ProActiv

[Albertan mom]

Hey all,
I was hoping you all might have some comments, input, pros and cons to ProActiv.
My daughter is 13, and has bumps all over her face. They look like pimples that are inside, but aren't red, just make her face bumpy. She also has quite a few blackheads on her chin and nose area. We tried the Dead Sea Salts, drugstore stuff, Avon, and all that, and nothing is helping.
So I thought I would order some ProActiv. Anybody have bad or good success with it?
Thanks for all input

 

[Michelle67]

That sounds like it could possibly be rosacea and not acne? I really don't know that...it just popped into my mind.

Anyhow, my oldest daughter inherited pretty severe acne from her dad's side of the family, and I bought ProActiv for her. It worked wonders for awhile, but it seems to only be highly effective for awhile, and eventually not so effective. I don't know why. I've heard this from other people as well. She also had good results with an Aveda acne product.

 

[loco4dis]

I got a prescription for an acne cream for my DDs from their pediatrician. It has worked great for over a year. I think it's called Clinazine.

 

[mselly13]

My SS used this. He said it dried out his face real bad the first week or so then worked great. But he also said that once you stop using it the acne comes back 10X worse. And his was bad to start with.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I had somewhat of the same problem when I was 13: I was breaking out, though not in pimples, moreso skin-tone type zits. I had been using washes and creams from your typical drugstore for a few years, and it wasn't working. So, my mom ordered ProActiv. It didn't help.

Last year (I was now 14), my mom took me to the dermatologist. He said that ProActiv targets actual pimples, and not the acne that my face breaks out in. (I can't remember the official name for it.) He perscribed some medication, Retinae, and then Trentenion Cream. Both work wonders for me.

Although ProActiv didn't work for me, I can't garuntee if it'll work for your daughter. It sounds like we both have the same problem, but it's ultimately your choice if you would want her to try ProActiv just to see if it works.

 

[natenapril]

I tried Proactiv with no luck. I was older than your DD though so maybe that will make a difference.
Maybe try talking to a dermatologist.

 

[emer95]

I've posted about this on here before. Believe it or not, Milk of Magnesia has doen wonders for me! You apply it to the face before bed and sleep with it on, like a mask. It's cheap and it works! You can google it, or look for People's Pharmacy.com. That's where I first heard about it. Good luck!

 

[EdiePA]

Also, a word of warning -- ProActive will discolor everything it comes in contact with, towels, pillowcases, blankets, etc.

I'd see a dermatologist. It sounds like cystic acne to me and that can be difficult to treat.

Edie

 

[Mellie2162]

Another vote for Milk of magnesia. I read about it here and bought generic MOM from the store for dd13 at the time. Shes been using it for a year now and loves it. She puts it on after her shower at night and sleeps with it. Not every night. She still gets the occasional pimple break out when she eats chocolate but overall her skin is much better than it was before. It really does work and very inexpensive to try.

 

[Laura]

Just go see a dermatologist.

 

[dreamer17555]

Sounds like what I had. Cystic Acne. I am on an antibotic for it and use Proactiv with it, between the two my face generally stays clear.

-Becca-

 

[Rora]

Many friends of mine used ProActiv.. and hated it. It worked pretty well for the first 2 weeks and then it dried out their skin, left marks all over their towels, clothes, etc. Before they knew it, they were breaking out again.

Personally, I would take her to the dermatologist. Good luck!

 

[clh2]

We learned the lesson the hard way in our house. The amount of money we spent on OTC products that didn't work... And then we spent the money to go to DD's pediatrician. Then we got a bunch of samples, those didn't work, we got a new bunch of samples which are working, so in the next week or two I'll call the pedi back for a prescription.

 

[Briarmom]

ProActiv works really well for me. I usually only use it when I've got a breakout (like now ) but I should use it about twice per week. I cannot use it every day, it's too strong for that, but it clears up my breakouts.

 

[::Snow_White::]

I've had my Proactiv for about 2 weeks now.
I put it on morning and night, but I don't see a difference at all.
I'll keep trying it for a couple months, but if it doesn't work I'll just find something else.
It gets really frustrating when you've tried tons of things but none works.

It hasn't dried out my face or anything yet though.
Good luck!

 

[Albertan mom]

Thanks so much for all your input. Think I will try the Milk of Magnesia first, then go to the doctor and get a prescription!

 

[Albertan mom]

Me again!
I ordered it, and she has used it for 30 days now.
Her face is worse than before!
Her poor forehead is covered in big red zits.
I made a doctors appointment for her, to try some prescription stuff.
Sigh. Poor girl.

 

["Got Disney"]

The only thing it did was dry my sons face really bad. Than got him Murad before doing the research....After research, I wont even let him put it on his face....than found Cetaphil antibacterial soap and it works great! is also #1 recommended soap by dermatologists. He also uses the moisturizer. You should always use a moisturizer or no matter what you use she will get dry skin. You can also use there moisturizer along with one with salicylic acid that you can by at any store. Just look for a moisturizer for acne....my son uses both. cant remeber if we are aqllowed to post these links but if they get removed just google : cetaphil gentle cleansing bars...and look for the cetaphil link and also acne.org for reviews.

http://www.acne.org/cetaphil-gentle-cleansing-bar-antibacterial-reviews/8/page1.html

http://www.cetaphil.com/Products/CleansingBars.aspx

 

[Rora]

I've never used ProActiv personally but a lot of my friends in High School tried it. They said that it worked for about 2 weeks and then all of a sudden their face was dry and scaly.

Now, I do know that it has worked for a lot of people.. I guess you just have to try it yourself and go from there.

Hope things clear up!!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

The MAXIMUM STRENGTH Proactiv is incredible!!! Both of my daughters, 11 & 14, have no problems with pimples whatsoever and I credit Proactiv for their clear skin.