Hello! New here and question about acne

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Hello! New here and question about acne
26
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!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 11:15pm

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!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 9:53am
What is MonaVie? Where do you get it? I would be curious to try it for my migranes (I also sometimes battle with adult acne).
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 10:49am

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/

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2007
Sun, 07-29-2007 - 1:58am
Thanks for your post about acne. My 14 year old has it and it is really a problem--socially and emotionally. She's afraid of the monthly blood tests for acne and I'm afraid of the possible side effects such as depression. We are really at a wall as to know what to do next. She wants clear skin, but not enough to undergo what she would have to and the doctor said she will be scarred. Ugh. Thanks for input.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2007
Sun, 07-29-2007 - 2:05am
I didn't see this. This is my first time on this site. But I have been desperate to hear another mom with a daughter who has acne talke about it. My daughter is the only one in her grade, and wow did it make her "friends" move away, as they cared most of all how the boys responded. My daighter's started when your daughter's did. It has been draining--because I would do whatever it takes. So would my 13 year old. The nearly 15 year old though just can't seem to be willing to go the distance and care for her face. She is really very pretty too. Worse, the doctor said she will be left scarred. Thanks for input.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Wed, 08-01-2007 - 8:53am

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Wed, 08-01-2007 - 9:10am

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2007
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 2:11am
Thanks--that is a good point about nagging her if she washed her face. She has some weight she wants to keep off and lose too. I have learned to say nothing. Just keep the right foods in the house. But I am glad you pointed this out. She goes into denial about her face, talks about it tono one--friend or sister. Just me, really once. We go on August 8th to a top derm in nyc --a laser specialist--as I was hoping that would help. She and her friend get facials and massages there. It's a spa too, so it's a fun day. But the facialist told her not to take any of medicine the dr. gave her for acne as it wud give her skin cancer becus of the sun up til oct. So, now I don't think she'll agree to treatment. The doctor is going to tell her the facialist was wrong. But the facialist did a number on her. The facialist even had me and an adult friend thinking it was true, she was convincing! I am an adult and could get past it. Worse, my daughter has a phobia about doctors. She washes her face now. Before she didn't give proactiv or anything a chance to work. But I got her a make up session for graduation and they sold her a cleanser she likes it. Whatever. I wish she could see how dangerous it is to let her face scar to say nothing of the emotional scars from having it now. I can see as she got back from camp, where it was fun and games, that the pressure of academics and the social cliques in the school make it worse. the camp, which was fitness and weight loss offers an accepting, comforting environment emotionally. Anyway, thanks for the advice.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2007
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 2:20am
Well, some swear by proactiv. Others birth control pills because it gets the hormones in check. Some laser. Others a topical retina a. Others bactrim or an antibiotic. Then the drug of last resort, is accutance because it has serious side effects. They scare me and you have to get a blood test monthly. If anything works for her I'll keep you posted. So far we are not clear and free. Good Luck! Does it effect how other kids treat and think of her? It did with my daughter. They would say to her sister. Oh are you the one whose sister has THE acne--like we invented it...
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 8:34am

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.