teenage acne

[jobec]

My 16 year old son is suffering badly with acne. His dermatologist has prescribed creams and now and again short treatments with an antibiotic for skin problems. The next step would be a treatment of Roacutane which I believe is a very serious drug indeed.

Does anyone have any experience of this drug?

I don't but I do have a 16 year old DS with acne.
We tried topical treatments of every kind and I resisted oral antibiotics as long as possible but he finally started Lymecyclin in June. It worked very well, very quickly but the effect wore off after a few weeks. He is now on Erythromicin and again I can see an improvement in just a week so we will have to see.
I understand your reservations about Roaccutane, I would be the same but I think there are some regulars on the teenage board who have first had knowledge.

My son had terrible acne from about 14 and tried loads of different lotions and potions . At 16 we took the plunge and went down the roaccutane route , it took a couple of months to get the dose correct( it's done on weight but mine needed a stronger dose) but within 4/5 months his skin was clear and in the past couple of years he has only got the occasional spot. To our family it is a wonder drug and I would highly recommend it. Also because it is a drug with serious side effects ( we never got them, apart from the dry lips) the dermatologists are really careful about monitoring your blood etc. what amazes me is that when you stop taking it your acne doesn't come back.

Friends son took roacutane,he did get one of the rare side effects but it worked.
I think it can only be taken in the winter so you need to get started soon

I have no actual experience of this drug but you and your ds have my sympathy. My ds1 has acne which clears up for about 2 months then sprouts again. He completed an oral antibiotic course about 8 weeks ago and the spots are back with a vengeance so back next week to see GP.

Ds's friend is on it but his acne was so bad it affected his confidence and he stopped going to college, not sure if that was the acne or the drug causing his stress. Sorry not to be able to offer more advice.

My son had his during the summer/autumn so I don't think that there is a time of the year restriction. Although there is a huge worry about the side effects for us it was outweighed by the effects that the acne was having on his life.

The latest medical advice (according to my GP) on antibiotics suggests that they should be taken for 6 months to see real improvement.

think it can only be taken in the winter so you need to get started soon

OH I didn't know that dd is goign to the GP next week her acne is realy bad and we have been down all the usual routes I was going to ask for it so winter is on its way thanks for the infor

It was my friend (whose son used roacutane) that his consultant didn't want him on it in the summer. I think it makes your skin much more sensitive to the sun. Maybe some consultants are more cautious with it that others.

I will ask though bruffin dd has had cream that she had to wear sunscreen over because it made her skin sensitive,

I was told that as long as you use high factor sun screen and are VERY careful about being out in the sun then there is no reason not to take roaccutane in the summer time. IT will dry you out, dry lips and skin but also made me feel dehydrated too, so again be careful to drink plenty of water in hot weather.

It does have lots of side effects, some of the serious albeit rare. It really is a case of weighing up the risks vs the severity of the acne really. It is also a big commitment as the usual treatment course is 6 months or so and pushing through annoying side effects for that length of time could be tough.

I suggest you check out the patient information leaflet on the British association of dermatologists website : www.bad.org.uk/site/1480/Default.aspx

acne.org is quite a good site to check out for both positive and negative feedback on this drug too.

Dermatologists can also give long term antibiotics and/or cycle antibiotics which can be quite effective; but the problem is long term antibiotic use isn't without problems either and as soon as you stop taking them the problem returns. With roaccutane it tends to put the acne into remission for a good long period of time and even cure it completely for many.

I think there is a contraceptive pill that works for acne but just for girls obviously Dd is really suffering she has had it since the end of primary school we tried the antibiotics before they were ok but it all flared up again ,

DD2 took roaccutane when she was 14. It was very effective. It can be taken at any time of year but it does make skin more easily sunburnt.
The dermatologist did say it was very possible she'd need a second or even third course.
So far, so good. She still gets spots but they are spots rather than acne.

I took it 20 years ago. Had 2 cycles and it cleared up. Never to return again. Miracle!!!

My ds is 14 and has mild acne. I have brought him a face wash by Simple but not sure it is working. Any suggestions for what else to try? Do not want anything harsh or prescribed, thankfully not that bad yet!

Ds uses Lush Dark Angel. It's black and messy but it has made a big difference since he started using it.

So far, so good. She still gets spots but they are spots rather than acne.

That sounds really positive we have a Ds appointment on thursday I am going to ask for it ,

We have loads of experience here. DS spent 6-8 months last year on it, finishing in about September.

(After treatment since age 11 and pretty much 2 years on each of 2 and tibiotics (with trials of all the topical treatment in combination as well- don't forget usein both is often good).)

I gave him all the info (leaflets are on patient.co.uk for a start off) and told him he was an intelligent 15yr old and he was to make his own choice in conjunction with the dermatologist. Remember it is a "cosmetic" treatment and doesn't actually have to be used (I know the effects of acne are far reaching but still the option NOT to treat is there).

I stepped back completely and he and the dermatologist discussed on an adult level, he asked appropriate and searching questions and a joint choice to treat was made.

He didn't have an easy time on it at all, but he was aware that he was not likely to, and coped pretty well. THe hardest part really was the initial phase when we had lovely clearance fast, then relapse, as bad as ever before the dose as increased.

Side effects wise skin dryness was huge. His lips cracked/peeled constantly- he failed a french horn audition because the bleeding lips impaired his playing (nosebleeds too) He had muscle aches - as a keep sportsman that was tough too. He did choose start/stop of treatment to avoid rugby season though!

He never had any mood issues depression though, and couldn't see why he should given as he had chosen this drug to improve the very thing in his life that that DID depress him.

NOW:

He has amazing skin. Really total clearance of acne.

But.... he is still quite dry and burns easily still wears factor 50 in the UK. He see this as fair trade off for the acne being gone, but this could be a lifelong issue.

We know of 1 really severe dry eyes in a chap in his ?20s due to roaccutane too. He too , though he need ongoing drops etc, feels it's a reasonable deal.

I would advise against it. My ds took it he is 52 and he was 18 at the time. It worked but the side effects are quite serious and can show up years later.

dp not ds!

I took it in my mid teens for cystic acne and it was the only thing that worked (and by god did we try EVERYTHING). I have never regretted taking Roaccutane, it gave me back my teenage years!! Side effects are harsh but I would have swam with sharks if it meant my skin got better

Ihaven't tried it. I considered it a while back as was suffering from acne since early teens -only reprieve was when on the pill.

I still suffer, but it does seem tohave settled down (age 44!) enough to put up with it. I visited a dermatologist about it, NHS referred by GP. I was interested to talk to him as there are more treatments than you would normally think. There are verydifferent types of antiobiotics - of course they need to be taken long term - which isn't great.

As well as that, the topical lotions/creams etc can be quite successful. I was prescribed Differin, which is the mildest retinoid cream. I apply a v thin layer at night and it basically increases cell turnover, avoiding chance of blocked pores. I does work. The derm basically said that it is the topical, milder equivalent of using the Roaccutane.? But isn't permanent andhas far fewer side effects.

Acne is horrible. After reading up on the Roaccutane - I think that I would have used it by now if my skin hadn't settled as much as I was soo fed up of having 'teenage' skin for 30 years. But the side effects - the more serious ones- did scare me a bit.

I would go back to discuss with dermatologist all the options - but if advice is pointingtowards the roaccutane, then go for it. Hope he gets sorted out soon.

Ketsugo is very good for this

I would suggest the red/blue light therapy before you go down the serious drug route.

No drugs, no pain, no side effects. But you need to allow 15 mins everyday sitting in front of the light. Worked for me.