Hello All,
My daughter will be 13 this September and her face is breaking out terribly. She is a redhead if that matters. She has SEVERE acne and has tried several OTC cleansers and such but nothing really seems to help.
We're willing to spend whatever is necessary IF it will work. We're going to make an appt with a dermotologist this week now that school is out for summer but thought I would seek a few suggestions first. She enters "middle" school next year and I would really like for her to go into the new school with a clear face and some added confidence.
PLEASE HELP!!
Re: Prescription acne meds for 12 year old girl???
Since you're already going to a derm I don't have much to offer in the way of advice, but I had to reply anyway and say that you sound like a GREAT parent! I'll bet there are a lot of people on this board who wish that their folks would have been as committed to fixing this problem as you are!
One insight that I can share is this: My daughter is just finishing her first year of middle school and although she doesn't have my horrible skin problems (yet, anyway) lots of her friends started breaking out this year and the kids in her group seemed to be really supportive of each other. I think that on top of working on the physical aspects of your daughter's acne, it might be a good idea to use this summer to really work on fostering her social circle so that she enters middle school with a solid group of friends. I think that having that kind of support network can really help to insulate ALL kids while they are making the transition to middle school, but especially ones who are feeling insecure about their skin. As much as you can, try to invite kids who will be attending her school over for overnights or to the pool or the movies or whatever.
Re: Prescription acne meds for 12 year old girl???
I have used alot of things but not accutane but my acne isn't really severe. I wouldn't think the derm. would reccomend accutane for a 12 yr. old anyway. The derm. will probably start her out w/ topicals and antibiotics (maybe). So far I am on differin and Klaron topicals because they are better for sensitive skin. I also take 100mg of Doxycycline a day. I take the birth control pill Yasmin as well. It will really be trial and error to see what works for her. I am glad you are going to do this over the summer because her face will most likely get worse before it gets better. It could take longer than one summer for her to clear up but don't lose hope. Also, maybe you should think about putting her on birth control in the future it will really help alot and it will control her hormones. Hope I helped.
Re: Prescription acne meds for 12 year old girl???
Well, speaking as one who started getting serious acne in the 4th grade, I WISH my mom had put me on accutane as a teenager. Yes, it's a powerful drug, and yes, there can be serious health complications, and yes, sometimes it doesn't even work - BUT - the horror stories aside, the chance that it could work and give her clear(er) skin are beyond value. I can't describe the psychological torture of going through middle school as a 'zit face' - and no, I don't think 'torture' is too strong a word. I'm 30 now, and still have hangups about my skin, although I finally decided on my own to take accutane during my early twenties and my skin is now, for the most part, clear. You're right on the money about the relationship between clear skin and confidence. My mom tried all the regular courses of action when I started breaking out - she bought over the counter special soaps and cleansers, then we went to the dermatologist, he'd 'clean' (read: pick) my face and prescribed topical treatments - Retin A and the like, then I tried pills, other creams, you name it - nothing worked. Even went to expensive facialists, all sorts of aestheticians, but to no avail. A good suntan in the summer was the only thing that made it look a bit better, but we all know how healthy THAT is. For me, the accutane was the only thing that nipped it in the bud - got rid of not only thr facial acne, but the chest and back acne that was really a nightmare. Like it's not embarrassing enough to have pimples on your face, but then you try to wear a bathing suit or backless or low cut dress, and your back/chest are even more of a mess than your face. Let's just say I didn't date much as a teen. Anyway, that's my opinion. Again, you've got to weigh the health risks of such a serious treatment like accutane, but like I said, for me, there was no other choice. Good luck to you and your daughter!
Re: Prescription acne meds for 12 year old girl???
Thanks for the responses! My wife (I'm the concerned DAD :-) ) is redheaded also and fights acne some too but hers has never been as bad as my daughters is.
Hopefully the dermotologists can do something for her.
Re: Prescription acne meds for 12 year old girl???
Like the others said, it is great that you are helping her with this! Just go in expecting some trial and error. Don't be disappointed if the first med they prescribe doesn't work.
Re: Prescription acne meds for 12 year old girl???
My daughter started with this problem at age 12 (she’s 17 now). At that age although it wasn’t exactly severe it was persistent and annoying to her. At one point she told me that if it didn’t get better she wasn’t going to school. The antibiotic that worked for her was Bactrim (after she’d tried some others). The antibiotic plus regular salicylic acid peels cleared her completely. Her skin was gorgeous at that time and the two treatments plus good home care worked miracles. This treatment gave her about 2 years of relief and then the antibiotics stopped working and the peels weren’t enough on their own. We muddled through the next few years and then she went on accutane last year. The accutane worked but it was a long haul. She’s still recovering from the scars and red marks it left but she definitely breaks out a lot less. It’s nice to see another parent on the board. Good luck to you both. I know this is hard on both of you.
