DD (15) and acne. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

[ladyandthechocolate]

DD has had acne for about 3 years. Firstly controlled by acnecide cream and then she was prescribed 3/12 of antibiotics (I think doxycycline) which worked incredibly for about a year. When it returned she was prescribed DUAC which is a cream containing both an antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide I think. Again this worked so well and she was almost spot free for a year. Her skin became accustomed to it and has now been terrible for 6 months. She’s tried topical erythromycin (little help) and she’s back on doxycycline for the last month but it doesn’t seem to be doing anything. She washes with cerave and uses a simple cream as I’m aware of looking after the skin barrier.

We’ll have to go back to the GP I guess but I’m wondering if the contraceptive pill would be worth a go. The spots are mainly clustered around lower face so I do wonder if there is a big hormonal element.
i hate the thought of her needing antibiotics but she’s getting really really down about it.
I’m at the point of taking her to a dermatologist if we can’t get on top of it.

I think the pill will be their next step.

If you google NICE guidelines for acne it will show up the treatment sequence.

If it’s any comfort my dh and other people with no spleen people take either 100mg of doxy or penicillin daily for life with no problems.

Try differin
It was miraculous for me.

Roaccutane?
What are your feelings? Ds1 took it for a short time, post gp referral to consultant at dermatology dept at local hospital, didn't like it, but it was effective.

I had persistent acne as a teen and Roaccutane was the only thing that really helped. For me the side effects were minimal and the benefits huge .

Differen gel is very effective. If she getting them lower part of her face, it's likely her sugar intake is too high.

Contraceptive pill might be worth a go but I know it’s hardcoreC roaccutane I think is one of the few things that work and last.

Having suffered with acne for years and it blighting my teenage years, I’d go to a dermatologist if you can afford it. I wish I’d gone sooner. It sounds like you are doing the right things in terms of skincare etc, topical creams etc so it may be necessary to try an antibiotic or roaccutane. Good luck!

I still get hormonal acne as an adult. The things that made a difference were the pill and a keto diet.

Along with treatments, is she having any facials?

Yasmin is the pill that works well for acne. I would push for it. Don't let her suffer

Yes when DD needed to go on the pill anyway for painful periods I asked them to prescribe Dianette, it's specifically designed to treat acne. They where slightly reluctant at first as it has the slightly higher estrogen so in the higher risk for blood clots. But as DD has non of the other risk factors (over weight, smoker, drinker, high blood pressure ect) and she really wanted to treat bother her acne and painful periods they agreed. It's worked really well for both and she's much happier.

Sounds similar to my DD 14.5.
has been working with GP for 3 years trying antibiotics ( doxycycline ) and creams , all help a little bit but not much. She has just started on cyprindiol and only a week in her skin seems much less greasy already ? Hoping this might settle it as hers is hormonal and sebum over production

Zinc vitamins. Research dose on google.

Roaccutane was a game changer for me & my DD has just started in it too after using everything the gp was able to prescribe.

The nhs wait for a dermatology appt was too long that we are going private. As it happens the dermatologist she's seeing is the one who prescribed it for me 25 years ago on the nhs so I know he's good.

So far the initial consultation was £180, with follow ups £90 & a months private prescription of roaacutance is £32. Although its free on the nhs, the wait was too long & I haven't found the cost of going private that much.

My DD found that everything the gp prescribed worked for about 6 months & then had to move onto the next one. She didn't want to try the pill (having been in it myself from an early age due to my skin I fully supported her in NOT wanting to go on it) so the inly thing left was a referral to dermatology for roaactuane.

I wish your DD good luck as having awful skin is soul destroying.

Hi we went through a private dermatologist. He prescribed Lymecycline for 6 months and treclin gel and the contraceptive pill. We started her on Dretine combined pill and it worked great. It then became impossible to get due to shortages so we now have Yacella which is the same apparently. There is another brand of the same pill but I can't recall the name.

Roaccutane together with a monthly facial. It isn’t a nice drug, but it works and quickly.

Ah Yasmin - just seen someone else has mentioned it. So Dretine , Yacella and Yasmin are what you want.

I had hormonal acne as a teenager and was put on dianette then Yasmin which did work brilliantly while I was on it but has caused me hormonal medicated vulvodynia. I have not had to come off the pill and am having to medicate with testosterone which means I have really bad acne again but would much rather that the the vulvodynia. Just be aware of side effects of the pill as treatment for hormonal medicate vulvodynia is difficult to get diagnosed and treated.

Diannette or Yasmin are the best contraceptive pills to try. Yasmin did make me feel depressed though. Over 45 now so can't take either
I take spironolactone which has been prescribed by a dermatologist as the step before roaccutane.
£150 for a private appointment. £250 for a blood test and & £20 prescription for 3 months supply.

Mine saw a dermatologist and got Roaccutane which was the only thing that got rid of the acne.

Thank you all for your helpful responses. @Romeandcoke i had heard about the link between the OCP and vulvodynia and it feels like a bit of a risk. I don’t want to substitute skin issues for pain!
She has a great diet, pretty low sugar and loads of veg and salad.
I think maybe I’ll start looking into a dermatologist.
also thanks for the tips re differin, I’m going to look that up.

I appreciate you have probably tried everything but what eventually worked for my DD was Carbon Theory Charcoal and Tea tree soap from Boots. It took about a month to see results but DD has gone from constantly trying to cover her face to close to blemish free. I was reluctant to put her on the pill so thought I'd try the soap. I'm really not trying to minimize your Dad's problem, just wanted to let you know about what I consider a miracle cure

Thanks @Penguinpairs I’ll look out for it.

The pill helped my daughter at this age
She was so upset and self conscious. I wouldn't hesitate to get this sorted for her via your GP.

So many of my friends used this soap and it was so calming on their skin and seemed to keep their acne to a minimum- can’t recommend it highly enough:

It used to be sold in Boots but think you can find it in Amazon.