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!

@AwFeebs great to hear. Sounds hopeful 🙏

My DD has been using epiduo for the last 4 weeks and we are definitely starting to see an improvement. We started applying it just twice a week and built up gradually to every day. If her face is looking dry, we apply a Cerave moisturiser 20 minutes later.

How is the Epiduo workingvfor everyone. We are apply a couple of times a week but every couple of day his skills n looks angry again. Not sure if it's working sticking with it to try something else

Ds was given DUAC mid August. He is using a salicylic acid face wash morning and night then acnecide mornings, DUAC in the evenings.

He isnt getting flare ups anymore, his skin initially went through a dry patch which he occasionally used acnecide moisturer on. Now it feels smooth-ish and is no longer dry which is good news.

But he has red dots/tiny patches on his face still which I am hoping goes away eventually and isnt permanent scarring. There are no bumps or craters.

Anyone had this? Do the red dots go away or is there anything that helps reduce them?

DS is so fed up with his skin this morning I have contacted the Doc again for one last try and if not I may go down the Dermatica route. I have used it for 6 months and it has made such a difference I just need to see if there is a minimum age they will treat

My DS suffered from really bad acne from 13-17yrs. We tried everything including creams and anti-biotics from the GP. In the end we were referred to a dermatologist and he was prescribed roccutaine - with success - he is now 19. I would always recommend a referral (GPs don't understand skin). I would recommend quitting all the products which just increase irritation. Ignore all the quit dairy, try garlic advice, so called experts on you tube, miracle products...its all rubbish which will waste your time and take your money.

DS2 hated DUAC and preferred to be spotty!

I think it was someone on this thread that mentioned Acnecide is a good port of call before the GP, so I got some for DD, and it's worked wonders. She's very, very pleased.

Our whole family now uses Cetaphil face wash, which is apparently good for acne prone skin, but it's the best facial wash I've ever tried.

ds(17) is nearly at the end of his first tube of DUAC so had to take photos for the eConsult. The before photo wasn't his spots at their worst, he had been using Acnecide once a day for 3 weeks and it was a couple of days after a big flare up when it looked worse.

The after photo is 9 weeks into consistently using a salicylic acid face wash morning and night then Acnecide in the morning and DUAC in the evenings.

Thankfully it is much improved and he is much happier. Ignore the slight pinkness to the skin he has been washing cars all after as part of a fund raiser at school and was soaked!

I am hoping the red spots that are left, which are smooth, are just healing and will fade eventually.

Not sure if the Dr will give us another tube of DUAC or advise to continue with Acnecide only now and so how it goes. From what I can see online it says topical antibs should not be used for more than 12 weeks at a time.

He needs to start using some cream on his shoulders as they are getting spotty now!

Hope your dc are starting to see some results too. 💐

@WeAllHaveWings what a difference, you ds must be really pleased. DS Doc has prescribed Lymecycline but I feel nervous with him taking it mainly due to the risk of making his teeth. I have tried a Dermatica prescription. He had a huge purge and his skin looked as bad as it ever has but over the last day or so it seems to have calmed down and is being to clear. Time will tell. So glad you have seen such positive results

@Manyoaks I know we have been very lucky the first thing the gp gave him has made a real difference, trying treatment after treatment must be so disheartening especially when they have to be used for so long before you really know if they are helping and if not trying the next one.

I didnt know Lymecycline could cause teeth staining, must admit that would worry me too, hard choice to make. Hope the Dermatica prescription helps your ds the same way it helped you.

A fix the first time round would have been been easier option but as I am learning with teens nothing is ever easy 😂 His skin looks like it is turning the corner from the purge, again I feeling really hopeful

How are things for your teens at the moment? Worse than ever again so DS has started taking the Lymecycline wanted to avoid it if possible but we are getting no where unfortunately. Hoping he seems some change in his skin soon as struggling what to do next. Hope others are continuing to move the right direction

@Manyoaks was thinking about your ds other other day, sorry to hear he is still struggling to find the right treatment.

Ds(17) is still ok on DUAC/acnecide/salicylic acid face wash combo, he is getting the occasional spot starting on his face but it clears quickly and the red dots left from when his face was bad are definitely fading without leaving any scaring.

Dr gave him another prescription for DUAC and said he can use it for up to 4 months which will take us to mid December.

His shoulders are quite spotty now but he wont consistently use the same routine on them. Just hope when he stops the DUAC and uses just the acnecide /face wash the spots stay away from his face.

They will work their way down this list, I expect-

Topical antibiotic cream
Antibiotic pills
The contraceptive pill
Dianette
Roaccutane

Another mum of teen here who has had Duac for a year, Dd still gets the odd spot but so much better. Don't suffer in silence treatment is so much better than when we were teens. So worth it.

The GP will probably prescribe a long course (3 months) of Tetracycline/Oxytetracyline or similar, and/or some gel to put on. Ask if your son can be referred to a Dermatologist, where other treatments such as Roaccutane can be prescribed.

@Neurodiversitydoctor

Another mum of teen here who has had Duac for a year, Dd still gets the odd spot but so much better. Don't suffer in silence treatment is so much better than when we were teens. So worth it.

Have they allowed your dd to keep using DUAC? We were told he could use for 4 months only, assumed it was due to it being an antibiotic.

Yes, we have just asked for repeat prescriptions.

Hi I just wanted to share the experience of my son using dermatica.

He had had acne for around 2 years mainly down his t zone. Nothing we had tried worked.

Joined Dermatica last month and sent them photos of his skin and he answered some questions.

They sent him a face wash and moisturiser and the main treatment which is made up of Adapalene 0.1% Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% and Clindamycin 1.% Used every night.

Results after 3 nights are miraculous. Existing spots have almost gone, no sign of any new ones, overall we are really pleased and wish we'd joined Dermatica sooner.

Best of luck with whatever you do

Thank you @WeAllHaveWings I do checking checking back to see if there are any updated of everyone's teens or if anyone has stumbled across a miraculous cure ☺️

@paisley256 I too am a big fan of Dematica it helped my skin no end. DS hasn't been so lucky. I have sent updated photos which are much worse than when he started and they suggested battling through the dreaded purge. Since starting on Lymecycline they have changed his prescription from Adapalene 0.1% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1% lotion to just
Adapalene 0.1% / Niacinamide 4%

Which isn't far from what is in Freederm if I remember rightly. Will stick at it a little while longer. i think one of the issues we have is waiting 3 months to see if there is an improvement seems to be forever. We will hit on the right thing, its just figuring out what that is.

Glad most of your teens are doing well