Is 13 too young for Accutane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don't use Accutane. It can have really awful long-term effects.
I had extremely bad cystic acne at 13/14 years old. It left prominent permanent scars on my face. It was difficult, but as an adult I'm glad my parents didn't make me take Accutane.
I went on to a great college, now own my own successful business, and have been married 10 years to the best partner anyone could ask for. Acne won't ruin her life.

OMG. Accutane also won't ruin anyone's life, and in fact, will improve it immensely. The side effects that everyone fixates on have occurred in a tiny percentage of cases. Both my boys had horrible cystic acne, both were put on Accutane around 12/13 and luckily, neither were left with scars because we acted quickly. Their skin is beautiful now. They experienced depression - BEFORE taking Accutane, because of how they looked. It was the Accutane which saved them. If my daughter also experiences cystic acne, we will most definitely give her Accutane as well.

There are few things more destructive to a teen's self-esteem than terrible acne. I would never tell my kids they couldn't take a drug that has been proven to be effective for cystic acne.

Looks like the Accutae marketing team found this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what seems to be working for my teen

1. Taking a daily probiotic.

2. In morning wash face with just water
3. Rose water or Witch Hazel for toner.

4. Aloe vera gel.

5. In evening wash face with African Black Soap

6. Repeat steps 3 & 4.


My kid also washes with African Black Soap and their back and chest acne has improved and in some cases cleared dramatically.

+1 For the African Black Soap I had skin issues and nothing prescribed by the dermatologist helped. African Black Soap has cleared my skin. Another plus for me is that it's more natural than other products.

[Anonymous]

My daughter went through the same thing. Sever acne starting at 11. We tried everything before resorting to accutane but it was the only thing that worked. And it did work, but there were pretty bad side effects in terms of joint pain, bloody noses and sensitivity to sun. If she had to do it all over again, she would in a heartbeat and wished we had started sooner even will all the side effects. Wishing your daughter the best, it really stinks especially when you are so young.

[Anonymous]

Do hormonal birth control (the Pill) first, but I had great results with Accutane.

I had terrible cystic acne that did not respond to antibiotics, special soaps, etc. Just enormous multi-year cysts, and scars. The Pill helped a bit, but there were fewer types of Pills available at that time and doctors didn't realize/admit that some were better than others; personally I react poorly to the old-style hormones that are in the minipill, implant, etc.

I went on Accutane in my early 20s and the change was amazing. I couldn't complete a full course because my triglycerides got too high, but the results were still great. My skin looked amazing while I was actually on Accutane. Over time it did get less perfect but 15 years later I still get very few blemishes. The most blemishes I have had, since then, were on the minipill after I was pregnant; once I got on a newer pill I have had clear skin.

I know there are warnings about blindness, etc., but the big worry is birth defects. I would think that doing a course of Accutane as distantly as possible from getting pregnant would be a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Yup. Accutane marketing has found this thread.

Good work folks! Make those coins!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eliminate ALL dairy. Be strict, and see where that gets her.

[Anonymous]

It's so bizarre to me how people who never took it can be so against it and glad they didn't. My acne started at 10 and I took Accutane at 12. My doctor didn't make me go on the pill because I was a very young 12. I didn't have to have monthly (I think) blood draws to check triglycerides but never had a problem. Only side effect was chapped lips so I became obsessed with cherry chapstick, the scent of which still instantly brings me back to middle school. Accutane was amazing. Full disclosure: it only worked for 5 years and I had to take another round at 18. No side effects that time either and it cleared things up. Don't make your daughter suffer acne when it can be treated!

[Anonymous]

I had two rounds of accutane- one in my early teens (I think around 12?) and another at 17. 100% worth it in my opinion. I had tried retin-a and several types of antibiotics with little effect.

I didn't actually realize there was a risk of depression associated with it until a year or two ago- I just knew about the birth defect risk, which was really hammered home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Accutane marketing has found this thread.

Good work folks! Make those coins!

I don't know why you're saying that-- I don't care about accutane. I have no interest or stake in it, and I'm aware that like many medications there are some risks. I'm not encouraging anyone to take it- but the story of suffering for years with cystic acne and having scars, but "gee after some bad years, my life turned out generally okay" is really not going to help any teenager with severe acne.
Most teens are wired to be self conscious- more than the typical amount of acne is going to prevent them from wanting to do normal things like wear a bathing suit or a prom dress. I remember feeling so hopeless and upset about my acne--it's a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Accutane marketing has found this thread.

Good work folks! Make those coins!

Wtf are you rambling about? Someone asked about accutane so people are sharing their experiences. Don't be an idiot. Are you complaining that the birth control industry has found the thread and is pushing for teens to get on the pill? The African black soap pushers? No. You're being ludicrous.

[Anonymous]

Also had a good experience with Accutane-I have PCOS and my skin issues were terrible.

[Anonymous]

Accutane with a good doctor is the only answer for many people. It ended my DS acne. The doctor took a blood test monthly to monitor very closely any side effects and end it if there were warning signs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's so bizarre to me how people who never took it can be so against it and glad they didn't. My acne started at 10 and I took Accutane at 12. My doctor didn't make me go on the pill because I was a very young 12. I didn't have to have monthly (I think) blood draws to check triglycerides but never had a problem. Only side effect was chapped lips so I became obsessed with cherry chapstick, the scent of which still instantly brings me back to middle school. Accutane was amazing. Full disclosure: it only worked for 5 years and I had to take another round at 18. No side effects that time either and it cleared things up. Don't make your daughter suffer acne when it can be treated!

The younger the patient is, the less its efficacy. That's what our dermatologist told us.

My sons took it at 18 and 16 and it worked very well. I myself took it when I was in my 30s, not very long after it came on the market. The side effects are a PITA, but cystic and chronic acne is far worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eliminate ALL dairy. Be strict, and see where that gets her.

That worked for one of my DD friends. Why the eye roll? Do me a favor and don't answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don't use Accutane. It can have really awful long-term effects.
I had extremely bad cystic acne at 13/14 years old. It left prominent permanent scars on my face. It was difficult, but as an adult I'm glad my parents didn't make me take Accutane.
I went on to a great college, now own my own successful business, and have been married 10 years to the best partner anyone could ask for. Acne won't ruin her life.

Oh gosh- I am 46. I took accutane at sixteen. I had no lasting side effects that I'm aware of--my best friend started at the same time. No lasting side effects. What we don't have are scars from prolonged, untreated cystic acne. I'm glad things worked out and I'm not trying to be nasty, but millions of people have safely taken accutabe. You just have to monitor closely and weigh the risks.

Same here! Took it as a teenager and am so glad I did. Completely improved my skin and I didn't have any severe side effects.