Is 13 too young for Accutane?
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Anonymous
| My 13 year old DD has had severe acne for about 2 years. She has been seeing a dermatologist for the past year and a half and has taken antibiotics and retain a which has helped her face, but her back and chest are still a mess. I too had severe acne, and nothing really helped except for accutane. I'm wondering if 13 is too young though. Is there anything else that can be given between the antibiotic/retin a stage and accutane? |
Anonymous
| No, I'd try anything and everything first which is what it sounds like you have, and then try accurate. Its a very strong and harsh medicine but it works for some. If she's done regular antibiotics its probably your only option. I'd give it a try at that point as its embarrassing for kids. |
Anonymous
| I would try the pill next, as I believe it is already a prerequisite before starting Accutane. |
Anonymous
|
Accurate has a long history of issues--please research it in detail. It is considered a drug of last resort. I wouldn't even use it on my kid as a last resort. Search on Accutane and depression in teens.
Acne can really devastate a kid's self-esteem but Accutane is risky. At the time you used it yourself it probably was the go-to drug but you can research how many lawsuits have been associated with its use since then. |
Anonymous
I had acne starting at age 11/12 and I wish I had started the Pill sooner. It really did help. I finally did Accutane in my mid 20s but that was after the dermatologist had tried everything else first. It worked until I had a baby a few yrs later and then the acne came back. I started spiro last year when I turned 40 and it seems to have done the trick. No acne at all, just a few pimples in the last year. |
Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
| Have you tried BCPs yet? They help a lot. |
Anonymous
| I would wait. The side effects of Accutane are excruciating, and there are other options now that weren't available when we were kids. |
Anonymous
| Try Epiduo cream. It really helped clear my DD's cystic acne. |
Anonymous
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Eliminate ALL dairy. Be strict, and see where that gets her.
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Anonymous
It isn't. Well, I suppose it depends on your doctor, but not all doctors require it. We didn't try birth control first for various reasons, and we've been happy with the accutane results. DH had terrible acne and lasting scars. It has affected him throughout his life, and I wish his parents had been more proactive about treating it. I won't make dd suffer any longer than she has to. We started accutane at 13, she finished at 14, and we may have to do another round. It help tremendously, but the problem was severe, so it's an uphill battle. |
Anonymous
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. |
Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
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. |
Anonymous
+100 |