Teenage acne

[ALT1975]

Just that really.
My teenage daughters skin is a struggle (she’s 14 years old) and I know it makes me very self conscious.
Can anyone recommend products that work?
Thanks (from us both!)

Sorry!
It makes HER very self conscious
I think she’s beautiful whatever!

Bit of a weird suggestion here, but my pre teen has developed oily skin and a small amount of acne on her forehead. I put some sudocream on at bedtime and it was gone in 2 days!

Please take her to a dermatologist once you can, my teenage acne was hormonal so no creams or products worked. Once I had the pill it cleared up but by then it was too late and I’ve had bad skin ever since and it destroyed my confidence.

You need a drs appt, acne is very treatable.

All acne’s hormonal isn’t it? Otherwise kids would get it before puberty.

Cut out all sugar and junk food. It messes with hormones

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/acne-vulgaris/management/primary-care-management/. Here’s the NICE Guidelines.

I sent a photo of my dd, 13, to the drs of her acne, applied the cream prescribed and literally overnight, her skin was better. Her skin was so bad that when she washed it the spots would bleed. The difference has been incredible. We had tried everything else first. Call the drs.

Yes, please make an appointment with the GP. I struggled with acne for ages as a teen and seeing a doctor made such a big difference.

We had exactly the same thing. Went to the docs and started on Duac, then tried 2 other creams, then tried antibiotics and eventually ended up on Roaccutane. She is now acne free but we wasted so much time buying spot creams from Boots! Get an appointment as soon as you can and send them a photo. Good luck and don't worry, it can be treated.

Oh I took roaccutane. I love that stuff.

My 11 year old dd is suffering from very severe acne also- it's already looking as though it's starting to scar her skin. Will GP do anything this young? I just keep buying various salicylic acid creams etc but nothing seems to be really helping.

Yes, why wouldn’t they?.

Please book her a GP appointment. I wasted 30 years of my life trying creams and lotions and potions. Eroded my self confidence. Irreversibly scarred my face, back and chest. Finally went on roaccutane and now delighted with the results but wish I’d pursued treatment much more assertively and persistently when younger.

Do not waste your money on expensive products - they don’t really work on acne.

Do not waste your time listening to how cutting out sugar, gluten, etc will cure acne - for most people it makes zero difference.

Get medical advice. Acne is a skin condition that needs to be taken seriously and treated by a doctor. You can get prescription creams that really make a difference. And don’t dismiss reaccutane - it has amazing results.

Well I spoke to GP after being encouraged on here. GP was so helpful and supportive. Had to be done over phone and by sending in photos due to covid but this was fine. She has started on treatment plan, we have follow up appointment booked in for next week to review. I certainly did not feel like I was wasting her time. Thank you everyone.

I think Drs surgery need to promote treatment for things like acne, a Gp is there for minor conditions like this & making referrals to hospital when needed but people think they can’t bother the dr unless their literally having a heart attack.

Avon clearskin range is good , also use the clearskin moisturiser after you have cleaned and toned.

Also and the thing a lot of people forget is the pillowcases, no point cleansing your skin then lying on a dirty pillow, so clean pillow case every night and clean bedding every week, and a hand towel that they only use for they face, not the one everyone has been using to dry there hands. If they keep the towel on there bedroom radiator then one one else will use it but them.

Forgot to say if you have long hair tie it back off of the face at night. If you can’t get it under control yourself, then get in contact with doctor to get tablets, but carry on with the good skin routine as well.

I sent our GP photos of DD's (13) acne.
She has been prescribed a long course of antibiotics but reading this thread I wonder if that was the best option

@brightertimes123 I would suggest making sure she takes a probiotic as well while she is on the antibiotics, they can be quite harsh on the stomach (I took lymecycline for 3 months for acne - amongst other treatments).

I was in the doctors every few months for acne from the age of 14. The topical creams worked for a bit and then stopped, the hormonal contraception made me feel awful, antibiotics gave me recurring thrush.

I asked for an accutane prescription but they said no, eventually I paid privately for it last year and it's the best thing I ever did. Costs about £2k so if you've got the money to spare I would do that, it is possible to get via the NHS but they're strict on it and takes ages.

Honestly I'd go straight for the big guns, she's still so young and potentially has many years of this ahead if you don't get it sorted.

Some of the drugs like Ruaccatane have side effects. Very dry lips for example.

Our GP didn’t care about DD. We went privately.

How bad does it have to be for a Dr to take notice? My DD (12) has persistent problems and is very self-conscious. We are working our way though all the best rated products but it is making little difference. It is very noticeable on her T zone but not as bad as many people. I find it really difficult to judge whether it is bad enough to get medical help.

If it’s bothering her then go. What else are they there for if not easily treated conditions like acne?.