Teenage Acne - what can the GP do?

[Tarrarra]

Poor ds is really suffering with acne. We’ve tried lots of skincare, most recently the nip+fab teen range but nothing is shifting it on his face or back. Is this something that the gp can help with and if so, what shall I be asking for? Thanks!

MissLucyEyelesbarrow
Cassimin still thinks that patients aren't referred for Roaccutane because doctors think it's too hard work.
Gosh, did I give that impression, I’m sorry MissLucyEyelesbarrow I certainly didn’t want anyone to think this. Our dr works very hard.
I only mentioned that my children had tried duac but they had tried many other things, none of which worked. I can’t remember all they were prescribed as it was 7 years ago.
I thought that by sharing our experience of roaccutane it may give people some hope that there may be something that could work for them if they were mid through their journey and feeling down or disheartened.
As I said our hardworking dr was very sympathetic. Kept checking in on us and always said that if the current medication wasn’t working there would be something else we could try.
Of course as with any medication there will be some people who cannot take roaccutane for their own reasons.
My intention was to give our positive experience incase anyone had been offered the drug and was weary of taking it. If everyone commented just negative experiences then parents may not choose to take a risk and their children may suffer as a result.
We took all the advice our dr gave and for us it was a positive experience.

@AwFeebs Duac didn’t do anything for my kids either. If they’ve given it a good go it’s worth going back and trying something else.

@Catdemons

For those who have not had luck with other treatments, I'd like to recommend a zinc + niacinamide gel.

Of course, acne is very individual, and what works for one person may not work for others. But it's the only thing that has made any difference for me in 22 years of trying various treatments. (I've had acne since age 11, am 33 now, and even roaccutane had no effect for me. It's not completely gone now, but it is greatly improved.)

@Catdemons thanks for the recommendation, I am another one who roaccutane didn’t work for (not many of us around!). Is the gel something you can buy over the counter, if so what is the brand please?

Thanks, I may just go back to the GP. Got to be something out there that'll work for her!

Hi @minipie, I've been purchasing it over-the-counter from The Ordinary, but I have seen other companies offering a similar product.

I live outside the UK, so am not sure which companies to recommend. But it's 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc, if that helps.
(That is apparently too high-strength for some people, so you might want to try something with lower concentrations to begin with, but I haven't had any problems.)

I hope it works for you!

Thank you Catdemons!

@Catdemons

Hi *@minipie*, I've been purchasing it over-the-counter from The Ordinary, but I have seen other companies offering a similar product.

I live outside the UK, so am not sure which companies to recommend. But it's 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc, if that helps.
(That is apparently too high-strength for some people, so you might want to try something with lower concentrations to begin with, but I haven't had any problems.)

I hope it works for you!

@Catdemons I might try the niacinamide+zinc for ds too if the DUAC alone doesn't work.

Can you apply immediately before or after the DUAC or do you have to apply at different times of the day?

@minipie, you are welcome!

@WeAllHaveWings, I would recommend discussing this with a GP, but my thought is that it would be better to try one at a time.

I know that you are not supposed to use niacinamide + zinc at the same time of day as vitamin C... not sure about mixing it with other treatments, but I would definitely ask a GP before using it and duac at the same time.

I know that the benzoyl peroxide in duac can cause skin peeling and dryness, so would be hesitant to use that with something else (other than a gentle cleanser and moisturizer). I hope that helps!

Well we’ve just been and the GP had suggested oral antibiotics and a cream with anti inflammatory stuff in. Will pick it up later and see how we go.

We've just been prescribed something new too! Epiduo?

Anyone have any experience?

Most of the PP's are recommending harsh treatments.

For daily cleansing, I would use CeraVe Foam Cleanser (which is recommended for tweens/teens and adults who have acne prone skin). I would use this morning and night. The foam cleanser also has niacinamide which is integral for acne as it slows down oil production.

Then twice a week (MAX) I would use CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser which contains Salicyic acid. Can't spell... but SA is harsh which is why I would opt for twice a week.

Then I would use a non fragrant cream... CeraVe Cream.

The in between... I'm not so sure what to recommend.

Oh and sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen!! Everyday!!! Even in Winter. You want to avoid those scars!!! I prefer mineral sunscreen

We have had Epiduo recently for DS. Used it for a couple of day and he said his skin was so sore. It looked like it burnt/agitated his skin in his chin. Have left his skin alone from everything for a week. Scared to start again but spot are pinging back up

I didn’t have serious acne as a teenager but got it as an adult.

I couldn’t do harsh treatments because I have rosacea too, so I was put on zinc supplements and omega 3 supplements and they made a huge difference. Are these not recommended for teens?

@Manyoaks could you be using too much? It says to start with a pea sized amount for the whole face to start of with.

Weve been using it for a few days and touch wood no major side effects have occurred yet.

The GP can offer lots of treatments and refer him to a dermatologist if necessary.

If paying is an option for you then I can highly recommend Obagi Medical Skincare and their acne specific treatment is called CLENZIderm. It's amazing. My own son used it and his skin was unrecognisable after 16 weeks.

There's loads of before and after pics online.

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

Can anyone recommend a sunscreen for teens who are on the medication that makes their skin sensitive?

DS has an oral antibiotic and a face gel which is antibacterial from GP. They are working moderately well -in that he's still prone to large lumps which are painful but the spots are much better, the redness is improved and the lumps have reduced in frequency. And he's not being left with scars, which is what he is interested in.

However, his skin is sensitive and gets dry. He's been using aveeno and rose hip oil on it if it's very dry.

He ould do with a moisturising sun screen - but I don't know what will be best with outbreak prone skin.

Anyone got a top tip? Thanks

Heliocare Gel specifically for the face. I can't link but it's about £20-£25 on Amazon and the white/orange product is exactly the same as the yellow/brown packaging but cheaper

Gp can help loads and actually this is just the sort of thing remote consultations will work for. Take some good , in focus photos and do an e consult or telephone consult.

Start on the “ ladder “ of treatment with topicals snd up to date photos in 3months. You’ve got to give a decent time to try and photos are even better to compare same areas of skin the. Everyone peering at at saying they think it’s better than they remember from last time 😂

@Manyoaks

We have had Epiduo recently for DS. Used it for a couple of day and he said his skin was so sore. It looked like it burnt/agitated his skin in his chin. Have left his skin alone from everything for a week. Scared to start again but spot are pinging back up

@manyoaks not sure about Adapalene part of Epiduo as ds hasn't used it, but benzoyl peroxide which is in Epiduo and also in acnecide can be harsh.

Acnecide suggest starting using once every other day and building up if skin tolerates it.

I think we may have been AwFeebs would you advise putting it on all over or just the affected areas. DS has only just said please can we sort my face out. Will try it again. Thank you for your advice

WeAllHaveWings he hasn't put anything on his skin for over a week apart from a cereve facial wash so will start it gradually again. May also try buffer method and use moisturiser first. I have also picked up a acnecide moisturiser hoping it wouldn't be as harsh but obviously won't use them together. I know if I have one spot it makes me feel conscious so they must feel pretty rotten about it

Ds has the acnecide moisturer too and likes it as it is very light, I don't think it treats spots, it just moisturises without clogging pores and making them worse again. Ds uses the moisturiser occasionally when his skin is very dry/rough after using the treatments.

Since last weekend we have been putting a small amount of Epiduo just on the affected areas of his skin. I noticed today his skin looked less red and calmer. Is it purely by chance or would we be seeing results so quickly. The doc had said a couple of months to notice any difference

My daughter has also suffered from acne. The only thing that's completely cleared them up from her face/shoulders and back has been a piece of raw garlic every day. I saw that from a (food is medicine) book by Don Tolman. Apparently garlic is an antibacterial agent. I didn't think it would work, but she was upset and wanted to try anything! Well it works!

@Manyoaks must be the cream as I was thinking the same about my daughter.

Hers definitely looks less red and angry. And touch wood no side effects as of yet.

Fingers crossed for them both!