My 17 year old daughter has a major case of acne she does everything she can to clear it up and it just seems to get worse when she runs a fever there bright red..I feel so bad for her because she feels she's ugly because of them..What can we do to clear up her face and back??
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..
Jenni
Hi Diane -
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...
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!
Michelle
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,
Jennifer
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.
take her to a dermatologist...there are many types of oral and topical medicines for her to try.
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.
Hi Diane,
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,
Robin
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. Tracy
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!
Hi Diane:
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.
Kathi
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.
Beth
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.
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 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!!!!
Brenda
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
Sue 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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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.
Diane,
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!
Amy
Is she on birth control pills? The reason some doctors put teenagers on the pill is because it regulates alot of the hormone imbalance teenagers have that cause mood swings, irregular periods and acne. Try that if she isn't already on it or maybe try a different pill. I know that it helped my younger sister a great deal.