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April 2006
My teenaged son has developed acne and it is very persistent. I am
concerned about scarring, and he simply hates it.
What have other parents/teens found that works? Also, does anyone
recommend a dermatologist and/or an aesthetician in Oakland who is good
with teenaged boys?
Thank you!
Concerned Mom
Both my teen sons(age 17 and 14) have acne and both are
treated by a local dermatologist. We all go to Dr. Warren
Dotz and think he's terrific. Older son had cystic acne that
showed up in his hairline. I was so worried it would scar
his face. He went through two rounds of accutane with no
side effects other than dry skin and lips. Both boys now use
various topical creams - tazorac which empties the pores,
and clindamycin a topical antibiotic. Younger son is doing
well with topicals. I am strong beleiver in help from a
great dermatologist. You have to be diligent with the
medicines and go to the doc regularly but it really pays off
with nice skin. I hate to think what would have happened to
my oldest without this help. It's a tender age to have this
happen to their skin and helping them out with good
dermatology care is such a great thing to do. Good luck,
Happy Faces
Proactiv has helped both my daughter and my son with their
acne problems. It works rather miraculously. My daughter
tried many things first, which didn't work. When my son
started getting some acne, he started on it early and so
far it has prevented the acne from progressing at all. You
can look for it online: http://proactiv.com/
I also recently heard of a prescription skin cream called
Differin that can be gotten from a dermatologist. We
haven't had any personal experience with it, but I know an
aesthetician with beautiful, flawless skin who said this
cream cured her acne when nothing else did.
I hope this helps.
Anonymous
I highly recommend Amina at Face Magic (Pomona at Solano
in Albany. She's wonderful with teens.
anon
My son also had a problem with acne. At first he tried
various brands of drug store products (cleanser,
astringent, exfoliant, antibiotic), which didn't work very
well. He moved on to ProActiv which also didn't work well,
even through he followed the instructions to the letter and
stayed with it for almost a year (at great expense).
Finally, we spoke with his regular pediatrician about his
acne, and she prescribed a prescription antibiotic and
retin-a to use with his regular cleanser. His acne cleared
up within 2 months and, although he has an occasional
pimple, his skin has been virtually clear for over 2
years. And our health insurance covers the medications
above our co-pay. Good luck.
Acne Mom
Murad makes a acne treatment that I buy for every kid with acne that is close to
me. It really works. You can get these products at beauty centers, there is one in el
cerrito plaza and one on solano next to Peets. Warning they are expensive.
spot to spot
Your teens primary care provider (physician or nurse
practitioner) will be able to help. There are a number of
very effective topical preparations available. Acne is
really hard for teens. Make an appointment for him to be
evaluated ASAP!
NP Mom
Sept 2005
My 16 year old just started taking tetracycline for acne. It is
the first few days, she has been upset anyway, and I am so
worried about how she will manage any adverse reactions at
school. She started over the weekend, but I think the next two
weeks will be crucial. Can anyone tell of their experience
using this drug? It is the first level of meds suggested by Dr.
Walker, after trying topical agents.
anon
I presented a talk on acne after doing quite a bit of research on the topic. Use of
antibiotics has had mixed results. The latest published info: long-term ( 1 year)
use of antibiotics predisposed women to a much higher risk of breast cancer in one
large study. Some other methods to help deal with acne include a superlative diet
with lots of fresh whole foods, adequate protein, essential fatty acids, and 1/4-1/2
cup of lactofermented foods (cleanse the liver and colon; recommended by Dr. Tom
Cowan, MD). As acne has been called ''skin diabetes,'' avoiding all sugars (even fake
ones) can help. Grains and milk products can raise insulin-like growth factor-1,
which raises both androgens and insulin, plus stimulates sebum and keratin.
Special foods to use will be high in real vitamin A (eggs, organ meats, shell and
other fish), vitamins C and E, plus the minerals selenium and zinc (the ''ACESZs''). I
would add folate, niacinamide and chromium rich foods too. Supplements that
have helpful include 1 tsp Swedish Bitters at bedtime (more cleansing) and internal
and external use of beta sitisterol, the latter being a plant phytonutrient that
naturally lowers the provocative androgen contributing to most acne. Other topicals
that have a high success rate are tea tree oil (5% solution is as effective as 5%
benzoyl peroxide), aloe vera juice, and bee propolis extract. Exposure to UVB can
decrease acne, but our season at 38 degrees N ended in September for obtaining
this from the sun. Look forward to it in May, however.
Nori Hudson
Tetracycline works extremely well against acne, and I can't
remember experiencing any side effects other than increased sun
sensitivity. The problem is that there are obvious drawbacks to
taking antibiotics for an extended period of time ... but as
soon you stop taking the tetracycline, the acne comes back. So
I'd suggest getting some opinions from other dermatologists.
Personally, I've had wonderful results from Neutrogena's home
microdermabrasion kit ... but if your daughter has cystic acne
or rosacea, I wouldn't recommend it.
-- Long-time acne fighter
I took tetracycline for acne for several years, beginning in my
late teens. I used it in combination with Retin-A and Cleocin
(both topical agents). While this combination didn't completely
clear up my acne, it did help considerably. Has your daughter
discontinued the use of the topicals? I haven't heard of giving
just an antibiotic and nothing else, but I'm sure it depends on
the severity of the condition. I wish her luck. I know how
difficult it is to have problematic skin.
Anon
28 years ago, I started taking tetracycline for acne and
continued for about 4 years with no side effects then or now.
It cleared my skin quite a bit, but later prescriptions worked
better. Please email me if you have questions. Best regards,
emrosen
Yikes! I had to respond to your post and share my experience, which was NOT
positive. I took tetracycline for acne for almost 2 years in college. Unfortunately, it
didn't do much for my acne at all. But it wraught havoc on the rest of my body, and I
am still paying for it 15 years later. Tetracycline is a VERY STRONG ANTIBIOTIC, and
taking antibiotics of any kind (even milder ones) for more than 2 weeks or so, can
be very harmful on your body in several ways. In the process of killing harmful
bacteria, it also kills the good bacteria your body needs to digest food, fight off
colds, flus and other illnesses, fight off yeast infections, and pretty much everything
your organs need to do to keep you healthy. Taking antibiotics for extended periods
of time, such as for acne, does not allow your body to replenish its good bacteria (as
it would do after a normal course of antibiotics, say, for an infection). It leaves your
body extremely weakened and susceptible to all kinds of things.
My personal experience was that the tetracycline did not help to clear up my acne -
but I was young and desperate and hated having acne, and I kept hoping it would
work and help it go away. As a result of the tetracycline, I got ulcers in my
esophagus because the antibiotics had eaten into my esophagus. The Physician's
Desk Reference says that tetracycline has to be taken with a lot of food or milk (not
something my dermatologist told me) and that it CAN cause ulcers (again, not
something the dermatologist told me). Needless to say, I was so surprised, and
extremely miserable from the experience, and it took several months for the ulcers
to heal (ouch). Needless to say, I stopped the tetracycline, and eventually the acne
went away on its own (more on that in a minute).
As a result of having been on antibiotics for so long, I had no good bacteria to fight
yeast, and therefore got yeast infections about every 2-3 months the whole time I
was on it (and later - I still struggle with them occasionally when my yeast gets out
of whack). I went travelling in Europe, and caught parasites because my body had no
way to fight them off since all my good bacteria was gone. The parasites went
undiagnosed for too long (the medical system... don't get me started) and as a
result I ended up with ulcerative colitis in my large intestine. That lasted 3 years and
took a LOT of work to clear up - I've been clear for over 5 years, thank God.
All this to say a few things: I am not at all saying that all this will happen to your
child. But what I am saying is that there are long-term reprecussions to long-term
use of antibiotics, especially such strong ones as tetracycline. If your child's skin
does not respond to antibiotics at all after a month, I would take her off them as
they are clearly not helping. Give your child acidophilus daily the whole time she is
on the antibiotics, to help replenish her good bacteria. And try to help her cut down
her sweets and bready things - so that she doesn't get an overgrowth of yeast in her
system. Yogurt is great for good bacteria intake.
If I had it to do all over again with what I know now - and I have learned a lot as the
result of all I've experienced health-wise - I would go see an allergist or alternative
practitioner to be tested for allergies to foods, because I am pretty sure that the
reason my body had acne in college was (1) because I was eating WAY too much
dairy and my body didn't like it, and (2) because my hormones were out of balance
and having a hard time being processed by my liver (this is actually something I am
working on now with an alternative practitioner with great results). Maybe my
hormones eventually got balanced and that is why the acne went away, or maybe I
eat less dairy and cut out caffeine - who knows. But I do know that the tetracycline
sure didn't help with the acne.
Also, the longer you use an antibiotic, the weaker it gets and the less effective it is
on your body. I am pretty convinced that after having used it for so long, it wouldn't
do anything to kill bacteria in my body if I ever had an infection that required
antibiotics. Ultimately, you want to ''save'' use of antibiotics for life-threatening
illnesses, so that they will actually work if you really need them
I would be happy to talk to you more about this if you have questions. As you can
probably tell, it is something I feel really strongly about. Feel free to email and I will
give you my number. And I would be happy to recommend some great people who
might be able to help with a non-medical approach to your daughter's acne.
galadam
I took tetracycline for acne when I was a teen. It was moderately
effective in reducing acne, but my acne was never especially bad.
I'm not sure what side effects you are worried about, but I
didn't have any of them.
However, one day, several months after after starting the drug, I
started itching intensely all over my body. It wasn't pleasant,
but neither was it excruciating--maybe comparable to the chicken
pox. Apparently it was an allergic reaction. Following the
dermatogist's recommendation, I discontinued tetracycline, took a
benadryl or something similar, and I was fine in less than a day.
I think he put me on a sulfa drug like Keflex next.
I hope this isn't alarming, because I didn't think it was big
deal then or now, and I would put my child on tetracycline for
acne if the dermatologist were to recommend it.
i took tetracycline for acne and had a hard time committing to
the eating restrictions (take around, not with, food; no milk,
which i drank at the time). but the worst problem was the yeast
infections. i don't mean to be gross, but i was thirteen and
didn't know why i was ''peeing cottage cheese'' -- it literally
flowed and looked like wet toilet paper clumps. for this reason
alone, i would definitely not recommend. why kill all the body's
natural flora?
anon
March 2006
A dermatologist, Christine Avakoff, recommended I have 2
treatments of Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy to treat my acne,
acne scarring, and red skin. I am in my mid 30's and have had
acne since I was a teen. I am ready to do more than over-the-
counter topical solutions. I have used Retin-A for years, with
very little success. My searches as to the pro's/con's of Light
Therapy have led me to advertised website only; I have not been
able to locate any cautions/dangers of this type of treatment.
I am looking for input from those who have any experience with
photo light treatment for acne, or any other useful treatments
for acne, acne scarring (mild), and rosacea.
Anon
I haven't tried blue light therapy, but I had tremendous success getting
my sometimes uncontrollable acne under control with Laura Cooksey. She
has a skin care clinic in San Leandro, but it is worth the drive. She is
an esthetician who specializes in controlling acne, and can offer a
combination of in-office treatments with at-home products (not over the
counter stuff) that are very effective. She has a website at
www.facerealityskincare.com that talks more about what acne is and how
she treats it.
Lysa
I have done 3 courses of the blue-light therapy over the past three
years. I have also suffered from acne since my teens.
In the past some accutane courses held off the acne for years at a time
but eventually wore off. While nursing my first child my acne returned
three years ago and I did a blue light course in SF. It worked
immediately and my skin was clear for nearly a year until I became
pregnant with my second child.
Don't know if it was the pregnancy or if the effects just wore off
eventually. My acne came and went during pregnancy and again returned
when nursing my second child. I did another round of blue light at a
different clinic and it had no effect this time. I then learned about a
new procedure that uses the blue light with a chemical called levulan
that is supposed to be much more effective. I did 2 treatments of this
last fall and my skin has been basically clear since a month or so after
the second treatment. What they do is scrub your face, apply the
levulan, it's in a stick form like deoderant, then it incubates for
about 1 hour, then they put you in front of the blue light. You're not
pretty for about a week. Your face is red, really sensitive, swollen
then it peels like a snake. You can also experience breakouts and lots
of whiteheads during this time as everything is coming out. But the
results are great. It also helps with fine lines and discoloration. I
highly recommend it and will do it again if my acne returns. I did it
with Dr. Melinda Meyers of Walnut Creek. It's $250 a session. Good
luck!
happy now
My daughter has done the blue light treatment at The Laser Center of
Marin. They suggested an 8 treatment regimen which we did. Her face
has cleared wonderfully and we now go back every couple months for a
followup treatment. They are in Corte Madera (415-945-9314) or
www.marinlaser.com.
Taylor
March 2006
I have a combination skin (oily aroung chin and nose and dry on
the cheeks). I usually get acne like one or two would appear
right before my period and would disappear in a day or two but
since last month I am getting cystic acne on my cheeks. I have
never had cystic acne before. It is painful and ugly and takes
like a month or more for it to disappear. I am not sure why I
got it suddenly at this age. I haven't changed my diet or my
face wash (proactive). I am guessing that it is because I am too
stressed this semester as I am taking the MCAT, working and a
big course load. I still eat healthy and get at least seven hour
sleep every night as usual.
Did anyone else have a similar experience with sudden cystic
acne breakage? If yes then what did they to to cure it. My
dermatologist recomended topical retinol, oral contraceptives,
and/or accutane. I have never used any of these before and am
aware of the side effects. Has anyone used these and have gotten
good results? Has anybody gotten steriod injections or have them
removed surgically?
I am avoiding coffee, chocolate, sweets and any fatty food. I
have heard and read that diet affecting acne is a myth. Is there
anyone who thinks that diet makes their acne worst? Also does
cystic acne leave permanent scars r bumps?
Help !!
MM
definitely related to stress.
adult acne happens. and cystic acne is most common starting at 20 years old.
as you are pre-med, it would probably be best to consider going on birth
control
(pills or vaginal ring) to regulate your periods, so you can skip periods for
finals,
and spring break, etc... most MDs (women) I know are regulating themselves to
as
few periods per year as possible e.g. 1 or 2 using continuous cycling of birth
control
pills, or the vaginal ring.
cystic acne definitely scars! get it treated. after birth control, I would
try oral
antibiotics and if it is bad enough then accutane...
Sophia, adolescent medicine MD
I developed cystic acne at 24. It took me ten years to decide
to use accutane - ten years of mild to moderate acne,
antibiotics, benzoil peroxide, and more and more scars.
Accutane is the only drug that permanently helped me.
The first course improved my face a lot, but after about 3
years I decided to try another. That course improved my face
even more. I then tried another course after that, about 2
years later and have had virtually no problems since.
You may be told that additional courses won't improve your
acne, but this was not my experience.
During the teatment my lips got severely dry, so dry that they
blistered. But a good dermatologist who has experience with
Accutane will know how to treat the side effects. I went to
UCSF.
It seems that doctors in the US are more reluctant than doctors
in England and Europe to prescribe Accutane. An article out of
England that my husband found said that doctors there treat
even mild cystic acne with Accutane because of the
psychological distress cystic acne causes.
Ellen
Hi, I have cystic acne, though mine did not come on suddenly.
First for the bad news: I'm 40 and I still have it. The good
news: There are many effective treatments for cystic acne. You
should also know that you are not causing it! No, you aren't.
No, it's not what you're eating. And no, it's not necessarily
from stress. It's a hereditary disease.
In terms of your course of treatment, Accutane is kind of like
the nuclear bomb. It will work, but you might want to try
milder options first. I wholeheartedly recommend combining
topical Retin-A and oral birth control pills. I definitely have
cystic flare-ups around my period. When I was taking BCPs I
didn't have them much at all, but for other reasons I can no
longer take BCPs and now I get a cyst or two every month. When
I get them, I get a same-day appointment with my dermatologist
(if your derm is serious about acne, he/she should have same
day appointments available) and I get a steriod shot. It's not
the world's most pleasant experience, but it's not like
childbirth either, and the cyst is gone in 1-2 days WITHOUT a
scar. In short, the shots are great.
In terms of Accutane: I did a long course of it in my 20s and
it cleared me up (mostly) for a decade, but the effect does
wear off after a while. In exchange I had the most unbelievably
scaly skin - my lips were literally peeling off -and joint
aches that kept me awake at night for my entire course of
treatment. Hence my nuclear bomb analogy.
Retin-A: Takes some time to get used to. You may be red and
itchy with some flakiness at first, but your skin, especially
at your young age!, will become accustomed to it over the
course of a few weeks. And you know, it's good for preventing
wrinkles too, though you're probably not concerned about that
now.
Lastly - don't get microdermabrasion. It seems like such a good
idea for those of us with acne scarring, but it's really not.
First of all, cystic acne scars are deeper than anything
microdermabrasion can reach. Secondly, and most importantly,
the procedure can cause dormant cysts to become more active.
Hope this was helpful. I feel your pain!
mostly clear
At 22 years, I too had a bout of cystic acne. I was in grad
school at the the time and under quite a bit of stress. One of
my classmates took me aside and told me that there were many new
treatments available to treat acne (this was in the late 1980s).
B I remember being quite taken aback by her frankness because I
didn't think my complexion was all that bad. Anyway, she gave me
great advice and I consequently went on Accutane for six months
which resulted in gorgeous skin until I got my first real job a
year later. The working environment was so stressful and I had
enormous self doubts about my abilities. The cystic acne
returned with a vengeance and much to my mortification, I
overheard my boss gossiping about my skin at work! I decided to
go back to Accutane for another six months and the second course
of treatment really did the trick. Over the next 15 or so years,
occasionally I would still have breakouts but they were so much
easier to manage. I also think with maturity I have learned to
be more confident and to handle stress better. Hope this helps.
Been there too
I would definitely re-examine what you are eating. Are you
eating enough greens, less white flour, etc? Resting? I read
somewhere that when your internal organs are overloaded with
expelling toxins and wastes your skin is the next stop. For me
too much sugar, caffeine, and bad oils are the culprit.
Check the types and quality of oils you use in your food
(rancid oils do a lot of damage to our system). EVO and
coconut oils are the best things for skin. Stress is another
skin spoiler, but you have a heavy load and unfortuneately it
comes with the territory.
I would definitely say that because you live a stressful and
busy life you need to take extra good care of your self through
eating, exercise, and relaxation. The prescription stuff never
worked for me and I have really managed my acne with the
above. Check out nutrition tips from the book ''Nourishing
Traditions'' by Sally Fallon.
Cystic acne no more.
I haven't been ''officially'' diagnosed with cystic acne, but mine
sounds just like yours. The only thing that I have found
consistent about it is that if I eat gummy candy (jelly beans,
gum drops, etc.) I will surely break out. Not that I don't break
out other times, and not that it doesn't go away for a few
months at a time. I used to think sunlight helped, but it
doesn't seem to any longer. I'm not willing to use accutane, and
can't take birth control (though I still had it when I was) so I
just try to keep my face clean (I swab with rubbing alcohol) and
not touch my face or eat the offending candies. And that seems
to keep it down.
Spotty
August 2005
I've battled acne for years now and have done many many
conventional treatments, most of which have not helped. It
seems to come and go but has been pretty present the last five
years, and I'm in my 30's! Has anyone tried accupuncture and
if so what were your results? I'm ready to try anything, I'm
so sick of this! Thank you in advance.
anon
Sara Rankin of Alma Acupuncture in Oakland specializes in ''Facial Rejuvenation'' which works really well for many skin conditions (wrinkles, blemishes etc.). She has a lovely office close to Piedmont and Broadway in Oakland. She takes insurance for medical conditions (Alta Bates and Kaiser Plans for example). Reach her at: 510 593-7514.
Melanie
Although I don't suffer from acne, I had another skin problem for several months for which I consulted an acupuncturist. It went away after a few weeks. I saw Dr. Robert Zeiger, a great acupuncturist and doctor of oriental medicine that I can highly recommend. His contact info: (510) 843-7397, 3031 Telegraph Ave., Suite 106.
Good luck!
Believer-in-alternative-medicine
Sorry to say I tried acupuncture for over a year for my adult acne with no results. I kept at it because my insurance covered the treatments, so I wasn't paying out of pocket. I just started taking tetracycline (again) and using tazorac (a new retinoid cream). Its too soon to say if these will deliver the results I am looking for, but so far better than the more natural routes I have tried over the years...
I don't know anything about acupuncture for acne, but I will share our experience. My son is now almost 16 years old, and he had struggled with acne as soon as he hit puberty. Then last year, when he joined the football team, he developed an awful facial rash, no doubt exacerbated by the sweaty helmet and chin strap.
He had tried all the antibiotics and face creams perscribed by several dermatologists until it looked like accutane, a medicine not without significant risk, was our final medical option. Not wanting to go that route, we looked into unconventional approaches. After doing some internet research, it seemed that some people benefit from removing sugar from their diet. My son decided to try it at the encouragement of his medical researcher dad, and--what do you know--his face cleared up!
He still has quite clear skin 3/4 year later (and yes he is doing football this year again). He eats no sugar or honey or molasses, etc. When he wants a sweet he eats no-sugar-added ice cream or cookies with no sugar. Thanks to the popularity of Atkins Diet, you can find lots of substitutes. He still keeps his face very clean and showers twice a day and uses the topical creams. He feels he is happy to give up sugar to have normal skin.
Hope this helps. I know what a frustration it is.
Sugar free mom
I haven't tried acupuncture for acne, but I'm a student of Chinese Medicine. A teacher at my school, Dr. Yu, is supposed to be great. She specializes in dermatology (and teaches it). She teaches at ACTCM 415.282.7600. I'll try to get her # and post it for you.
Best,
anon
Dr. Yu is a dermatologist (Chinese Medicine - acupuncture and
herbs) in San Francisco. Her number is 415-337-0308.
I hear she's great.
anon
i've had wonderful luck with Proactiv for the past 10 years or so. it
really works.
anon
Jan 2005
My son is 5 and a half and he is already getting blackheads and
pimples! Breakouts are mostly around his nose and happen about
once a month. He washes his face twice a day with soap.
Should I be applying a benzoil peroxide treatment at this early
age? Or a tea tree oil cleanser?
Thanks for any advice.
anon
You should consider taking your son to a dermatologist for a
checkup. The dermatologist might have a better way to treat the
acne and/or the underlying cause than you could yourself using
over-the-counter remedies.
Anon.
I'd stay away from tea tree oil. It is highly allergenic,
especially once it has begun to oxidize.
Former Tea Tree Oil Fan
Oct 2004
Please advise re skin care products for a teen girl with
frequent break-outs, and many red spots (from picked-open
pimples).
We are not interested in a ''medical'' solution. A friend's
child had severe mental side-effects from Retin-A, and this
is not uncommon.
Proactive web reviews indicate severe burning and skin
cracking as a side-effect.
Have you or your teen found any products that work?
Anon
I have a good friend named Gillian Christie who markets a
line of all natural, botanically based skin care products
by a Swiss company called Arbonne. She reports many
posaitve outcomes with her products. More info at
www.gillian.myarbonne.com
larry
I have now had two children (teens) who have benefitted
from skin care/products offered by Katherine Leverette, an
esthetician who operates Solutions Center (510-893-7546).
The Center is near Laney College in Oakland. For years, we
have referred to her as ''the Acne Queen.'' She uses natural
products, explains a lot about skin care, and is a total,
delightful character.
Ilene
Believe it or not, we have found head & shoulders shampoo
to work quite effectively. My family uses it all the time
when they start breaking out. Just wash your face with
it. Worth a try.
This to the parent who seeks products for their child's
acne. There is absolutely no product that will work if the
young person ''picks at'' his/her skin. The number one
factor in whether small blackheads become pimples is
contact with the hands. Bacteria and irritation are going
to win every time. Please help your kid train him/herself
to NEVER touch the skin on the face except when washing.
How I wish I'd been told this before I endured Phisohex,
Clearasil, Retin -A treatments, sunlamps, tetracycline,
chocolate-deprivation. A dermatologist taught me this and
my skin cleared up perfectly from that day forward.
Good luck.
Kathe
June 2003
I am looking for someone who can give me an education
regarding the benefits and side effects of taking
Triphasil -28, a low dose birth control pill, for control
of acne. My daughter was given these at the Berkeley
Health Clinic, without my knowledge, after she and I had
briefly discussed how these were offered as an possibility
for controlling her skin problems (which in my opinion
could be much worse, but her face was broken out much of
the month). When she originally brought it up I said that
I thought that hormone control for acne might be effective,
but seemed very intrusive for the body and I said I did not
want her to do it. However, Arianna went to the clinic and
the pills were prescribed, according to the clinic doctor
and Arianna, when we talked about it, both for acne and to
control menstrual irregularity, which she apparently has
been experiencing since joining the BHS crew team. I tend
to stay away from most medical treatments for my children,
and would like to know how to discuss the pros and cons
with my daughter, and to better understand any long-term
consequences of this. The clinic doctor said that as far
as they were concerned, there was no danger in low dosage
birth control pills, either immediate or long-term. Also,
if anyone knows the regulations regarding treatment of
minors without parental consent, I would also be interested
in understanding that better. The clinic apparently
supports kids with any kind of need for sexual activity
without contacting parents, which I actual would agree
with; but since this was another kind of treatment I
wonder where the parent fits in. Has anyone had
experiences of this kind? I want to support my daughter to
make informed decisions, and realize she may not always
agree with me. Thanks.
RE: Birth Control Pills and Acne
1. I prefer Dr. Katie Rodan MD, 510 763-2662 and her Proactiv
system. 1-800- 950-4695. Properly applied - use enough and
every day, follow directions it works wonders. We found that we do
not use enough to be on the monthly delivery. We get shipments
once or twice a year. We do see Dr. Rodan once or twice a year
also, though our insurance covers the visit. Proactiv is over the
counter.
2. There is a lot of free literature in the library and on the internet to
treat this naturally, though I do not know the best direction for this.
Cleaning the face with non-allergic, non irritating cleaners is
always important no matter what method you choose.
3. Hormones and no danger? Read the insert on the prescription.
There are many current trials on hormones that have not been
completed. The ones on hormones for older women have had
results so negative that they were discontinued. Once I was asked
to sign a release from a doctor for PUVA treatment, which many
people use. The doctor was assuring me that there were ''no
dangers''. I then asked why he wanted me to sign a release? I took
out my pen and notebook and started to draft a statement that the
doctor would assume any and all damages that may be incurred
using PUVA, and he asked what I was writing. I told him, that I
would sign his release if he would sign mine. My appointment
ended really fast. Everyone's definition of ''danger'' might not be
the same.
4. Do you really want to train your kid to take a pill every day if
there are effective alternatives? If this is a last resort because she
has difficulty being consistant with topical treatments, will she
remember to take a pill?
5.Your teen needs to really understand the Birth Control Pills do
not protect against HIV. Teens are one of the fastest growing HIV
positive age groups.
6. I have dealt with the Dr. - patient thing too. My sense is you are
responsible legally for her decisions until 18, and you remain her
mother forever. Before our next doctor's visit, I will leave it up to my
daughter to tell me if she wants me to remain with her. We ususally
split the time with her ped, but she is not always comfortable alone.
teen mom
I highly recommend the Acne Clinic in Walnut Creek. This
place offers a safe non-medical alternative to clearing up
acne and staying away from birth control pills when not
needed.I went to them for my daughter with GREAT results.
stefani
What meds have worked for your teen?
June 2003
Though there have been many previous postings about acne, I
am wondering if anyone out there has found help! We have
been to a Dermatologist and have been following a
prescribed course of antibiotics, topical solutions etc.
all to no real success. I have ordered the Proactiv line
of products and am considering the use of birth control
pills which have been suggested by the dermatologist. My
daughter is feeling very desperate and I want to do whatever
I can to try to help her. What has worked for others?
concerned mom
Make an appointment to see Dr. Katie Rodan MD, 510 763-2662 ,
she is in Oakland and takes many insurance carriers. You can call
to see if she takes your insurance. ProActiv is her line and she has
had very few failures. It might not work if the steps are not followed
properly, One of her assistants can review how your daughter uses
the system and help her make adjustments. We were doing one
thing wrong and when we corrected that - boom it works perfectly.
Sometimes in person instruction is better than an product insert.
teen mom
We went through every antibiotic and every topical alternative for
our son (who was 15 at the time). He had cystic acne, with intense
red areas, swelling--it was a very difficult time. We finally bit the
bullet and put him on accutane. I know how controversial it is, but
it is the only thing that worked. And months after finishing the
course of treatment, he remains acne free.
There are so many safeguards now that we decided that it was
worth the slight risk involved to save him from further emotional
trauma and physical scarring. Dermatologists must be certified in
order to prescribe it, and your child has to have regular lab tests.
Everyone I've spoken with who has a child who has used it, or who
has used it him or herself (it's amazing how many people I know
who have used it or knows someone who has) swears by it.
I'm so happy and relieved that my son looks like himself again, and
is no longer embarrassed or disfigured by acne. It's worth looking
into for your daughter. Best of luck to her. (Please feel free to
email me if you have questions.)
Norma
The main advice I have about acne treatment is that not
everything works for everybody, and it's certainly worth it
to experiment with ''natural'', non-medical treatments before
going the drug route. However, everyone reacts differently to
every treatment, and if your child is already getting
physical scars (not to mention the emotional ones) from
severe acne, you might want to explore Accutane. Actually, if
you are already being seen by a dermatologist, and various
antibiotics haven't worked, the doctor will usually suggest
Accutane. As controversial as that drug is, it is actually a
cure for acne in most patients. It has been a miracle drug
for my teenage daughter, even though I am uncomfortable with
medication that isn't absolutely necessary.
Acne is a ''hot'' topic for me, having suffered my whole
life with severe acne that has been resistant to all meds and
treatments, both Western and alternative. The only thing that
worked for me was in 1966 (!) when I took a high-dose
estrogen birth control pill that cleared up my skin but
caused terrible side effects (migraines, huge weight gain,
edema,depression) that forced me to quit. I am in my 50's and
still have acne flare-ups, plus my face is badly scarred.
People who have never experienced severe acne may not
realize that not only does it cause emotional distress, but
it is also quite painful to have huge infected cysts all over
one's face, back, chest, and arms. No, it is not a life
threatening condition, but it sure makes day-to-day life
tough, especially for sensitive teens. Please don't let
people give you a hard time if you decide to go with
something as heavy-duty as Accutane.
When my daughter developed acne when she was about 12,
we tried Proactiv first, which worked great after about 3
weeks. After about 7 months, though, even with diligent use,
the products didn't work anymore. The pediatrician prescribed
a topical cream, which worked for awhile, too. Then came the
dermatologist, and a series of topicals and antibiotics which
all worked for awhile, then lost effectiveness. Her skin
scars easily, and she already had several purple ''pits'' on
her face. I finally gave my OK to Accutane, and although she
still has scars (that will supposedly fade with time), she
has perfectly clear skin now. Those of you who have suffered
from true, severe acne know what a miracle that is.
Whatever you try from the advice you receive from this
list or from the archives, remember that any treatment
usually takes at least 3 weeks to work.
anon
To the concerned mom who's dealing with her daughter's
acne - my advice is to keep trying. My son went through
treatments with clearasil, benzoyl peroxide, minocylin,
tetracycline,benzamycin gel, and retin-a - none of which
made a dent for long. What I didn't realize is that cystic
acne can get very bad very fast, so while we were ditzing
around with these remedies, he was getting worse. He is now
on accutane (the generic version) for three months now (the
full course is 5-6 months), and his skin is almost
completely clear, except for some scarring. It is a scary
drug and I wouldn't recommend it if your daughter is
already prone to depression or unable to talk about her
feelings. It has been (rarely) linked to suicidal feelings.
I monitor my son's mood closely (this just means that I pay
attention, not that I interrogate him...)and he's required
to get monthly or bimonthly blood tests. It is also a very
expensive drug, although covered by most health plans. The
good news is that it works when nothing else does. I wish
you luck in your search.
Anna
Re: the Proactiv system, my wife purchased it, both for her
self and our younger son (now 21!!). It works well for my
wife, but not so much for my son-- the difference is (no
surprise) that you need to be pretty disciplined in your
usage-- our son runs around so much (college student,
active social life w/ erratic hours), that he doesn't use
it appropriately and doesn't get the same results. Hope
that helps...
Jim W.
Dear Concerned Mom:
I don't know whether techniques useful for males are also helpful for
females, but if they are, then you should know that my sixteen-year-old son
has just begun using an over-the-counter twice-daily wash on the strong
recommendation of the parents of one of his younger friends, who claim (and
their son's face apparently proves) does wonders: Clean & Clear( Continuous
Control( acne cleanser by Johnson & Johnson.
ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES. The unique ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which is
neither hydrogen peroxide nor any another other kind of peroxide. As I
understand it, no other product contains this particular kind of bleach,
and, in using the facial wash twice a day, a small amount of bensoyl
peroxide remains within the skin pores, which inhibits the development of
acne, whose growth depends in part on bacteria. The benzoyl peroxide kills
the bacteria, so no acne can develope.
NOTES: Because
- acne developes over approximately three months (or so I'm told), it takes
about ninety days for the twice-daily wash to show its full effects:
perfectly clear skin
- the active ingredient is a kind of bleach, it's recommended that anyone
using it sleep on white pillow cases; while normally my son enjoys deeply
colored flannel bed fittings, he has no problem whatsoever using white
pillow cases -- at least for the summer!
Please also note that, while our very good friends highly recommend this
cleanser, our own son has just begun using it, so we cannot personally
attest to its effectiveness. Nevertheless, on seeing how well it has worked
with our friend's son, we are eager to spend the summer testing it. If you
decide to do so as well, our best wishes on your daughter's success!
Anonymous
Nov 2001
My daughter, 12, has recently started to get acne. What meds (over the
counter or prescription) have your found that worked?
Thanks
My daughter uses Clean and Clear compulsively and it keeps her face in good
shape. I have to buy her TUBES and TUBES of the stuff -- for her backpack,
locker, gym bag, volleyball bag, etc., but something is working. Maybe
it's just washing her face often.
Barbara
My daughter is using Bezamycin gel (it's actually a cream) which works
great. It is a brand name prescription medication however and it's VERY
expensive (like around $90/jar) so it's only practical if your health
insurance pays for it. However, if they don't, I've discovered that it
contains 2 active ingredients; one is over-the counter (about $3 a tube)
and the other is a generic prescription (so a lot cheaper). (What a scam
those drug companies have got going!) I can't remember the names of the
two active ingredients, but any pharmacist can tell you.
Claire
My daughter's acne responded well to Proactiv. This is a kit with several
parts that must be used daily for decent results, so your child must be
motivated. The best price we found was through WonderfulBuys on the web.
You can join a "club" where they will ship the stuff to you every 2 or 4
months, and you get free shipping that way. Here's their e-mail address,
or you can just go search the website (wonderfulbuys.com):
"proactiv club"
Good luck!
Dawn
In reply to the mother asking about acne medication: my daughter has used
ProActiv for the last two years with good results. I can't recall offhand
their website address but if you search for it, you'll find it. It's
relatively economical especially in comparison to prescription medication,
about $50.00 for a 60-day supply of treatments. I think their start-up pack
is the facewash, lotion and spot treatment. It may take a month or so to
see results, depending on your daughter's case. In this case, anyways, you
can believe the infomercial hype.
Karen
Both of my kids have had acne and have been treated by a dermatologist
over a period of 3 years. Many of the prescription topical applications
and oral medications worked in varying degrees and for varying periods
of time. I have learned that the combination of medications in relation
to the specific kinds of acne present make a difference. Also,
sometimes the acne becomes resistant to the medication. Unless your
child's acne responds to over the counter benzoyl peroxide, I recommend
you find a dermatologist (who hopefully is covered by your health plan).
My older son ultimately took Accutane, and I wish he had begun it much
sooner. None of the other treatments helped very much and those that
did help stopped working after a while. He finished his 5 month course
of Accutane last March, and his skin has been clear since then. By the
way, he had relatively few side effects - slightly raised cholosterol
level and dry lips.
Other medications that have been helpful are oral Minocyclin, Bactrim
(though my son turned out to be allergic to it), topical Tazorac and
Xerac AC, topical Benziclin.
My son started developing a few pimples around 12 1/2. The following
year they were more frequent and lasted longer, but would eventually go
away. When he was 14, the pimples seemed more intransigent. I took him
to see a dermatologist, Dr. Greta Clarke on Milvia Street. She
prescribed two creams, to be applied on alternate nights. The first
cream, BenzaClin (clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide gel) is stored in the
refrigerator. The second cream is Differin (adapalene). They didn't
seem to work at first, but after a month his skin completely cleared
up. He continues to use the creams to forestall new pimples and there
appear to be no side effects, although I have not researched the
toxicity of these drugs. We're very happy with the results of this
regime. I only wish I had taken him to the dermatologist earlier, but
it's hard to tell if acne is a problem that will go away or if it will
get worse. Good luck.
I have found that an easy and cheap acne treatment is to dab Hydrogen
Peroxide on your pimples after cleaning your face with gentle cleanser. Do
this preferably at night.
My son developed pretty severe acne so after trying all the over the counter
products we went to his physician and ended up over a period of many months
going through all the progressively stronger prescription medications for
acne up to the maximum allowable dosage for Acutane, which is pretty scary
stuff. He had to go off Acutane eventually because they can only prescribe
it for a certain period of time, then you have to wait 6 months or so before
they can represcribe it. After the Acutane, he tried Proactiv and that's
when his skin finally cleared up completely and has been clear now for
probably a year without any follow-up care. Wish we had tried Proactiv
first!!
I have had great luck with an infomercial product called Proactiv Solution
(http://www.buyitontheweb.com/hit-proactiv.html).
It has helped my teenage daughter's acne tremendously and is also great
on adult acne.
Em (7/00)
Accutane and Depression
Does anyone have teenagers that have used the presciption drug for acne
called Accutane? I recall reading somewhere that it has been known to
cause serious depression and even suicide with teenagers. I have a friend
who has a daughter that began using it and caused serious depression soon
after. Anyone with information on how to reverse the side effects would be
greatly appreciated...
To the person who wanted info about teens and Accutane:
My daughter took Accutane for the entire treatment last summer and early
fall(about 16-20 weeks). She was fine while taking it, and it really
cleared up her skin. I was very concerned about possible depression because
I have a lot of it in my family, but the doctor assured me that this side
effect was rare. So far, she's been okay except for the usual ups and downs
of adolescence.
Regarding Accutane and Depression:
I do not know of depression associated with Accutane. You can look up
information on most drugs, their uses and any warnings on line or
through a physicians desk reference (PDR) which should be in most
libraries.
Counseling is obvious as a suggestion because there may be deeper
reasons which the Accutane only sparked.
HOWEVER, regarding reversal of depression caused by a nutritional
imbalance or drug reactions, there are some nutritional approaches as
well. In her book, The Diet Cure, Julia Ross, who runs a large drug,
alchohol and diet addiction recovery program in Marin, outlines the uses
of amino acids her clinic uses (suplements found at most whole
food/nutrition stores.) and which ones work to offer support for each
set of problems (depression being one). This is also a great reference
for those dealing with issues of diet (and dieting) related mood swings,
obsessions, cravings, and mal-nutrition (often a part of female teenage
eating patterns). She also addresses hormonal shifts, food allergies,
etc. which could be at the root of the acne problems. I would
investigate the nutritional side of the issue immediately. While I was
using them for allergy reactions, the few amino acids supplements I've
tried worked almost immediately.
Bettina
In 1998, there was a Medscape warning about accutane (
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety.htm) "isolated reports of
depression, psychosis and rarely suicidal thoughts and actions."
"FDA and the drug manufacturer are strengthening this label warning,
even though it is difficult to identify the exact cause of these
problems. Such problems could already be more common among the patient
populations likely to be on the drug. However, because some patients
who reported depression also reported that the depression subsided
when they stopped taking the drug and came back when they resumed
taking it, the agency and the manufacturer felt the strengthened
labeling was warranted as a precautionary measure."
My understanding is that this possible side effect needs to be
balanced with the depression involved for teenagers with severe acne.
Sherry
More info here:
About.com - Accutane
March 2004
There have been postings in the past regarding taking the prescription
drug ''Accutane'' or isotretinoin for acne. Saw this article regarding
a new national registry for all users of this drug because of the
severe danger the drug poses during pregnancy. The article also
chronicles other specifics about the treatment that people should be
aware of.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040227/ap_on_he_me/accutane_pregnancy_7
claudia
Natural Remedies for Acne
I would appreciate recommendations of natural or less-toxic
approaches to a mild case of adolescent pimples. I've checked the
digest, and was surprised to see this hasn't come up on the teen list!
Thanks.
Joan
I have worked with a number of parents who introduced their teens to Super
Blue Green Algae (Aphanizomenon flos aquae) and have had great results. One
man told me that his back acne cleared after one week.
MaryAnn
I have had a good experience treating acne with a Chinese Herbologist
in San Francisco who is a skin specialist. Her name is Prof. Jialing
Yu, and her office number is 415-337-0308. Both my 14-year-old neice
and I have been very happy with her treatments. She gives Chinese
herbs which are all natural. The treatment is on the expensive side,
though, so may be overkill for a mild case. But if you are wary of
Accutane or antibiotics, which you would probably get at a Western
dermatologist, this seems to be a safer approach.
Diane
July 2003
In my previous life when I was on 'the pill', I did not need to worry so much
about regular break-outs on my face. I then went off the pill to become
pregnant and the break-outs were uncontrollable! Then during pregnancy my
skin was soooooo happy again! But now I've given birth and the teenage-like
acne has returned. I have my hands full with a 2 month-old and don't have
time to do anything more than just wash my face in the shower (when I get
one!) I'm currently using Neutrogena daily face wash but I guess I need
something stronger. Any recommendations for something I can use on my
face that won't dry it out but will control the blemishes? My skin doesn't seem
to be either dry nor oily nor combination. I'd call it ''normal'' except I keep
breaking out. I really don't have time for anything more complicated than what
can be accomplished in the shower....
too old for pimples
I have also had problems with adult acne and have resorted to
trying many different things. Currently I have been using an
acne bar from Clinique and also being a sometimes showerless
parent, only use it in the morning. I have had very little
breakouts since I started using this line early in my
pregnancy. To help prevent dryness I also use their moisterizer
which can be put on quickly after I shower. Both products can
be a little pricey but they last a very long time so in the
long run are not much more than what you are currently using.
anon
Hey there. I don't think you necessarily need something
stronger to take care of your acne, especially if you have
normal skin. why don't you try something less irritating than a
traditional acne control wash. my skin cleared up when i
stopped using a daily scrub stopped washing my face with a
soapier product. Instead, I use Cetaphil twice daily (sometimes
three depending on my activity) and moisturize with an Aveeno
product. Then, I only used a facial scrub once a week. This
regimen has worked very well. I too am experiencing acne
related to my pregnancy and got a prescription from my primary
care doctor for topical Eurithrimycin pads - they look a lot
like stridex pads, but they don't dry out your skin. basically,
it's applying antibiotics to combat the bacteria in your skin.
It works very well and i bet you could get several months worth
that should help you until your skin returns to normal post-
pregnancy. Good luck!
Jen
I had the same problem you did. Pretty good skin before pregnancy,
glowing, gorgeous skin during and then rotten skin and hair after giving
birth (and for about a good 8 months afterwards). Realize that your body
is going through hormonal changes that affect your skin and hair,
usually it seems for the worse postpartum. These things do seem to
normalize eventually.
When my skin was at its worst I got desperate and actually ordered
Proactiv after seeing the infommercial and I LOVE it. It doesn't dry my
skin out and the three step system has been easy and really effective. I
also take 400 mg of vitamin E every day and that seems to help, too.
You can order Proactiv online. Check it out...
heidi
I'm sorry to have to say it, but what you need cannot be done in the shower.
Washing your face is not enough! You need something to put on your face
*after* you wash that will kill the bacteria that cause the acne.
I have had persistent acne since I was in my teens. While it's not as bad as it
was then, I still break out, even though I am now 35! Well, I *would* break out,
that is--I don't now. However, the ONLY thing that works for me and my
stubborn acne is a BENZOYL PEROXIDE product. Here's the thing a lot of
people will probably recommend something with salicylic acid. The problem is
that salicylic acid works only on acne causing bacteria that are not very far
beneath the surface of your skin. I know for me, salicylic acid did NOTHING and
I found out that this is because only Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) gets the DEEP
bacteria.
Ok- you don't want your skin dried out, and BP is rather on the drying side.
The thing to do is to STAY AWAY from regular, over the counter products (like
Clearasil and Oxy). These products tend to have WAY more BP in them than you
really need. It turns out that a 10% BP product (usually labeled ''extra strength'')
isn't any more effective than a 5%, which isn't any more effective than 2.5% !!
The only difference is that the 5% and 10% BP products will dry your skin out
much more than a 2.5% BP solution. Also, over-the-counter products tend to
have a bunch of other ingredients in them that *I* think are bad for your skin
(aluminum derived ingredients, tints and other stuff - yuk!).
After much searching, I found a terriffic BP product that is pretty much nothing
but a water based cosmetic gel with 2.5% BP. It works GREAT, and it doesn't dry
out my skin as much as the other stuff. Of course, I do also put on a
moisturizer - but I would do this anyway as I DO have combination skin.
I would recommend staying away from those acne treatment *systems* (entire
lines of products - face washes, toners, creams, gels, etc. etc.) especially if you
want to avoid drying out your skin. Besides, these are often overkill and may
take up more of your time than you need. Of course, if your acne is bad
enough, you might NEED an entire system to treat it, but I have found that I
really don't need all that stuff, and my acne is pretty bad if it goes untreated.
The product I use is ''DDF'' (Doctors Dermatologic Formula) Benzoyl Peroxide
Gel. I buy it online from a local cosmetologist (based in Orinda), Mary Gilespie.
She has an e-store www.skin911.com. She ships very quickly and her stuff
is reasonably priced (the BP gel costs pretty much the same per ounce as what
you would pay for over the counter products - you pay more by the tube
because they hold twice as much), and she give great customer service. I
couldn't be happier!
acne free!
I too have adult acne which recurred after I went off the pill
and got better while I was pregnant -- and afterwards I was
right back to being the only adult in the room with pimples. I
have no plans to go back on the pill and don't want to do
tetracycline, but I did find a skin-care product that has helped
tremendously. I get my brows waxed at White Rose in Oakland (on
College near Claremont) and the owner there recommended the
Karin Herzog Vita-A-Kombi cream (she gave me samples first and
then I went back and bought it). I am usually quite skeptical
of any ''skin care system'' that promises great results and then
at every stage tells you that you must buy yet another product;
however, she recommended one thing and said that was all I
needed. My hormonal surges are sometimes still stronger than
this lotion, but it is far more effective than anything I've
tried and I am so happy to be done with Clinique, Origins, etc.
(The only downside is that it has hydrogen peroxide in it, so
when I'm not careful the tops of my eyebrows get a little
bleached.)
J.J.
I have suffered from mild acne my whole life (like you better
when on the pill or pregnant). Acne medications like benzoyl
peroxide and Retin A make my skin peel horribly. The last
dermatologist I saw suggested using an over the counter facial
soap with salicylic acid (2%). Aveeno and Neutragena have
these products although they are sometimes hard to find (I have
purchased them at Walgreens). I have also found generic brands
as well which are a bit cheaper (Rexall pharmacy in El
Sobrante). The liquid face soaps have 2% salicylic acid while
the bar soaps only have 1%. Initially I was washing my face
twice a day with the liquid soap, and it was a bit drying. Now
I wash once a day (in the morning), and my acne has
disappeared. Good luck!
Cindy
I feel your pain. I've had bad skin since I was 15, with flare
ups depending on the time of month or how many hormones were
surging through my body. My skin was glowing and perfect during
my first pregnancy, and alarmingly acne-riddled during my
second. I was then diagnosed with acne rosecea (hey, wrinkles
AND acne!).
There are several routes you can take, but some of them are best
left until you wean your newborn. After I weaned my son at 9
months, I started a low-dose course of antibiotics and Metrogel
lotion, prescribed by my dermo, which got my rosecea under
control.
What you can do now is try Eucerin pore-cleaning gelwash every
night. It's non-drying and seems to be keeping my skin under
control. Also, make sure you have a good skin cream/sunblock on
every day, as sun exposure also seems to affect adult acne.
Again Eucerin prodcuts are good and affordable. Good luck!
Julie T.
I have absolutely been there, so you have my sympathy. I tried
facials (for me, a total waste of money) and all sorts of
expensive and inexpensive products, and the only thing that
really ever worked for me was Benzoyl Peroxide. If you haven't
already, consider the Proactive line of products, which uses non-
irritating amounts of Benzoly Peroxide. I used the cleanser,
repair lotion and mask and got great results (I did not,
however, shell out the money for the daily moisture lotion,
figuring that the Oil of Olay that my dermatologist had
recommended was good enough). I should warn you that after a few
years on Proactiv, it stopped working (apparently, my skin
adjusted), so I switched to a lotion with a higher percent of
Benzoyl Peroxide, and it did the trick. One more question Now
that you have your baby, have you considered going back on the
pill?
Good Luck!
Amy
Dear Acne sufferer,
HI, I am a Licensed Acupunturist/Herbalist/Nutritionist Mom. It can be so
difficult to deal with things when you are a new mother. I totally identify
with you when you say you don't always get a chance to take a shower!
My non-kid friends couldn't seem to understand that when I first had a
baby. I just wanted to say about the acne that it is usually associated
with diet. I know it might be hard right now, and you may have already
heard this, you don't say, but you really need to avoid fried foods, greasy
foods, spicy foods, coffee, red meat, cut way back on sugar, dairy, no
sodas. On the other hand, do eat lots and lots of greens, whole grains,
fruit, and fish, especially salmon and cod. Another thing is that anything
that you put on your face that has petrochemical based products, such
as fragrance, can interact with the sun to cause outbreaks. Stick to
hypoallergenic products with no fragrance. This includes your laundry
detergent! Fragrance can stay in your sheets and cause problems.
Those anti-static sheets in the dryer are the worst! If you want a quick
topical, grapefruit seed extract has some of the highest anti-bacterial
effect, higher even than bleach, better than tea tree oil, and is all natural.
As a last resort, if you feel you must resort to a hormone treatment, use a
natural progesterone cream. If you'd like to know more about why, feel
free to give me a call. (510) 306-0067
Rhoda Climenhaga, L.Ac. rhodacm at earthlink.net
Definitely try Proactiv Solution (www.proactivsolution.com). I was skeptical but
tried it
when nothing else worked, and I'm still amazed at what a difference it has made.
Safe
during pregnancy and nursing,too. Really, it works. Good luck!
anon
Go see a dermatologist. None of the over the counter stuff
works very well. I saw my first dermatologist when I was 16
after years of acne. I've had it under control ever since and
never felt better.
Leslie
I am a Mary Kay beauty consultant and also had the same
problem. I have been using a blemish control cleanser ($10)
twice a day and have been free of breakouts.
Give me a call or go to my website for further information
Ana Alday
(925)825-3547
www.marykay.com/aalday
Ana Alday
At 41 I also still have acne (the horrible undergrounder-painful
type). Thought it was gone for good after undergoing Accutane
treatment 20 years ago, but no, it recurred several years ago. I
currently use two different kinds of cleansers and a topical
medication prescribed by my dermatologist... but had not reached
a completely zit-free state till I discovered the wonders of
Vitamin A and Zinc! If I'm starting to break out (like around my
period) taking a zinc supplement (just the RDA dose) and drinking
carrot juice for a couple of days really puts a halt to the
breakout. Works for me...
anon
Nov 2005
Hi. I'm 5 months pregnant and have acne. I know it's hormonal, but it has NOT let
up and I don't remember it being like this with my firstborn! I am trying Proactiv (for
a month or so) and it helps some, but I am experiencing acne still and have
significant dark/red scarring. I don't wear makeup, and anyway, it seems to draw
even more attention to the problem when I do apply. Can anyone recommend
pregnancy safe treatments - for the scars in particular?? I have heard about facials,
aestheticians, laser treatments... but I know nothing of these things. I also don't
have an unlimited budget. I live in Alameda and would appreciate a nearby
recommendation. THANKS! Ugly Momma
I had luck with products including alpha and beta hydroxy acids, not
benzoyl peroxide, specifically the neutrogena acne patches and olay
''age defying'' cleanser. the zits stopped being so huge and raised
after the baby was born, but the red spots remained for awhile, but were
helped almost immediately by the age defying wash.
anon zit mom
Hi - please check - I am pretty sure Proactiv has retinol and therefore
should NOT be used during pregnancy. I am also pregnant and have acne. I
went to see Francesca at Alchemy Skin Spa in North Berkeley in Walnut
Square and she has some fabulous all natural products that are totally
affordable and are working really well. Her number is: 981-9881. She is
also a mom and is really gentle and highly professional.
Suzanne
Hi -just wanted to add - I had increasingly bad acne in both my
pregnancies - and to my dismay after my second stopped breast feeding it
got worse - I went to several ''top-notch''
dermatologists, went through two rounds of antibiotics, a ton of creams
and gels all to no avail - zits, some large and painful but - especialy
rash-like, small bumps all over my cheeks, forhead and neck persisted -
both derms suggested accutane.
Last weekend we were at a wedding and the woman next to me mentioned
she'd had this problem and it turned out to be a dairy allergy - I'd had
a dairy sensitivity after my first was born but it manifested as stomach
cramps, gas etc.. - I didn't have those symtoms with the second so never
considered the allergy possibility (strange that the docs didn't either)
- the happy ending? After only 5 days dairy free my face is almost
completely clear! - no kidding after 7 months of creams, lasers, and
pills - I stop the cheese and milk and presto - I have my face back - of
course this may not be your situation but just something to think over,
your body changes so much during pregnancy who knows what can happen-
wish I'd tried it sooner.
May 2003
I have terribly acne caused by pregnancy and would love to
hear what safe remedies others have used for this problem.
What products did you use, and can anyone recommend a
dermatologist who knows how to safely treat prenatal acne?
Thanks!
Anon
I also had a lot of acne when I was pregnant. Try the Proactiv
acne products. I have been through all sorts of acne
treatments, including Accutane multiple times, and Proactiv was
very effective for me! Good luck... and congratulations!
beth
When I was pregnant, my back broke out pretty badly. My
acupuncturist suggested that I take acidophilis and it really
helped to clear it up. I bought the most potent (and most
expensive) kind from her, but it was well worth it!
anon
Hi, although I don't remember all the details of your original
post, I want to warn you about using Retin-A, Retinol, the
generic version Trentoin, or its derivative Accutane, during
pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. It has been proven
to cause birth defects, most likely to the ears of the fetus. If
you have any doubts, do a google search on ''retin-a & pregnancy''.
Also, COQ-10 isn't safe either.
All this highly chemical stuff, even though it's just applied
externally, does get into your system and cross the placenta. My
dermatologist who prescribed this for me never mentioned it, by
the way.
Wrinkly Pregnant Lady
Hi, I wanted to respond to the pregnant woman asking about help
with acne I HIGHLY recommend Proactiv Skin care. can be
ordered online:
http://www.proactiv.com/
Having battled acne myself, I have tried EVERYTHING. this was
the only long term solution for me. Results start to show in a
week....
Best of Luck
Sept. 2003
My baby is 10 months now and everything is fine except for the
severe skin problem that I've had for at least 4 months
already.I didn't have anything like that even in puberty.
My doctor blames hormones and suggestes to ''wait and see'' ( she
did thyriod hormones testing - seems to be fine) but I wonder
if Moms out there had the same thing and how did they handle
it?
Will facial help? Homeotherapy?
I had really bad pre-natal acne and couldn't (and still can't due to breast
feeding) use Retin A so I started using Proactiv Solutions. It seems a little
pricey but the bottles of products last for a really long time. They have a
really
cheesy website (proactivsolution.com) that you can order from and you can
become a member (like the Hair Club for men). The membship is a lot more
flexible than it sounds on the site and you can call the 800 number and talk to
someone about the options. It is working for me and I hope it works for you
too because acne whatever the cause is a bummer.
My prenatal/postnatal acne did not go away until I stopped
nursing. If you are nursing, this might clear up when you stop.
Good luck!
Jill
There are 2 natural products which some people have found very
effective for acne formulated by Dr. Berman -- Aboriginal Gold
and Dr. Berman's Mineral Mask. I have a validation from a
Beverly Hills/Hollywood esthetician named Lyn Bresnahan about
both products which I can email to you if you would like to read
it. Her cystic acne was cured with Aboriginal Gold. Also, Dr.
Berman develeoped the Mineral Mask to treat his teenage sons'
acne. I can also provide more information about both products
if you email me.
Linda
June 2003
I have been struggling with adult acne since I was in my early
20's. I've tried everything and it just seems to get worse as I
get older (I'm 35). My last dermatologist told me it probably
would continue in this manner until I was 40 (ugg). I'm so sick
of it! The worse part is the break outs on my arms and back. The
face stuff has been controlled moderately with Retin A. I'm
considering using Proactiv on my arms and back. Has anyone had
success with this? How long did it take to see results? Should I
give up using Retin A on my face and just go with Proactiv?
Where do you buy it for the best price?
Thanks in advance!
fed up
The dermatologist that created Proactiv, Dr. Katie Rodan, has an
office in Oakland. I found ProActive was helpful, but I
needed more help and she is quick to find whatever solution works
for you. (She may coordinate the product with something else, or
help you find a new product altogether) It can sometimes take
a few weeks to get a first appointment, but in my case, it was
definately worth it. She is located at 3300 Webster st. The
number is 510 763-2662.
Lisa
Another product you might want to consider is Obagi NuDerm
products. They are used in conjunction with Retin A and have
been wonderful in controlling my acne. I'm 35 and have been
plagued with acne and hyperpigmentation since I was about 18.
I've also used Retin A on and off for many years with some
success but this stuff has done wonders. I originally started
to use Obagi for my skin discoloration but, to my surprise, my
acne was gone in about 3 weeks. I've been using it for about 7
months now and have had about 3 blemishes the entire time (where
I used to break out about every other week). It's expensive
stuff but it goes a long way. The 2 month supply really lasts
about 5 months. Dermatologists will try and hawk the stuff but
the best prices I found were on the internet. Check out
www.centerforskin.com. Best of luck to you !
- acne no more
My aunt does a lot of research in the cosmetics field and she
turned me on to Paula Begoun, ''the Ralph Nader of cosmetics'',
who's written several books about skin care and beauty products
(reviews and a good deal of debunking) including ''Don't Go to the
Cosmetics Counter Without Me'' which you can probably find it at
the library. She rates pretty much every cosmetic and skin care
product under the sun, from drugstore to department store to
info-mercial product lines. I've learned to trust her research,
and her take on most of the ProActiv line is that it's overpriced
for what it is.
Meanwhile, one of the problems with Retin-A is that it's in a
*cream* formulation, the base of which can actually clog pores
and cause break-outs. (Pretty smart, huh? What are these people
thinking?) I believe they're working on a gel formulation, but
don't know when this will become available.
In her book ''The Beauty Bible'' Begoun discusses skin care issues
and may have some more viable suggestions for you. Have you
considered Accutane? It's an oral medication and I would think
of that as a last resort, but the results are often amazing. (Do
not even CONSIDER Accutane if you are thinking about becoming
pregant as it causes severe birth defects.) I've had horrible
acne most of my life and it cleared me right up about ten years
ago. When it started to flare up again recently, along with
Rosacea, I began taking Jasmine oral contraceptives and that's
made a huge difference both in the acne on my face and on my back.
Another acne sufferer
I have been reading up lately on PCOS, which is polycystic
ovaries syndrome (or ovarian syndrome)- and one of the phenomena
that goes into the diagnosis of the syndrome is persistent adult
acne (in women) that responds poorly to treatment. PCOS is
often treatable. It might be worth checking out with an
endocrinologist, instead of a dermatologist, if this could be
contributing to your acne. Just a thought, because PCOS is on
my mind!
Anonymous
I had stubborn, ''not terrible'' but painful and constant acne
starting into my teens, which (contrary to what I'd been
advised) did not abate well into my twenties. When Accutane
came out, having tried every topical treatment available at
that time (the 80's), I jumped right on the bandwagon. What
a relief; by the end of the course of treatment, about six
months as I recall, the acne was gone, and I have had great
skin ever since. So while I have no information about
Proactive (sounds, from the website, like it's pretty effective
stuff), I can certainly recommend Accutane in case Proactive
doesn't work for you. Accutane does interfere with embryonic
development, so you have to take care not to become
pregnant while taking it; otherwise its side effects are mild
in most people (I experienced dryness of the eyes, for
instance). If I had it to do over again, I'd still try every topical
agent available first, though. Good luck!
Katherine
I swear by Proactiv. After 17 years of trying every
prescription, over-the-counter and department store acne
treatments, this was the only product, aside from Accutane,
that actually worked! I have had acne my entire life along with
extremely senstive skin. I had seen the infomercials but always
dismissed them as a lot of hype. When my skin flared up again
after my daughter was born, a friend recommended this product.
I was skeptical but after a week of use, my face was totally
clear. I started to get compliments on my ''perfect complexion''.
It was a dramatic difference with no side effects. I use the
cleanser 2x daily, the toner 1-2x and the lotion as needed. I
can sometimes get dry or a bit irritated with the lotion so I
cut down on the use. I have been using this for a year and
aside from occasional monthly zits (1 or 2 only), this is still
working wonders for me. I use it just on my face but assume it
will work just as well on other parts of the body. As far as I
am concerned, it is a miracle.
Nicole
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