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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

14 year ds old acne on forehead

26 replies

Designerenvy · 29/09/2019 23:37

Hi, my 14 year old has bad enough acne on his forehead. His whole forehead is covered with pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
He's using la Roche Posay facial wash and their duo cream after it. There has been some improvement but it's still bad enough .
Today I've started him on the Simple exfoliator , and hope he'll use that twice a week plus the Simple light moisturiser .
Just wondering if anyone has any other ideas . Or a regeme that has worked for their teenagers.
It doesn't help that he has this long fringe ....so the oil from his hair doesn't help. I get him to wash the hair every other day and i get him to clip it back at night in bed.... which in fairness , he doesn't mind doing.
TIA

OP posts:
0DimSumMum0 · 30/09/2019 00:12

I will be reading with interest as my son has exactly the same problem. He also has a long fringe. At the moment we are trying to steam regularly, which does help and also he is cleansing with witch hazel then applying oxy10. The hair is a real problem.

MyBeloved · 30/09/2019 00:22

Go to the GP. They like to treat acne to prevent scarring. Flowers

Thehagonthehill · 30/09/2019 00:24

Acnecide from Boots.There is a wash which is very drying and a gel.
DD uses simple face wash,acnicide gel and an oil free moisturiser.
If acnecide doesn't work then it is time to see the GP.Like any other treatment though give it a good 4 months to work.

Original poster
Designerenvy · 30/09/2019 00:25

ODim, my ds is getting very self conscious, which I can understand. That's why I'm trying these washes/ creams.
I might try the steaming, that may well help thanks .

OP posts:
Pumpkintopf · 30/09/2019 00:26

I'd second seeing your GP.

Original poster
Designerenvy · 30/09/2019 00:28

Thanks my beloved , I was thinking of the gp alright , might give this another week or 2 and if there's no improvement, I'll definitely go. Thank you.
Thanks Thehagonthehill, will look into those products.

OP posts:
Original poster
Designerenvy · 30/09/2019 00:31

Thank pumpkintopf , I suppose I was putting off going to gp because it's only on his forehead, but it's very angry and covers all of it.
I don't like the idea of medication forgot, do gp' s prescribe stronger creams / washes ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Designerenvy · 30/09/2019 00:32

Forgot= for it

OP posts:
DeRigueurMortis · 30/09/2019 00:36

What worked for DS was acnecide facial cleanser used in tandem with a Clarisonic face brush.

It's a sonic brush (sadly not cheap, but you can get cheaper brands if you look on amazon - DH has a Hangsung which seems to be just as effective) and did wonders for the blackheads/whiteheads that the wash alone didn't shift. So much so DH bought his and is a convert.

I'd also advocate changing his pillow case very frequently as the oils from face/hair impregnate it as well as keeping his fringe off his face.

Since this regime DS has had hardly any breakouts and his skin looks great. For him at least, I think keeping on top of the deep cleaning of his skin and oil build up has been a game changer.

I think the fact it's a gadget helped and I'm pretty sure his idea of cleaning his face was far less effective pretty lacklustre than the Clarisonic with very specific instructions and timings on how you use it.

That said, if it's really bad you might want to visit your GP though I wanted to try less invasive approaches first, which in our case thankfully worked.

Good luck.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 30/09/2019 04:06

I would take him to the GP. It sounds like he needs something on prescription to help.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 30/09/2019 04:09

Posted too soon. Duac cream from GP worked really well for teens in my family.

Greyhound22 · 30/09/2019 04:51

He could try the carbon theory soap it has cleared my skin up but I would def see your GP.

Fatshedra · 30/09/2019 06:33

I use my electric toothbrush gently on my blackheady nose every week or few days. It works. With a bit of soap to lubricate.

Bambooclock · 30/09/2019 06:39

We went with clearasil cleaner plus overnight benzoyl peroxide cream. Its resulted in 90% improvement. So worth a go.

Oblomov19 · 30/09/2019 06:47

I took Ds1 to the GP and he was given some tablets and a new facial wash.
Please go and see your GP.

Original poster
Designerenvy · 30/09/2019 07:17

Thanks everyone, some great advise there.
I'll give it another week and make sure he complies fully with skin cleaning regime, he can be a bit forgetful ( like most teenagers , I presume), I'll change pillow covers frequently .
If there isn't any visible improvement, I'll book a gp appointment for sure .
Thanks again, advice has been invaluable.

OP posts:
Bloomburger · 30/09/2019 07:22

DS goes to a local beauty salon and has light treatment for 15 minutes every couple of weeks and it's made the world of difference to his skin. He had dreadful boils all around his jaw line and on his forehead. Now he gets the odd spot but the boils are a thing of the past which is really good as he wouldn't leave them alone and I could see him ending up with lots of scars.

He had to have it twice a week for 5 weeks then once a week for 10 weeks now just goes fortnightly.

I think it's supposed to kill bacteria and help with healing and is called Dermalux.

shebagthehag · 30/09/2019 07:30

Another vote for acnecide, it's my go too when my forehead gets lumpy and it clears up within the week!

BrokenWing · 30/09/2019 07:30

ds(15) has a fringe thing and his forehead is really spotty, red and sore looking, his hands are never away from it which also doesn't help. Over the summer I kept on him to wash his face in shower every morning and then again at night (with Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Exfoliating Wash which doesn't dry his skin). He also spot treated red/bigger spots with a tea tree blemish stick at night.

Within a week there was a massive improvement. Left to his own devices it is worse again. He knows if he keeps up with it it will get better but it seems beyond him to remember without prompting 🙄.

JaneEyreAgain · 30/09/2019 07:34

Think about food... the skin breakouts are a hormonal reaction but you can help balance the hormonal surges with an anti-inflammatory diet.

Original poster
Designerenvy · 30/09/2019 07:34

I'm in Ireland and have googled acnecide, I'm not sure it's available here but will call to our local boots to check. Thank u.
Yes, brokenwing, my ds can't do it without promoting either , must be an age thing Hmm

OP posts:
justanotherworkingmum · 30/09/2019 07:42

My DD has very similar skin. We went to the GP and they prescribed an anti-bacterial/anti-biotic lotion (can't remember the name) that had not effect at all. Because she's a girl the just wanted to put her on the pill, which neither she nor I were keen on, so she's trying to mange it on her own.

It varies in severity from week to week, but there is a lot of scaring ☹️

lassofthenorth · 30/09/2019 07:47

Honestly OP just go to the GP. I took DD a couple of months ago and she now sees a dermatologist. Our GP was absolutely lovely and very kind/sensitive. I wasn’t even sure it was bad enough to go.

LatteLady · 30/09/2019 07:49

Please don't wait to see your GP, go now and get it dealt with. OTC medicines will not work consistently.

Roselilly36 · 30/09/2019 07:56

DS2 has problem acne too. I tried various OTC treatments with no improvement, we saw GP who was really helpful, he has been prescribed oral antibiotic and an ointment both once a day. He goes back to GP in two and half months. If that doesn’t help he will refer him to dermatologist. See your GP would be my advice, they really do want to help, as previous poster said to prevent scarring etc. I hope it improves soon for your DS.