11 year old with acne

[LisaR]

My dd is only 11 and has some terrible acne. Most of it is centered around her nose. She has actually had problems for years but they were always small. Now she is having some serious outbreaks and she isn't happy about it.

I have tried many OTC products out there and nothing seems to work. She is not a junk food eater and her face doesn't seem oily. Is she too young to get a perscription medication from a dematologist? Any other suggestions?

Lisa

 

[disney junky]

My kids had moderate success with proactive products. DD went on prescription meds for a time, but I have to tell you I was really uncomfortable with the warning labels and some of the side effects that could arise. She also had to be on birth control pills because of the possible birth defects to a fetus...

 

[Sandy V.]

I would schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. They have access to effective products that you just can't get over the counter. It really made a difference with my teenagers' skin.

Best of luck!!

 

[Orange County Girl]

I think proactive is amazing stuff. I have used it recently as well as my Best friend and her 10 year old. We all had very successful results within days.

Also, when I was a teen I used Paul Mitchell tea tree shampoo on my face. It cleared my skin in 2 weeks. I don't know if the formulation is the same these days, though.

 

[CEDmom]

There are creams that a Dermatologist can give her that'll work wonders compared to OTC stuff. I'd definitely schedule an appt.

 

[disneylizzy]

As someone who really suffered thru HS because of acne, take her to a dermatologist.

DD went on Accutane at 16 (4 years ago) and it worked extremely well. Yes, there are side effects like dry lips and dry skin and you definitely shouldn't get pregnant, but now her skin is beautiful and she never gets a breakout.

She didn't have to be on birth control, but she had to take a pregnancy test.

 

[honeymom]

I think a lot of it just stems from finding the right hygiene regimen. I think that some breakouts are caused by using soaps, instead of non-soap cleansers formulated for sensitive skin. This should be used once in the morning, once at night.

Also, although she is probably too young for this, some women apply foundation incorrectly clogging their pores. You are always supposed to sponge downward (never up or it goes in the pores). I just learned this myself.

I sell Mary Kay. You might want to look for a rep in your area - www.marykay.com. I have my almost 11 year old using the velocity cleanser and moisturizer (sometimes breakouts happen from skin that is too dry). When she has a breakout, I apply a very small amount of the acne gel (basically benzoil peroxide). This seems to clear her up.

 

[ilovejack02]

Having just gone through this most likely your dermatologist will just put her on an antibiotic at first and a creme for her face. They will also prob tell you to use Cetaphill cleanser. Several of my friends have been told to use cetaphill.
Our dr used antibiotics first they wanted to try they before going to the big medicines and we were all for that. We really really didnt want him on accutane and thank goodness we didnt have to put him on it.

 

[disney junky]

As someone who really suffered thru HS because of acne, take her to a dermatologist.

DD went on Accutane at 16 (4 years ago) and it worked extremely well. Yes, there are side effects like dry lips and dry skin and you definitely shouldn't get pregnant, but now her skin is beautiful and she never gets a breakout.

She didn't have to be on birth control, but she had to take a pregnancy test.

That's how it was when dd first went on, but the last time she went to get it filled, she had to have the prescription verifying that she was on bc or they wouldn't fill it. That's been in the last year. The side effects I was worried about were the depression, mood swings, headaches, things that only happen infrequently, but when you read the warning labels and the possible side effects, it makes you pause.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My ds is 10 and has severe acne on his forehead. It started a few months ago. We kept thinking that it would clear up but it isn't. The soonest I could get an appointment with the dermatologist in in April, so we'll be going then. I'm thankful for this thread because I'll be sure to ask about side effects to any creams or meds if we get any.

 

[meandtheguys2]

When I was a teen, there was a crunchy family near us who suggested taking a vitamin C supplement. It helped me and several people we knew, a lot.

 

[Steffi]

My DD is 12 and has had acne for over a year now. It's embarrassing for her and kids that age are NOT kind.

Differin cream and an OTC benzoyl peroxide wash worked miracles for many months, but now not so much. The dermatologist prescribed Retin-A a few months ago, but no luck there, either. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it go away.

 

[ilovejack02]

My DD is 12 and has had acne for over a year now. It's embarrassing for her and kids that age are NOT kind.

Differin cream and an OTC benzoyl peroxide wash worked miracles for many months, but now not so much. The dermatologist prescribed Retin-A a few months ago, but no luck there, either. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it go away.

Did they try antibiotics with her. That worked the best for us along with Differin. We also were told just to use Cetaphill.
Doxycycline (sp? lol) was the name of it.
Also people LOVE proactive. My DS was just to lazy to use it.

 

[winniedapooh]

My DS was about 12 when he started with bad acne on his chin, neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. I mean the poor kid was scarring on his back, shoulders, and arms. Took him to a dermatologist and he used differin, a wipe thing-can't recall the name, and an antibiotic. After 3 months he was about cleared up...then like any teenager he got lazy and it is back. I am hoping now that he just turned 18 and it is getting warmer he will begin again. FYI he refused to take Accutane once he saw the side effects. Also if children are prone to depression please be careful and watch them, this can magnify depression. Good luck.

 

[disneylizzy]

I know there have been many scary stories about Accutane, but it really is a miracle drug for severe acne. It is the only thing that will 100% work. In 6 months your child will have no more acne, forever, guaranteed.

It is just one person's story, but my dd did not have any depression or headache issues or anything else beyond chapped lips.

If someone had offered me the chance to get rid of my acne in HS ... well, lets just say the self esteem issues alone would have made me walk 50 miles each way to the doctor.

 

[Free4Life11]

www.acne.org has a TON of useful information.

They regimen on that site is what I follow and has worked really well!

 

[FayeW]

I read an article once about using EGGS to treat acne. Basically, you beat an egg and apply it on the skin before you go to bed. You do that every day for a month, and then, if it has been significant improvement, go to once or twice a week after that. I think it is the vitamin A in the egg that cures the acne.

 

[ilovejack02]

I have used an Asprin Mask with DS several times. It def seems to help with redness and calmed his face down. Super easy to use.
Here is a link to read up on it.

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=87187
also.... http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=14129/Aspirin_Mask/Unlisted_Brand/Masks/

 

[chager]

In our area you have to have a referral to most of the peds dermatologists and there is still several month waiting period. Our ped gave DS a script for his face. So you may try talking to your Ped or family Dr first. I think it is Retina but I could be mistaken.

 

[Nicolepa]

I know there have been many scary stories about Accutane, but it really is a miracle drug for severe acne. It is the only thing that will 100% work. In 6 months your child will have no more acne, forever, guaranteed.

It is just one person's story, but my dd did not have any depression or headache issues or anything else beyond chapped lips.

If someone had offered me the chance to get rid of my acne in HS ... well, lets just say the self esteem issues alone would have made me walk 50 miles each way to the doctor.

While Accutane is a great drug it is not a forever drug. It typically lasts 3-5 years. So at 11 there is a very good chance that the op's daughter will have to take it again before she is out of High school.

I have taken Accutane twice. Once I was 14. I took it the second time at 31, but I should have done it when I was 22-23. I didn't have insurance then and then I got married and wanted kids so I had to wait until we were sure we didn't want more before the Dr. would prescribe it.

I do have to say the 2nd time it hasn't worked quite as well. It's still a huge improvement but not 100%.