11 year old with acne

[chrissyk]

The only thing that ever worked for me and for my sister was going on the birth control pill. I went to the dermatologist throughout my teens and I tried antibiotics, Retin-A, Differin, and some others that I can't remember. None of them worked for long. The pill cleared my face up quickly and has kept it clear. My sister developed acne in her 20's and the pill cleared her face right up too. Her Dr. was ready to put her on Accutane but agreed to try the pill first instead.

 

[milkabum]

I'm almost thirteen and I have tried (so far) noxema cleansing cream, noxema face rinse, and a clean and clear double moisturizer- all have worked pretty well. I don't suggest proactiv for an 11 year old. It might dry up her face, and from your description she doesn't have that much acne.

 

[PrincessKally]

I'm not to sure about any prescribtion meds, but being a teen I use Proactive, and that works very well for me, with only a breakout here and there on occasion. Then again everyone's skin is different, but I know many people who use proactive and its works for them as well.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and ideas. We have tried many of the natural remedies (eggs, tea tree oil, vit. A, etc) plus many of the OTC products. Most seem to work the first few times she uses them only to have them stop working a month or two later. I really want to avoid the prescription meds because of the side effects.
I am going to try one other product that I just ordered off the internet. It has a 30 day money back guarantee so I figure it is worth a shot. If it doesn't work then we will have to look at taking her to the dermatologist. Thanks!

Lisa

 

[unbroken chain]

For those who are concerned about the long waits to see a dermatologist: you may be able to see the nurse practioner (if the practice has one) a lot sooner, and your pediatrician can prescribe too. My child's pediatrician prescribed tetracycline, differin and an antibiotic crean, and referred me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist just kept us on the same stuff the pediatrician had prescribed.

 

[Forevryoung]

My skin is finally clear (cleared up around 20-21)- but it took about 8 years of acne and torture and I have scars on my face that will never go away.

I did the antibiotics and the creams and the cetaphil and the different x, y, and z...

My parents REFUSED to let me go on Accutane- actually changed 2 dermatologists because of it (one mentioned it to me when I was 16 and alone in the room with them- I told my mom I wanted to try it and she switch my doctor).

Looking back, I SHOULD have done it. I shouldn't have lived with the years of low self esteem because of how horrible my face looked. I shouldn't have scars on my face now because of it- yep, once I have a job with good income I will have to lazer the scars. Much more expensive than 6 months of accutane and birth control pills and an anti depressant if necessary.

I know my parents meant well but they messed that one up (I still love them ). So please, if a second or third dermatologist says "there is nothing more I can prescribe besides accutane" BELIEVE him/her. PSA over

 

[Hedy]

I was able to get prescription meds (topical) through my peditrician, if that's an option.

 

[Daxx]

The tween set in my school swear by proactive. Sorry I can't be of more help. Good luck to your DD, though!

 

[dizluvr71]

I have to say that I have never tried Accutane but know three people in my life that have. My ex had severe cystic acne growing up and still does at 39 years old. He was on accutane trials when he was in high school and did a second dose in his early 20's, my girlfriend also did the same and DH's little brother also did accutane when he was a teenager. All three of them have been diagnosed as bi-polar or with other severe depression and are on some kind of medication for this. I know it is not fair to say that the accutane caused such a thing but it seems very strange that they all have this in common. Needless to say the accutane did seem to work for a time, but all three are still suffering some form of acne as adults in their 30's. My DS9 is following in his fathers footsteps and has been suffering from acne for about a year now. He has been using an antibiotic ointment prescribed by his ped and just recently had a bad enough outbreak they have given him an oral antibiotic. I will do whatever it takes to help DS with his acne but will absolutely refuse any Accutane. Best of luck to all in their endeavors to become acne free!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

DD11 and DD13 are having good results with Proactive. It is a bit drying, and at first it made DD11's forehead worse. They have been using it about 2 weeks and I can tell a difference. DD11's problem is that her hair is a bit on the oily side and her bangs are probably causing her forehead to breakout. But the Proactive is working.I usually am too skeptical to order anything from an infommercial, but I did a lot of internet research and many people seemed to see good results quickly. I think the most important thing is doing all the steps faithfully every night. Good luck! I never had acne, my skin is so dry.

 

[DVCindy]

DD's pediatrician prescribed Differin gel and Benzaclin. We started with only the Differin gel, but that alone didn't do enough. The combination of the 2 works great for her. The Differin gel takes at least 2 months to really work ... so if trying this in the future, stick with it ... don't give up right away !

 

[carrie s]

I had bad acne growing up.I still do have abit of acne but I figured out what causes breakouts for me.First,I cant use laundry soap with any kind of perfumes in it,I cant use fabric softner and I cant use hair spray.Anything that touches my face cant have any kind of a scent to it.

I used to try all different kinds of things for acne but they usually made my acne worse.I finally figured out that products with benzoyl peroxide make me break out.

 

[ilovejack02]

My skin is finally clear (cleared up around 20-21)- but it took about 8 years of acne and torture and I have scars on my face that will never go away.

I did the antibiotics and the creams and the cetaphil and the different x, y, and z...

My parents REFUSED to let me go on Accutane- actually changed 2 dermatologists because of it (one mentioned it to me when I was 16 and alone in the room with them- I told my mom I wanted to try it and she switch my doctor).

Looking back, I SHOULD have done it. I shouldn't have lived with the years of low self esteem because of how horrible my face looked. I shouldn't have scars on my face now because of it- yep, once I have a job with good income I will have to lazer the scars. Much more expensive than 6 months of accutane and birth control pills and an anti depressant if necessary.

I know my parents meant well but they messed that one up (I still love them ). So please, if a second or third dermatologist says "there is nothing more I can prescribe besides accutane" BELIEVE him/her. PSA over

Microderm abrasion isnt that expensive these days and will help with the scarring.

 

[kldmom2000]

I used to work as a clinical asst. to a dermatologist and I'm still a patient. I had severe cystic acne starting around age 11.... my mom finally brought me to a derm at age 15 at which time we began with the basics-Retin A, Tetracycline, etc....unless the acne is considered "cystic" and other methods of treatment have been prescribed 1st by a derm, Accutane is considered the last resort for acne...I did not get put on Accutane until I was in my mid 20's (it did the trick though ) I have been off the Accutane for about 8 yrs and I do still get small breakouts during certain times of the month, but it's NOTHING compared to the acne I had!!! Because it is such a drastic med and your DD is so young and from what it sounds like, her acne does not appear to be of a cystic nature, they will most likely start her on milder acne meds....

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Does it seem to anyone else acne is showing up on younger and younger children these days? I didn't get acne until I was about 14 (and it was bad), so for some reason 11, 10, 9, 8... seems too young to me. I don't know, maybe it's just me being naive.

I was on accutane for about a day. It made me terribly sick and I flushed it down to toilet. I used Practiv for a while, which helped to clear the severe acne I had, and now I use something much gentler that keeps it down to maybe 1 or 2 very minimal breakouts a month.