DS15 face. So spotty and sore

[alwaystrainers]

I really feel for him. We've been using Tropic washing grains alternated with Liz Earle c and plus niacamine (?) serum and charcoal face masks but he's covered in yellow pimples today and so fed up.
So I try GP or any other tips for clearing it or should we leave it alone / pull back in treatments ? I do feel for him
A friend tried skin and me and said it was good but £££
I didn't suffer much - I used good old Aapri scrub and 10-0-6 acid lotion with a basic moisturiser so feel lost and there's so much out there to choose from. Any tips ?

Of course you go to the GP. There are drugs you can try.
However you should also consider his diet. Acne is mutlfactorial, a combination of hormones, genetics, inflammation and so on.
Diet has a strong influence both in exacerbating symptoms and in influnecing treatment efficacy.
Given the severity of your son's symptoms , read this medical paper which reviews the current literature in diet and acne, and maybe give it a go for a month .
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7847434/

I have copied the conclusion for you here:

Despite limitations in studies investigating diet and acne, there is evidence that diet plays a role in acne and its treatment. There is strong support for the reduction of acne with regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and low-GI and low-GL diets. Similarly, several studies demonstrate milk may worsen the number and severity of acne lesions. Specifically, acne flares in individuals consuming milk may be related to whey proteins and casein via insulinotropic and IGF-1 pathways, which may explain why other dairy products such as butter or cheese have not demonstrated the same associations with acne. Low glycemic diets have generally shown favorable improvements in acne outcomes, possibly because of their effects on insulin and IGF-1; however, because of inconsistent findings in studies of patients with acne on low glycemic diets, additional treatment may be necessary in combination with changes in diet to reduce acne. Administration of probiotics shows promise in reducing acne lesions; although, further research is needed in this area to support these early findings. More investigation is necessary on the effects of vegetarian/vegan and ketogenic diets on acne, as research in this area is lacking. Efficacy of acne treatments such as tetracycline class antibiotics appears to be significantly affected by diet; in particular, there is considerable evidence that maximum absorption occurs in a fasted state with no dairy.

Definitely GP, but in the meantime, try Acnecide cream - it’s been really effective for my horrendous hormonal pregnancy acne.

Sure you already are but towels/pillowcases changed/washed regularly, clean hands when touching face etc - a silk or satin pillowcase may help too.

really feel for him, I had terrible acne as a teenager and having it back in pregnancy was awful! Good luck.

Just another thought - my acne as a teenager was combined with eczema which made it very sore, often got infected and looked even worse - could that be the case?

That ^^
Acnecide, a gentle wash and a bland moisturiser
Scroll down here and click detailed instructions
https://www.acne.org/regimen.html

It's the only thing that's worked when my skin has flared badly. Be warned it bleaches everything it touches so old pillowcases and towels

Another one here who says go to the GP. My DD had bad acne and was prescribed something that worked wonders - stop using all the fancy products, he needs antibiotics to clear up infection.

Liz earle was terrible for me
I think he needs super gentle (no perfumes or fancies) plus gp treatment

@PeloFondo oh god the bleaching! Thank you for remembering that! EVERY top I owned ended up with bleached sections on the collar - OP, just remind you DS to be be super careful with it and tuck an old towel in like a bib before putting it on😀

The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is a really good choice for a bland, sensitive yet rich moisturiser to go on top - I would scrap everything else too until it settles.

Skin & Me referral code
you can try skin and me for £3.50 for first month there if you would like, it’s helped me with my mild acne (full disclosure I’d get £10 off a future box)

but aside from that what has helped my teenage dc is the Inkey list salicylic acid face wash and using a flannel and then just a non oily moisturiser in the evening.

Definitely agree with GP and looking at his diet.
my teenage acne skin improved when I started drinking water instead of cordial/sugary drinks and avoided chocolate (I still always get a spot when I eat chocolate in my 40’s!)

A dermatologist a few years ago told me retinol creams were supposed to be good?

I'd suggest cutting dairy for two weeks to see if it helps, it's quite easy to do. For that time if you meal plan two weekly shops without milk or cheese based dishes and use oat milk for cereal etc.

GP, diet, water, sleep. Poor boy!

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/retinol-for-acne

I found an article 🙂

I'm a beautician and learnt a few years ago when training with different company's to dissolve aspirin in water an apply it to the spots with an ear bud, it reduces redness so may help with the appearance but definitely go to the doctors over them xx

Stop with all the harsh beauty treatments, they will be making it worse.

Go to the GP and get a topical ointment prescribed and use it as directed.

Use a very plain face wash and moisturiser - we find the Simple range suits DDs skin best

Change pillows and face towels daily.

Don't pick, scratch, squeeze anything!

It takes a few weeks for this to work but stick at it - I'm amazed at how DDs skin has improved in the 4 months we've done the above.

You can do the aspirin solution on the whole face, maybe twice a week.

also: egg white mask. Both game changers for me but mild and no bleaching.

GP.
I've had success with skin and me but they won't treat anyone under 16.

Go to the GP. They'll start with something topical I expect before looking into antibiotics. Stop using so much harsh stuff on his poor face! Strip it right back. Acne absolutely sucks and the GPs will understand.

Tropic washing grains no idea what these are, are they exfoliating? Cut them out if they aren't super gentle. Liz Earle aggravated my acne but this was many many years ago.

Take the poor boy to the doctor's. They usually prescribe a long (3 months minimum) course of Tetracycline or some other antibiotic. If that doesn't work, you can ask for your son to be referred to a Dermatologist, and he might be able to be prescribed ROACCUTANE - it's like a miracle drug in many cases but the side-effects can be unpleasant.

Back away from all the horrendous products you're making him use

He needs to see a GP and get lymecycline alongside acnecide for 3 months

If that doesn't work then they'll move on the trying something else

Ditch the Liz Earl stuff! It actually breaks me out

It's not proper medical stuff

See a GP and if possible fork out for a seem appointment (you won't get one on the nhs)

It's miserable and can be treated/improved

But first step GP

Cut dairy, lots of water, veggies, cerave hydrating face wash (gentle but works), salicylic acid three times a week at night(nip/fab are a good brand, they also have a teenage range for this). Gentle moisturiser,.something like cerave. Clean sheets and pillow cases, if he has long hair check conditioner isn't getting on his face when he washes his hair.

See the GP

Cut out milk, see if that helps.

Stop using scrubs and masks. Keep it really simple.

Oh, and 10-0-6 is/was awful!