Out of options - teen acne - really need help

[Anonymous]

I don't know what to do for my 15 yo whose acne doesn't seem to respond to anything. DC has VEEEEERY sensitive skin. Very pale. Gets sunburned so easily. Differin and all of the normal topicals basically result in what looks like burns on the face.

DC has tried various concoctions from different dermatologists. At first, they seem to work a bit, then it comes back. It's not the cycstic type. But the face looks bumpy all over and some red pimples here an there.

Is there any other option besides oral meds? And if you are on oral meds, which worked for you? What do I need to be careful of?

I feel so badly b/c DC feels badly looking at all the kids with "porcelain skin." I never comment on it but I know DC feels badly.

Other background: DC is a year round athlete in her sport so sweats a lot. We've seen a few different derms and none of them have been great about treating it.
Any help is appreciated. I know "acne" is a common topic but I feel like some of the other threads won't really apply here b/c of the nature of her own skin.

[Anonymous]

Why not accutane?

[Anonymous]

Sigh. When will you guys understand that Accutane is the only solution that really works?

It's like retinol is the only molecule that's been PROVEN to work for wrinkles. Nothing else has the track record of retinol. For acne, it's the same. Nothing else has the same track record, or even approaching it, than Accutane for acne.

You have a girl, so the derm will have a very serious conversation with her about preventing pregnancy, because Accutane leads to fetal malformation.

[Anonymous]

+1 to accutane

[Anonymous]

Yaz Birth Control. Or Accutane.

[Anonymous]

Accutane. I had crappy drs when I was on it and never got any blood tests, and the only side effect I had was dry lips requiring me to use Chapstick a couple times a day.

[Anonymous]

Accutane asap before she ends up with ice pick scars (I waited about a year too long at her age). No makeup when she’s sweating and choose sunblock carefully and make sure she removes the sunblock with double cleansing every night. If she or you or dad are Apple shaped or there’s diabetes/met b in the family, be on the lookout for signs of insulin resistance and pcos in the next 5 to 10 years (doesn’t apply if all of you are thin or pear shaped).

[Anonymous]

Have a similar kid. Did 6m of doxycycline and his face looked awesome. Went off it for 3m and his face was as bad as ever. He is on month 5 of Accutane and his face looks great. We are now working on letting the scarring clear up - but his face is smooth and he hasn't had a zit in 2m. I was hesitant to start Accutane, but aside from dry lips and some back aches (didn't prohibit him from playing varsity soccer/swimming) he was fine. It really was a miracle.

[Anonymous]

Birth control worked wonders.

[Anonymous]

Accutane

[Anonymous]

Accutane worked for my DD. Surprised dermatologist has not suggested it.

[Anonymous]

Try BCP first. That might be enough. My DS did 6 months of Accutane and is still mostly clear a year later. I did it too back in my 20s.

[Anonymous]

Accurate. If cost is an issue, start with researching how to get it covered under any plan you have. You can start on line with that. Talk to your dermatologist’s biller and go over what insurance you have and their experience in getting coverage. With our oldest - no coverage under standard BC/BS. So went out of pocket. Our second - daughter- birth control was the trick. It also made her coaches happy when the girls on the team were a bit more regular. Third - back to accutane but got coverage due to depression diagnosis from therapist.

With the first - I had learned the importance of shopping the drug. At that time, Costco ended up being about $200 a month less than the next lowest.

[Anonymous]

Def accutane. It’s the only thing that will fix her skin permanently. Birth control is just a bandaid.

[Anonymous]

Accutane. Come on.