Teenage acne treatment

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

My DS (17) has moderately advanced acne on his face and back. We have been pursuing treatment with the GP (antibiotics and cream) but nothing is really working so far, and he's particularly bothered by his back, which is sore as well as unsightly.

Has anyone found any other treatment that's worked? Our nearest city is Edinburgh, and I don't mind paying for some private treatments, but I can't find a way to see what's likely to work. I see there's a branch of this company in Edinburgh - has anyone used them? They do Isolaz and salicylic acid peel.

The GP will eventually refer to a dermatologist but the waiting list is more than a year, so not much use to us.

Hope someone can help!

Hopeful bump? Anyone tried a peel for acne?

Try using a purifying mask regularly. It helped my DCs but of course results may vary.

Roaccutane is marvellous, but has to be prescribed by a Dermatologist. Could you afford to see one privately? If not, at least get your GP to refer your son and get him on the waiting list.

The only thing at this point is roaccutane. Be aware of the side effects but as long as both you and your son know what they are and keep an eye out for them then one course should be all you need.

My middle child was put on a course (GP referral to an nhs dermatologist) and it was amazing. He had gone from having nothing to it spreading over his face and back. Nothing I tried (that had worked with my other two) worked. This was beyond diet and keeping his skin clean. After that course he has been clear skinned for the last 3 years. He gets one or two occasionally if he eats badly but he knows that and generally eats well.

If it’s spread to the back then all the healthy diet and topical over-the-counters in the world will not do anything.

Thanks very much! I should have said that I’d rather avoid roaccutane because of the side effects (really worried about depression bc there’s a tendency oh my side). My nephew had successful treatment with it but his acne was much worse.

Just wanted to say, that I had to roaccutane when I was 21. There was a strong and recent history of depression on both my sides of the family.
The dermatologist I saw said that in her experience (she was definitely nearing the end of her career in age) depression as a side effect on roaccutane was one that she had rarely seen. I didn't have any at all, and for me the positive impact of taking it was life changing

OP I have quite strong depressive tendencies on one side (many attempted and actual suicides and diagnosed depression) and one suicide on the other. I still went with it, after discussing it with my son. Partly because the scaring from back and facial acne can be awful - and it will be with them for life - and they become so self conscious with it, to a point that we as the parent do not really comprehend. My brother had it quite badly and zero attempt was made to help him (this was back in the ‘90’s).

My son’s was genetic (my side via my father). I got lucky that my other two didn’t have it, only a few spots and greasy skin occasionally. As it happened he didn’t feel any changes in terms of his personality or emotions. But I sat him down and spoke with him regularly about how he was feeling and I would have stopped it if he raised any issues or I was concerned about how he was presenting to me. I think it really helped that he knew himself that the medication had a (very small) chance of increasing depressive thoughts. He was able to think about how he was feeling and note if there were any changes to how he was feeling.

Having seen my brother and my father’s skin I don’t think there’s much else to be done once it starts to spread down the neck and back.

Try 47 skin skincare - dd has found this has helped with her acne here.

Poor thing, I have experience. Roaccutane will get rid of the worst of it. I have been prone to depression but it didn’t affect it. It was intolerable before and that was making me depressed. Can you pay to see a dermatologist? They can prescribe and then NHS can carry it on when you eventuality get there. Mine is less bad now but still flares up a bit, more of a rash. Skin and Me seems to be working wonders (1 week in)

Thanks so much - this is all incredibly helpful, and I really appreciate your answers 💓💓