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Original poster

Teenage acne HELP

65 replies

LookingForPurpose · 09/08/2023 17:12

I'm easy hoping somebody can give me some advice for my daughters break outs, I am clueless about anything like this as I was lucky enough never to have suffered it. And when I was a teen it was soap water and a bit of cream from a round blue jar!

Anyway, she's 15 and getting really terribly self Ciscos about her ache. It can get rather red and angry looking and she's very worried it could scar.

Could anybody make any suggestions for products or a skin care routine that may help? When I've googled it I've been lost in a loads B of AHAs and niacin things and I'm clueless. I don't want to do more harm than good.

Teenage acne HELP
Teenage acne HELP
OP posts:
BrevityOverLevity · 11/08/2023 11:12

I took roaccutane and it was ok.

HappiDaze · 11/08/2023 18:28

ninetieseyebrows · 11/08/2023 02:14

The only thing that worked for my DD was a brand called Acnecide - they do a whole range. No cheap but it works

Your GP will prescribe this as an adjunct to Lymecycline as it's benzoyl peroxide

HappiDaze · 11/08/2023 18:31

Lymecycline is used specifically for acne by most clued up GPs as it has been found to be more effective than other similar products and is more effective on most than day Spironolactone which they used to prescribe

It is of course a matter or wait and see what works best

For persistent acne Roaccutane is brilliant and acne tends to not return for most people that take it

HappiDaze · 11/08/2023 18:38

As for daily face wash my DD did use Cerave SA but it's very very watery so I bought her Dermalogica Clear start from John Lewis which is much better and lasts longer so you get more for your money and better ingredients.

I'm a skincare freak so I've done my homework and both DD and I have had bad acne.

Hers cleared with lymecycline and acnecide and mine cleared decades ago with Roaccutane which for me worked miracles.

DS had spots but they cleared once he cut his long fringe, showered and washed his face daily with a flannel and then started shaving daily. Face washes now sting him so luckily daily shaving and showers keep it in check. Basically his fringe got greasy daily and was causing his spots

Matchinglipsandfingertips · 11/08/2023 18:40

Try Kanzen skincare.

NotImpressedByYourBragging · 11/08/2023 18:40

Get her to a GP. The usual treatment for acne at that stage is a lengthy course (3 months) of antibiotics, and possibly a gel to apply, as well. If those things don't work, Roaccutane is the last (but very effective) option, prescribed by a Dermatologist (GP needs to refer)

TwilightSkies · 11/08/2023 18:42

Try adjusting her diet before using antibiotics and harsh skincare products.

BrevityOverLevity · 11/08/2023 19:11

TwilightSkies · 11/08/2023 18:42

Try adjusting her diet before using antibiotics and harsh skincare products.

Yeah when you get folliculitis they advise dietary changes.

Give your head a wobble, her face will scar untreated.

Bairnsmum05 · 11/08/2023 20:21

Acnecide with benzoyl peroxide made a difference but tbh prescription of differen gel had the most positive effects.

DevastatedandDistraught · 11/08/2023 22:09

My daughter had similar skin to yours. At 14, even though Lymecycline had pretty much cleared her spots she still had oily skin.

The dermatologist put her on Isotretinoin (Roaccutane). She did not need it. This drug is licensed to be used in the most severe cases as a last resort but in reality is handed out like sweets as a first and only option. My poor girl took that poison for 6 months and then she had a sudden suicidal urge, which came out of nowhere, and it was overwhelming. She took her own life at age 15. Prior to taking this drug she had no previous mental health issues at all. Quite the opposite, she was the most happy go lucky child ever.

Despite my misgivings, on prescribing this drug I was told by the dermatologist that “suicide only happens to those who are depressed about their skin”. In hindsight I know this to be untrue because this drug works to clear acne and the suicides linked to this drug are happening once the skin is improved. If you are considering Isotretinoin be aware of the dangers. It was developed as a chemotherapy drug to treat brain cancer and can have lasting damage both physically and mentally. Look at some of the FB groups for survivors of this drug who are damaged for life.

If you are considering this drug for your child you might think she will be ok. We thought we would notice if our child was struggling. We didn’t. The simple truth is you cannot tell who will be ok and who won’t. The difference between my child and those who are ok on Isotretinoin is down to one factor- luck.

Please do not let your daughter ever take Isotretinoin. You do not want to be me and live with the guilt and the heartbreak and the loss. And sadly my daughter is not an isolated case. She is just one of many.

RavenT · 11/08/2023 22:21

I didn't go to the gp until I was 17 with teenage acne, which I very much regret. I don't have scars, but I spent my secondary years as a spotty teenager and it really affected my confidence. The sooner you take her, the better imo.

stevalnamechanger · 12/08/2023 00:52

scrollinginthedark · 10/08/2023 11:18

Angels on bare skin is a great face wash from lush. It's full of lavender and other soothing things. Might be worth a go? I use it after years of little break out - I was offered some serious stuff by the gp but it never seemed worth the side effects. Even when I stop using this for a few days I can feel some spots coming.

Essential oils are irritants . Avoid .

  • sunscreen
  • prescription topical from GP
  • hydration
  • spot patches on amazon

Don't pick . Those read marks are PIE ( google PIE vs PIH)

stevalnamechanger · 12/08/2023 00:53

minipie · 11/08/2023 07:31

Yy Cerave, or Cetaphil

Acnecide is probably the best over the counter treatment (weak benzoyl peroxide) - watch out it bleaches clothes & bedlinen

If those don’t do the trick I would ask the GP for Epiduo - mix of benzoyl peroxide and adapalene (a retinoid)

She could also try Spironolactone if it’s clearly hormonal (comes and goes with her cycles)

I would try these before moving on to antibiotics personally as they can mess up your gut

Great advice

Matchinglipsandfingertips · 12/08/2023 04:48

@DevastatedandDistraught I am sorry🙏

ludders01 · 13/08/2023 22:13

Which Cerave cleanser did you use please to clear up the forehead acne? I’ve used the Acne Control but it hasn’t helped loads. My son seems to have dry but acne prone skin. Using a couple of different moisturizers from Cerave and The Ordinary also.

ludders01 · 13/08/2023 22:14

@mrswishywashywoo Which Cerave cleanser did you use please to clear up the forehead acne? I’ve used the Acne Control but it hasn’t helped loads. My son seems to have dry but acne prone skin. Using a couple of different moisturizers from Cerave and The Ordinary also.

mrswishywashywoo · 14/08/2023 08:52

ludders01 · 13/08/2023 22:14

@mrswishywashywoo Which Cerave cleanser did you use please to clear up the forehead acne? I’ve used the Acne Control but it hasn’t helped loads. My son seems to have dry but acne prone skin. Using a couple of different moisturizers from Cerave and The Ordinary also.

@ludders01
This one.

www.superdrug.com/skin/face-skin-care/anti-blemish-treatments/cerave-blemish-control-cleanser-with-salicylic-acid-236ml/p/819340

ludders01 · 14/08/2023 12:33

@mrswishywashywoo thank you. That’s the one we were using alongside the Cerave moisturiser but it didn’t really do much. Have also previously tried the green Cerave cleanser and that was the same. Have moved onto some Ordinary products (a cleanser, serum and moisturiser) but again nothing really clears the forehead spots. Just looked at the LRP moisturiser which looks a good option. I do like LRP. The docs might be the way forward on this one. Like the original poster, I thought the doctor would laugh us out the surgery but sounds like it’s quite common nowadays.

spiderlight · 14/08/2023 12:58

@DevastatedandDistraught - I am so, so sorry for your loss. That's just awful.

Original poster
LookingForPurpose · 15/08/2023 20:08

She's already said she notices a difference with the cleanser even after just a few days so shes happy to keep on with that for a fortnight before going to see the GP.

OP posts:
Godofwar · 15/08/2023 20:12

That’s good news OP! I would definitely recommend still taking her to the Dr if possible. My daughter has never looked back. Good luck!

SummerSazz · 15/08/2023 20:27

My DD has had great results with tea tree oil

Whattodo112222 · 15/08/2023 20:32

Try the Effaclar range from La Roche Posay, I found it to be very effective. She could also try the contraceptive pill to treat the acne internally also if you're comfortable with that too.

ludders01 · 17/08/2023 12:25

@DevastatedandDistraught i am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for making us aware.