more teen acne questions

[Anonymous]

I know there was a post on teen acne recently but I have some different questions. DS has been on a dermatologist prescribed regimen of daily antibiotic plus prescription face creams for almost a year. The dosages have been tweaked about every 3 months in that time because he still has a good amount of acne although his skin has improved. We tried a new dermatologist recently due to dissatisfaction with the progression plus inconvenient geography, and the new dermatologist wants to wean my son off of the antibiotic because she thinks long term use bad, and change up his skin creams and add a sulfur face wash.

I am very worried that his acne will return to its previously high levels if he goes off the antibiotic. To be clear, his skin isn’t perfect by any means while on the antibiotic, but it is about fifty percent better than before he started it. But I would need to go back to the original derm or find a third dermatologist because this new one doesn’t agree with use of antibiotics for acne treatment.

My son wants to try the new regimen - mainly because he doesn’t want to wait for another doctor appt! My husband wants to find a dermatologist who will discuss accutane with us, because he thinks trying different face creams is a waste of time (he used accutane as a teen and said it changed his skin dramatically). I don’t know what to do, but hate the idea of “doctor shopping” and trying to fit in another doctor appointment with school, sports, etc.

Did anyone have success treating fairly bad teen acne with just face creams and facial wash? Or have any other suggestions?

Many thanks. This does a number on my teen’s confidence and I can see scarring already so I want to be proactive about this.

[Anonymous]

I would worry more about antibiotic overuse than accutane use.

[Anonymous]

Accutane... it's the answer

[Anonymous]

I know it's a hassle but I'd find a different dermatologist. If your kid has been on antibiotics for a year, has tried various topical and still doesn't have well controlled acne, it's time to be more aggressive in the treatment. I would not be willing to start from scratch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would worry more about antibiotic overuse than accutane use.

Overuse of antibiotics is a definite issue, but so are "suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, depression, psychosis, aggression, violent behaviors, and emotional instability." These are all listed as potential "psychiatric" side effects of isotretinoin, better known as accutane: https://www.rxlist.com/accutane-drug.htm

[Anonymous]

Have you asked the new derm directly about Accutane? I think her concern about extended antibiotic use is a good sign, and I’d think she’d at least be open to discussing Accutane, given your son’s history—unless she sees some contraindication.

I’d see her again and have a direct conversation about Accutane to understand where she stands on it before switching doctors again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would worry more about antibiotic overuse than accutane use.

Overuse of antibiotics is a definite issue, but so are "suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, depression, psychosis, aggression, violent behaviors, and emotional instability." These are all listed as potential "psychiatric" side effects of isotretinoin, better known as accutane: https://www.rxlist.com/accutane-drug.htm

Certainly.

[Anonymous]

My DD tried creams, antibiotics, etc. for 9 months before I finally asked the dr about accutane. She was actually happy I brought it up! It completely cleared my DD’s skin. For girls, it’s more of a hassle since they have to certify monthly regarding pregnancy, but it was definitely worth it.

[Anonymous]

I was on accutane as a teen along with some very vile chemical washes.
I had deep cystic acne and Accutane did not clear it up.
As I recall the side effects were (1) potentially not growing as tall as I might otherwise and (2) liver damage.
I needed to do periodic blood tests for the liver damage concern.

I eventually stopped the Accutane at 18 when I went to college. I continued to have outbreaks until I was in my early 40s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD tried creams, antibiotics, etc. for 9 months before I finally asked the dr about accutane. She was actually happy I brought it up! It completely cleared my DD’s skin. For girls, it’s more of a hassle since they have to certify monthly regarding pregnancy, but it was definitely worth it.

Accutane was hugely helpful for my DD as well, with no side effects other than dry lips. Her skin is perfectly clear now. Our dermatologist said that if kids avoid alcohol while on the drug, the risk of serious potential side effects from the drug significantly diminish. I will not hesitate to try it if my son develops serious acne, while of course watching him carefully for any symptoms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would worry more about antibiotic overuse than accutane use.

Overuse of antibiotics is a definite issue, but so are "suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, depression, psychosis, aggression, violent behaviors, and emotional instability." These are all listed as potential "psychiatric" side effects of isotretinoin, better known as accutane: https://www.rxlist.com/accutane-drug.htm

I've remained silent, but my oldest nephew was never the same after accutane he had as a teen. He later confided in his Uncle the amount of 'crazy' he was experiencing while on the drug. We have no history of mental illness on either side. He did have a "mental break" around 18, a couple of years after he discontinued accutane.

Now, who knows if that was directly correlated to the accutane use, but none of his 3 brothers used it and none have had mental health problems. My sister told me not to give it to my boys and for their 'mild to medium' acne it's not a consideration. I would go Differin, Retin-A, etc. first. Severe cystic acne is an entirely different ball game and I'd have to consider if it came to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would worry more about antibiotic overuse than accutane use.

Overuse of antibiotics is a definite issue, but so are "suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, depression, psychosis, aggression, violent behaviors, and emotional instability." These are all listed as potential "psychiatric" side effects of isotretinoin, better known as accutane: https://www.rxlist.com/accutane-drug.htm

I've remained silent, but my oldest nephew was never the same after accutane he had as a teen. He later confided in his Uncle the amount of 'crazy' he was experiencing while on the drug. We have no history of mental illness on either side. He did have a "mental break" around 18, a couple of years after he discontinued accutane.

Now, who knows if that was directly correlated to the accutane use, but none of his 3 brothers used it and none have had mental health problems. My sister told me not to give it to my boys and for their 'mild to medium' acne it's not a consideration. I would go Differin, Retin-A, etc. first. Severe cystic acne is an entirely different ball game and I'd have to consider if it came to that.

Oh--and I have read it effects boys differently than girls in this manner.

[Anonymous]

If you haven't tried ProActive, you're wasting everyone's time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you haven't tried ProActive, you're wasting everyone's time

Did it work for your kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you haven't tried ProActive, you're wasting everyone's time

Did it work for your kid?

also, which kit did you buy? Did you use the one with Adapalene Gel 0.1% (differin) or just the original Acne system?