Teenage Acne

Hi, V.! Some people have a very difficult time processing sugar (refined) and it shows up on their face. I happen to be one of the unlucky ones who, if I eat a yummy piece of cake with ice cream, kid you not I have some acne one to to days later. It happens every time!! So, you might want to let him know that bit of info...breads, pastas, white rice all do the same for me. Whole grains are the way to go if this is the case for him as well.

I have also read numerous times that people who have a hard time processing sugars are more likely to have cholesterol issues. Hmmmm...I'm no expert, but high cholesterol is in my family.

Hope he finds some peace with all this. Acne is SO frustrating!!

Sounds like he would be a good candidate for the drug Acutane. It has been around for years and works for serious acne. My brother took it and it did make his face red for a while but it cleared up his acne (which was horrible) and he has no pock marks. I would talk to his doctor. Keep in mind that Acutane is usually the last thing that a doctor will prescribe (until all other options are exhausted). If he has tried Proactive I would say he's ready!
Good luck!

My son had very bad acne. We took both he & my daughter to a specilist.
Dermotologist My daughter's acne was on her back. My son's acne was on his face.
I have seen adults ( male & female ) with very
pocked skin because of adolesant acne. Now is
the time to get rid of it.
My kids both took Acutane for about 6-9 months
and both have beautiful skin.

It did not cause them to be suicidal like some
scare things on t.v. I'd do it again in a heart beat !

My son's acne was terrible! The dermatologist gave him a prescription of acutaine. This cleared it up, although it took a while and he had to have his blood tested once a month. It was worth it, though.

Hi V.,

I am a Registered Nurse and an Area Manager with Arbonne. Has your son tried Arbonne's Clear Advantage Acne system? It treats acne internally and externally. Arbonne doesn't use mineral oil or chemical dyes and fragrances which may contribute to the problem. It is botanically based and has a 45 day money back guarantee. You can learn more by going to my website: www.lifetrust.myarbonne.com. Hope this helps!

J.

My boys had very similar results. We started drinking a "green drink" and within six weeks, both of their faces were clear! The green drink is organic and tastes good. We drink about 1 tsp a day with a bit of lemonade every morning. The change was amaziing! It helped other things too, like energy level, physical performance, hair growth and healthiness of their hair. We have everyone on it now. Our favorite is Earth's Promise Kiwi Strawberry. It is sold at most any health food store.
K. Loidolt
Author, Shopper's Guide to Healthy Living

I have a friend who swears by the Mary Kay products. They're packaged for teens rather than for women, so he may be more likely to like the packaging. I could give you her name if you're interested. She has gorgeous skin using it!

have you been to the dermatologist? if over the counter remedies aren't working you may need to pull out the big guns like accutane(sp?) and retin-a there are also oral pills you can take for acne as well. iam all for natural remedies but some times the doc can help you get things calmed down a bit first.

Have him start washing his face, both morning and night with baking soda. Just have him put a tablespoon or so in his palm, add some water to make a paste, then gently rub into face just like he would soap. He should start noticing a difference in a week or two. If not, you could always contact a dermatologist and get him on acutane. Good luck.

One of my friends used Accutane and it worked for him, but they generally only prescribe it in extreme cases and it has some side effects. One thing that worked for me with a simple facial soap (Purpose brand) and they have a lotion that works well too, using both twice a day. Drying out the face is not always the best solution, it needs to be balanced. I also use these loofa pads to wash my face to exfoliate and open pores so the cleanser can really do the trick. I picked them up at Target (and the Purpose brand stuff) and they are made out of bamboo. Apparently bamboo is naturally antibiotical and they do not get the mildewy smell. I have also used hydrocortisone cream as a spot treatment. It takes time though and sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better because all of the bad stuff has to come out. You can always take him to a dermatologist (that's where I found out about the soap). Proactive definately doesn't work for everyone.

You could take your 15 year old son to a Dermatologist. If the proactive isn't working they might be able to give him something that will help him out.

Benzaclin

It's a prescription that any doctor can give. It's a cream that rubs on in the morning and at night. It not only prevents the acne, it clears up the redness in the skin to make it all an even color.

(Use white pillow slips, because the medicine will fade the color.)

This may sound a little silly and unmedical but it worked the best for me. All growing up (and I still struggle if I'm not careful about washing my face)I struggled with acne I went to see a dermntologist (sorry can't spell) they have different antibiotics to fight specific types of irritation for the skin. I used an antibotic for a month, then the doctor told me to use just plain bar soap. I have senitive skin and the different types of cleansers just irrated my skin more. Make sure it is an unperfumed bar (usually the cheapest brand or I like dove). I noticed a difference within weeks. I still use a bar soap years later and it still is working. Good luck

I have 4 childrens of my own.They All have acne also. I don't know what to giving for them. One day I was waching HSN and
saw one product line call continuously clear for youth. I
bought that for children it seen like help them too.Try that!

C. Lee

90% of all women will purchase at least one in the next year.

www.theawesomecandles.com

This is going to be a really hard thing for him. I worked for Origins,a skin care line, for 8 years and it was wonderful. You can find it in most Macy's and on line. They have natural based skin care that will be gentler for his skin. The best thing is to have him talk to a skin care professional himself, so they can make sure he is getting the best thing for his skin. A healing mask is sometimes the best, something he can put on the blemishes at night and wash off in the morning. I wish him all the good luck in the world and I hope this will help a little.

If you have insurance I would suggest taking thim to a dermatologist. When I was a teenager I had sever acne and went to one. They will start him on some "lighter" meds to see if that will treat them and sometimes it works for some people or for some amount of time. I then had to go on acutane- which is a VERY strong drug and does some weird symptoms but can clear up acne for good. That would be my suggestion though to seek some medical advice. I too tried proactive and thought it only worked for a couple months before it was no longer effective.

Did you know that proactiv comes in extra stenghth too? I didn't either til I called to cancel for my son and they told me. His acne has finally improved! Solved the shaving issue. Just be careful what shaving cream you buy. Get the proactive moisturizing for after lotion too!

I would suggest a visit to a dermatologist as they see teenage acne a ton. I don't think a pediatrition is the best source. Also, try a cleanser and treatment program specifically geared for acne. Also check with a day spa that does facials and stuff as they have greaat products. Anyway, hope this helps.

V.-
I know he's a guy and everything and guys don't wear mud masks, but encourage him to. There are alot to choose from at the store, so look for ones that say 'acne masks' or similar. Also, make sure he does it regularly; daily if possible. Also, if he is involved in sporting activities, make sure that he washes his face, does the whole 3 step Pro-activ thing. And I have also found that getting a tan always helps my skin. I used to have acne in high school too, and one year I fake-baked (tanning bed) for my prom, and it was amazing how it really helped to clear up my acne. I'm not suggesting that you make the poor boy go to a salon to get a tan, but encourage him to be outside, but make sure he doesn't burn, which is especially easy when using acne medication. I hope this all helps

Hi V.,

My son was in the same boat. I have a product (Mary Kay) that worked on his face and cleared up that acne. If you would like a free sample just let me know. My products come with a 100% satisfaction guarentee. If it doesn't work, I refund your money. Just respond back and I will send out some samples.

Whatever you decide to do, let me give you some advice. Do not mix and match products. Whatever product line you go with stay with the line. All products are designed to work together. When you mix them with other product lines, you can have actually get what is known as a chemical burn. Before I began my business that is exactly what happened to me. Having great skin does not have to cost a fortune. It just takes dedication to wash your face twice a day with the right product. I know the biggest struggle I had with my son was getting that through his head.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I used Accutane in College. It came with huge warnings and I had to sign something promising that I would not be sexually active or go on birth control due to the horrible side effects it would have on an unborn fetus. I know a boy isn't going to have those same issues, but my point is that it probably isn't that great for our bodies. AND my acne came back after I went of birth control (more than 5 years after treatment).

I have seen great results from Arbonne's Clear Advantage system AND my doctor said it was safe during pregnancy because the vitamin A is in the form of Beta Caritin instead of concentrated Vitamin A which is the main ingredient in Accutane.

Worth a shot.

I would also suggest going to a dermatologist. If he had a problem with his feet, you'd take him to see an orthopedist, and to an oncologist if he had (God forbid) cancer, so treat his acne like a medical problem and see a dermatologist (you should be able to get a referral from your pediatrician, depending on how your insurance works). Then you might consider seeing a naturopath to determine some supplements to help control your son's hormones (which, being 15, are probably raging right now). I would wait with the shaving until his skin is under control - it must be extremely painful to shave in his current condition. My son's not a teenager yet, but I anticipate similar issues with him in the next few years, so I'll be checking back here to see what other suggestions you get. I hope things get better for your son. Good luck!!

Has he tried steaming his face and using baking soda toothpaste at night? Try an acne cleanser from Vitamin Cottage or another healthfood store. Wash his face at least 3 times a day (and moisturize) and lastly I think it is clearisil that has oil absorbent papers. Those are good for quick at school control.

Hi V.,
Try Arbonne's Clear Advantage Acne products. The results are incredible. Their products are botanically based, pH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested,& formulated without mineral oil, dyes, or chemical fragrances -which are often things that cause irritation. There is also a 45 day money back guarantee so there is no risk to try it. You can go to their website www.arbonne.com for more information on their products or contact me at ____@____.com and I would be happy to meet with you and show you the products and give you a catalog. Good luck.
L. P.

Hi V.,
Check with your doctor, accutane, that both of my step sons used. I think they were on it for about 4 or 5 months. There are side affects that you have to be careful of, they had to stay out of harsh sunlight , they did it during the rainy season so they were done by summer, it was expensive, I can't remember all the medical stuff, if you go to drugs.com it will give you more information. There may be other medications, my sons used it over 10 years ago. It worked amazingly for them, they had extremely severe acne and virtually had none by the time they were done. It has more severe reactions for women, birth defects if taken while pregnant. It is a strong medication but my sons had no side effects.
Good luck,
SarahMM

Try cutting out gluten, dairy and sugar it really helps. Stephanie

I know this sounds a little crazy, but have him drink a glass a hot water every morning before eating. This helps to wash impurities out of the system. The water should be hot, but not so hot it burns and no food or other drink for at least 30 mins. after drinking. (Don't microwave the water to heat it either, hot tap water might be hot enough)
My dad learned about doing this when he was a young man, late teens. He claimed it really worked.

Hi, I am a licensed Esthetician with a skin care practice in the Denver Tech Center with a huge focus on teen acne! I recommend 50 mg. of zinc picolinate daily as a simple first try. It has about a 75-80% chance of results for boys and 50% for teen girls. It can take 2-6 weeks to work so be patient. Proactiv isn't for everyone or maybe not strong enough. The zinc inhibits the enzyme conversion of testosterone to DHT which is casuing the breakouts. My busness is listed here in Mama Source;(Custom Skin Solutions) and I offer free consultations and big treatment discounts for teens. Feel free to email me directly and I can ask more questions about your son and maybe able to make some recommenations thst way.
____@____.com

M.

Hi V.!

I have three daughters (two teens and a pre-teen). I did the same route you did for my oldest. Proactiv was not helpful, the professional stuff didn't work either. I tried oily skin products from Mychelle (it's retail, not MLM ... you can get it at Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, or online). Within two weeks we noticed a difference. After a month, several Moms asked me what she was using. You can get a sample pack for around $20. My teenagers liked the Cranberry Cleanser, Fruit Enzyme Mist, and Cranberry Mud Mask (he doesn't need to tell his friends he uses a mask). The oil free grapefruit cream would probably work well for him even if he only uses it at night. Seriously ... It's good stuff!

L.

I am a consultant with Mary Kay and have several teenage and acne prone customers who love our Velocity Skin Care Line. I'd be happy to send you some samples to give it a try www.marykay.com/sstrauss1. All our products are 100% guaranteed, so there's no risk. No matter what, try not to "hodge podge" the products(Brand A cleanser, Brand B moisturizer, Brand C mask/exfoliant) as it can cause the ingredients to mix and create more problems. Many times, a regular twice a day skin care routine (which can be difficult for this age) can help to clear up the problems if you're using the right products for his skin type. I'd also encourage you to use a "free and clear" laundry detergent without all the perfumes, etc. Have him change his sheets frequently, i.e. every other day (at least the pillowcase if that's where the problem areas are).

Hope this helps!

I have a 19 year old daughter still having problems with acne. She did Proactiv and it helped but it is still with her.
Have you tried a Dematologist? That might ne the next step.
Also, is he have a food allergy? I break out from unhealthy food habits.
I tried to tell my daughter this but she read an aritcle that said food has nothing to do with it. She has unhealthy eating habits.
He might be allergic to the shaving cream. You might try an electric shaver. For that fact he might be allergic to the Proactiv.
A Mary Kay consultant might be able to help. Mary Kay will work to find something to help.
I'm sorry I can help mora but hop e this gives you some ideas.
C. B

Have you considered trying a less chemically harsh product on his skin to clear the acne? The acne could also be an allergic reaction to soaps and cleaners used in your home, My neice is the same way and when I helped her mom switch the harsh chemicals and soaps out of there home, her skin looks amazing. Let me know if you need any help with that. I truly feel for your son, I have 3 boys and a little girl but the oldest is 8 and youngest is 8months, so we are a bit away from the shaving stage.

Acne can be a sign of sluggish intestines. Have him watch his diet - enough water, fiber, etc. and low on the preservatives, sugar, processed foods and anything that's not healthy. One quick helper is Dr. Christopher's lower bowel formula, which you can get at any reputable herb store. Start a little at a time and have him pay attention to what it does. Obviously this can cause bowel movements and gas so he may want to take it at times when he is not going to be around his peers, such as before bedtime.

Hi,
well this seems pretty basic but it has worked for a few people I know w/ very deep seeded acne.Your son may already be doing all of these but just in case, some simple rules to follow
1. Don't touch your face unless you have washed your hands w/ soap. It sounds silly but the oils from your fingers get into your pours and cause zits.
2. wash your face 2-3 times a day and don't scrub it, just wash. scrubbing breaks skin cells and allows more bacteria under skin.
3. Every shower take a wash cloth as hot as you can stand and place it on your face (while sitting on the floor) for 10-20 min. This draws yuck out. And will soften hairs for shaving (think old school barber shop, or Looney tunes barber shop w/ the hot towel:)
4. the cold compress, many things can be used including a baking soda & h2o mix (the same used to draw out stingers from bee stings) or a number of over the counter masks. If using over the counter stuff don't use micro beads, sand or other stuff like that because the granules can cause clogged pours.
5. Finally if he has large pours I would look into over the counter stuff to "tighten" them. Honestly I can't remember what my friend used but he did use something over the counter from Wallgreens for his pours.
I know most of this seems pretty basic, and girls do much of it due to make up (washing & not touching the face, masks etc) but it can really help and it's inexpensive or free.
Good luck if all else fails you can contact a skin specialist @ a spa (anestitician???) they would have some addtl' suggestions.
K

My daughter has received great results with Arbonne's Clear Advantage Set. She even had severe acne on her arms that is cleared up. I have some before and after pictures on my website. I am getting ready to add some of my own daughter's results.
Plus our men's shave gel really helps deter ingrown hairs.

www.upwithwellness.myarbonne.com

I shop with a health and wellness compnay that has a great facial cleanser for acne - it contains t-tree oil and is alot less expensive than proactiv. I would also recommend an antioxident with is great to clear up skin. If you would like to know more email me: ____@____.com

C.
www.AHomeCareer.com