Help with Teenage Acne

I have used ProActive for 5 years now and it is amazing. I have cystic acne and it has helped so much. I get occasional breakouts but they are not as long or painful as before. I even tried to stop it about 2 years ago and went back about 6 months later. You really just need to try it to see if it works. The company is good about canceling the day you request it...not like some companies that keep charging for months.

We finally took my teen to the Dermatologist and she prescribed "Doryx" (a once a day pill) and "Differin" (a topical cream). Seemed to help. :)

I had the same problem when I was a teenager. And actually I probably still would if I did not use Pro-active. I tried several cheaper brands and they did not work. I started with proactive and was getting the monthly order. Now that my skin is under control I can go for several months and not get a shipment. I still use it everyday, but only in the mornings.

Proactive is simply worth the money. Because it does dry you out it is worth getting a different face lotion for at night. At night I wash my face with Dove soap, because it is not as drying, and then put Ponds face lotion on. That combination has helped me out so much that I feel like I could walk out of the house without make up and not feel awful about myself.

I'd definitely spend the money.

Hi D. - My experience has been that proactive or other OTC systems that are similar work IF YOU FOLLOW THE REGIMINE FAITHFULLY...all 3 steps. Proactive has had a bleaching effect on some of my shirts and towels in the past so be sure your son uses a towel that you don't mind being ruined. These kinds of systems have also had a very drying effect on my skin so I've had to supplement with a good oil-free moisturizer. I haven't used a system in a while but I've had time periods where I swore by them.

i used proactiv, it seems to be hit or miss for most people. my sister had severe acne as a teenager, and my mom took her to a dermatologist, it cleared up beautifully. I had noraml occasional acne so she didnt take me. i wish she had, i am now 27 and still have some problems. even if its not severe i would take him to a dermatologist and get a perscription, having even mild acne makes you feel awful!!

Hi D., Acne isn't simple...many different things affect it from diet, stress levels, hormones, and enviroment. One product may work on one person and not on another or work effectively for a while then stop working as the skin develops a tolerance for it. So you have to address acne from several different angles until you find a combonation that works well for you. Starting with diet, pop is poisen and drinking plenty of water and eating veggies will help more than you think. All three of my daughters use Clean & Clear morning burst face wash (there are many different varieties each uses a different one of course) with great success. Having an activity or two that your child enjoys that is stress-relieving will help to. And of course if you notice that he has his hands on his face often try to have him stop that habit...it doesn't help. Another thing that can help it time and your doctor if all else fails. Good luck!

talked to my dr who said proactice was scam..got antibotic cream that helped at 1st then wash now antibotics in pill form which work great clear skin..she just washes with avon wash and uses the cleansing pads before bed...

ProActive is wonderful and it really works.
good luck
T.

I never had problems with acne until after I had my daughter 2 years ago. I tried Proactiv first and it actually made it worse. I then went to a Dermatologist and she prescribed me some topical lotion, Clindamycin Phospate Topical Lotion 1%. You put it on twice a day after you wash your face in the morning and night. You can continue to use regular face wash. I use Aveeno since it is very gentle on the skin. This lotion is a prescription, but it works wonders. I have not had a blemish in 2 years!!!

I am not sure what kind of health insurance you have, but I only pay $19.00 for this bottle and it lasts for 3 months. It is way cheaper than Proactiv and works much better. Good Luck!!

I have an adult cousin still with severe acne and he SWEARS by Proactive.

I have personally used Proactive for about 5 years, and I love it. My 11 year old has started to get acne and we will be starting him on Proactive very soon. One thing about Proactive is that it is pricy when compared to someof the other brands. There is another brand that you can get at your drug store, I don't recall the name but I believe the box is orange and blue....Anyway, according to the manufacturer it works better then proactive and is about 1/2 the cost. Now, I am very happy with Proactive personally so I have no desire to change adn the cost fits into my budget, but it can be cost prohibitive for some.

Just an addition about using an antibodic to clear up acne. most physicans would not prescribe a medication that is made for infections to clear up acne. Does it work? yes, it does. But I am against the use of antibodics to treat things other then they were intended. Thats just my $ .02

Proactiv worked best for me. No severe irritation associated with it, and it worked better than the antibiotic cream, RetinA, and other things given to me by the dermatologist.

Best of luck... not an easy problem to cope with or cure.

proactive is awesome!

Hi D.,

You have reached many requests and mine is similar in some ways. Proactiv can be a good product IF your skin has the problems that it addresses. Some of this depends on your skin coloring and type. We found that Proactiv (along with other brands) was too harsh for our fair skins and actually made us break out worse. I started using Clinique 25+ years ago which changed my skin night and day. However, I still needed the help of a dermatologist as did my husband and son. The advice about getting help before scarring is very true. My husband has extensive scarring - Accutane was a miracle drug for his cystic acne. My son used Accutane and we are very pleased that he has been spared what my husband went through. Checking your diet; reactions to soaps, etc. is also an important part of any treatment. Most of all it takes diligence and time which most 15 year old boys don't have; but it is worth it in the end!

When I was that age nothing would work. I finally used mary kay acne cream and it worked for me

I have tried pretty much everything. ProActive to Acutane.
Pro Active is great. Just be aware that it will discolor your towels.
I currently use Neutragena with the Microbeads. And I love it. Make sure you always get a cleanser or moisturizer that is OIL FREE :) I was watching Oprah one day and that's what Dr. Oz said :) And I have found it to work great for me. I am 28 and have been dealing with acne since I was 14.

Hi D., My son is 18 and has been struggling with acne since he was 14. We did proactive and I will agree with the others it does work but nothing worked as well as the dermatologist. Please do him a favor and take him to a specialist. You will not believe how easy it is and how fast those creams and washes work.

T.

When I was a teenager I found the fastest acting and most effective remedy was tetracycline. I would definitely consult a dematologist though to get the most appropriate course of action for your son so he can maintain a positive self esteem and not be left with acne scars.

Hey there I struggled with acne for a long time my mom used to buy me proactive it worked in the very beginning but then it just wouldn't work anymore I started selling avon and saw they made a acne kit that's like proactive so I ordered it and I'm hooked its 24.99 right now I believe and its a cleanser toner pads and lotion its called avon clearskin professional you can go on my website and order it if you would like everyone I have referred it to loves it
My site is www.youravon.com/jackiewinter if your son doesn't like it you can return it and if you shop online you can choose to have it delivered right to your door
Good luck with everything

I am an adult who suffers from acne. I tried Pro Active and found it caused pre-cancerous sells to begin to grow on my face. Be very careful.
Good luck! ER

Yes, ProActive WORKS!!! That would be my first suggestion.
Not cheap, but in my opinion, you get what you pay for.

I like Proactive. I've used many over the counter products and many prescriptions that didn't work. Unfortunately, I don't remember the names of them as I used them many years ago. Proactive clears up my acne like nothing else has. It took about 2 weeks to see initial results in the appearance of my skin although I noticed an immediate difference in the feel of my skin. IMO, this is a gentle product the gives me good results. All that being said, I would first consult a dermatologist. You say he is "having problems with acne" and if that means severe acne it would be a good idea to get some good, solid medical guidance.

As far as Proactive being a scam (not an effective product) I would say that as with anything else results may vary from person to person. While there are many people that this product works for there are bound to be ones it doesn't work for.

Proactiv is definitely worth trying. I found it to be very successful for a long time. It is extremely gentle if he has sensitive skin. I've known teenagers who have used it and had success. Also- consider going to the dermatologist. My cousin began that when she was 15 and she has had great success too. Good luck.

This is a problem for a doctor. Bad acne can leave permanent marks.

I use ProActiv. Love it. Well worth the money and not a scam. I wish I had used it earlier.

Hi D.,

Both of my kids have used the proactive product and it does work, you just have to make sure you use it every day. You could see results in a week or two. Pretty good stuff.

M.

Hi D.. Your poor son. That's a tough age to struggle with acne. I've struggled with bad acne even in my adulthood and I can vouch for ProActiv!!! I've tried sooo many things and seen plenty of dermatologists and aestheticians. I've spent ludicrous amounts of money and believe me when I say, don't waste your time. Go straight to ProActiv. The only warning I will give is it can make your skin red and sensitive for the first week or so. Try starting with just using it once a day for a week, then increase to twice a day. It's really important that you make him use the whole system together, or else it doesn't work. (A 15 year old might have a tough time with that.) And also, find a really good moisturizer and remind him to use it throughout the day. It can be very drying. I believe he will get fast results and be very relieved. Goodluck!

Diane D

My teenage son had really bad acne. We tried the pro active and it made it worse. Later I was informed that is the way it works. well I ended up taking him to a dermetologist (spelling) they put him on Acutaine (Spelling) The side effects are extreme but it really did the job. His skin is very clear except for a little scaring on the side of his face. Do your son a favor and get him to the doctor ASAP before he has scaring. We went to South Jersey Skin and Laser Center for his treatment. He has been off the medicine for over a year and his skin is still clear. Good luck I wish you much success.

D.,
Between my sister and I we have probably tried just about every product over the course of the last 15 years. She had luck with Proactive for a while, but then it stopped working for her. I had luck for a short time with the Clyndomycin (spelling?) topical solution, but after 6 months or so it no longer did the trick. The only thing that has really worked for me is taking tetracycline pills. Take him to a dermatologist and see what they recommend.
Good luck!

I am surprised that no one recommended Skinid. It has great results, if you use as recommended, and the customer service people are wonderful to answer questions and offer advice.Go to www.skinid.com