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Original poster

DS’s acne is affecting his mental health

47 replies

Strongcuppa · 28/09/2025 17:28

Wasn’t sure where to put this..but DS (22) has suffered for about 6 years now with acne. He doesn’t have any spots on his cheeks, just around the jawline, the odd few on his neck but mostly on his temples.

However, we have tried just about everything. He was on Lymecycline for a while which helped but didn’t totally clear them. He felt it was manageable and tried different things, like the Nordic balms and different acne face washes etc. He’s also been to a very expensive medispa and had different facial treatments. However, it does seem to be flaring up again with quite severe red angry bumps on his temples. He’s just started his first job so I think he might be a bit stressed but he got very upset today and actually cried 😔 and now doesn’t want to talk about it. It’s really hard seeming him struggle with this as it really affects his mood and confidence.

Everytime he gets upset, I think maybe he should try roaccutane but when I read the side effects, they terrify me.

He has a good diet, drinks loads of water and is very diligent with his skin care routine. I am thinking it might stem from his gut health? And am now wondering about pre/probiotics. I’m at my wit’s end with how to help him.

Does anyone have any suggestions or words of wisdom? TIA 🙏

OP posts:

Original poster

Strongcuppa · 28/09/2025 20:09

kiwiblue · 28/09/2025 18:16

Why is everyone so afraid of roaccutane? I went on it in my 20s, my mum was like you OP, didn't want me to go on it. I was quite angry with her for a long time that I didn't go on it sooner. It completely cleared my acne, but I was left with some minor scarring. 25-50 percent of acne patients will get scarring if you don't treat early enough. I was crying, breaking down and afraid to go to work as people would look at me - way more of an effect on my mental health than roaccutane! Only side effects with roaccutane were dry skin and constipation (a rare one but as it's so drying, my GP said).

It’s just some of the side effects are quite scary, I know most of them are rare but you never know…also when it was first suggested, he was starting Uni and didn’t want to be on soft drinks when everyone was having fun and drinking. I know you don’t have to drink to have fun - but he was horrified at the thought and to him it was important then that he could have fun in the same way as his mates.

I think he will be more open to it now as he’s just so fed up with it.

OP posts:

KnickerlessParsons · 28/09/2025 20:21

Roaccutane isn’t an easy drug to take, but it works. I took it in my early 40s, my DD took it in her twenties. We were both fine with it except for excessively dry skin.

Sassylovesbooks · 28/09/2025 20:25

I had bad acne as a teenager and was prescribed Dalacin T Topical Solution by my GP, which was absolutely amazing. Don't use products like Clearasil as they are an astringent and strip the skin of oil. In turn it makes the skin produce more oil, that leads to yet more acne. I recommend Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and Liz Earle Skin Repair Light moisturiser. You wouldn't know now, by looking at me, that I suffered from acne.

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dildosucker69 · 28/09/2025 20:26

My teenage DD has been on roaccutance for a few months. Her skin is dry as hell but the acne has calmed right down. The side effects worried me very badly as she is only 15. However, they (consultant) take her taking it very seriously and are monitoring her very closely for pregnancy prevention and also monthly mental health screening which I am impressed with as they obviously understand the risks associated.

It took a long time to get seen by a dermatologist about 18mths on the NHS but the care once she got one has been great. I’d recommend you get your son on it too as it’s miserable living with acne.

Original poster

Strongcuppa · 28/09/2025 20:29

dildosucker69 · 28/09/2025 20:26

So you have to see a dermatologist on the NHS to get it? If so, I’ll get him to go back to the private skin clinic - would rather go through our GP but he can’t go on for much longer like this.

OP posts:

justanotherdrama · 28/09/2025 23:16

They can usually see you within a couple of weeks in the private sector - worth a call to them

CocoLocoCoco · 28/09/2025 23:29

Something else you could consider, which may not be a complete solution in itself is an LED mask specifically with blue light. I am a 40 year old female, had no acne in my teens but for some reason started in my 20s. GP tried antibiotics, all sorts of creams etc and eventually I did take roaccutane which largely cleared it up, along with being on the pill. Post children in my 30s when no longer taking the pill I noticed lots of hormonal flare ups and again tried antibiotics which didn't do a lot. I researched and got myself an LED mask last Christmas and have been using it nightly... I hadn't really appreciated how well it had worked until I stopped using it over the summer holidays as we went away / it ran out of charge/ I got out of the habit. Well this month I am totally paying for it with some huge cysts on my jawline and temple. Needless to say I'm back to keeping it charged and wearing for 10 minutes every night!

I've got the Luyora Equinox Pro mask as it had lots of LEDs and different colours to also help with wrinkles

Thingyfanding1 · 28/09/2025 23:35

I know this doesn’t solve your son’s immediate problem - although sounds like some great suggestions above.
I’m posting this, as I thought it might be of interest to you that a vaccine is being trialed. www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/acne-vaccine-experimental-shot-for-common-skin-condition-reaches-clinical-trials-heres-what-you-need-to-know

coronafiona · 28/09/2025 23:55

Ask your gp for roaccutane

poppysqueak · 29/09/2025 01:55

Whilst your DS is waiting for an appointment/ prescription I would suggest he could try hypochlorous spray.
I use NatraSan Advanced Hypochlorous Spray from Amazon. I have found this very effective on cystic acne etc. I am much older than him but it might be worth a try.
Keep it in the fridge if possible and spray lightly onto the face twice a day after washing/cleansing.

Tryingmybest100 · 29/09/2025 05:32

Private dermatologist with a 6 month prescription of roaccutane solved my dds cystic acne. In total cost just over £500 (appointments & the private prescription of the tablets). Best money ive ever spent.

Over a year later she's not had a single spot.

Puzzledtoday · 29/09/2025 05:43

Could it be food sensitivities? Acne like that can come from the inside not from dirt or blocked pores. A strict exclusion diet might help. Poor chap.

HennieGirl · 29/09/2025 05:49

Roaccutane changed my life. The side effects were sore skin and sore lips but it was worth every single bit of it all. It was life changing for me. On it a year but was clear after 3 months. I was 15. I'm 31 now and have never had acne since.

HennieGirl · 29/09/2025 05:50

And I'm sorry if the only reason he doesn't want to take roaccutane is for him to not drink, then his acne isn't ruining his mental health.

cossette · 29/09/2025 06:11

Another vote for roaccutane. It's not an easy journey - it can dry eyes and lips for a while - but my son took it age 16 and 4 years on he is still completely clear of acne and his skin is amazing!

Sunsetchaser01 · 29/09/2025 06:24

My son had cystic acne, ended up at hospital as a large cyst formed so close to his spine. He had Isotretonin, couldn’t complete the course as his skin was so dry lips cracked and couldn’t really cope with sunlight, three years on acne still not come back though but he does still get occasional cyst type spots when he eats foods with sugar. He now has a very low sugar diet and it has cleared up completely. Sugar acts as an inflammatory for both him and his brother with spots.

KnickerlessParsons · 29/09/2025 15:00

coronafiona · 28/09/2025 23:55

Ask your gp for roaccutane

GPs can’t prescribe Roaccutane as it’s a controlled (class A?) drug, but a GP can refer you to a dermatologist who is able to prescribe it.

Original poster

Strongcuppa · 30/09/2025 11:44

Puzzledtoday · 29/09/2025 05:43

Could it be food sensitivities? Acne like that can come from the inside not from dirt or blocked pores. A strict exclusion diet might help. Poor chap.

He has tried this too - cut out dairy, gluten and sugar - didn’t help 😞

OP posts:

Original poster

Strongcuppa · 30/09/2025 11:48

HennieGirl · 29/09/2025 05:50

And I'm sorry if the only reason he doesn't want to take roaccutane is for him to not drink, then his acne isn't ruining his mental health.

I know it sound ridiculous but no, it’s not the only reason. He read the side effects himself and immediately said he didn’t want to try it. I spoke to him the other night but he is still adamant he doesn’t want to go on it.

His skin has been much better for the last couple of days and he has been much more cheerful. I’m thinking his skin was just sore and inflamed looking due to a treatment he’d had at the medispa - it was his first treatment for a while.

OP posts:

Original poster

Strongcuppa · 30/09/2025 11:49

Sunsetchaser01 · 29/09/2025 06:24

That sounds awful - Am glad your son is doing better now 🙂

OP posts:

warmapplepies · 30/09/2025 11:53

Has he had blood tests to look at his hormones?

Original poster

Strongcuppa · 01/10/2025 13:58

warmapplepies · 30/09/2025 11:53

Has he had blood tests to look at his hormones?

He hasn’t - would this be at the GP? The private dermatologist we went to didn’t suggest this.

OP posts:

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