Doctor for Acne

[Elliejane]

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

GP

He needs a go app

Try the GP first and they can prescribe antibiotics. My son had acne and eventually paid to see a dermatologist to get Roaccutane after antibiotics didn't work. The Roaccutane did work and cleared it for a couple of years, but now it's starting to flare up again, so not a magic bullet.

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

I would see GP and ask for referral to dermatology. If it looks like it’s going to be a long wait, go private if you can afford it.

They will probably offer Roaccutane which tends to give amazing results for most patients (but comes with a few side effects which he will need to weigh up).

I was offered Roaccutane but declined because I have mental health difficulties and was concerned about side effects from the drug. I know quite a lot of people who had amazing results with it though, and for whom the side effects were fairly minimal.

As an alternative, I was offered Spironolactone. It is not actually an acne drug but can be prescribed for acne. It works by lowering testosterone IIRC, so for me (female) that was fine but might not be the right choice for a young man- dermatologist would advise.

It sounds like you’ve tried lots of over-the-counter stuff so you might have already tried this, but if not, Effaclar Duo (La Roche Posay) is worth a try- it made a big difference for me.

Good luck, I know how upsetting acne is and I hope your son finds some help.

I paid for a private dermatologist appointment (I had to wait a couple of months) and they provided a private prescription for Lymecycline and a topical cream plus they wrote a letter to my GP asking them to prescribe it so I didn't have to pay for the medication. The topical cream was too strong for my son, but the tablets worked quite well. He still gets spots but they really aren't that bad.

We also use Eve Lom dynaspot ( bit expensive but goes a long way) and I change his pillowcases every other night.

I suffered from bad spots as a teen and I'm determined he won't have to go through the same.

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

Honestly, ring your local hospital and ask for dermatology secretaries. Then ask one of them who does a private list and who they rate for acne. Then book privately online. Secretaries always know who is best at what.

Both my daughters got prescribed zineryt when they were teens and it worked brilliantly. Topical, so no gut micro biome problems.

Sympathy with your lad - Im not a teenager but I do have acne issues as that have followed me from teens to adulthood.

Most recently I have had great success with Get Harley dermatologist who have remotely prescribed topical cream and given me suggestions on skin care routine. It’s been fantastic results. My consultation was £40 and then products on top (the topical creams were between £30/40 each and that includes private prescription charge and last 3-4 months so far.) For the face washes etc they have 3 levels - low price/mid price/ expensive. I went mid price so my face wash and toner have lasted 3 months with daily use and cost me £60. To be fair I could probably shop around and get it cheaper.

I haven’t changed anything other than my skin care routine and I’m walking round today wearing a very lightly tinted suncreen, touche eclat and mascara - something that would have been unheard of for me at the start of the spring.

Obviously this is a private service but I absolutely can’t fault it and there is always someone available if I have questions etc or for a photo review of my progress.

The other thing I have found fantastic in the past to manage my acne issues is Mandelic acid peels which have got rid of those horrible spots that are just painful lumps under the skin that never surface. I needed 3 but the results lasted ages - but the skinpeeling was grim and really hard not to pick at!

Have you tried clearasil ultra toner? It’s bright blue and a miracle worker. The standard clearasil didn’t work for me.

I’m 38 but still get terrible teenage acne and this is the only thing that helps.

i use the clearasil ultra face scrub followed by the ultra toner twice a day.

Thanks everyone. I am not been to do drugs with bad side effects at all.
i will try some of the suggestions and have just booked a gp for 21st august

On plus note he got his highers results today 5 A’s delighted 😀

Well done to your boy, that's fantastic results!

It’s completely OK to see a GP for significant acne - they can try some prescription treatments or refer him to a dermatologist if need be, (although there will probably be a long wait for an NHS dermatologist).

I saw a GP for acne when I was 15 and it was a game-changer. I had a three-month course of antibiotics and some good advice on care and it made a huge difference. My teenage nephew is also your son’s age and has had a dermatology referral for his acne - his was worse than mine but based on the last time I saw him, he’s improved quite a lot with treatment.

I think people think of acne as ‘just’ a thing that looks bad, but people who have never had it badly really don’t understand how, as well as making you self-conscious, it can be really bloody sore and uncomfortable. It’s infection and inflammation sitting there under your skin all the time, and can be really grim. It’s not just like having a few teenage zits.

Five As - what a bloody legend! 🎉

As an alternative to the GP, Boots and a few other online pharmacies offer online consultations. You submit photos and get an online consult but you have to buy the medicine rather than on prescription.

@AperolWhore I can’t find one called ultra toner . There is a rapid action one in blue bottle. Is that it ?

I've suffered with adult acne due to hormones for years. First of all sack off all the harsh chemical face washes like clerasil. It's crap and often makes acne worse as it's very irritating. Stick to a gently routine - a gentle face wash and moisturiser. I like the ordinary ones. Go and see the GP. They can give several different oral and topical antibiotics or a referral to dermatology if it's very severe.

I was prescribed a low dose antibiotic for skin and it cleared amazingly so something stronger might not be needed

Gp will do antibiotics first. Then ref to derm once everything has been tried if it fails.

Mostly it works though. The NICE guidelines for acne are available online.

Roaccutane is last resort but I took it and it was great.

I took my dd to the gp for acne and they gave her some steroid cream which worked wonder

Yes, that’s it. It’s brilliant stuff with the matching scrub.

I didn't want to waste the GPS time over daughter's acne when she was 12 but GP said they'd rather see her and get it sorted to prevent scaring as they can't treat that.
She tried everything from the GP over a year and they referred to dermatology (she was seen in weeks) and they had two suggestions either the contraceptive pill (obviously not for a boy) or roaccutane. Daughter decided on the pill as she wasn't as keen on trying roaccutane due to needing blood tests and she'd of had to go on the pill anyway.
Luckily the pill has worked so well for her, she's not uncomfortable of embarrassed anymore, please don't think your waisting your GP's time

@Elliejane any update?

Try benzoyl peroxide first. Behind the counter at the pharmacy. Pair with a very soothing cleanser and moisturizer.
Then if that doesn't help then skin and me or dermatica are good if they'll treat under 18s. It's prescription grade you send pics to an online derm.