiotics as that is new? Was not expecting it to get new symptoms?? Aargh

Lymecycline can cause purging of underlying spots. I hope he starts feeling the benefits soon

lidlbitupset · 07/05/2025 07:38

My GP said if it looks like it is scarring then they can skip other treatments and make a referral to dermatology for roaccutane - that's what she wrote on our referral. We're in Brighton and at least here the NHS wait list was only a matter of weeks (although we paid for a private appointment at a skin clinic).

Even though we saw a consultant early on, it does look like DS will be left with some scarring/texture although hopefully not too bad (plus there are lots of treatments available).

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 07/05/2025 07:20

Hankunamatata · 12/04/2025 14:09

Dianette worked wonders for my skin (combined pill) plus a topical antibiotic like dalacin t or zineryt

Show quote history

Yeah I went on Dianette for a while, and it did help, unfortunately it was discontinued and so I was taken off it.

Original poster
Elliejane · 06/05/2025 21:29

Yes he has exams next week . Just wish it would go away . Would rather I had it but my skin is blemish free. His older brother only got a few random spots in his mid teens. Guess just have to see what gp says early June. I might pay to go private next.

OP posts:
GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 06/05/2025 19:03

Having acne can be really depressing and can really affect self confidence. Definitely book him into see a GP.

There’s a few common antibiotics they will probably want try first, I had to go through Lymecycline (turns out I’m allergic), Oxytetracycline, Tertracycline and Erythromycin before they finally referred me to dermatology where I was put on Roaccutane which was a total game changer. It required monthly blood tests when taking but the results lasted years.

I’ve had a couple of stages where I’d noticed my skin getting a bit spotty again and because I went in early before it got too bad the tetracycline antibiotics worked the next couple of times around.

I’d get the ball rolling sooner rather than later though, it can take a while of trying different things and them not working to get a dermatology referral and dermatology currently has a 12 month wait list. Even if you pay to go private a dermatologist won’t allow you to go onto Roaccutane without having tried at least one of the above first.

lidlbitupset · 06/05/2025 18:38

Hi @Elliejane , sorry to hear you're still going through it. Does he have exams at the moment? Apparently jawline is where you get stress spots. My DS has just had exams and it definitely made it worse.

We are now on week 15 of Roaccutane and seeing some pretty solid improvements, although it hasn't been the magic bullet we hoped for. I guess it's going to take time.

Glad he's not letting it get him down - I think we carry their problems for them 😙

Original poster
Elliejane · 06/05/2025 17:10

Forgot to ask could the new spots be from antibiotics as that is new? Was not expecting it to get new symptoms?? Aargh

OP posts:
Original poster
Elliejane · 06/05/2025 17:09

Update on my son at end of week 4 lymecycline. Cannot say we have noticed much improvement maybe slightly less red on cheeks.

He never used to have any spots on his jaw line neck but in last 2 weeks little pimples coming out there too. Some have small white head others just red. Small but just something else now

Phoned surgery today and want to do 4 more weeks on lymecycline to beginning of june then review again

So frustrating everything takes so long. Just waa so hopeful for this treatment to work .

On positive side he seems ok with it and has a girlfriend now for last 6 weeks too.

His skin was just lovely 2years ago and gradually got worse.

How are anyone else doing?

Ellie

OP posts:
nolongersurprised · 12/04/2025 22:24

lidlbitupset · 11/04/2025 12:29

How are things @Elliejane ? I have been following this thread as DS developed bad acne last year and we've been down the lymecycline plus cream (all my towels and pillowcases ruined to prove it!) which worked for a while but the third course had no effect and then things started to get really bad with it spreading all across his cheeks. We are now 11 weeks into roaccutane and desperately waiting for things to improve. DS has been very stoical and was straight up with the doctor when he asked about mental health and side effects. I would put those spots on my face if I could to save DS from this.

Just commenting re: We are now 11 weeks into roaccutane and desperately waiting for things to improve

My second daughter had beautiful skin until aged 14 years and then - suddenly it seemed - developed acne. She did try topicals and antibiotics which seemed to work, until they didn’t.

She started roaccutane in May 3 years ago and nothing seemed to change until September, when suddenly all the lesions disappeared and never came back.

3 years on her skin is great, you’d never have known she had acne at all.

She was very moody so I was cautious but she was happier when her skin cleared. The poor thing was hiding behind her hair a lot. Her lips got very dry, we had chapstick’s everywhere.