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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:
Resilience · 20/03/2025 10:56

DD had cystic acne. It was a battle to get to see a dermatologist. GP insisted we try various lotions and potions first (even though we’d exhausted this already and she reacted badly to every single one), then tried doxycycline. Didn’t work. Finally got an agreement for a dermatologist appointment, who took one look at her and instantly said she’d probably need roaccutane. Got her on this and it worked a treat. She was lucky in that she didn’t really have side effects (eg really dry lips that crack easily).

If you can afford it though, I’d recommend going private - I believe the NHS waiting list is very long at the moment.

Glitterbiscuits · 20/03/2025 10:51

I really think you should go for antibiotics or roaccutane ASAP. This will save home from getting scars.

Original poster
Elliejane · 17/03/2025 16:58

Thank you . I do try to get him to eat less sugar but its a battle.

OP posts:
U53rName · 17/03/2025 15:41

Sorry, but he needs to start by cutting out the sugar. Not what he’ll want to hear!

U53rName · 17/03/2025 15:39

Sorry to hear this, OP. I took my son to a dietician to sort the problem from the inside out. It took about 3 months, and he has a completely different face! The basic gist was cutting out UPFs, sugar, wheat, and dairy (although we let this one slide more). We have a lot more potatoes and rice now as a family, where we used to eat more pasta. He lets the diet slip completely on holidays, etc, and like clockwork has a breakout about 14 days later. It’s not easy, but he sees the benefit and tries to stick to the diet most of the time because he sees real results and sees the real impact after a holiday.

Original poster
Elliejane · 17/03/2025 15:15

So update . Its now been 8 weeks on duac with no major improvement. Maybe less pus spots and new spots probably don’t last as long in general but still breaking out and existing older spots still remain on cheeks.

He has gp on 1 April for follow up and I assume next step is oral antibiotics or will they try a new cream?

Routine is face wash with cetaphil and then duac at night . I notice it looks worse after shaving always.

Disappointed that things are not improving in fact since benzol peroxide last year its probably worse . His back starting to get more spots too now before was only 2-4 ish but now 10 or more.
He not using any cream on his back.

Feel for him as none of his friends seem to have acne at all. And his skin used to be lovely no issues .

He does have a really sweet tooth and i do wonder if that making it worse

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 14/01/2025 09:30

DUAC worked really well for ds for around a year, but they need to be consistent in use. It took 8-9 weeks of consistent use to clear up his spots at the time. Best time is when they are most likely to do it and remember every day. For ds that was evenings before bed when brushing teeth. Mornings would have been too much of a rush for him.

If you are getting a moisturiser make sure to get one that is suitable for acne prone skin and doesn't clog pores. ds had one but only needed to use it occasionally with DUAC.

Spondoolies · 14/01/2025 09:26

Elliejane · 14/01/2025 08:36

Update just had gp appointment so got duac cream now to try for 3 months . Says to only use once a day at night

What would you use in morning then ?

So hoping this helps

Moisturiser in the day and ideally a good spf, I quite like the Cetaphil Daily Defence moisturiser which my dermatologist recommended. Duac can be quite drying and it might be very itchy for the first uses but it is worth sticking with. He could even start off slow by using it every couple of days building up to daily. It can stain bedding and clothing so use an old pillowcase etc.

Cloudysky81 · 14/01/2025 08:40

If you can afford it, pay for a private dermatologist.

Poor skin affects teenagers confidence and challenging teenager years can have lifelong effects. Acne scarring is also very difficult is not impossible to treat so anything that can avoid that would be ideal.

Original poster
Elliejane · 14/01/2025 08:36

Update just had gp appointment so got duac cream now to try for 3 months . Says to only use once a day at night

What would you use in morning then ?

So hoping this helps

OP posts:
Newmeagain · 01/01/2025 03:40

Elliejane · 30/12/2024 15:04

thanks everyone . Roaccutane would be the last resort after we tried all other available options . He has not even has a doctor prescription yet . I don’t want to jump ahead when other things might help . Plus we have family history of mental health issues so very wary .

Managed to get gp now for 7 Jan with same gp that said it was mild and to try benzoyl for 3 mths.

He does have a very sweet tooth so I know there is no evidence of sugar but it won’t do him any harm to eat less for a while also

Don’t delay getting proper treatment because the scarring is irreversible.

Newmeagain · 01/01/2025 03:36

Glitterbiscuits · 06/08/2024 12:08

Roaccutane is probably the next step for severe acne. It's only available from a dermatologist. If you have the funds then skip the GP and go privately.
GP might try him on Lymescycline antibiotics for a few months before dermatology
But to save scarring I'd get things sorted ASAP

That’s what I would do. Acne is a medical condition and should not go untreated. For most people no amount of “cutting out diary” etc or expensive lotions will help. You need specialist medical help.

Original poster
Elliejane · 01/01/2025 03:30

Felt sorry for my son tonight at new year party and all his friends beautiful skin not a blemish .

OP posts:
Lockupyourbiscuits · 31/12/2024 13:51

Use the benzyl at night ( helps prevent resistance to antibiotics

get antibiotics from GP
review 2/3 months - there won’t be an improvement before this
alcohol can also be a trigger if he is drinking
remember those lesions have been building for weeks

also - no picking and reduce touching face

a basic cetaphil face wash and moisturiser is fine

if that doesn’t sort it then onto next step

Original poster
Elliejane · 31/12/2024 13:44

What do you think this is where it’s worst on cheeks.

OP posts:
TwilightSkies · 31/12/2024 13:41

It’s a well known fact that sugar causes inflammation and blood sugar spikes.
By all means get him the medication, but personally I’d prefer diet tweaks before potentially causing issues for him with side effects of meds.

Original poster
Elliejane · 31/12/2024 13:37

I tend to agree that reducing his sweets abd chocolate won’t do any harm but time will tell of it help his acne . It has got much worse over Xmas when more sweet food has been consumed but that of course might just be a coincidence .

OP posts:
NeedToChangeName · 31/12/2024 10:49

I know two people who had great results with rouaccutane. I would urge you to kep an open mind

paisley256 · 31/12/2024 10:08

My son suffered with acne he's 19 now and it's only improved with Obagi Clenziderm treatment he gets through dermatologist. I didn't want to try the stronger stuff as his mental health isn't great to start with.

I would definitely try and see a dermatologist if you can. My son pays for it himself and now he's found something that works it's not that expensive as he gets it through Get Harley which a pp referred to. Best of luck.

Annabella92 · 31/12/2024 09:59

TwilightSkies · 31/12/2024 09:47

It’s a myth that diet (sugar, dairy, carbs, etc) causes acne. The only way it can is if you eat something greasy and leave it smeared on your face clogging the pores.

So you don’t think gut health affects skin?

Gut health is very complex, there is no consensus at this stage.

Annabella92 · 31/12/2024 09:57

Izzynohopanda · 06/08/2024 12:11

Go see lots of kids with acne, so a go spot is fine.

Pardon? 🤔

northernballer · 31/12/2024 09:52

I know there is no medical evidence that sugar causes acne, but in my son's case cutting out processed foods has really helped. He has had chocolate over Christmas and his skin has got worse, so even if it's just a placebo effect I would say cleaning up diet really helps. He eats lots of fruit and drinks a ton of water.

TwilightSkies · 31/12/2024 09:47

It’s a myth that diet (sugar, dairy, carbs, etc) causes acne. The only way it can is if you eat something greasy and leave it smeared on your face clogging the pores.

So you don’t think gut health affects skin?

WingBingo · 30/12/2024 23:29

Just to add, I felt this way about accurate, put it off for years but I wish I tried it sooner.