Hello! New here and question about acne
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Hello! New here and question about acne
| Tue, 05-15-2007 - 1:53pm |
Hi! I'm new to this board...so glad to have found this! I also have a question about teenage acne. My 13 yo dtr has battled acne for over a year...she's tried everything and her dermatologist hasn't help much. Any suggestions? Thanks!!

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I had ADULT acne for years. It started when I was pregnant with my 16 yo dd as small patches of acne that "travelled" all over my face ie they'd appear on one cheekbone, clear up and then be on my chin, clear up and then be on the other side. It was awful and as I was a woman of child-bearing age I could not risk remedies like Accutane.
So instead I implemented a daily skin care regimen of a mild cleanser recommended by my dermatologist (it was called Spectragel) and a light moisturizer. I also did occasional scrubs and face masks. It eventually got under control but I admit I had reoccurances of it until I was pregnant with my son, 4 years later.
The skin care regimen didn't *cure* the acne but it kept the outbreaks under control and minimized the redness and swelling. I still do this ritual morning and night and I find if I get lax I will get zits and I am 43!
That's what worked for me but like using Proactiv, which is a skin care line advertised on TV, it requires daily discipline.
A close family friend's son had serious cycstic acne all over his face. He's a very nice looking, great kid but the acne made him so self-conscious. He did use Accutane successfully. His acne is gone -- it disappeared within a year. To me however this is a radical form of treatment that should be used only when nothing else works.
I'd recommend trying a daily skin care routine with the entire Proactiv line. I think the main reason Proactiv works is because it does have a full wash up and cleanse aspect to it that keeps things under control. Good luck to you!
This is the website my friend gave me where you can get more info and order some. I've had chronic migraines for over 10 years and this is the only preventative treatment that has worked for me!! Imitrex works well once my migraine is coming on, but I've been taking MonaVie just 2-4 oz each day and no migraines for almost 6 months!! Yippee! Good luck to you!
http://www.mymonavie.com/skaggs/
Hi Sunnymom:
Thanks for your reply and I am so sorry that your dd is having such a tough time with acne. I understand how hard it is to see your child go through this. If you have tried a lot of different remedies and medications and she's still having a problem, have you considered putting your dd on birth control? My dd has been on Yasmin for a few years and it did wonders for her acne. I know that some parents are resistant to putting their dd's on birth contol but the way I felt about it was that BC is just another type of medication so why not try it. By the time we tried it, I was more concerned about the possible repercusions of acne scarring for my dd and the effects it was having on her self-esteem. It cleared up her skin completely. She might get a little zit now and then but that's certainly something she can cope with. I don't regret for a minute putting her on it. Best of luck to you and your dd.
I do understand how frustrating this can be. I almost felt like I was getting acne too when she was going through it and would have given my right-arm to help her clear it up.
I just wanted to mention something and I apologize if I offend 'cause that's the last thing I want to do :-)
My dh and my sister had problems with acne as teens and both have mentioned to me how their parents (my dh's dad and my sister's mom) used to lecture them A LOT about how they didn't wash their faces enough and that this was probably the cause of their acne. They have both said that they washed their faces all the time and it never helped. I think it really bothered them to be told that their acne was due to poor hygeine and they weren't trying hard enough. Also our dd's dermatologist told us that too much washing can cause even more acne. I know that as a mom, you want to do anything to help your dd but she may feel that she is trying really hard to keep her skin as clean as possible with no improvement. Best to you and your dd.
Hi Sunnymom. Thanks for your reply. It sounds like you're doing everything possible to help your dd with her acne which is a great thing. She knows that you care and are trying to help as much as possible.
I hate to sound too suspicious of the facilist but I would be a bit concerned if someone told me to stay away from medications and not be willing to work in conjunction with the dermatologist. I would be worried that they might be just trying to get us to use their products, etc. Yes, it is true that the sun can be a problem with antibiotics during the summer, making your dd's skin more prone to sunburn. But as long as she's diligent about staying under an umbrella while at the beach/pool and wearing sunscreen, she should be fine. My dd takes Doxycycline for her skin along with BC and as long as she wears sunscreen, etc., she's fine during the summer.
I know all your hardwork, love and attention will eventually help your dd with this difficult situation. I know how hard it can be.
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