16 year-old boy with moderate to severe acne

[Anonymous]

My son is prescribed Epi duo and antibiotics- has been on it for a year. He stopped using the epi duo bc of the extremely noticeable peeling. He tried reducing the amount but the stinging and peeling were too much. Not only did he feel self conscious about the acne but the peeling made him feel even more self conscious. He has tried 2 different antibiotics-not much improvement. He gets fewer cystic breakouts now but the rest of the acne remains. Accurate is really not an option due to a family history of depression and a needle phobia. We have have also limited dairy. Is there anything else?

[Anonymous]

Talk to his derm. Does the derm know your DS had trouble with the epiduo?

[Anonymous]

Accutane is the only thing that worked on my DS’s severe acne. He has a history of depression but between the derm and his psychiatrist, we decided to try it because the acne was severe and a huge factor in his self-esteem. (And he was getting permanent scarring.) He was monitored closely by both and the results were amazing. No increase in depression - actually the opposite.

He doesn’t love the blood work, but it became quite routine. The derm can also prescribe numbing cream to use beforehand, if that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accutane is the only thing that worked on my DS’s severe acne. He has a history of depression but between the derm and his psychiatrist, we decided to try it because the acne was severe and a huge factor in his self-esteem. (And he was getting permanent scarring.) He was monitored closely by both and the results were amazing. No increase in depression - actually the opposite.

He doesn’t love the blood work, but it became quite routine. The derm can also prescribe numbing cream to use beforehand, if that helps.

Oh wow. Had no idea about the numbing cream. Glad to hear no increase in depression! That’s great. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to his derm. Does the derm know your DS had trouble with the epiduo?

mentioned he mentioned it before but at that point he was still using it off and on. We go back next month and will bring it up again.

[Anonymous]

Accutane is the only thing that worked for me at 20. I wish I did it earlier and didn't go through hs and college so self conscious. And while yes depression is a sideeffect, if you know you can monitor it while he's home.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Accutane. I did not know it can cause depression. I didn’t notice any symptoms like that when I took it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for Accutane. I did not know it can cause depression. I didn’t notice any symptoms like that when I took it.

Same here. I wish I had done it sooner.

[Anonymous]

Accutane caused severe depression in my teen brother and he became quite suicidal.

He has dealt with depression ever since. It is impossible to know exactly what role Accutane played, beyond being a precipitant but if my brother could go back he would never have taken it. The suffering from acne doesn't' compare to the suffering from a decade of depression.

Neither my parents nor his doctor monitored him closely for the depression. Maybe if they had, they could have gotten him off it at the first signs and lessened the severity of his illness.

It did clear up his acne.

[Anonymous]

My DD went through Epiduo, Veltin, Antibiotics with no change. What has worked for her is BBL therapy (light therapy). 5 treatments and she was nearly clear for @ 6 months; even better luck with re-treatment.

[Anonymous]

Accutane worked for my kids. First they had to try the other stuff before, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is prescribed Epi duo and antibiotics- has been on it for a year. He stopped using the epi duo bc of the extremely noticeable peeling. He tried reducing the amount but the stinging and peeling were too much. Not only did he feel self conscious about the acne but the peeling made him feel even more self conscious. He has tried 2 different antibiotics-not much improvement. He gets fewer cystic breakouts now but the rest of the acne remains. Accurate is really not an option due to a family history of depression and a needle phobia. We have have also limited dairy. Is there anything else?

Probiotics too
However we had to do Accutane, worked like a charm
Also no beef (hormones), dairy, sugars (white carbs/soda)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accutane caused severe depression in my teen brother and he became quite suicidal.

He has dealt with depression ever since. It is impossible to know exactly what role Accutane played, beyond being a precipitant but if my brother could go back he would never have taken it. The suffering from acne doesn't' compare to the suffering from a decade of depression.

Neither my parents nor his doctor monitored him closely for the depression. Maybe if they had, they could have gotten him off it at the first signs and lessened the severity of his illness.

It did clear up his acne.

So sorry to hear this.

[Anonymous]

I know of the accutane-depression link in family members and the depression does not go away even with stopping accutane. It is a trigger or it permanently alters brain chemistry?

Currently my kid is on antibiotics and epiduo. I have also added a benzoyl peroxide body wash to his routine. He is also using a soap that has taken care of some whiteheads and acne on back. https://www.amazon.com/SAL3-Salicylic-Acid-Sulfur-Soap/dp/B00685KUGA/

He is also using a very light moisturizer. His dr has asked him to use epiduo every 2nd day. Avoid sun. Wash bed linen very frequently, change pillow cover as frequently as you can. Same for towels. Everyday shower is a must.

[Anonymous]

Products with sulphur really help. He'll still need antibiotics, but something like this used frequently can go a long way.
https://www.sephora.com/product/therapeutic-sulfur-masque-acne-treatment-masque-P3617?icid2=products%20grid:p3617:product