Bad Teenage Skin..... Any Suggestions??

[Smowball]

Teen smow has always had bad skin - spots on face, shoulders, back and it has really really got him down. We tried every cream/wash that you can buy, tried various home remedies too. In the end we went to the doctor who prescribed him antibiotics to try and break the cycle, which it did. In fact they cleared up to the extent that people were saying how improved his skin was. We managed to get the doctor to let him have the antibiotics for 4 months and she then refused to continue , saying it wasn't a long term solution. ( understandable). Now the spots are back and have been for a couple of months. We are using various spot treatments recommended by the chemist but none are working, and he has his prom in two weeks time. Is there anything that you can think of that I could try please?? He is so self conscious.

[douglas9401]

Nothing that'll work in two weeks, Smowball, but a visit to a dermatologist via your GP might get him onto Roacutane.
It can be a brutal experience, especially for youngsters, but the results are generally outstanding. The side effects can make things worse in the short term but I know our firstborn managed to get through it and has hardly a blemish now.

[Smowball]

I just really feel for him Douglas : (

[douglas9401]

I completely understand Smowball, young life's hard enough without standing out in the crowd.
As we all know though, it does get easier, but that doesn't help now.

Our son and two sisters in law with adult acne and very oily skin all did the Roacutane course and are now all clear-skinned and happy.

No help for your youngster's prom of course but maybe something for the future.

Good luck with it all.

[ummmm]

How much fluids does he drink? Water does help...

[chiaroscuro]

When I was a teenager, a very long time ago, the only product that worked for me was Eskamel cream. As far as I know it is unobtainable now in the UK but I've found a link that you may like to pursue. Failing that, perhaps your GP could find something with the same active ingredient, Resorsinol, I think.
http://mammafrica.co.za/shop/product/34-eskamel

[Smowball]

He drinks loads of water - the fridge has a whole shelf just of bottled water lol. Have been changing his pillowcases far more often (well he does that).
Eskamel - never heard of that one.

[ethandron]

My eldest had two cycles of roacutane which worked for a while but the acne all came back and he's now on permanent oxytetracyclene as recommended by the dermatologist. He's 36 and this has been going on since he was 16.
Your son really needs a referral to a dermatologist to sort it out. GPs are OK up to a point but if it's very persistent acne and not just a few teenage spots then he needs expert help and nothing he puts on his face or washes with or eats or drinks will make any difference.