acne

[sara3]

my gorgeous 16 yr old daughter has acne, and is currently on long term antibiotics. they seem to be doing nothing at all (after about 2 months, maybe too early to see a result yet) but she has her school prom in less than 3 weeks and is very distressed. she has angry looking spots (just red lumps, no icky stuff) and blackheads on her face, back and chest.

she has a lovely strappy dress to wear but I know the acne is very upsetting for her, and threatens to spoil the event.

any ideas please?

[sherrardk]

First time I've reported anyone - I will be power mad now!

[Mick-Talbot]

I was just going to say ignore the moron sara................but it looks like there is no need.

[sara3]

lol.. we're all doomed, I tell you!

[sara3]

thanks Mick... he called me a big silly butt face! even my son would think that was playground stuff ;o) x

[dabees]

I've never had acne myself, but I've heard this advice from a friend that swears by it. Get your daughter to place a clean un-conditioned towel over her pillow every night.

[yogi-bear]

Sorry for the use of bad language on your thread, sara.......i go and wash my tongue now :0)

( not unless..............ermmmm never mind.....lol ) xx

[sara3]

yogi :-O

thanks dabees, that's a fair point. I have to nag her to change her pillow cases.

[Eve]

I find products on your hair can also have an effect. I find that when I put serum on my hair I tend to get spots where the ends lie against my face (when shorter) and shoulders (when longer).

Might be worth checking she isn't making her skin unnecesarily greasy.

[sara3]

Jenna, she has long hair so that could also be an issue.. thanks x

just to update, took her to the docs but they wouldn't prescribe the contraceptive pill as her father suffered a stroke when he was 33. she's going on keep on with the antibiotics and has been prescribed Differin (Adapalene) cream 0.1%.

thanks again for all the practical suggestions, advice and sympathy!

[supersuezy24]

One of my friends had bad acne and she went on the pill (not sure which one) but it really helped with it...eased it so much. Hope it helps x

[sara3]

thank you suezy, but see my post above.. they won't prescribe it for her.

thanks anyway x

[supersuezy24]

Just seen it after, sorry..:(

[supersuezy24]

Done some google searching and apparently there is a product called proactiv which is supposed to be very effective.

[beryl100able]

Acne is all about hormone imbalance, she shouldn't be hammering her immune system and digestive system with antibiotics just for acne. She needs to have a healthy diet with loads of fresh organic veg and fruit, no smoking or excessive alcohol, and have a hormone balance check. ANtibiotics kill the friendsly bacteria in the gut and therefore prevent the effective absorption of nutrients; they also cause the immune system to give up, because the brain soon gets the message if something else is doing its job.

[NoMercy]

Sara... My doc wasn't keen to prescribe me Dianette either. I told him that I was aware of the risk and I was prepared to take that risk. Rather than patronise me, he told me that he would let me have one month's supply to see how I got on, and within two weeks of taking it, I was cured, with no side effects whatsoever. Yes, I was taking a risk, but it was my decision. You could always consult another GP at the surgery. Your daughter could always just try one pack.

[sara3]

NoM, I appreciate what you're saying but her dad nearly died and is now disabled. I'm not going to risk that for her acne, when there are other things to try.

we'll see how she goes.

[sara3]

beryl thank you, but she eats well and doesn't smoke or drink.

[xEm3x]

Simple products are really good & work! They now do a range to specifically treat spots & there have been good reviews about them. They are gentle & natural products & you can get them from most places (Boots do the best selection) & they are cheap. Also the new Neutrogena Wave if supposed to be brilliant x