https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:55:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903854 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:45:55 +0000 Kari 903854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Honestly, I'd suggest discussing the teacher's comment with the principal. &nbsp;Seriously. &nbsp;That is horribly humiliating and demeaning, and really none of her business.<br /><br />And please have your daughter see an experienced dermatologist. &nbsp;It is so helpful to see someone with a world of experience and knowledge of new products out there.<br /><br />I suffered from horrible acne from about age 11-12 until I went on birth control pills at age 15. &nbsp;I was nowhere near sexually active. &nbsp;My derm initially had me try topical treatments - benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, Retin-A - and they helped SOME, but didn't do much. &nbsp;Once we saw how the topical treatments were working, my doctor was able to tell (due to where the majority of the bad acne was occurring and also due to the fact that it worsened at certain times of the month) that the majority of my acne was caused by hormonal issues. &nbsp;I went on the pill and within months my skin was MUCH better.<br /><br />I will probably never have perfect skin - I always have one blemish or two at a time - but they are controllable. &nbsp;It's different now in my late 20's as my skin has changed from straight oily to combination skin, and I've always been sensitive to new products. &nbsp;I currently use jojoba oil on a cotton ball to take off makeup and moisturize, diluted tea tree oil to spot-treat blemishes, MyChelle honeydew cleanser in the shower, and Cetaphil facial moisturizer under my makeup. (And Neutrogena sunscreen - that's the best brand for my skin to avoid breakouts.) &nbsp;The few times in my life that I have been off the pill, my skin immediately started freaking out and breaking out badly, so I don't plan to make a change anytime soon.<br /><br />One of my college roommates suffered from cystic acne and had to go through a couple rounds of Accutane. &nbsp;She was luckily able to avoid the worst of the side effects, but had some health scares. &nbsp;Even then, she suffered from lots of peeling/dryness during the treatments, and had some lasting scars.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903764 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:00:20 +0000 Anonymous 903764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ lyn, acne affects each of us in a different way. I was personally very affected by it, and I do not have a weak mentality. I have some resulting scarring, which my doctor assures me it is very mild, at best, and still feel quite affected by it.<br /><br />I did suffer from a&nbsp;lot of side&nbsp;effects: psychological, delayed wound healing, dry skin, peeling lips, dry eyes, to name a few, but I overcame each one with time. After suffering from cystic acne that would swell up to the point of swelling up my entire chin, forehead, even lips, and 18 years of lost attempts, I would take the drug again in a heartbeat. Most of it could have been prevented had my doctor not decided to stop accepting my insurance mid treatment. I was them transferred to a very inexperienced doctor... then havoc began.,.<br /><br />I have a very good derm now, if I ever need the medicine again.&nbsp;<br /><br />i also used to get the most stupid comments, these three take the cake:&nbsp;"what if you wash your face really, really good.", "oh, please don't eat that, look at your skin for god's sake", "you should drink more water"...<br />Did anyone ever realize that I was&nbsp;not causing this?<br />yep, people don't engage their brains sometimes,,,<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903737 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:34:30 +0000 Isis 903737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well there's acne and then there's cystic acne.&nbsp; Most kids have some sort of acne, many (most?) have scars.&nbsp; But the deep-pitted scars that can cover a back and face from cystic acne are a whole 'nother story, and it is not necessarily overmedication to try to eliminate them. Accutane IS a serious drug; monitoring is key.&nbsp; <br /><br />Hoping this works, Glory,&nbsp; keep us posted. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903717 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:19:46 +0000 lyn* 903717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm glad that you are seeing some relief with Accutane, but remember that it is a serious drug and I have seen cases (in my limited career) resulting in damage to the liver that is long-term. Also; skin can get very sensitive and peel and blister.&nbsp;<br /><br />I don't know how I feel about acne. I personally have scars and I think it sucks, but it's also part of life. I don't believe in overmedicalizing our lives. My sister had acne. My parents had acne. I don't think it's "socially debilitating" although I don't think that what the teacher did was right. When I went to school, all the kids had really bad acne and we just lived with it. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903295 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:24:30 +0000 texstyle 903295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a terrible thing to have to go through for you and your DD. I don't know anything about the drugs but I do know a couple of friends who radically changed their diets and it helped immensely, even when other things like prescription drugs were not helping. I don't know if you've already gone that route - they both gave up soft drinks and anything with caffeine (chocolate, tea, etc.) and pretty much all sugar, except what is naturally in food. One became a strict vegetarian. Something about the fats in meat. She did have perfectly clear skin after about six months. The other friend went back on caffeine and had flare ups sometimes still, even on whatever drugs she was taking and eventually tried the BC pills too, which helped some. She finally seemed to outgrow it. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903284 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:07:06 +0000 Anonymous 903284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am glad. Do not get discouraged if she does not clear up right away. As a matter of fact, I was still breaking out when I ended my treatment. The important things are to moisturize the skin, use very gentle products and&nbsp;<b><i>never</i></b> pick on the acne, she will scar. Her skin is extremely delicate right now.&nbsp;Also,&nbsp;try to have the closest thing to a normal life, in the meantime. The drug has a high success rate. Please let us know how it goes. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903264 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:52:51 +0000 Glory 903264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Zap thanks so much. I actually had a huge delay because of the rapport issue and waited for a second referral - not an easy feat in Canada.<br />But I completely agree and am very pleased so far that I made the right decision.<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903234 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:37:24 +0000 Anonymous 903234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ good.. I just saw your update. I also realized that I had responded before duh! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903233 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:36:54 +0000 Anonymous 903233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Accutane.<br /><br />I wished I had listen to my doctors when I was in my 20's, to get on that drug. i bet the side effects I experienced would have been less severe, when younger.<br /><br />2 things I want to add: This drug is very efficient but has to be monitored very closely. Make sure that you build a rapport with the prescribing doctor. This is not the thing you want to try out with a new derm.<br /><br />Also, the cumulative dosage is what matters. You are supposed to build up to a 125 mg per each KG of weight. Therefore, you can ask for a lower dose, spanned over a longer period of time.<br /><br />I suffered from a lot, lot of side effects. Would I do it again, yes, in a heartbeat.<br /><br />I took it about 2 years ago, so it is pretty fresh. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.&nbsp;<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-903221 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:29:38 +0000 Glory 903221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cycling back around on this as you ladies were so helpful. It has taken all these months to get a specialist appointment and get a treatment plan. That is just how it is here for specialists - that is another story.&nbsp;<br />Prior to it, we tried several more treatments and then had to wait for the appointment.<br />My DD is now on accutane and I have found a stellar doctor. I am so pleased and although we don't have a positive outcome yet, I feel that we will.&nbsp;<br />thanks again for all the encouragement https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-747753 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 13:49:01 +0000 Glory 747753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So immensely helpful - thanks so much for your ideas and support. Update - the new topical and antibiotic have shown improvement within 2 days of using. It has reduced, and now almost eliminated the red swelling on her face so that alone is a huge improvement. I will see how it progresses and if we get more improvement from here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-745468 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:13:05 +0000 Aziraphale 745468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenava, that's a good suggestion. The benzoyl peroxide thing works for me too. I've never had actual cystic acne -- just average, run-of-the-mill zits -- and I still get them sometimes. In fact I usually have one little spot somewhere on my face. I don't usually have a mass breakout, but if I feel one starting, I'll rub a very thin layer of benzoyl peroxide all over the general area for a few days and that will clear it up. The only thing is, I don't think benzoyl peroxide puts much of a dent in hard-core cystic acne. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-744988 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:11:40 +0000 Jenava 744988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second acne.org. There is a community of people there all trying different things and reporting back - including accutane users, and people who have modified their diet. I think it would good just as a supportive place for you daughter to know that other people are having to cope with this at well, and there can be a light at the end.</p> <p>I had cystic acne at that age - antibiotics intially cleared it up but it came back eventually. I went on BC in my late teens and that made a bit of difference. I still struggle with my skin, but it's no longer cystic acne! But, now I am also getting age spots and wrinkles, along with the zits!</p> <p>The time my skin was clearest in my 20's was when I used 2% benzoyl peroxide all over my face, a LOT of it, and rubbing it in very gently until it was completely absorbed. I learned this from acne.org and it actually cleared my skin completely for a while, and even now when I have a bad breakout I go back to that method. Doesn't work for everyone, though, but something to try at least. I don't do it all the time now because my skin has become much dryer as I age and this make the dryness worse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-744965 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:50:24 +0000 Anonymous 744965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Accutane is a serious drug, very serious but was the only "cure" for me - knock on wood - My only regret was not doing it when I was younger, I think my serious side effects were agravated by the fact I took it in my 30s. It was the only thing that cast the evil away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-744648 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:11:14 +0000 Kristin L 744648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would go to a derm and discuss everything before starting Accutane. I had severe acne as well, but was told that I shouldn't use it because of my history of depression and anxiety. I feel for your daughter because I went through the same things. Most prescriptions didn't work and ended up making my face super sensitive to everything. </p> <p>I tried BC for my acne and it did seem to help some, but then I had some nasty side effects (like morning sickness) and had to stop. </p> <p>@DonnaF - That is so sweet of your daughter. I hate looking at my pics from high school because of my acne. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-738628 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:55:37 +0000 DonnaF 738628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you checked out the acne.org website? A lot of info, reviews, community, etc. Apparently a mistake that many people make is irritating their skin which aggravates the situation. Accutane can have some serious lifelong side effects, so it really is a last resort. Best wishes to DD.</p> <p>My DD has a very good friend with bad acne, and she would essentially airbrush his photos before she posted on FaceBook because she knew it would make him happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-738585 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:07:04 +0000 Glory 738585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for all of the support. Agreed on the teacher- very insensitive. I raised it and hopefully it will help in the future in terms of how the teacher speaks to them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-738487 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:24:45 +0000 Transcona Shannon 738487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad you'll be going to the dermatologist and getting the proper help. As for that teacher, UNBELIEVABLE! How can someone be so incredibly insensitive? Best wishes and keep us posted, ok? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-738100 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:35:23 +0000 Angie 738100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The derm is THE way to go - for us all in fact. I see my derm every year and we discuss skin.</p> <p>Glory, I really hope that your DD is sorted asap. As for the teacher. I am *shocked*, and very surprised that the issue was not taken further. Your POOR daughter!! Thank heavens for her wonderful Mum </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-737962 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:29:06 +0000 Glory 737962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ladies - thanks so much for your wisdom. I met with the dr today and will have the referral to a derm specialist which is step 1. While we wait, we have a new topical to try. Fingers crossed, but at least we have a moving forward plan. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-737724 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:46:55 +0000 ramya 737724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have not suffered from Acne much in my life...<br /> But here is a blog where the author badly suffers from it.<br /> Hope this helps:<br /> <a href="http://www.clothedmuch.com/2011/02/face-stuff-update.html#.UGwz6E3MiYI" rel="nofollow">http://www.clothedmuch.com/201.....Gwz6E3MiYI</a></p> <p>There are many more blog post regarding the same </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-737493 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:07:44 +0000 Ann in New England 737493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's a different suggestion, though perhaps more radical than Accutane: try elminating grains (especially wheat) and dairy from her diet for 30 days. If her skin clears, add one thing back at a time for a few days to see which might bring the sensitivity.</p> <p>I have a skin condition that is very similar to acne, though "uncurable", and elminating both has put it into remission. My daughter has mild acne, and finds that when she eats wheat products it flares up and when she is off wheat her skin is almost completely clear.</p> <p>I think to a teen this approach is indeed more radical than medication, but I view it as a trial that won't do any harm and may help. There are a LOT of stories out on the net about acne that has cleared with this approach, but since I'm neither a doctor nor a scientist, I can't really evaluate the scientific literature. I just know that it worked for us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736783 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:59:04 +0000 Lokibear 736783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also second (or third, or fourth) Accutane. I took it when I was 15-16, and it completely stopped my acne, which was pretty bad. It definitely makes skin dry and red (my face was red the whole time) but that was just for a few months, and it was worth it. I did not have to go on birth control because I wasn't sexually active, but was warned that I would definitely need to if I were. It was really worth the risks/side effects for me! Good luck!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736755 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:25:34 +0000 marianna 736755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also used Accutane for my teenage acne. I know there are a million side effects and it is a very serious drug, but honestly... it works. The only side effects I experienced were dry skin and lips. I was on Accutane when I was 14-15, and I have been acne free ever since (10 years now). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736636 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:37:19 +0000 Mander 736636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would be complaining about that teacher, myself. What an insensitive thing to do!</p> <p>I also second Accutane. I was lucky in never needing it, but my sister and one of my best (male) friends both used it and it was very effective. They both had such dry skin while using it that they slathered themselves with Crisco (!!) as a moisturizer, but for the discomfort of a few months they now have normal skin. They still get the occasional zit, as everyone does, but not the horrible pitting acne.</p> <p>One thing about it -- it is pretty much guaranteed to cause terrible birth defects if someone taking it happens to get pregnant (or impregnates someone, if I remember rightly). So when my sister took it the doctor made her take birth control pills at the same time, even though she was only 13 or 14 and extremely unlikely to be sexually active. My friend was a bit older when he took it and was counselled that if he were to have sex with anyone he absolutely had to use a condom. </p> <p>Birth control pills have a stigma attached, in my opinion, because their main use is preventing pregnancy. But they are really just a hormone treatment and have many other uses, and having the doctor give your a prescription for them is not a statement that the doc thinks your daughter is a slut. I say this because I have had more than one acquaintance who had that reaction when I was prescribed them for PCOS and it really made me angry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736484 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:53:38 +0000 Aziraphale 736484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That teacher is a nitwit. Can you imagine humiliating a young girl like that in front of her friends?</p> <p>But yes, topical ointments (or lemon juice!) never work. Scrubbing your face doesn't work either, and can in fact aggravate the acne. Antibiotics and birth control pills usually don't work either. Accutane almost always DOES work, but it's hard on your liver, so you have to go in for lots of liver enzyme tests while you're on it. I think they only put you on it for a few months at a time. Also, there can be temporary side effects, like peeling, flaky, dry skin (especially on the lips and inside of the nose).</p> <p>This is the reason the other treatments don't work: the problem lies with the texture of the sebum (oil) released by the pores. People with normal skin produce sebum that flows out of the sebaceous glands easily and spreads itself smoothly on the surface of the skin. Acne sufferers produce a thicker, stickier sebum, that clogs up more easily with dirt and causes inflammation and infection. Sex hormones, and especially fluctuating hormones, can cause the skin to produce more sebum. If you've got normal skin to start with, the overactive sebaceous glands may cause a few zits (i.e. mild acne) but it tends to settle down as the hormones do, once you're through puberty. That's why mild acne can be treated with keeping your face clean, using benzoyl peroxide topically, or even by taking birth control pills (which tend to even out fluctuating hormones). If you've got thicker sebum, though, the situation is already bad, hormones or no hormones. Puberty just makes an already difficult situation worse -- and what's more, the acne may not go away after puberty (and even if it does, it leaves scars). Accutane works by attacking the sebaceous glands themselves, so the skin produces far less oil. That's why your skin gets all dry while you're on it. It returns to normal once you're finished.</p> <p>I would make an appointment with a dermatologist, not your regular doctor, to discuss all this.</p> <p>P.S. I feel for your daughter! Best of luck with the doctor -- I'm sure they can sort it out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736482 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:50:59 +0000 Anonymous 736482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used accutane in my early 30's after years of on and off cystic acne. The change was transformational, mentally and physically. The side effects of dry mouth and eyes are a small price to pay. Find a doctor who will help </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736479 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:33:30 +0000 Glory 736479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elisabeth thank you. Last week was such an ordeal. Her teacher actually came to her in front of her friends and told her she should use lemon juice on her face. When my daughter told her, thanks but I have products the teacher then asked, Well, do you use them. Simply put, my daughter is so upset. Ugh, as if she wasn't aware enough that she has acne. I will make an appt tomorrow and ask about accutane. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736477 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:29:09 +0000 Aziraphale 736477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Get her on Accutane. Don't mess around with birth control pill -- it only works for very mild cases of acne. If you leave the acne too long, she'll have scars. </p> <p>I say this because every single person I know who had cystic acne and who went on Accutane (and I can think of at least six people off the top of my head) has flawless skin now. The ones who didn't ended up with pitted faces and/or backs. </p> <p>I feel strongly about this. Few things are more socially debilitating, especially for a girl, than raging acne. I know Accutane is hard core medication, and they monitor you closely when you're on it, but I still think it's worth it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/teenage-acne---any-advice-because-we-need-help#post-736474 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:14:32 +0000 Glory 736474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My daughter has suffered with terrible acne since grade 4 and is now in grade 8. We have tried so many medications and they help but only just. She has it all over her face, neck and back. I see her suffering and really want to help her. She is miserable about her looks, won't swim etc. Her doctor has suggested birth control as a next option. She is quite opposed to that and it scares her also. We have tried antibiotics for 6 months, several topicals (prescription), and are now on 2 other topicals. Ladies, what is your feeling on the BC pills? Has anyone any recommendations on other things? Any advice gratefully accepted. </p>