Teenage Acne Treatment

[abcboys]

My 13 year old has been really broken out on his forehead with acne. He's tried regular drugstore stuff and a 3 step system from clinique for several months and its still there. I read TONS of reviews online on amazon and other places. Something will have awesome reviews except for the few it didn't work for obviously. I've looked at everything from cleaners, to spot treatment, to all natural methods and mud masks. His cheeks are all clear its just on his forehead but it looks pretty bad. I don't mind to spend a little but don't want to break the bank trying dozens of different products. Any suggestions?

 

[Alesia]

Take him to a dermatologist. It's going to be cheaper than throwing a bunch of money away at the drugstore.

 

[tiggerluver12]

Agree with Alesia. Take him to a dermatologist. He will need an antibiotic that is specific to acne, a good prescription facial wash, and good moisturizer.

 

[sksjasams]

Just got to this point with my DS16. Not that his skin is terrible, but never completely clear either. With our insurance/clinic, you go to see your primary care doctor for acne treatment.
DS saw his pediatrician on Friday. He was prescribed adapalene and 5% benzoyl peroxide. Told to wash with cetaphil or dove. The doctor anticipates good results. DS is gone this week, so he will start trying the new stuff when he gets back. Fingers crossed!
Good luck!

ETA: Doctor wanted to go with topical treatment rather than oral, which I completely agree with. Doctor also said BP is a type of antibiotic...

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

My 13 year old daughter has a very similar situation. We tried many treatments, including ProActiv. We finally talked to her regular pediatrician at her routine physical and she prescribed her EpiDuo. It's adapalene and benzoyl peroxide together. She even gave me a coupon that makes it $20 for every refill. It's been working great for several months. Start with your pediatrician if you can't get to a dermatologist.

 

[AquaDame]

Every person's skin is going to be different sadly, so its all conjecture. +1 to seeing a doctor!

I've tried everything and have even been to several dermatologists over the years and STILL can't seem to find a good routine...

 

[LuvOrlando]

We had sucess with our Dermatologist. We got a Solodyn card that brought cost down for that to $35 month, a Retin A card for a similar per month but container lasts a few months, same for Acanya- all prescription. I was close to accutane because it hurt sons self esteem so much but in the end backed off because I realized side effects were too high compared to the acne, which while cystic wasnt everywhere plus- the above stuff wasnt the failure, compliance was the issue so once my son cooperated things went much better. It seems acne med treatments last about as long as braces so 1.5 years or so but its so worth it. He was missing school and it really damaged self esteem

 

[BLAZEY]

I agree, take him to a dermatologist. Besides a washing regime and medicine, my dermatologist told me to go buy a bunch of pillowcases, and change it daily. it was like night and day for me, before the medicine kick in.

 

[jen73]

Twin 13 yr boys here, athletes, chest acne was an issue as well. They use solodyn and epiduo, which has helped as long as they stay consistent and follow the dermatologist's advice (cuz I don't don't know ANYthing! Lol)

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Bragg's apple cider vinegar worked amazingly well to clear up my DD's forehead acne. We dilute it - 1 TBSP to 8 oz. of water and she uses it with a cotton ball, similar to toner. Before that she tried many OTC remedies without success.

 

[abcboys]

OP here. thanks for all the advice. Of course I JUST had him for his school physical last week. I almost asked then, but I ended up not.

 

[crisi]

Watch side effects - accutane can cause liver damage, for instance, so it shouldn't be the first thing you try (and the acne would have to be pretty bad before I'd risk a liver over it).

 

[Pembo]

Another vote for the dermatologist. After almost 2 months of an oral antibiotic, epiduo and something else, ds looks so much better. His breakouts started at college and I wish I would have taken him to the derm earlier.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Watch side effects - accutane can cause liver damage, for instance, so it shouldn't be the first thing you try (and the acne would have to be pretty bad before I'd risk a liver over it).

Agree you have to be careful. Accutane works wonders. My now 22 year old DS used it when he was about 15. After about 6 months no more acne ever. We did however go every couple months to have blood drawn so they could check his liver enzymes. He had no issues. Also you can not donate blood for at a least a year after you quit taking Accutane

 

[kinntj]

My daughter is 13 and had acne problems starting in 6th grade. It got really bad in 7th grade and her pediatrician tried many avenues, but it wasn't working well. The stuff he prescribed was itchy and bleaching her skin. He recommended a great dermatologist and we've been seeing her for 6 months now. She has her on an antibiotic and a cream. It has really brought down the redness and the amount of acne. She had bad acne on her back and she can now wear racer back shirts and she didn't dare before. It's expensive to go to a dermatologist which is $30 a visit plus prescriptions, but it's so worth it to see her happier with her appearance.

Good luck with your son. Be patient because it may take awhile to get the right prescriptions and routine to work for your son.

 

[Jaime4004]

Agree you have to be careful. Accutane works wonders. My now 22 year old DS used it when he was about 15. After about 6 months no more acne ever. We did however go every couple months to have blood drawn so they could check his liver enzymes. He had no issues. Also you can not donate blood for at a least a year after you quit taking Accutane

I took accutane in college. Best decision of my life. But I think it's also a last resort. I had tons of side effects, it's really a horrible medication that works wonders. That was after many years of taking every prescription antibiotic and cream that you can imagine. None of them worked at all. At least it was in the good old days of good health insurance coverage. Now I just use proactiv when I need it and it works okay.

 

[lovin'fl]

Benzoyl Peroxide works well...you can get this at grocery store. A good wash I ordered off internet is PanOxyl (with benzoyl peroxide). Also, I agree with getting an antibiotic from a dermatologist. My DS used this route (PanOxyl and antibiotic) and it worked for him.

I am an adult with acne and I use stuff from Ulta...citrus face wash by Perricone MD and hydro moisturizer with vit C by Mario Badescu and I take daily vitamin for women. And for spot treatment I have this wonder lotion that is also by Mario Badescu called drying lotion (for random big pimples not really for patches of smaller pimples). This has been the best combo for me. I have tried all kinds of stuff from retin A (didn't work) to some foam medicine (didn't work) to topical antibiotics (didn't work) to oral antibiotics (which do work but give me infections, you know what I mean ladies). Also used a lot of over counter stuff like Proactiv (didn't work).

 

[WVMomof3]

My daughter had bad acne at that age. Her pediatrician prescribed a topical cream. She used it sometimes. The next year he prescribed an antibiotic. I thought that helped a lot, but once again, she stopped using it. What really seemed to clear her skin is when she stopped drinking milk. She used to go through at least a gallon a week, but for some reason, has stopped altogether. Only occasionally in cereal. Her skin now looks great. My son is now at that age where his skin is breaking out terribly and he too drinks a ton of milk. Have not been successful in getting him to stop yet or care about his skin. So far, only over the counter stuff for him. The apricot scrub helps when he remembers to use it.

 

[kkmcan]

Yup, both my kids saw their pediatrician who prescribed Epiduo. They've been using it for years now and their skin looks great. You can't miss a day because it will cause you to break out again and the dr did warn us about this. But it works great! Epiduo always has a discount card which gets you a first time fill for $10, and subsequent refills for $15. One bottle lasts forever so usually we don't even get all of our refills before the script expires.

I'd say ask your ped before going straight to the dermo. He/she might have some ideas before getting your child into an expensive regimen.

 

[bcbmommy]

My 16 y.o. son just started Epiduo, Solodyn, and a back spray called Glytone 5 weeks ago. The derm told us it would get worse before it got better, and he was right. But now....his face is starting to clear up! The back spray isn't working yet, and honestly, it almost looks worse, but we go next week for a follow-up. I'm not sure if it's the Solodyn or the Epiduo (or both) that is clearing his face up, but I'm so glad we finally went to the dermatologist.