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Original poster

15 yr old acne help

29 replies

Molly333 · 03/04/2021 21:31

Please can anyone advise ? My sons face has erupted in spots since last lockdown and I don't trust the gps advice . The reason being my daughter also developed ache quickly lile this . The gp tried all sorts for ages which nevet worked, then she ended up on roacutane which made her so dreadfully anxious which has never really left her and now she is in therapy for this . I dont want this journey again with my son . Can anyone advise on anything that you have tried that has worked, I'm totally lost now

OP posts:
umberellaonesie · 03/04/2021 21:35

In all honesty roaccutane but with your previous experience I understand your reservation. Roaccutane was the only thing that worked for me.
My son though can't have roaccutane due to other medications he is on. He has had success with topical retinoids and currently using acnecide which is benzoyl peroxide with good improvement.
A gentle cleanser and moisturizer are a most whatever you try.

Mumof1andacat · 03/04/2021 21:45

He may need a short course of an antibiotic called Lymecycline and a good skin care routine to continue after. Also work cutting down on dairy and sugar.

Lellochip · 03/04/2021 22:16

What has he tried already?

I took antibiotics for mine at his age, I don't remember it making much difference and I ended up taking the pill instead.

In terms of topical treatments, the two that seem to have worked for me at times are benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin, like a PP suggested. Both are proven effective treatments too.

Benzoyl is a good one to start with, can buy cheap over the counter. Downsides is it causes some drying/redness etc, and is a nightmare for bleaching fabric, but there are ways around this.

Tretinoin is prescription-only, but there are companies like Dermatica who can prescribe if the doc doesn't. Again can cause similar drying side effects, but also makes the skin very sensitive to sun so sun cream is important. It can also cause a purge in the first few months so can actually make the acne worse before it gets better, but after that can have some dramatic results. It can help with any scarring too.

Original poster
Molly333 · 03/04/2021 22:41

He's on the antibiotics now and has been for a month , no difference . It looks like there is scarring too. Can you you also suggest good skin care routine/products ?

OP posts:
fredafortycoats · 03/04/2021 22:45

Roaccutane was the only thing that helped my son.GP was useless.I paid to see a dermatologist in a private hospital who referred.us back to the NHS.after 12 months it had cleared.Best money ever spent

Lellochip · 03/04/2021 23:03

I'd keep the products as simple as possible, a gentle cleanser and good moisturiser. Sometimes just takes a bit of experimenting to find one that suits but Cerave as a brand is very popular, as is La Roche Posay - the kit linked above might be a good shout. If his skin oily or dry etc?

If the antibiotics aren't doing anything yet, there's nothing to say he couldn't try a topical as well too. Makes it slightly harder to know which made the difference if it improves, but the important thing is getting results asap

MetricMs · 03/04/2021 23:13

It was two months before the antibiotics worked on my DS, his skin looks much better now. At 2 months it cleared noticeably and it’s almost completely gone now, 4 months later. I’ve bought the La Roche Posay effaclar mentioned above by a PP. Available from boots, really good products.

cherrytreecottage · 03/04/2021 23:19

I'm not sure what antibiotics your son is currently talking, but Doxycycline has been incredible for me. You need to be careful in sunlight but within a matter of weeks, my skin completely cleared up.
In terms of topical treatments, as someone else posted - I also use La Roche Posay Effaclar range; which is relatively good value. There's also a fabulous skincare brand called Zo skin health, but it can only be purchased through a dermatologist or similar. Hefty price tag, but the starter kit for oily/acne skin is great.

PutBabyInTheCorner · 03/04/2021 23:21

I had roaccutane twice. My skin has never 100% cleared up and I'm 40 but I've learnt to manage it. Just to add I've always eaten healthy, drank lots of water, washed regularly - it didn't make a difference but having people constantly tell me to cut out chocolate, and fried food when I was already healthy was difficult. I would recommend La Roche Posay skincare routine. It has helped me.

nailslikeknives · 03/04/2021 23:24

I know you said you've tried antibiotics, just in case it was a different one to me, I've been on Lymecycline for 2 years, with good results.

Fumnudge · 03/04/2021 23:41

Watching with interest. We have a doctor's appointment in a couple of weeks for my DD, I will research all that had been mentioned, thanks.

TheTeenageYears · 04/04/2021 03:21

Ds was/is a later teen sufferer. He takes Lymecycline and uses Epiduo (the 5% one) to control. The sun makes a huge difference to his skin as does swimming. The chlorine really helps if the issue is bacterial. He had an appointment with a dermatologist who said next steps would be the pill (yes even for a boy) or roaccutane but I am really uncomfortable with the roaccutane because of all the possible side effects and how careful you need to be with skincare routine, staying out of the sun etc whilst taking.

Fluffycloudland77 · 04/04/2021 07:19

Tbh antibiotics and roaccutane are the only treatments.

Acne’s essentially just a skin infection, if skincare worked there’d be no need for antibiotics or NICE guidelines.

I took roaccutane too.

sugarlost · 04/04/2021 14:00

@MetricMs is your son stills using antibiotics?

I don't want to take antibiotics long-term but it seems many people do to help keep the condition under control.

I recommend Cerave for a skin care brand... gentle and created with dermatologists.

MetricMs · 04/04/2021 15:13

Yes @sugarlost he is, his doctor said it would take about 6 weeks to start working and we would then take it from there.

He is on Lymecycline, the same antibiotic that I’ve occasionally been prescribed (for a separate issue). I was on that for a year, was taken off it and within two months my skin was bad again. I went back on them and stayed on them for another two years. As far as I’m aware, and certainly from my own experience and memories of my brothers teenage skin issues, until the source of the issue has calmed down (excessive bacteria due to puberty for my DS) he has to remain on it.

The doctor implied that he could continue with it for 6 to 12 months and then stop the prescription. If his skin became bad again then he could re start the antibiotics on a repeat prescription. DSs skin was terrible, seemingly overnight. He had acne spreading down his arms, chest and back. I spent time faffing about with cleansing routines - which he did need to learn about anyway - before sending photos to his doctor (lockdown diagnosis). I actually hope he can stay on them for the next couple of years.

Fluffycloudland77 · 04/04/2021 15:19

I never see the issue with long term antibiotics, people without spleens take one daily for life.

sugarlost · 04/04/2021 15:36

Thank you for the update @MetricMs. I hope your son continues to improve.

@Fluffycloudland77 I hear you it's just I'm on other medication and I don't want to be on too much.

Original poster
Molly333 · 04/04/2021 22:51

Thanks so much for all your advice. I've bought the skin care and will see how the antibiotics go before i head down the roacutane route

OP posts:
Divineswirls · 04/04/2021 23:02

If the antibiotics (Lymecycline is best for acne) dont make a difference after 3 months then they never will and Roaccutane is the way to go.

People react differently to situations so dont deny your DS just because of DD.

Divineswirls · 04/04/2021 23:05

Lymecycline started to clear my DD very bad acne after a month and it's all but disappeared after 4 months.

She uses Cerave SA face wash daily as does DS with a fresh flannel daily.

DD was also prescribed acnecide 5% to use topically alongside the antibiotics.

Rostbif · 04/04/2021 23:39

13 year-old DD suddenly developed really bad skin, and the Ordinary balance set worked absolute wonders! I'm really cynical about this type of stuff, but the difference has been incredible.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ordinary-Balance-Set-Niacinamide-Moisturizing/dp/B08M47YKK5/ref=mpssa111?dchild=1&keywords=the+ordinary+balance+set&qid=1617575716&sprefix=the+ordinary+ba&sr=8-1

AllTheWayFromLondonDAMN · 04/04/2021 23:56

I found that this works well on cystic acne (although that’s not it’s advertised purpose) when it came in a Birchbox a couple of years ago. It probably won’t be the complete answer, but alongside a skincare routine it may be useful: Lumene Nordic Hydra.

WindyPudding · 05/04/2021 11:30

Sorry if it’s been mentioned but has he had Duac from the gp? This worked for me and I’ve had bad acne all my life. It’s a nightly cream and no worrying side effects.

littlebillie · 05/04/2021 11:43

@fredafortycoats

Roaccutane was the only thing that helped my son.GP was useless.I paid to see a dermatologist in a private hospital who referred.us back to the NHS.after 12 months it had cleared.Best money ever spent
I've spent a fortune on treatments for my DS and going private with Roaccutane this year is the only thing that worked
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