Parents of Young Teen Boys

[marcyinPA]

Another thing to mention is that our pediatrician mentioned she would be willing to prescribe antibiotics and some topicals before sending us to the dermatologist. That might be an avenue to try if it will take that long to see the dermatologist. (Our pediatrician left the practice late last year, and I decided to skip right to the dermatologist. We did not have to wait long for an appointment).

This was actually our route to the dermatologist as well. Family dr. prescribed retin-A and doxycycline first, and when that didn't work, we went to the dermatologist.

 

[Sorsha]

My DD12 (almost 13) had a hard time with facial breakouts and on her back and shoulders. It made her VERY self-conscious, especially on the shoulders, because so many young ladies' fashions are tank-top based.

Her pediatrician prescribed a Benzaclin gel (generic is fine too) to wash her face and shoulders with twice a day and it has worked wonders. We tried several OTC products before this and nothing worked. Ped said to use this gel (actually a topical antibiotic) because the problem is really a mild bacterial infection of the skin and pores.

 

[IamErica]

We went the Accutane route with my son. He had severe cystic acne and it was starting to leave scars, so his derm prescribed this. Had had to have monthly blood draws and we had to go in each month before she would refill the perscription. I know it is not for everyone, and there are risks, but for us it was amazing! He has been virtually acne free ever since. The occasional one will pop up but it is small and gone soon.
I sometimes wish I would have had this when I was young. The years of teenage embarassment could have been saved!! Even as a 38 y.o adult I STILL get the deep cystic ones and I HATE them!!
If I strike it rich, that will be my choice to clear mine up once and for all!!!
Good luck!

 

[kate_wdw]

Good for you for scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist. As another poster suggested, his primary care doctor may be willing to get him started on a front line acne treatment.

Neither of these are cheap, but I really like the Clarisonic for keeping my pores clean. I also used to have a Zeno, which really did clear up blemishes faster but it stopped working sooner than I found acceptable.

 

[MainStreetMomma]

Definitely see a derm. I specifically struggled with cystic acne (which you couldn't really see at first, but I could feel, and when they erupted they scarred in places.) Because it didn't look like traditional acne, I didn't go to the derm for years and as it turns out, my treatment cycle was relatively short and painless and could have been put in place years earlier with much less emotional trauma as a teenager.

On the natural side of things while you wait for an appointment, tea tree oil is fantastic for flare ups. Use it sparingly as it's potent.

 

[Kat77]

Makeup artist Wayne Goss has youtube videos that were helpful for treating DD14's acne with OTC meds. She had prescription meds that she blasted through too quickly for refill and ended up needing something to hold her over. It's working better for her than the prescription but that may be because DD refused to follow directions (over cleaning).

In the morning she uses foaming cetaphil facewash (found at Target). At night she cleans with the Cetaphil facewash again followed by a generous layer- not a pea sized amount- of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide over breakouts. Most people report having irritation after the first couple days but DD never experienced that. Results have been fantastic!