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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Did your children had bad acne if you had

28 replies

DreamyRedNewt · 06/11/2024 08:31

Posting here for traffic as I am worried about my DD skin. She is 7, so quite young, but I can see she is starting to get some (small) spots.

At the beginning I was not sure if there were spots or keratosis pilaris, as she had bad keratosis in her arms when she was younger. But yesterday she had one that was a bit sore, I am pretty sure it is a very mild acne, but is is very worrying for me as she is so young and most importantly, I had awful cystic acne when I was a teenager. I suffered so much with it and completely destroyed my confidence, I still have issues with confidence and self-esteem now (after many years), which I am sure stems all from that. I cannot bear the thought my DD can go through the same..

I know that you have more chances of having acne if one of your parents suffered from it too. In your experience, did your kids had bad acne if you also had it?

Poll:
No - you are being unreasonable
Yes - You are not being unreasonable

Also, when is ot reasonable to go to the doctor with these concerns? She has less perfect skin thank other kids her age, but I am also aware is nothing too much at the moment and I think going to the GP will achieve nothing at this point. But does it mean that she will start puberty early if she is starting to have a few spots at 7?

OP posts:

Wakeywake · 06/11/2024 09:59

I had acne, both my teens have perfectly clear skin.

Original poster

DreamyRedNewt · 06/11/2024 17:19

Thanks @Wakeywake

Anyone else?
I am worried as I can see her skin is not as clear as it should be at her age

OP posts:

Outtherelookingin · 06/11/2024 17:23

Around age 7 they have a big surge of hormones so it may be spots but doesn't mean she will be plagued with serious acne. Look at it this way, if she does get acne you know all the best ways to combat it based on your own experience. You can teach her from around age 10/11 to develop a sensible, child friendly cleansing routine and how to look after her skin. Use non pore clogging SPF for example. I had serious acne as both as teenager and then as an adult (only Roaccutane cleared it eventually) but looking back I didn't do much to help myself- I picked the spots, coated them in thick foundation, used harsh scrubs sometimes 3 times a day on my skin and wasn't taught a good skin regime by my parents etc as they'd never had spots/acne. Don't fret- she'll be fine.

minipie · 06/11/2024 17:29

I have had acne all my life since age 12 - thankfully not cystic but very persistent. DH had a bad patch of teen acne and has had a few spots here and there ever since. So not great genetics, sorry DDs…

DDs are age 12 and 9 are now both getting spots 😕

I agree with pp that we are in a good position to help our kids with the benefit of our experience. They are using Cerave face-wash, star stickers, eldest has Epiduo from the GP. No picking unlike me!!

Re puberty - does she have any other signs? I wouldn’t worry based on spots alone.

JMSA · 06/11/2024 17:38

My dad had acne as a teen, and two of my sisters have had lifelong problematic skin. Mine is clear and not at all sensitive to anything.
I'm the fattie of the family, before anyone thinks I sound too smug

In case it helps anyone, both of my sisters are on Equi supplements (the beauty ones) and have found them genuinely life-changing. They are in their 40s and now have flawless skin ... or as flawless as it could be.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/11/2024 18:00

It doubtless depends on the cause of the acne.

I had it badly as a teen, and as an adult (mitigated by some types of the Pill) - diagnosed with PCOS in my 30s.

DD is clear skinned.

sickandtiredofitallnow · 06/11/2024 18:04

DH had bad acne, I never had it. Neither son had it.

Ace56 · 06/11/2024 18:04

Acne is genetic unfortunately, yes.

However at 7 I think it’s too young to be getting proper acne so I would probably just write this off as an irritation or a one off. You’ll see when she’s 12/13 whether she’s inherited the acne gene.

Original poster

DreamyRedNewt · 06/11/2024 18:06

Thank you for the responses...I know I am in a good position and I know so much about combating acne, but I also know that cystic acne can only be cured with Roaccutanne, I hope she doesn't have to go down that route.
I am such a worrier ..

She was washing her face with just water, until now, but yesterday I decided to start her on a cerave cleaner at night. I am also worrying about using the right product for such a young skin, I don't want to make things worse. Would an exfoliator be too much at this age? I use a number 7 which I love but I am worried about it being too much for her skin..

Even though I had horrible cystic acne when I was young, I can say that I have amazing skin now (after Roaccutanne, several years on the pill and several laser sessions) So at least I can tell her that it will pass if she has to go through the same...most people don't beleive me when I tell them I had really bad acne

OP posts:

AgainandagainandagainSS · 06/11/2024 18:08

I feel you OP. Have taken the pill since age 19 because of it. Don’t dare come off it. Tried once and acne came back.

7 is young to have actual acne though as 7 year olds aren’t really hormonal like teenagers. Could just be an irritation rather than actual acne. (I hope so for her - acne is vile).

Original poster

DreamyRedNewt · 06/11/2024 18:13

I forgot to say, there are no other signs of puberty at the moment

OP posts:

northernballer · 06/11/2024 18:40

I have never had acne but my eldest has it severely. Not sure where it came from but it didnt start till he was 12/13 so 7 does seem very young. .

jwnib · 06/11/2024 19:26

DH and I both had acne, I will take my teens straight to a dermatologist for roaccutane if they start to get them (well if they want to of course!!!) I'm not letting them put up with what we did.

notsosweet16 · 06/11/2024 19:28

My skin was awful as a teenager, still not brilliant now! But my DD’s who are 20 and 14 have got lovely skin, the odd little spot but nothing major at all.

blue23blue · 06/11/2024 19:29

I have never suffered from acne but my daughter did when she was a teenager. She had a course of roaccutane and her skin has been great now for years, she had no side effects at all.

JWR · 06/11/2024 19:31

DD and I both had bad acne linked to PCOS. However whilst roaccutane sorted my skin out it made DD’s far worse, luckily spironalactone did the job but she’s now potentially stuck on it if she wants clear skin.

mondaytosunday · 06/11/2024 19:53

I had spots bad enough to go to the dermatologist. But my children had bare any - the odd spot here or there (they are 19 and 21 now).
My DH had hardly any, one of his kids had it quite bad for a while (I don't know about his mother).

WeAllHaveWings · 06/11/2024 20:36

Neither dh or I had acne, or even much beyond the odd chin plook as teenagers. We had not experience of acne in family - parents, siblings, nieces, nephews.

Ds struggled with spots for a few years then it turned unexpectedly and very quickly to full blown acne when he was 19, covered his face , neck, shoulders, chest and back within a few months. We went private and 5 months of roaccutane sorted it out. It's been a about 9 months since he finished and he gets the occasional spot but otherwise most of the scars have cleared.

Groovee · 06/11/2024 20:38

My husband had bad acne as a teen. Both my children have needed help for it. I've only developed acne in peri menopause.

fairycakes1234 · 06/11/2024 22:26

My husband had really bad acne and unfortunately my son also got it, he's 17, he got it all over his back and it was starting in his face, got tablets, didn't work, got him appointment with dermatologist and he prescribed roccatane, he was on it for 10 months and now has lively clear skin on his face, unfortunately his back still has scars. I'd keep an eye on it and if it gets worst I'd go to your GP as there is a long delay for assessment. I have heard 3 kids I know that used roccatane and cleared it up so try not worry.

Outtherelookingin · 07/11/2024 08:45

DreamyRedNewt · 06/11/2024 18:06

Absolutely do not use a no7 exfoliator on her. I would also not cleanse her skin every night. You're at risk of stripping her natural oils which will make skin problems start rather than stop them. You need to tread really carefully here. Maybe cleanse it 2 or 3 times a week at first. If you're really concerned book a private dermatology appointment.

MagicianMoth · 07/11/2024 08:50

I had normal teenage spots which wasn’t a problem but in my 20s had very bad acne, was thinking about Roaccutane but wanted to have children first - and as soon as I got pregnant at 31 the acne cleared up and has never returned. Both DS have had pretty bad teenage acne, both on antibiotics for it, DS1 skin is clearing up at 17.

Robinredd · 02/03/2025 01:43

I know this is a couple of months old but how'd your DDs skin now OP?

I had severe acne until dianette cleared it up when I was 22. I think what caused mine was the size of my pores and probably large sebaceous glands because of those. My pores are absolutely huge all over my face. I dont get acne now but my skin has some scarring and still the large pores which gives it very uneven texture.

My daughters have inherited my skin. I worry that theirs could be even worse. They have very oily hair like me. Even from tiny babies they always had greasy hair. It probably needs washed daily but I do it every other day. Mine only lasts 12 hours but theirs looks oily even when freshly washed.

Both have sadly inherited my pores. I can see them already on their noses. They are only 1 and 3 and this is already a constant worry. I'm not exaggerating when I say my skin ruined my early life, brought me to several suicide attempts, I hated my appearance so much. I still struggle. Still don't like my skin but I have a very good skincare routine.

My DDs get the odd pimple already. My fear is they are going to fare worse, especially my youngest. I could see her pores from she was born. Faintly obviously but I realised it looked like my own nose as a child, my pores almost looked like little lines on my nose pre puberty.

First of all how do I make sure I'm not protecting and making a massive deal out of their skin? It's hard to be blasé about it when I suffered so much. I felt hideous and I still struggle with self esteem issues linked to my appearance. I also have ADHD so it made me even more obsessed with my sense of self. I'd have picked apart my appearance regardless but having severe acne made things 100 times worse. I remember every negative comment on my appearance, ever. Still ones 30 years ago I can hear as clear as day.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 02/03/2025 01:53

It depends whose skin she takes after.

DH had bad acne. He went on an experimental treatment that worked, with many side effects, he has scars from teenage years.

DD1 16 has beautiful clear skin.
DS1 10 has acne, not a lot, but it is starting, with some painful pimples.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 02/03/2025 01:55

@Robinredd There are far better treatments available these days, clearasil pads stink, but they are very effective.

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