Acne help

[rupertpenryswife]

My dd is nearly 12 and has acne, this mainly affects her forehead and hairline, they are a combination of black/whiteheads and big hard spots.

I have tried T tree initially then proactive range, now onto freederm. The spots seem to clear initially, then come back. She drinks plenty of water uses all the products as she should.

She also gets spots on her back, she starts high school in September and I just really want to help her improve before then.

I spoke about going to GP but she wants to try further products first, I also don't want to waste GP's time.

Anyone have any advice on products, diet, tricks or tips. I have googled but to be honest there is so much info I am not sure where to start! I don't mind buying expensive products if they work. We have been going on for a year and always give the products plenty of time to work.

She has started to spend her pocket money on products when she is shopping which I have told her she does not need to. She does not wear make up or cover up the spots

There are over the counter things with salicylic acid and similar in but to be honest for what you are describing she really needs something on prescription. Theres a topical cream called Duac available on prescription which has worked amazingly well and quickly for many teens I know. I'm pretty sure it's fine to use from age 12.

I agree with PP, go to the doctor.

Also, does she have a fringe? My forehead acne was MUCH improved when I grew my fringe out. It was a tough few months while it did so, as I had it on full display, but it did make a difference.

In addition, I really rate the Boots witchazel day and night stick as a prevention method (as do a number of my friends). She needs to use it as soon as she suspects a spot is on its way, and it will almost always go back down again before getting too big.

Please be careful with prescriptions for acne. Roaccutane can cause major depression as can Dianette (which is contraceptive pill too). Hard when teen and having mood swings anyway, these products just make them much more intense and carry suicide risk. They now prescribe Dianette for no more than a year due to this. Before they realised the risk I was on Dianette for acne from 15-27. I would say it largely ruined that portion of my life even if I had beautiful skin! Alternatives are light therapy, have a Google. A lot of the topical treatments really dry out your skin so she'd need to moisturise to counteract it. Cileste is a better contraceptive with skin benefits side effects btw.

Ds1 was given lymecycline tablet, a different washing gel, and a cream, on first asking if GP, for really what I can only consider mild spots (compared to some awful acne I've seen).

maybe see a different GP. Maybe be a bit more insistent? I always walk in with an air of determination (I'm not leaving without something decent) and that always helps.

Thank you for all the advice, when I re read what I had written I realised it was time to seek medical help. I am a health care practitioner myself so would be very wary of considering contraceptives or any strong medications.

I suffered from acne but didn't seek help until I was in my 30's, I was given anti biotic face wash and differin gel and that worked. I am Hoping for something like that.

We have an appointment on Monday so I will be using some of the above suggestions. I would love to use natural products but I can see we are passed that point. Thanks all.

Another thing that has helped my teen is regular hair washing.

Vitamin B5 in high doses and clean up diet if needed

@rupertpenryswife

Thank you for all the advice, when I re read what I had written I realised it was time to seek medical help. I am a health care practitioner myself so would be very wary of considering contraceptives or any strong medications.

I suffered from acne but didn't seek help until I was in my 30's, I was given anti biotic face wash and differin gel and that worked. I am Hoping for something like that.

We have an appointment on Monday so I will be using some of the above suggestions. I would love to use natural products but I can see we are passed that point. Thanks all.

I know this is an old thread, but I'd be really interested in the outcome of the GP appointment? Did it help? In a similar position here

Hi there,i had white heads and spots in my teens and mid twenties. Once i was put on dianette,i was delighted and was sorry i didnt go sooner. I hated having bad skin. Roll on DD age 11- we tried the ordinary facial wash. Bought some creams and washes online that we had recommended on mumsnet.- no real improvement.like im more bothered than she is but in a year or 2 she might start to feel it . Anyway off to go. Given differin and a roll on anti biotic every second day. Its a lot better but still gets a few..i dread to think.how bad it would be if we hadnt gone to our GP.. i vowed there was no way my DD was going to go through what i did. My acne certainly wasnt cystic and i have no scarring or anything . So glad we took action. Best of luck