acne

[sara3]

my gorgeous 16 yr old daughter has acne, and is currently on long term antibiotics. they seem to be doing nothing at all (after about 2 months, maybe too early to see a result yet) but she has her school prom in less than 3 weeks and is very distressed. she has angry looking spots (just red lumps, no icky stuff) and blackheads on her face, back and chest.

she has a lovely strappy dress to wear but I know the acne is very upsetting for her, and threatens to spoil the event.

any ideas please?

[seekeerz]

what a shame for your daughter, sara3 - I remember those red lumps, they did nothing for your confidence and left a fair bit of scarring afterwards, plus they're the devil to do anything with.

has she tried a gentle deep cleanser to help move some of the blackheads ?? I wouldn't suggest this too close to the prom, it might really stir things up so I think I'd be looking at covering everything rather than clearing it for the special night.

there's some pretty good make-up concealers available, have a look in your chemist and see what they can recommend.

the antibiotics will make a difference, but it will take a while - the hormones will play havoc for a while, too - best wishes, S

[sara3]

thanks for the sympathy vote, seekeerz.. she has her GCSEs coming up and is emotional enough without worrying about this!

she's tried all sorts of cleansers, scrubs, etc. some were probably a bit harsh but were worth a try. I think you're right about looking for a concealer. I'll check it out when we're next in the chemist x

[NoMercy]

Sara... I got this at 24 for no apparent reason. I had erythromicin and all manner of antibiotics and they did diddly squat. Eventually, the doc's prescribed Dianette and within 2 weeks or so, my skin was flawless again. I know Dianette has had its licence stripped back due to the risk of DVT, but even as a migraine sufferer, I had no probs. You should be able to convince your GP to let you have a one month supply to try.

[NoMercy]

Sorry, I should have said that cleansers, scrubs etc won't do anything - this is not a hygiene issue, I'm sure. It's hormonal, and therefore requires treating from the inside.

[sara3]

morning NoM, and thank you. yesterday my friend said that some of her daughter's friends had gone on the pill to help with acne.. wow, if it can be that effective I'll suggest it to her. she's been struggling with acne for a few years, bless her.

thank you x

[sara3]

do you think it's okay to "pop out" the obvious blackheads?

(sorry, gross breakfast time talk!)

[seekeerz]

have to agree about the pill - and the fact that particularly for girls this is an hormonal problem, mine cleared away after first baby and the pill. It's great that doctors will prescribe for girls with these problems, in my day [ just out of the ark !!] going on the pill before you were married was looked at with horror - you were a fallen woman just for thinking about it.

scrap the cleansers and leave the blackheads alone, just follow the same gentle cleansing routine and see how the other works. it should make an enormous difference.

[sara3]

as a fallen woman, I thank you ;o)

will make her a doc's appt today. I can see my 13 yr old son is starting to get skin problems too.

thanks again x

[NoMercy]

Dianette is the only pill that cures acne completely as it works in a different way to most contraceptive pills - it blocks the androgens. But statistically it is the worst pill for DVT. Having said that, the risks are low anyway, and even with my migrainous neuralgia and continued use of Dianette, I never suffered any probems. If you get a scipt within the next couple of days, the acne should be cleared up in time. As for the blackheads... don't squeeze, use biore strips. You won't cause scarring and you'll remove far more that way. In fact, if you cleanse, exfoliate, steam and then apply the strips, they should be even more effective. Hope this helps X

[sara3]

cheers NoM, will give it a go x

[boxtops]

I sympathise sara, my colleague at work has a 13-year-old daughter who's been under the dermatologist for a year with this condition. She's been on Roaccutane with considerable success, but it was a long slow process. Hope you get on with the doc today, get them to refer you a.s.a.p. - soonest started soonest fixed.

[sara3]

hi Boxy :o)

she's been prescribed lots of topical creams and lotions with no joy. maybe it's time to try something else. I just suspect they'll say to keep with the antibiotics as it's only been 2 months :o/

[seekeerz]

it's fun, being fallen, isn't it !!

good luck to your daughter, she's a lucky girl to have a mum who understands these things can have a devastating effect on a young person's confidence - mine didn't and it really messed my life up, best wishes, S

[boxtops]

my mate's girl was the same sara, topical didn't work, you need systemic. They agonised for ages because of the pill aspect, but it has proved fine. It's bad enough for a lad but for a girl it's pretty devastating, at a time when looks are important!

[sara3]

thanks again both, she's a bit.... "emotional" at the best of times! just trying to make it as easy as possible, but it's difficult to please teenagers!

[China Doll]

I'm also an advocate of dianette as are my two younger sisters. We were all prescribed it as teenagers.

[4getmenot]

I agree with the pill, but also is she using alot of soap, shower gels etc. Try replacing the soap she uses with aqueous cream and water. x

[Eve]

Aww bless her! I suffered really badly as a teenager.

I was presbrobed Dianette at one point but couldn't tolerate it as it made my migraines worse but have heard people rave about it.

I find clinique blemish control range good, I have the toner and dab it on any spots which come up red and angry now and it does help.

Maybe you could incorporate a bit of pampering? She could try a skin consultation with Clinique and they will often give mini free samples for people to try out.

Could do the same with a mini makeover or book her in somewhere to have her makeup done properly before the event? Make her feel more pampered.

MAC do an offer where you pay £25 for an hour consultation and makeover but you then get the £25 to spend towards products.

Some of their makeup artists are fantastic and they make be able to work such wonders it completely takes her mind off the spots.

They also do some fantastic false eyelashes for £8.50 and will cut them to size and put them on for you for the price if they aren't busy (and maybe part of the makeover).

I had some put on for a Christmas do (piccies on FB as always haha) and loved them, made me feel so glam!

You do have to book in though.

I find antibacterial showergels and such like Sanex and Carex are good for overall skin health.

[suzie1]

continue antibiotics for long term, and for short term get her some mineral makeup to wear at the prom, this will ensure her spots breath and it covers up very well, i have and am suffering from acne and mineral makeup has helped me a great deal. good luck to her and i know how she feels l oreal mineral makeup is the best

[sara3]

thank you, girls :o)

she's had the Clinique stuff, but I feel she needs something to blast the acne now. I phoned the gp, no appts til a week on Friday! I'm going to try to get her in as an emergency. I know it's not, but 2 weeks is ridiculous.

I'll also try to get her a make-over, and maybe a spray tan for the prom. she deserves pampering, she's done lots of revision for her GCSEs.. much to my surprise!