Teenage Acne

[NanaNina]

I've posted about this before but periodically scan the teenage board to see if anyone posts about acne but never see any posts about this. My DGD is 15 and has had acne since she hit puberty at around 12. She has had all kinds of topical treatments and antibiotics from the GP but nothing works. Spots are mostly on the T zone - forehead, around nose and chin but seem to be getting worse as she gets older. Her mom also had this problem in her teenage years and doesn't have particularly good skin as an adult. I've mentioned to her mom (my dil) about DGD seeing a dermatologist (think the GP should have referred her by now) an offered to pay privately - dil said she mentioned it to DGD and she said she "would think about it." I don't mention DGD's skin though sometimes it's better than others and then I might comment. She doesn't seem the least bit concerned about it, but I'm sure she must be as all her friends have clear skins.

I read that around 80% of teenagers will have problems with skin but I never see anyone else with this problem (and I've taken to scanning the faces of teenagers!) Have noticed it with boys and I think they are more prone because of the testosterone element.

I know there are lots of so called remedies and what suits one doesn't suit another, and I've read about Ruoccatane (sp?) and the effectiveness of it but some scary side effects.

Anyone got any advice?

I've seen Cetaphil recommended on here and I am thinking of trying it on DSs incredibly spotty back.

Both my children have had problems with acne. Dd was finally sorted by taking the contraceptive Yasmin. Dis is three months into roaccutane treatment which is now making a noticeable difference. There are a lot more options for girls as there are several hormone (contraceptive) pilss which they can try.

Please be careful about how much emphasis you are putting on your GDG's acne, I'm sure she feels self conscious enough and there are more important things you could focus on with a 15yo. I can say this because I have a skin issue at the moment and both DH and my DM keep bringing it up, when you look in the mirror every day you know it's there, no reminder needed.

The dermatologist would only suggest exactly what has been done already - topical and antibiotics.

Strawberrytallcake, it's not true that the dermatologist could only suggest what has been done already. They are the specialists and have considerably more experience with skin problems. They can prescribe Roaccutane, which a GP can't and also a higher dose of antibiotics.
My DD has taken roaccutane which was successful. Unfortunately, the acne did return which is quite common. She is currently taking antibiotics, the contraceptive pill and Roaccutane gel which is working well.
If your DGD doesn't seem bothered though then I don't think you should keep mentioning it.

Oh, apologies I didn't realise the GP couldn't prescribe this I really thought they had the same 'prescribing powers'.

Thanks everyone - I think I've given the wrong impression about the focus of attention of DGD's acne. I never comment to her unless her skin is looking better and I might occasionally say "your skin looks good x" (using her pet nickname) and stroking her hair at the same time, and she smiles and says "thank you" - end of matter. Otherwise I never mention it, but I worry about it a lot.

The thing is I love her so much that I just want everything to be right for her (and I know that's not rational) but emotions aren't always rational are they.

I think a consultant dermatologist (like any other consultant) will have far more knowledge than a GP for obvious reasons - that is his/her specialism, whereas a GP can treat many illnesses effectively, very often patients needed to be referred to secondary care. Interesting chopchop about your DD's experience with Roaccutane - can I ask - where you (or DD) put off by the possibility of serious side effects (including depression and even suicide I've read?) I don't think my dil would ever agree that drug tbh. Yes maybe she can try a contraceptive pill - but maybe needs to be a bit older - she's only just turned 15.

Your DGD is satisfied with the way things are, it's all her choice.

There are a lot more effective treatments now compared to when I was a young'un. Where & when I grew up, maybe 1/3 of youth had fairly bad acne age 13-22, now it is uncommon ime here in Britain.

Is your DGD really applying all those creams & ointments conscientiously? There is no point in taking her to a specialist if she hasn't made a very committed effort with the OTC products she won't get on with the prescription options. DD applies everything on the market one after the other & her skin has cleared up for now. DS has bad spots because (I reckon) he does almost nothing, in spite of asking us to buy stuff or getting fussed if his Sis touches his stash.

I was prescribed Dianette for my skin when I was younger - it worked like a dream.

DD has had 6 weeks of Duac with no effect, I'm going to take her back to the GP at half term. I hope they try something else.

Nananina, DD and I were sent home with the patient information booklet and asked to seriously consider all the possible side effects of Roaccutane. The dermatologist was definitely in favour of DD using it but he also wanted her to understand the serious possible side effects.
He explained that although depression is a huge concern that many of his patients were already depressed because of the significant effect on the self esteem of having very severe acne. DD2s acne was very bad and no amount of over the counter creams would have made any difference. We had a good chat about and decided she would give it a go. Second time around though she didn't want to take it, hence the antibiotics etc.

Hi NanaNina - my daughter is starting to suffer now. She is 12 and has spots mainly on her back and a few on her face. She is very self-conscious about it whereas I don't think it's that bad. She wants me to make a GP appt to get antibiotics. DH suffered very badly with acne in his teens and 20s. I made him go to see a dermatologist when we were in our 20s. He put him on Roaccutane, but it has very strong side effects and can induce depression and other severe problems. Luckily DH didn't have any bad effects and it really worked for him, but this is something to discuss with a dermotologist and I think it has to be quite severe.
If your DGD isn't that bothered about her spots, then it's up to her whether to persue more medical intervention. My DD's best friend doesn't seem to worry about hers, but it's a personal thing rather than what someone else should be concerned about. The antibiotics take a few months to work though - I've been on them myself and it's not a quick fix.

There does seem to be a hereditary factor doesn't there. My DGD's mother (my dil) and her sister and brother also suffered with acne when they were in their teens. My dil's cleared up when she went to live in Spain for a year - maybe the sun? Hopefully your DD danceaddict won't have acne as bad as her father as I think males get it worse because of testosterone. Interestingly you weren't put off your DH when he had acne in his teens and 20s! I know Roaccutane can be effective but as I said above I know about the worrying side effects.

As others have said, girls can try the contraceptive pill that might work. I just hope something works for my DGD but she doesn't seem bothered by it and has lots of friends though not interested in boys. She's at an Allgirls school that helps I think and none of her friends are into boys yet. It started when she was 12 (about 2nd term of year 7) and she's had loads of different treatments from the GP but none have worked.

Our doctor at hospital (referred there from GP) prescribed Roaccatin. Tried EVERYTHING else. Both my two eldest were one it and it worked a treat, ,particularly with the eldest, who had it at around 16, although she has had to have a 3 month top up treatment (she is now 25) It worked on her sister but she left it late to go on it (19 or so) and has some scarring. (difficult subject to raise when they are older...you have acne, nothing is working, let's sort it out, when she just buried her head in the sand and covered it with make up)
It's a nasty drug and can have side effects but my two were ok on it, apart from v dry lips etc and the the eldest had v dry eyes and mouth/throat, and was liable to be edgey.Worth it though for them, they both agree

Is it acne or spots from not cleaning her skin properly or an allergic rash?

DS1 has acne which is currently being treated with Zineryt and something else who's name escapes me at the moment preribed by the GP. It is helping, however he also doesn't always clean his skin properly and gets blackheads on and down the side of his nose that end up in spots that are different to the rash like acne he has on his forehead, chin and chest. he camps away quite a lot and I find that it all flares up more then as he isn't showering/washing his hair and not washing his face properly either.

DS2 gets blackheads and spots through not cleansing enough too - he doesn't get acne type spots but will occaisionally get an allergic type rash (never get the bottom of what causes it) that Piriton clears up pretty much straight away.

I agree that if she isn't bothered there isn't a lot you can do.

My MIL comments occasionally to DS re his bad skin. Last time I overheard her she was jabbering on about some treatment with silver in it that she'd read about in the DM
I asked DS a few years ago if he wanted to see the GP and he said no, so I'm taking my cue from him.

Just need MIL to butt out and it will be ok.

Have you tried witch hazel which can be purchased over counter. Witch hazel is very natural.

If that doesn't work try Benzoyl Peroxide.

Ds skin is now pretty clear.

DS now uses salicylic acid and that really helps

I had acne from being 12 - and still do at 46 - although have found a successful treatment through a dermatologist, which I plan to keep up as long as necessary.

My DM was always commenting on my skin, suggesting this and that - and pointing out new breakouts. I hated it - and to this day am extremely sensitive about any small spot or blemish. Find it very embarrassing to have anything like a spot on show.

My advice is to leave her to make her own decisions. Try not to mention her appearance skin wise. If her hair style or outfit looks good then of course compliment her on those but leave the skin.

There are loads of treatments- especially for females. It may be that she decides to try the pill - something like Yasmin or Dianette works wonders. It did/does for me (unfortunately I can't take it due to other health reasons now). If topicals and antibiotics don't control it either, then the derm may suggest Roaccutane. It gets good results - but comes with side effects.

However she may just grow out of it. My DS had quite bad skin when he was about 13/14 yo. Now he is 17 and his skin is pretty good -just the odd spot, or irritation if he hasn't shaved etc.

But truly - leave her to it.

Oh, I also remember DGM telling me that I needed to wash my face more often then I wouldn't have spots.

Thanks for that

Aye, they're great these old wives, aren't they?!

When I was a teenager I had the most terrible acne - as well as face - on my chest and back too. I had long-term antibiotics and some really strong cream for my face that really dried out my skin. This was decades ago and you can still see the effects that cream had on my skin. It's basically hormones causing acne - so antibiotics and creams treat the symptoms not the cause. If I could have my time again and could choose I would go for a hormone treatment (the pill), as the acne made my life a complete misery and my skin suffers the effects today.