Encouraging Accutane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had he tried other things w a good dermatologist? There are a lot of prescription things bf that. It also has awful side effects, and is only do it if he was begging

Yes, he's been seeing a dermatologist for years. He's tried all kinds of topical things. The derm said the only other non-topical option besides Accutane would be antibiotics, and he sounded dubious it would help much if at all.

He did mention the low-dose option but DS still said no.

[Anonymous]

Has he tried the hydrocolloid bandaids/acne spot stickers? They are fantastic for my acne problems. I have lumpy big red spots that don't drain quickly (not so much whiteheads or classic cystic acne).

I had acne until middle age. Dermatologist-provided recos never worked. Anything that draws fluid out works on me. Zinc oxide cream (basically diaper cream) and hydrocolloids beat all the topical I was recommended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has he tried the hydrocolloid bandaids/acne spot stickers? They are fantastic for my acne problems. I have lumpy big red spots that don't drain quickly (not so much whiteheads or classic cystic acne).

I had acne until middle age. Dermatologist-provided recos never worked. Anything that draws fluid out works on me. Zinc oxide cream (basically diaper cream) and hydrocolloids beat all the topical I was recommended.

He does use the acne spot stickers, yes. They don't seem to do much. And he gets a lot of big pimples in awkward places (end of nose, upper lip) that are hard to keep the stickers on. Poor kid!

[Anonymous]

What does he want to do? Is he fine with the state of his skin?

Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

[Anonymous]

I would never push a drug where the sole purpose is to make them look better. And while side effects aren’t that common, I know someone who almost died from this medication and spent months in the hospital and will have lifelong medical problems that will likely shorten their life. It’s
Not risk free.

[Anonymous]

Research the best treatment for teenage acne. They have low level antibiotics that work for non-cystic acne. He also needs a routine. Wash, toning, acne cream, masks. I’m not sure but I think male acne is easier to control if treated consistently with above mentioned. Females have monthly hormones that can cause breakouts. So that’s one good thing.

[Anonymous]

Has your derm mentioned the relationship of dairy products to acne? I wouldn’t force Accutane on your DS if he is not comfortable. For others, managing Accutane in college is very difficult due to monthly blood tests and derm appointments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does he want to do? Is he fine with the state of his skin?

Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

I mean no one likes walking around with giant pimples on their face. I know he's interested in girls and I worry he feels unattractive (he won't discuss girls with me). He is super diligent about washing and creams. His skin gets easily irritated but the topical meds do nothing. It was the same for me when I had hormonal acne as a teen - I was bullied for being "dirty" when I spent hours trying every cleansing and topical treatment under the sun. It was heartbreaking for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just turned 15 year old DS has pretty bad acne. It's not the cystic (scarring) kind but lots of pustules/whiteheads mostly in the t-zone. It honestly doesn't look great. Yet he has been stubbornly resistant to Accutane. I think he's anxious about frequent blood tests/painfully dry skin/other things he's seen online about depression or other side effects. I'm debating whether to pressure him to take it - I know it's a hard few months when you're on the drug, but then he'd look so much better. Thoughts?

Frequent blood tests? There's one blood test, if I remember correctly. My DS tried *everything* for two years. It was started to scar. He wanted to take it, and is now very happy he did. Side effects were minor, very dry lips and nose bleeds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just turned 15 year old DS has pretty bad acne. It's not the cystic (scarring) kind but lots of pustules/whiteheads mostly in the t-zone. It honestly doesn't look great. Yet he has been stubbornly resistant to Accutane. I think he's anxious about frequent blood tests/painfully dry skin/other things he's seen online about depression or other side effects. I'm debating whether to pressure him to take it - I know it's a hard few months when you're on the drug, but then he'd look so much better. Thoughts?

Frequent blood tests? There's one blood test, if I remember correctly. My DS tried *everything* for two years. It was started to scar. He wanted to take it, and is now very happy he did. Side effects were minor, very dry lips and nose bleeds.

^^ DS started with low-dose for a few months, then moved up to regular-dose for the remainder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just turned 15 year old DS has pretty bad acne. It's not the cystic (scarring) kind but lots of pustules/whiteheads mostly in the t-zone. It honestly doesn't look great. Yet he has been stubbornly resistant to Accutane. I think he's anxious about frequent blood tests/painfully dry skin/other things he's seen online about depression or other side effects. I'm debating whether to pressure him to take it - I know it's a hard few months when you're on the drug, but then he'd look so much better. Thoughts?

Frequent blood tests? There's one blood test, if I remember correctly. My DS tried *everything* for two years. It was started to scar. He wanted to take it, and is now very happy he did. Side effects were minor, very dry lips and nose bleeds.

My kid has had to do three blood tests over a 6-8 month treatment (still using it so not sure if done at 6 months or go a bit longer).

Zero side effects except dry skin/chapped lips.

Supposedly it will keep your skin clear for life I believe.

None of the ointments or antibiotics ever worked very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does he want to do? Is he fine with the state of his skin?

Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

I mean no one likes walking around with giant pimples on their face. I know he's interested in girls and I worry he feels unattractive (he won't discuss girls with me). He is super diligent about washing and creams. His skin gets easily irritated but the topical meds do nothing. It was the same for me when I had hormonal acne as a teen - I was bullied for being "dirty" when I spent hours trying every cleansing and topical treatment under the sun. It was heartbreaking for me.

It sounds like you are letting your own experience with bad acne color your judgement. He doesn’t seem that bothered by it. And he is old enough to decide whether he wants to take on the risks of this drug for cosmetic reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does he want to do? Is he fine with the state of his skin?

Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

I mean no one likes walking around with giant pimples on their face. I know he's interested in girls and I worry he feels unattractive (he won't discuss girls with me). He is super diligent about washing and creams. His skin gets easily irritated but the topical meds do nothing. It was the same for me when I had hormonal acne as a teen - I was bullied for being "dirty" when I spent hours trying every cleansing and topical treatment under the sun. It was heartbreaking for me.

Op you responded about yourself, your worries, and your experiences. It’s his skin and right now he’s refusing a treatment option recommended by his dermatologist.

So what does he want to do? Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

[Anonymous]

I guess if he really doesn't want to do it, and is okay with living with the acne for now, don't force it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does he want to do? Is he fine with the state of his skin?

Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

I mean no one likes walking around with giant pimples on their face. I know he's interested in girls and I worry he feels unattractive (he won't discuss girls with me). He is super diligent about washing and creams. His skin gets easily irritated but the topical meds do nothing. It was the same for me when I had hormonal acne as a teen - I was bullied for being "dirty" when I spent hours trying every cleansing and topical treatment under the sun. It was heartbreaking for me.

Op you responded about yourself, your worries, and your experiences. It’s his skin and right now he’s refusing a treatment option recommended by his dermatologist.

So what does he want to do? Has he tried routine acne facials or lasers?

PP from earlier. I think teen girls are under more pressure to look pretty. Unless he is interested in the most image-oriented girls, I think most high-school girls are just happy to have boys romantically interested in them. Also "kids today" seem to be less bullying than when I was a kid. I was made fun of for my acne. I don't hear about that kind of thing much anymore. Weird behavior/social behavior still attracts negative attention but there is less about people's personal appearance that can't be helped. I think it's because they do explicit anti-bullying training.