Combined pill for acne

[Theblacksheepandme]

My 14 yo dd has acne on her face, back and chest.

We tried the over-the-counter spot creams.

We have tried the prescribed spot creams. The GP said to go back if they didn't work.

I think the next thing she will suggest is the contraceptive pill (Yasmin). Anyone else's daughter go on the pill for acne and did it work?

It's really starting to get to her at this stage.

I am very reluctant on putting her on Roaccutane.

I used yasmin as a young woman (20s) as my acne was persistent and it worked miracles. Could only be on it for a short time (12 months perhaps) and then went on a similar pill that also kept the acne at bay. Haven’t suffered since.
My dd 14 went on accutane last November and it transformed her skin. Didn’t really have any severe side effects (dryness but easily managed with creams and eye drops) and only needed treatment for a few months. Her skin is thankfully now clear. We were really worried about her going on accutane but can only speak positively about the experience.
good luck

My 14 year old daughter is at the tapering part of a course of roaccutane. Her skin is perfect now, the only side effect was dry lips.

The dermatologist, my daughter and I discussed options before we started. She (the dermatologist) said she preferred not to use the OCP unless there were other menstrual issues. Her alternative recommendation was for 3 months of daily doxycycline and stronger topicals but we went with the accutane, and I’m so pleased we did.

In my local paeds gynae dept theres been a shift in prescribing hormones for girls with menorrhagia. Under 16s rarely get the combined ocp because the higher dose exogenous oestrogen will close the growth plates, they mainly now get progesterone (and most of the issues in this age groups are due to progesterone deficiency).

if your daughter is still growing, I’d personally avoid an oestrogen containing OCP for now. Different If you’re confident that she’s finished, or the extra potential few cm doesn’t bother her.

Thanks everyone. Does roaccutane affect growth as she is still growing? Also my main worry is it affecting her mood and causing depression. She is in an exam year and can't afford for her mood to be altered. She also reminded me that she is 15 and not 14. I'm really torn on what to do because her skin is really getting to her now.

It was a long time ago for me but I had it as a teenager and it was brilliant

I was also on roaccutane which was likewise brilliant but when the ffects wore off I went on Yasmin. Unless guidance has changed you have to go on the pill anyway while on roaccutane(even if not sexually active) and it does have some side effects plus it's from a dermatologist not a GP

My own daughter is a v little but I'd want her on the pill rather than have the misery or acne when she's older

Also just out of interest, how many mg were your daughter's on please?

No roaccutane doesn’t affect growth. My teen was moody before and I worried most about this too.

The dermatologist said mood disturbance is a side effect discussed a lot on the Internet but uncommon in reality and it was true for us. If anything, she’s been less grumpy now that her skin is better 😀.

Why don’t you see a dermatologist and discuss options? I’m in Australia so access wasn’t too hard, not sure what it’s like in the UK

Unless guidance has changed you have to go on the pill anyway while on roaccutane(even if not sexually active

My 14 year old didnt have to do this, nor take a pregnancy test. She was counselled and given written information about the risks of pregnancy. Her friends on roaccutane dIdnt need to be on the pill either.

DD was started on 20mg alternate days, increasing to 20mg daily, so a low dose. It took 4 months until everything went away. Our dr said that she prefers a lower dose because of fewer side effects and less chance of scarring from initial purging. We’re six months in and back to 20mg alternate days.

The annoying part is waiting for it to work.

I’m on roaccutane now and I’m nearly 40!
I wish I’d been offered it as a teenager as I went through my whole adult life until now, embarrassed and ashamed of my face. Not being able to wear camisole tops as didn’t want people to see my spots. Refused to be in any photos. Also had them on my scalp which was so painful when caught with a hairbrush.
my side effects have been dry skin, very dry lips and some joint pain, I am taking 20mg which is quite a low dose I believe

I should have mentioned, over 20 years I have tried every anti-biotic and every contraceptive pill as well as diet changes to help combat my acne but nothing has worked until roaccutane

I started taking Yasmin for acne when I was about 16, it really did help. I had heard some horror stories about roaccutane side effects, and luckily didn’t have any side effects of Yasmin. Plus bonus of it being contraceptive although I think you can only take it for 12 months.
for skin care have you looked at something like Dermatica? Online prescription, made such a difference to my acne age 30

I’d be more inclined to try her on some dim supplements. I took dianette to control my hormonal acne for years. It did work but still always had some. 2 years ago my gp refused to continue prescribing and my skin went crazy. Tried all sorts of antibiotics, topicals and was under dermatology. Nothing worked. Read an article about dim so ordered some not expecting much but it’s been amazing for me. I started taking them in March this year and I think I’ve had two tiny spots since. Amazing stuff

She has been taking dim supplements for about 18 months. I have tried supplements and every type of skincare you can name and nothing improves it.

I made an appointment for her to see her GP again on Friday. She has to see a GP in order to be referred to a dermatologist. The waiting list is crazy. I am willing to go private for my daughter though.

I am in Ireland so no NHS. Medical care is extremely costly in Ireland. It will cost €60 to see the GP. If I go private which I probably will for my daughter it could cost around €250 to see a dermatologist. If I don't go private the waiting list is over 2 years if your lucky. Then there is the cost of medication. I am willing to spend anything at this stage. It's hard enough being a teen at the best of times.

Thanks for all your replies and information.

My DD went on pill - horrendous side effects so came off after 3 months. Did 8 months on low dose accutane -transformed her skin and she now has perfect skin. Minor side effects were dry lips and eyes but totally worth it. She was 14/15 and in exam year. Took monthly pregnancy tests and zoom checkup, blood tests at start and finish.
I was very wary due to the horror stories that you see in the media but having spoken to friends whose kids used it, plus the dermatologist, we went for it. The dermatologist said she’d treated hundreds of kids and adults for years and has never had a serious mental health problem. Like any issue, it is the exceptionally rare case that makes it into the news. Her thoughts were that living with acne as a teenager was more likely to cause mental anguish than the medication.

i suffered really bad hormonal acne it was so bad, i changed to the patch a course of lymacline and within a month all gone not one in sight….