What cleared your teenagers acne?

[dontdarepokethebear]

DD’s odd spot has developed into acne. Large angry spots that take forever to clear. Mainly on her forehead, shoulders and back.

What worked for your teenager?

I need to convince DD to go see a doctor about it. The anti-blemish face wash and topical cream from Boots don’t seem to do anything.

Thanks

My DD has bad acne and I do suspect a dairy intolerance. She was allergic to cows milk as a baby, and I am lactose intolerant. My DD refuses to give up cheese, but if yours is open to cutting back on dairy it may be worth a try.

Mine was horrific. Everyone pitied me it was so bad. I had to wear very very heavy foundation and you could see how bad it was even through the foundation. Ro accutane on prescription was the only cure.

Two rounds of isotretinoin and then spironolactone

Still working on it but definitely see GP. Oral antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide combined with a topical antibiotics and azelaic acid helping. If she's still at school prescriptions will be free.

I have had real success with Skinorin on my (menopausal) hormonal breakouts. It is azeliac acid at a concentration of 20%, and you can get it at online pharmacies with a photo so they can prescribe it for you. I have never had anything so immediately effective. I got mine online from chemist4U. They ask you to upload a picture of the acne so they can assess and approve it. Mine took about 4 hours to go through and arrived the next day.

Skin & Me. V effective prescription lotion

Roaccutane - can only be prescribed by a dermatologist. In the end the nhs wait was too long for dd so we went private. Best money Ive ever spent! Well worth it

Mine didn’t fully shift until I turned 40!

Agree- I went on roaccutane in my early 20s after years of different treatments from GP but was last resort.

My DD has acne unfortunately and GP has started her on an antibiotic cream with benzoyl peroxide. It’s cleared it up a lot. Still a way to go and they said try this for 8 weeks and review and next would be oral antibiotics.
DD has a very simple skincare routine, face wash/cleanser, sunscreen and moisturiser and the cream in the evening.

Eldest dd is on a newish pill called Yasmin and I can’t even begin to tell you how much it’s helped. Middle dd is using dermalogica but it’s rubbish she won’t be convinced to try the pill. Our Gp recommended lymocicline but she refuses to take it.

Our GP suggested this as a first try and I was gobsmacked when I read the side effects. Dd is only 15 and I absolutely said no.

Accutane for my DD. She tried lots of different creams then antibiotics but we eventually went privately to a dermatologist who prescribed accutane. It worked within 3 months and her skin has been beautifully clear since. Act now or risk scarring later.

I took that when I was a teenager 30 years ago!

@BeMellowAquaSquid - I felt the same as you about Accutane until we saw the dermatologist. She assured DD and I that in her 20 years of experience, she had only ever had one case of someone who had suffered depression whilst on it and had to stop. DD just had dry skin and lips so needed extra moisturising whilst on it. She is so happy with the results now.

No way. Yasmin? I’d never heard of it. Absolute game changer.

Duac cream from the GP.

Roaccutane was a life saver for me

Not my teenager but me, but I was mid 20’s. I did all of the things and in the finish took Roaccutane. I’m 48 now so it’s well over 20 yrs ago and it was incredible. Biggest side effect was dry eyes and nose. I was clear within 6 months and I had cystic acne. I have teenagers now with normal small spots but if they were suffering I wouldn’t hesitate at all.

I don't have a teen but had terrible acne myself. Tried everything - every OTC remedy, dairy free diet, the pill. The only thing that eventually cleared it was a course of Roaccutane. It's like taking a blunderbuss to the problem, but it does work. My skin was never as bad again, even after I'd finished the course. Side effects are manageable, just keep a close eye on her mental health and stock up on 8 Hr Cream for horrendously dry lips and skin.

Spironolactone (off licence) for hormonal acne. GP creams helped a little in the early years but as it worsened did nothing, and nor did two types of antibiotic. Not able to take pill due to migraines. Spironolactone has cleared it completely but unfortunately there is scarring as it took so long to find something that worked. Prescribed by private dermatologist initially but now by GP at derm’s request. As a PP said, try and get on top of it quickly if it gets severe.

Yes. I was told it was new then. It was recommended for PCOS and did work on my spots but you were only allowed to stay on it for a limited amount of time.

Acnecidw

Same for me. Tried everything. Yasmin was the only thing that cleared up my skin, and I only started that in my mid 20s, so I suffered a heck of a lot before that.

Go to the pharmacist for advice and if that doesn’t work the GP. Acne is a health condition.. I don’t understand why people think a face wash or scrub is going to work? You need a healthcare professional to assess and recommend treatment