Acne - Redgranite,WI

D.,
I wanted to wait and see what advise you were given, and I am amazed that you have ahd 22 respnses. Please let your daughter know that she is not alone. I am 30 years old and and mother of 2, I have suffered from severe cystic acne since I was 16. Like so many others that have responded I have tried so many things. Seeing a dermotoligist is a start, I have tried 3 different types of antibiotics and they do help a little. A note with them, is that they make your skin more sun sensitve and also may cause your daughter to have some very strong yeast infections. I have done Retin-A and I hated it. It made my skin hurt more that my acne. I have multiple cortizone injections and this relieved the pain and swelling, really hurts to have a needle inserted into each postulate, but it does help the pain. Proactive was my savior, remeber to have your daughter use an oil free sunscreen. It cleared me up within a week, I was shocked. I was 22 years old and had been fighting acne for many years. I have had facials and this helped too. After having my daughter I could no longer use proactive, it burned my skin like crazy. Now since moving here, and not taking my birth control pills, I was breaking out terribly again, I have found a wonderful skin care that in 2 weeks is healing everything wonderfully. It is called L'Bri and is a natural Aloe based skin care line made in Wisconsin. There are some great skin care lines out there and I have tried them all, know that it may take your daughter a few months to find the one that fits her right. Some people resond great to Benzoyle Perioxide and others do not, for some salaisyc acid and alpha hydroxy's work better. On the point of putting her on Birth control, there are a few out there that will help,but make sure you and your daughter talk to the Dr about your options because there are a few that will make her acne worse. I hope any of this helps, please let your daughter know that she is not alone. It has taken me so many years to be able to look in the mirror and see beauty and not ugliness. Having my children really helped me with that, but it breaks my heart to know that there might be another young lady who can not see past her own acne to see the real beauty unerneath. Oh, on make- up, make sure it is oil fee, and I have been using two makeups in the past few years that have really helped. Mineral foundations do an amazing job giving natural full coverage and are good for irritated and acne prone skin, also a brand named benefit makes a great pressed powder that seems to keep me from breaking out and reduces redness . I love this powder, it can be purchased at macy's or sephora. sorry this is so long...My Best to you and your daugher.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi D. -
I can empathize with your daughter - I struggled with acne in the past and felt very much the same way - I tried many things without much success (all the drugstore stuff) - one day my mom, out of her own concern for how much it was troubling me, suggested we try the Proactive line of products which is sold on TV - I never, ever thought I'd buy something sold on TV - but it did actually work like they say.

I also saw a dermatologist and tried Differin (worked so-so), and Benzacline (was too strong for my skin and just made it more red and sensitive), as well as oral antibiotics (just upset my stomach).

Of course, as you know, the most important thing is to remind your daughter that she is still beautiful -- hope this helps...

take her to a dermatologist...there are many types of oral and topical medicines for her to try.

My clients have had great results with our Clear Advantage acne line. I am a consultant with Arbonne and if you would like to try our line, send me a message. The nice thing with Arbonne is you have 45 days to return our products if you don't like them. The whole set includes, wash, toner, lotion and supplement. I have people who say this is the only thing that has worked for them, even their RX medications.

B.

where are you guys from?my brother has severe acne also and hes 19.i feel bad for him.you could prolly try proactive or go to the docter.and i know you prolly dont wanna here this but when i was on birth control pills my acne was gone!i loved my complection!i hope shes ok...A.:)

Topical does not work. As another gal said it is what is on the inside. Acne is just one way that your body tries to detox itself. Shen needs to pay close attention to what she eats, exercise (sweat removes toxins), and perhaps try some teas. WuLong is good or any detox tea with organic dandelion. It doesn't do any good to use a cream on the outside if there continues to be an excess of toxins on the inside.

I do part time work for a company that has an acne treatment system. Best of all they use inghredients that are safer for you. My sister had really bad acne and tried everything. She now uses this system and it works for her. If you are interested in getting more information I would love to share it with you! The company makes products that are safer for your home and they come delivered to your door. Basically it saves you time & money! What more could a busy mom ask for? Let me know if you are interested in learning more!

S.

I had severe acne when I was that age (now 28). A drug called Acutane (very potent) did the trick to clear it up. This drug has side effects so it is something you would want to see a dermatologist for but it will definately clear up any acne that she has. When I was that age it was a miracle drug for me. They usually only prescribe it for severe acne cases and it is very expensive (without insurance coverage). She would take it for 3 months, if I recall.

My best friend had really bad acne, even as an adult and she used the Proactive solution and it worked great. A little expensive but it's worth it to me.
I also heard that if you have a really red zit to put some Red Out eye drops on it and it also gets rid of that red.
My DH has acne too and has had good luck using the Clean and Clear Astringent for oily skin. His is sensitive and it doesn't dry out his skin like other things have. Soap with the cleansing beads works great too, he learned this by using my bath and body hand soap once and it worked great.
Good luck,
J.

I have also struggled with acne throughout my life and can sympathize with your daughter's situation. I do strongly recommend consutling a dermatologist. I can recommend one in the western suburbs if you'd like.
I also found ProActive to be very effective but after a few years, was less effective. I used it for my face and back/shoulders. But definately worth trying for sure!
If she can tolerate oral antibiotics, that may help, especially when you are looking at acne other than just her face. They may prescribe topical antibiotics if the oral are not tolerable or the side effects are too much.
I have an adult female friend doing laser treatment for her acne and sees some improvement but not as much as she was hoping for the price.
I used a retin-A topical when I was younger but did not handle the redness and flaking well as a teenager. I am using it now as an adult and after 3-4 months of using a mild 0.05 retin-A generic, the redness and flaking was gone and the acne is clearing up very well. I just had to tolerate the retin-A through the phase my skin needed to adjust, during which was tender, red and flaky. Knowing that phase was that long was not knowledge I was told as a teenager and back then, a week felt like a year so I did not stay with it. It can be used alone. I am using it as part of a skin care system called Obagi, which deals with acne but also skin texture and discoloration (from years of tanning trying to help the acne).
I wrap up with restating my suggestion a visit with a dermatolagist - it will make yor daughter feel less isolated about her acne and you will both learn about the huge variety of options you can try. Try stuff, giving it enough time to work, until you find one that does. You may need to change options as she gets older and her skin changes with her.
Good luck.

Hi... I am now 39 years old and have had acne since I was 12. I tried everything imaginable and then about 4-5 years ago I tried the infomercial Proactive, and by golly it has worked. I immediately felt results in that my skin felt smoother and for about another week or two I continued to break out (I think it may have been getting rid of what was already there but in hiding). I have not had a breakout since. This is the stuff that Jessica Simpson is a spokesperson for. I am always leery of infomercials but was desperate. I am not an add for Proactive, I just know for me it really worked. If you have any questions let me know. T.

My husband used to get real bad acne all over his face. Then we tried Melaluca products. They are amazing!
Try them, I bet they can help. You should notice a difference within a few days.
www.melaluca.com
Good luck!
M.

I'm with Beth on this one. I also sell Arbonne and I have my niece and nephew on the acne line. It has worked wonders. Good luck.

Hi D.:

Taking her to a Dermatologist is a good idea. Another option for you is a local nutritional/vitamin store. Try a dietary supplement called AKNE-ZYNE and there's a soap that goes with this called DermaKlear soap AKNE-TREATMENT. This is all natural and works really well.

K.

There's a product on the market, I used to use called Proactive. It's kinda expensive and mail order....

However, there's a brand at Target or Walmart (I can't remember which one) it's called Acnefree (it's in a white container with orange on the top) I think it's about 1/2 the price. I used that as well and compared the ingredients to the Proactive and they are pretty much Identical.

It will take a few weeks but she should start to see some good results.

Start with seeing your family doctor if you haven't already. You didn't say what has been tried so far or if you have health insurance. There are many treatment options, but each take a trial of at least 6 wks to see improvement, and she may need a combo of topical and oral. If there is still no improvement you could see a dermatologist. If you don't have insurance, you could either self-pay and ask for inexpensive prescription meds, or try some of the over the counter ones mentioned. I think that Proactiv is just benzoyl peroxide (wash and cream) and salicylic acid (toner), which you can buy separately cheaper.

I know of 2 great products that work well together. One is a pill you take and works in conjunction with a 3 step acne treatment that uses stabilized and time-released Benzoyl Peroxide. The stabilizing is the key.

Many people believe that acne is caused by stress, dead skin cells, oily skin and a poor diet. While these could all be factors, they are not the primary reason. One of the main causes of acne is bacteria. The substances that fill the narrow follicles in the skin may produce a plug, which is an early sign of acne. When the pore, or the opening of the follicle, is blocked, the mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract white blood cells that cause inflammation. When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin - sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria - leading to pimples.

People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions. The basic acne lesion, the comedo, is an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white bump called a whitehead. A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called an open comedo. An open comedo is otherwise known as a blackhead, due to its black appearance on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is not dirt as commonly believed; it is actually due to changes in sebum as it is exposed to air.

The pills are an all-natural formula, that provides this maximum support by reducing the redness associated with acne, promoting the healing and repair of minor skin damage caused by blemishes, supporting and maintaining a healthy complexion and supporting the body's natural ability to detoxify itself of acne-causing impurities.

If you would like more information, please let me know.

1 have 2 options. 1 is extreme and the other isn't. I struggled with acne ever since I was about 13 and I tried EVERYTHING to clear it up. Proactive, prescriptions, vitamins, etc. The 1 thing I have learned is that less is more when it comes to treating acne. All of the harsh stuff you put on your face can really irritate it and make acne worse. So, I recommend using Cetaphil as a cleanser, and then a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide (Neutrogena makes one). Stick with the low % of benzoyl peroxide and load it on. It really helps!

My more extreme advice is to get to a dermatologist and get on Accutane. I got on it when I was 24, and within 6 months my face was perfect, and I haven't had a problem since. It is as close to a cure for acne as you can get. I still get an occasional pimple here or there, but it is nothing compared to what I used to have. Accutane is really strong stuff, and should be taken very seriously. But it is an excellent option if you've tried everything and nothing helps. Hugs to your daughter...I know how hard it is to be in high school and to feel so self-conscious about your skin.

Hi D.,

Sure there are many topical formulas you can try. Alternatively, you could consider a more holistic approach. Why is it that she is getting the acne? One thing you could try yourself is dietary changes such as eliminating refined sugars and flours from her diet.

You could explore non-Western medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine which will examine how her body is functioning, how well the organs are working, what areas are weak and would then work to strengthen those areas. Another type of practictioner would be a Naturopath or Homeopath - one who also looks at the whole body, mind and spirit in treating very gently but effectively.

My personal opinion is that the skin expresses something that is unbalanced inside. Constantly putting on creams and suppressing the rash or acne that is bothersome only causes it to go undercover. Theroretically, whatever the imbalance is will come out again later on, possibly more severely - but definitely louder - so that we will pay attention in a new way.

Good luck,
R.

I had this as a teenager and some still as an adult, its called cystic acne and PLEASE take her to the dr. and have him prescribe antibiotics and or birth control pills both help to get rid of or make acne better. I had Acne begining when I was 10 years old and was severly teased, and it breaks my heart to hear her saying shes ugly... please take her, topical creams ect. are not going to be enough she needs something that'll work from the inside out. Also see if he can refer her to a dermatologist they can prescribe much stronger doses of topical creams that can help scarring and resurface her skin.

I hope this helps and tell her she is beautiful!!!!
B.

D.,

Both my kids have struggled with moderate acne over the years. Aside from medical treatment, we have found that caramel coloring in dark sodas (and lots of other foods) causes both of them to break out terribly. By eliminating it from their diets, they have few breakouts. I learned about this from a girlfriend who had the same problem with her skin.

I figure this remedy may or may not work, but there is really nothing to lose! It is also a nice way to show almost immediate cause-effect relationship between what we put in our body and how it effects us.

Good Luck!

A.

I'm a huge fan of Proactiv. My younger sibs use it too (15 & 19). I just saw a commercial on T.V. $19.95 + $5.95 for shipping, for the first time. I find that a bottle of each will last me a month. I remember being young and having acne. It's horrible so even though this might be a bit pricey, it's worth it to have your child feel more self confident. Walgreens also sells a generic form of Proactiv, though I can't remember the name. It comes in a box w/the cleanser, toner and lotion. $19.99. I've used that, too and it's comparable to Proactiv. One other thing... stay away from greasy foods and make sure she uses oil free makeup.

Two of my children had bad acne when they were teenagers and my daughter still has boughts of it now after having two children. They had what was called cystic acne. Thier family doctor put them on a low does of penicillin for a short time and that would clear it up. Also the sun, or tanning beds tend to dry it up, which is what she did before her wedding. She had a little of it on her face, but a lot of it on her back when she got older. Best thing though is to talk to your Dr. or your dermatologist.

I highly recommend you take her to the Dermo. I believe someone else mentioned, they have lots of topical lotions and pills your daughter can take. I used to have bad acne as a teenager and the DR prescirbed me different levels of Retina-A, it didn't work for me. Until he prescribed BENZOMYCINE (not sure that's the way it is spelled) you keep it in the fridge. I used that into my early 20's. Haven't had a problem since. But you can't be in the sun with it- have to wear a hat when outside.

Goodluck to your daughter- I can totally relate!

When my children were teens and had this problem I found that sage tea worked wonders and it is VERY inexpensive and easy to make.

Boil 1 cup of water remove from heat
add 1 - 2 teaspoons of sage (the seasoning)
steep for 10 min.
filter through a coffee filter
use the remaining "TEA" 2 to 3 times a day. apply with a cotton ball.

the results are amazing. with in a couple of days the redness starts to lessen. Used regularly you will see that the acne clearing usually with in a week. This is an all natural astringent so there is literally no drying of the skin as with most acne meds. By the way the sever drying or damage of the skin that most acne meds cause often lead to more acne ( More acne more acne treatment, more acne and so on)

If you have any questions on this or any other natural skin treatments please let me know I would be happy to answer your questions.
One other thing, this "tea" works great on any other type of skin problem as well.

Blessings To you
S. Blevons - CD (DONA), CLD (CAPPA)
Fond Du Lac Co. WI.
www.lhdoula-service.com.



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The beauty of my body is not measured by the size of the clothes it can fit into, but by the stories that it tells. I have a belly and hips that say, "We grew a child in here," and breasts that say, "We nourished life." My hands, with bitten nails and a writer's callus, say, "We create amazing things."
-Sarah, from I am Beautiful: A Celebration of Women in Their Own Words
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1st of all what type of shampoo and conditioner are you using? 2nd. does she have her hair hanging in her face? Those 2 are a big part of that. also nerves meds etc. Try to keep her hair off her face because she might have oily hair. I would try using a different brand of shampoo and conditioner. They tend to carry some sort of oils to the scalp which can bother some kids. I use a non toxic shampoo on my son he has the same problem. I just recently converted over my whole house to all non-toxic products and his acne has really cleared up also by using there face/acne treatment called Zap it. I did just post a message called health related if you would like to read that. Hope this helps..
J.