Any experience with/knowledge about pre-adolescent acne?

[ShyShyShyDelilah]

Hello. I'm looking for some advice about 9.5yo DD. She already has a good crop of spots on her forehead. No other signs of puberty yet, although I have a suspicion it may not be far off.

I've just bought her a gentle face cleanser and some over-the-counter witch hazel gel (mostly so we're putting something on them to discourage her from touching them with her grubby fingers all the time - bound to make it worse). We will start with washing twice a day in warm water, etc., but am not sure how much good that will do.

Basically, I'm aware from my reading that if spots occur early, they sometimes get quite bad in adolescence. I know, from having had acne myself, that GPs can't do much. I don't want her on oral antibiotics or anything. I don't think the GP would refer her to dermatology, as things stand, as it's not dramatic (yet).
Would it there be any point in getting her to a private dermatologist at this stage, with a view to keeping acne in check over time if at all possible? Does anyone have any experience/advise?

Does anyone have any recommendations for private paediatric dermatologists in the West Midlands?

Thank you in advance.

A paediatrician recommended Clearsil for my DS at about the same age. It’s been effective.

She isn’t pre-pubescent. At 9.5 a lot of girls are going through the the hormone changes associated with puberty and so should be treated with products aimed at teens. Clearasil should work but if it doesn’t or things get worse speak to your GP.

Oh thanks @SM33. Glad to hear that worked. It doesn't say what the minimum age is on any of these products, so it's good to hear Clearsil is OK for younger kids. Will give it a try. Thanks again.

@Teddybear45 thank you. Yes, true, I suppose she may be becoming early pubescent.

Clearasil - the sensitive skin wash - massively irritated my son's skin (he's slightly older at 12). We use this three times a week and it's worked wonders.

@spiderlight - yes, I am worried about this a bit as DD also has very sensitive, eczema-prone skin as well as the spots.
I'll have a look at the tea tree stuff. At the moment, I've got her a face wash for sensitive skin Cetaphil

Anyone else have any experience, particularly of early acne in prepubescent girl which you've managed to prevent escalating too much in puberty?

Thank you again

Bumping for you. I also have a 9 and a half year old dd who is getting spotty and also wondered about seeing a dermatologist to get skin care right from the start.
We have used Simple cleanser so far with warm water.

I'm not sure there's much you can do if she's going to get acne in the next few years. But you can treat the spots she has now with clearasil products which contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Dd1 had acne, she got creams and antibiotics from the doctor but had to go on roaccutane which has cleared every single spot and none have so far come back.

At the same age daughter started developing deep spots that remained sealed under the skin as bumps.

We used a product with benzoyl peroxide. It softened the top layer of skin and the spots could be easily removed. It took a few months to get to that stage.

Once she got to 12 years we were prescribed Duac cream which clears spots completely.

@Just2MoreSeasons, thanks for the bump. We've used Simple as well, although it's quite a battle to get DD to wash her face at all...
@verystressedmum must be amazing to have it completely cleared. I have read that the bad press around roaccutane is basically unfounded, isn't it?
@theorchidwhisperer, I'll keep Duac in mind. Really glad it worked for your dd

@ShyShyShyDelilah I couldn't say for everyone how's your experience was ok. She didn't have any side effects really except her nose was dry and a bit sore. She has mental health issues and I was very worried but they didn't worsen them but she was old enough to make her own decision she was 17/18.
She had had duac which was good but made her skin dry and sore. Then she was on lymecycline for a long time which worked brilliantly but then totally stopped working and the acne came back worse. So she wanted roaccutane.
I have to say it is amazing and she doesn't have one spot and never gets them at all now. And her skin is not oily anymore either.
So it's something to weigh up because obviously you don't know how a person will react to things.

Sorry most of that may not make sense!

Not pre adolescent but my teenage daughter uses cidal soap and it has honestly made a massive difference. I read about it on Mumsnet and thought would give it a try. She washes her face with it morning and night and her skin has improved immensely. It's so cheap too so worth a try.

Acnecide almost completely got rid of my spots in 2 months after having them for years. I wish I'd found it sooner. It has benzoyl peroxide in it.