Best treatment for acne...

[SeaSerpent]

My 14 year old is starting to get the dreaded zits. What is the most effective stuff to use?


Thanks

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If you have insurance that covers it, or can afford it, take him to a dermatologist.

 

[Safeway]

If he is getting a lot of pimples, he might have acne. Also, tell him not to pop them, because that can lead to heavy scarring in the future. You should definitely take him to a dermatologist if you think he could have acne.

If he is getting a pimple here and there in the T-Zone (forehead, nose, chin), you can have him use AcneFree. AcneFree is just like Proactiv, but it is sold at CVS and Walgreens. In the morning (and maybe at night), you use a toner, a face soap, and a cream. It really works wonders in preventing pimples and shortening their face life. Infinitely better than the shitty alcohol products and Clear-a-cell creams.

 

[Slufa111]

healthy diet

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I will say that Proactive by far, was the most *effective* for treating my acne. It's a pain to go through the process every morning though.

 

[EGGO]

If you want to go really expensive, go to the dermatologist or use Dermalogica's stuff. If he wants to go all natural a new brand that a lot of friends of mine who depend on great skin use Korres.

It'd be helpful to map his face out, find out what his T-zones are, does he produce a lot of oil or are there also breakouts, that kind of thing.

I experiment with tons of different types of products. Proactive never worked for me, neither does any of the Neutrogena stuff because their ingredients just don't work. For toners, it's probably the strong alcohol as well. But fist, map his face. First and foremost. Better and more specific products can be found from that.

 

[minendo]

My dermatologist had me try several different options before finally putting me on Accutane. It sucked taking it, but it did the trick.

 

[EGGO]

They banned Accutane I thought. I was one of the first people on it back when they didn't release all of the side effects.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: EGGO
They banned Accutane I thought. I was one of the first people on it back when they didn't release all of the side effects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accutane

Wikipedia doesn't make any mention of it being banned, for what thats worth. I was on Accutane in my early high school days. Dried the skin out in the extreme resulting in angry red blotches where you could peel large chunks of skin from the face, hands, and feet. It definitely got rid of the acne after the treatment period though and it never came back.

You could try a diet adjustment, which would probably be cheaper, but I am uncertain which foods you'd want to look at.

 

[SeaSerpent]

Thanks guys, I will take him in to be seen.

:beer:

 

[bignateyk]

A lifestyle change is very effective when trying to fight acne. Some things that help:

1) Water. Dehydration makes acne worse. Drink a ton of water (8-10 glasses a day)
2) Exercise. Stress makes acne worse, and exercise reduces stress
3) Cut out as greasy foods (milk, fatty meats, fried foods, etc...)
4) Avoid alcohol. Results in dehyration, and it clogs pores when you sweat it out the next day
5) Change sheets and towels often. Bacteria stays on them.
6) Avoid caffeine
7) Avoid prolonged sun exposure
8) Keep skin moist


All of those will improve acne, and are overall good lifestyle adjustments to make for anyone.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Dermatologist. And soon. Diet CAN be a factor but isn't always.

 

[zig3695]

noxzema works well for me... gotta use it everyday or more, keep your face clean and dont touch your face with your hands.

and clean sheets help a great deal too, at very least change your pillowcase every week or more. it will make a big difference.

 

[Cyraxx]

+1 for Accutane

Nothing worked except Accutane. Dry side affects? Yea, but worth it. Mine wasn't too severe, lots of polysporin for nose dryness and lots of stuff for lips too.

 

[moshquerade]

another vote for accutane, but of course the dermatologist will want to try topical ointments and maybe oral antibiotics first.

i personally never took accutane, but i know someone who did and it worked wonders.

the problem with accutane is someone committed suicide while on it so they are trying to pin that on the medicine. also, it causes birth defects so they are very strict with females who go on it.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
another vote for accutane, but of course the dermatologist will want to try topical ointments and maybe oral antibiotics first.

i personally never took accutane, but i know someone who did and it worked wonders.

the problem with accutane is someone committed suicide while on it so they are trying to pin that on the medicine. also, it causes birth defects so they are very strict with females who go on it.

I'd be wary of using accutane. Anything that causes permanant skin dryness and other permanant changes to the skin can't be good for you. There really are no long term studies on its use, so personally, I would hold off on it.

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: Cyraxx
+1 for Accutane

Nothing worked except Accutane. Dry side affects? Yea, but worth it. Mine wasn't too severe, lots of polysporin for nose dryness and lots of stuff for lips too.

Accutane worked for me too. I was on everything (retin-a, clindimyacin, benzoyl peroxide, salycilic acid, antibiotics, mostly at the same time) and the only thing that really did it for me was accutane. Taking it sucked monkey balls, because I couldn't go in the sun and I had to use chapstick all the time. Also, it made my cuticles bleed from dryness and I had to get prescription medicine for that as well, but after I was done with 2 cycles of it I rarely had acne, and I only had to use a special soap to keep it at bay. Now I've somewhat outgrown it (I'm 24) but I get the random zit here and there, usually due to sweating, but nothing like I used to. Accutane is definitely an extreme measure, though, you really want to exhaust your options before considering it.

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: moshquerade
another vote for accutane, but of course the dermatologist will want to try topical ointments and maybe oral antibiotics first.

i personally never took accutane, but i know someone who did and it worked wonders.

the problem with accutane is someone committed suicide while on it so they are trying to pin that on the medicine. also, it causes birth defects so they are very strict with females who go on it.

I'd be wary of using accutane. Anything that causes permanant skin dryness and other permanant changes to the skin can't be good for you. There really are no long term studies on its use, so personally, I would hold off on it.

It doesn't cause permanent skin dryness. My face is less oily than it used to be, but still plenty soft (and it gets really oily, as does my hair, if I don't wash). I don't have any dry skin issues now, but I've been off it for about 6 years now. Accutane is a vitamin A derivative, so you have to be careful and monitor your liver function as a result, but I never had any issues.

 

[MiataPaul]

I took Acutane when it first came out. I think the danger of liver damage and side effects are not worth the benefit. I have suffered from acne since I was a teenager and still do off and on (now 42). I have tried everything.

Use natural soap - I used to use "Kiss my Face" Herbal soap, and that helped a lot. My X-wife used to make fun of my "natural cure" but once she tried it she was amazed and even recommended it to her dermatologist. He tired it and stared to recommending it. Unfortunately they have discontinued the soap. I have found another "skin clear" soap that is all natural and seems to work, though it is a bit harsher. Not sure of the brand though. I found it at my local health food store.

Diet is critical. Not just the no chocolate and dark sodas, but a well balanced diet is important. The problem is with teens this is when they are likely eating a lot of junk food. Processed foods are the worst. The best thing is to not have "bad food" such as potato chips, and stuff like that in the house at all. There are some foods that are better than others, such as corn/wholegrain chips verses potato chips. Fresh vegies are good, so see they will heat carrot and celery sticks. I would also suggest a good multi vitamin and perhaps an additional dose of vitamin E and A.

This keeps me clear, but when job stress, or a bing of bad food will cause me to break out every once and a while.

 

[Pugnax]

Read this thread especially this post. I'd avoid accutane at all costs...

 

[gururu2]

1) Only use Cetaphil bar soap on face (morning, afternoon, night)
- it wont dry or irritate skin and provides a thorough cleansing
2) Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 (morning and night application)
- best texture, consistency, odor, stability of all 10% formulations IMO
3) Use mouthwash after brushing (make sure to use mouthwash before sleeping) - i use the blue Crest stuff
- for some reason, this seems to stem acne for me. could have something to do with bacterial loads in the mouth or the antibiotic is getting into the skin.
4) If necessary get a prescription of tretinoin cream 0.025%
- very greasy, but really makes your skin feel like a million bucks. can't go into sun with this stuff.
5) last but not least, insomnia or other conditions which make sleep difficult including stress can increase acne. so if possible, make sure he is falling asleep
quickly and sleeps well. diet and exercise throughout the day influences this very much.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: Cyraxx
+1 for Accutane

Nothing worked except Accutane. Dry side affects? Yea, but worth it. Mine wasn't too severe, lots of polysporin for nose dryness and lots of stuff for lips too.

Accutane worked for me too. I was on everything (retin-a, clindimyacin, benzoyl peroxide, salycilic acid, antibiotics, mostly at the same time) and the only thing that really did it for me was accutane. Taking it sucked monkey balls, because I couldn't go in the sun and I had to use chapstick all the time. Also, it made my cuticles bleed from dryness and I had to get prescription medicine for that as well, but after I was done with 2 cycles of it I rarely had acne, and I only had to use a special soap to keep it at bay. Now I've somewhat outgrown it (I'm 24) but I get the random zit here and there, usually due to sweating, but nothing like I used to. Accutane is definitely an extreme measure, though, you really want to exhaust your options before considering it.

I have to weigh in on the Accutane issue here. I took it for a few months when I was 16 and it was the best treatment for me by far. I had moderate acne on my face and some on my upper back and chest, and almost all of it cleared up in a few months.

I was already leading a fairly healthy lifestyle - good nutrition and lots of exercise, and I washed my face with Cetaphil twice per day. The Accutane was the extra step I needed to clear up the acne. My only side effect was occasional dry nostrils - not a big deal.

Fast forward to now. I'm 24, and my acne is under control. I still get the odd zit from time to time, but they clear up quickly and do not scar. My skin is still a bit oily, so I can vouch that there aren't permanent changes associated with the drug.

Also, I've noticed that acne is positively correlated with stress. I always had flare-ups around exam periods and other stressful times, but relatively clear skin when my stress levels were low. Same situation now. So try to lead an organized life and allow some time to relax - that should help a lot.

 

[zig3695]

i agree completely... acne has a direct collation to stress/anxiety/depression. no doubt about it. stress actually causes many illnesses, if you pull an office space and simply give up on caring about stuff (be happy with what you have) youll find your health can dramatically increase..

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: minendo
My dermatologist had me try several different options before finally putting me on Accutane. It sucked taking it, but it did the trick.

My brother an I both exhausted all of the dermatologist's other options before going for the full on nuke attack of Accutane. Did it clear up my zits? Hell yeah. Was I miserable on it because of the dryness ... I used so much ChapStick I should have bought shares

Looking back, would I do it again? Perhaps with a bit more knowledge of what I was taking. Absolutely effective though.

As others have mentioned, talking to a dermatologist might get you some less toxic options to try first!

Good luck.

 

[DakotaFleming]

retin-a and fish oil