Poor DD, awful acne.

[Hadafuckfull]

DD is 14, 15 in April. Over the past few months she's developed really bad acne over her chest, back and face. Her face isn't so bad but her chest and back is really bad with lots of pink scarring and white, greasy lumps despite the fact she never picks.

She's getting really self conscious about swimming or wearing tops that show her chest or back. She just washes with shower gel and water at the moment but I'm wondering whether I'd be better off with a GP appointment or something over the counter to start with.

Anyone else's teen suffer the same?

Both mine had v severe acne, sounding similar to your DD. I'd take her to go - mine both developed an infection which was much improved by antibiotics. On was under a dermatologist for 3 years, and on stronger medication than anything over counter. People sometimes say its 'just acne', but it can be v painful and doctors do see it as a real problem if very severe.
Won't do any harm to try some over the counter products and see if they help, but I'd also get her checked at docs.

Take her to gp, I meant to say!

Take her to the GP and get her some ancnecide cream from the chemist. Be careful with the cream because it bleaches clothes, so use it at night and put an old towel over the pillow and wear a white t-shirt to sleep in.

Might be worth reading about folliculitis, I spent two decades thinking I had acne on my chest/back/neck and it turns out to be a form of folliculitis instead and should be treated slightly differently. I use nizoral shampoo on my skin three times a week in the shower and make sure my shower gel, shampoo and conditioner don't contain silicone, sulphates etc.

Also avoid harsh spot treatments like clearasil as they are too strong and strip the skin of oil, so it then over produces oil.

No one should suffer from severe acne in this day and age. It's a medical issue and is treatable (sometimes takes a while to find the right one, hormonal treatments, antibiotics, roaccutane if all else fails). I had severe acne, debilitating to my confidence and still have the physical scars (and self esteem) finally cured by roaccutane. I will be taking my children to GPs at first sign of an acne problem, it's treatable so don't hesitate to take her.

Straight to GP. I have two boys with severe acne - tried everything but now both on roaccutane. Nearly 3 months in and their skin is looking great in comparison. DS2 has been told he'll need plastic surgery after the treatment ends. Don't delay it trying over the counter stuff for anything other than a very mild case. It sounds like your DDs isn't a mild case.

I had terrible bacne until I changed to a silicone free shampoo and conditioner

Thanks all, appointment with GP then, wasn't sure if I should be trying OTC stuff first. I'll look for silicon free hair products though, it may help

Roaccutane. She'll need at least 3 months of antibs first.

Its been a miracle for both my dds. No side effects other than dry fragile skin while on it.

My DD was prescribed the pill at 14 for severe acne on her back and chest. It certainly helps but hasn't gotten rid of it completely and she still gets the occasional spot here and there. Dermo wanted to put her on roaccutane but I didn't want to because of the side effects. However, had it been her last resort then she would have gone for it. I was prescribed with it when I was a teenager and didn't have any bad effects from it.

Hi Op. Bad acne sufferer here. I had it all over my back and face from a young age and it worsened as I got to 16 I was covered in scars from it. I was put on roaccutane. Strong, but amazing stuff. I was on it for 6 months in the end and my skin looked amazing. Only side effect I had was dry skin. Definitely worth a GP visit.

My boys take antibiotics and use a retinoic acid cream - works really well for them. The GP also suggested zinc supplements.

Look up Bionetics online, it can be very effective for acne, she will need to take the results of the tests seriously and make some changes to her diet and take the supplements but it really does work and is a natural alternative.

Gp. They might want her to try a few things before referring to derm so the sooner the better.