Need Advice for Teenage Son with Acne

Hey J., i had the same problem with one of my children
i have a friend that works with a dermatologist she recomended the neutragena face wash, not the orange one, but the one in the blue tube. My kids also use the benzaclene cream which has worked very well, but is prescribed.i have tried the proactive and various other thing for my daughter which did not work.i really do recommend the benzaclene she has had no problems.

I did not have horrible acne until I was in my 30's. I can tell you I tried everything--even accutane. The only thing that cleared it up after 4 years was a light treatment. It can only be done at the dermatologist's office and has no side effects. It is called Omnilux. The Dr. will choose whether to use the red or the blue light. I needed about 10 treatments and they are 20 min. each. This is also FDA approved. It ranges in price, but I paid about $45 per treatment. It may seem expensive at first, but think about all the money you spend on things that don't work and have side effects. It can also be used on the back or chest. Hope this helps:)

Go to Paulaschoice.com. This is an awesome site that gives reviews of products and she sells her own line. She also gives lots of great information. I've used her products for acne for about a year now and my skin has never looked better.

Hi J.,

You’ve received a lot of good advice. I’m so glad your son found something that works for him! Just in case there is someone out there who is still dealing with acne, here is more advice, from a former cystic acne sufferer and current Skin Care Consultant (one led to the other). Acne can be complex so bear with a possibly long response:

The 2 main over the counter acne fighting ingredients you will find in the marketplace are salicylic acid and benzoil peroxide. Different ingredients work better than others on some people. Some product lines use more of one ingredient or the other - which is why products like ProActiv (benzoil peroxide) work on some people and not on others. Those people are more sensitive to the acne healing effects of benzoyl peroxide. It is no different from headache sufferers who prefer Advil (ibuprofin) to Tylenol (acetominophan) or vice versa.

Skin care is very important in acne care but hygiene is not the only reason for breakouts. Other culprits like diet, stress, hormones, genetics, cosmetics, medications, humidity, pollution, sun exposure and even laundry detergent can effect your skin and your acne. Research has shown that foods high in iodine and bromide, refined sugars, grains and greasy foods contribute to acne, and an adequate consumption of water (hydration) can help control it. Breakouts from the nose down are usually hormone or stress related. Cosmetics with oil in them can flare up acne, mostly because they clog pores and oil builds up there. Laundry detergent with perfumes can be problematic too – wash your pillowcase often, with a dye and perfume free detergent and try to sleep on your back (this will help you avoid wrinkles too).

Keep your skin clean and sweat free, don’t touch your face with dirty hands, don’t pick at your pimples and don’t over wash your face. Never scrub an open blemish because you’ll just spread the bacteria around and cause more acne. Make sure your face wash doesn’t over dry your face and be sure to moisturize (hydrate) your skin and wear a full spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen daily. It is a myth that the sun will dry up blemishes – it can actually increase oil production! If you over dry your skin, it will overcompensate by producing MORE oil. Balance is the key so hydrate inside (drink water) and out (sunscreen and/or oil free moisturizer).

I suffered from cystic acne (under-the-skin pimples that are very painful and leave scars or dark spots after they heal) for many years. About ten years ago, when I was in my very late 30’s, I found a fabulous acne prone skin care system called All Clear by BeautiControl (a 30 year old company based out of Dallas, TX). After trying almost everything on the market at the time, with no positive results, All Clear totally cleared up my acne within a few weeks! I was so thrilled that I started using their other products too.

My skin care regimen before that time was pretty much non-existent because everything made me break out. After about 6 months of using BeautiControl's anti-aging and "repair" products my hyperpigmentation (dark spots from acne and sun damage) was noticeably fading. Now it is gone. I do not have cystic acne break outs anymore and often go out without any foundation makeup - which would have NEVER happened 10 years ago. I was so impressed with these products and the way they transformed my skin that I joined the company to be able to buy my products wholesale, forever. I had so many people ask me how I improved my skin that now I sell the products as well.

BeautiControl’s products are botanically based but they use "science as nature intended." When better ingredients are found, the products are improved. This company is very cutting edge in that respect. My 2 teenagers use All Clear now. Since I first used the skin care, it has been re-formulated (like I said, BeautiControl keeps up with the latest and greatest ingredients) and more products have been added to the All Clear line. Ingredients include salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (depending on the individual product), sulfur, vitamins B, C & E, retinoids (vitamin A family), anti-bacterials and antioxidants.

I’m glad you opted away from drugs for your son. I personally don’t believe in internal medications for the initial treatment of acne – way too many harmful side effects. I think anyone who suffers from acne should try topical skin care first – and be patient – it may not heal over night. Your skin takes 30 days to renew itself and therefore to purge the toxins from within. If topical skin care and diet/lifestyle changes don’t help after 6-8 weeks, you should go see a dermatologist. Either way, once you do stop breaking out, you need to think “prevention” of future damage and breakouts so the cycle doesn’t resume.

I hope that helps. If anyone needs more information, please feel free to contact me. I’ve done a lot of research on this because as I said, I am a former cystic acne sufferer and know how that feels. P. (in Tucson, AZ) www.beautipage.com/pama ____@____.com

I am a licensed esthetician, with a focus on holistic care. Please make sure you are reading ingredient labels. No one (especially women) should be using products with ingredients that end in -paraben. Studies show that cancerous breast tissue can contain high levels of these preservative substances. Some of the products that have been recommended are very high in parabens.

Your skin always shows what is going on internally. Sometimes doctors are not trained in the new ways of thingking. Diet can be a huge factor. In the case of acne, it can be yeast or a fungus. It can also be a caustic environment, literally "burning" the skin, emotionally. Take care!

I USE PURPOSE FACIAL CLEANSER (I FOUND IT AT WALMART).

IF HIS SKIN IS REALLY OILY RUB A SLICE OF LEMON ON IT AND LET IT SIT FOR LIKE 10-15 MIN THEN RINSE... IT WILL GET RID OF THE OIL AND MAKES YOUR SKIN REALLY SOFT.

I MAKE MY OWN TONER/PH BALANCER. I MAKE 1/3 OF THIS RECIPE AT A TIME. IT WILL STAY GOOD IN THE FRIDGE FOR 6 MONTHS. I USE TEA TREE OIL BUT CHECK OUT THE FACTS ON ALL ESSENTIAL OILS. I USE THIS EVERY MORNING AND EVERY NIGHT. SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

HERE IS THE RECIPE:

Apple Cider Toner

* 3 c. distilled water
* 1/3 c. apple cider vinegar
* 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Essential Oil info:

http://teenadvice.about.com/library/weekly/aatp102301j.htm

Apple Cider info:

http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html

I've been doing a clay facial weekly too. It really helps! I bought it at Healthway:

http://www.calantilles.com/Products/prod18.html

I mixed it with apple cider vinegar and I opened 2 capsules of Neem powder. I couldn't find just neem powder so I bought it in the supplement form. Here is some info on neem:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem

Here are some more home made skin care recipes:

http://possumsal.homestead.com/skincare.html

I have to tell you that I have fought acne for over 10 years and am still fighting it now. I recently found the cheapest, most natural and most effective solution ever. All you need is baking soda, lemon juice and tea tree oil. Mix it up into a solution and apply it evenly to the skin before bed. I guarantee that when he wakes up, it will be a 75% improvement just in the first application. Give it a try! Also, and I don't want to advocate this for a small child but it might work, saw palmetto helps to regulate hormones and stops testosterone from transforming into another type of testosterone that causes acne. Look into it first though to decide if you want to give it to your child. Good luck!

My 22 Year Old Son is using the Suzanne Somers Balancing Therapy System, and loves it!! He's previously (unsuccessfully) used doctors medication, ProActive, etc. Having to surrender the products, in his carry on suitcase, while flying last summer, he was ready to fight the Security guy for them. Luckily he kept his composure!!! I got a call from him, shortly after, for refills!?!?!
My friend has sensitive skin and has tried practically every skin care system. She was excited to find out that her skin did not adversely react to the Suzanne products!
See products at http://www.suzanne24.com/angiecoats

I know this is old but my 14 year old son has acne really bad. He's very embarrassed by it. I took him to my family doctor because I have to get a referral to a dermatologist. I too have always heard diet affects it so I was all ready to go in there and have him preach to my son about eating so much fast food and junk and he said diet has nothing to do with it. It has to do with what the body is producing (particularly at this age) and he said fast food, soda, greasy foods, although not good for you, have nothing to do with acne. I was really surprised. He gave him a prescription and he tried it twice and it made his eyes hurt and he got diarrhea so now he's not using anything. The doctor said Proactive is no different than what is on the shelves, they just have really good marketers. If you find something that works, let me know. Thanks!

Hi J.. I highly recommend using Clear Advantage from a Swiss Health and Wellness company called Arbonne International. The products are botanically based, so they are pure, safe, and beneficial. Clear Advantage products include wash, toner, moisturizer, 30 day supply of supplements. When you purchase the set you receive a free eye cream. The set is $66. If you have never heard of this company, I recommend to check out arbonne.com or lesliealyea.arbonne.com. I grew up with horrible acne and i wish i knew about this when i was a teen!

I found out that washing your face in Buttermilk will take away the acne. I had a babysitter one time & he had a terrible case of acne. I was washing my face in Buttermilk one day & I told him that this is what my Grandmother used to wash her face. He went home & a week later I saw him. His face was cleared up. I asked him what he used & he said he had washed his face in "Buttermilk". You might give this a try.
Char

Dear J.,

Balancing the hormones with acupuncture, changing the diet to cooler foods rather than heat producing foods, and using natural spray for the face works!

T. Shen, DOM, L.Ac, BA

www.easternmedicalcenter.com
http://drshen.nutrametrix.com

Hi J., Im gald you found a solution. My son also used proactive for awhile until I learned that it could possibly cause premature aging. Here is an article re acne products that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, which is a cheap ingredient and alot of over the counter products tend to use it vs an ingredient like Salicylic Acid . Anyway check out the article, I too am an Arbonne consultant and have tried to switch to a more natural approach with my skin care products. I will say the proactive works very fast which is one reason why teens love it so much, but usually when you stop acne comes right back so it doesnt heal it it just topically treats it..I would reccomend a supplement, like the one Arbonne gives with our line to help clear skin from the inside as well..Hope this helps..
http://www.acnetreatmentsguide.com/premature/

www.dalex.myarbonne.com

Hi J. - I am a local acupuncturist in East Bridgewater. There is a topical herbal product called Yin Care that I've seen work very well. It's not expensive so it's worth trying. Several moms have reported success with treating their teen's acne. I keep a small supply on-hand in my office, and you can google it for more information.

I'm afraid you got some bad advice, J.. That ProActive stuff sounds very toxic, I wouldn't put that on my skin, and NEVER on my child's skin. Also do not use Tetracycline, which is a broad spectrum antibiotic which alters bowel flora and also interferes with bone metabolism. Acutane is a synthetic vitamin A molecule which causes very dry skin, irritability and possible birth defects in growing fetuses.

There are much better ways to treat acne!

Of course the cure depends on the cause of the acne. It may be a nutritional deficiency, and if so, fermented cod liver oil may be just the thing.

It may also be an allergic reaction, which cod liver oil can help a lot, but also a hefty probiotic like BioKult or Garden of Life Ultra might help even more.

You can tell if your child has an allergy by counting a whole minute pulse. If your child holds onto the food you suspect, and the pulse changes more than 6 beats in a minute one way or the other between a sitting count and a standing count, then s/he is sensitive (allergic) to the food.

There is a great article on getting rid of acne in a way that does not just treat the symptoms, but addresses the underlying cause. Check out http://www.westonaprice.org/askdoctor/acne.html

M. Minno
Mother of teen, grandmother of two

I like this stuff a lot: http://www.shaklee.net/build/product/32521
A healthy diet will help too. If he will stay away from sweets and grease.

Okay, jumping on an old post, but check out dairy issues. Milk is naturally filled with hormones, made specifically to give baby cows what they need, and then lots of hormones are added too.

My husband has struggled with terrible acne since puberty, and we've discovered that any milk, cream, or soft cheeses lead directly to cyst-type breakouts. Don't know whether it's a reaction to the hormones, a way for his body to excrete something in the milk, or some combination of both.

He wishes he'd discovered the dairy issue in high school, before scarring took place.

Good luck!

PROACTIVE!! My daughter was on Acutane and many other prescribe meds and this is what did the trick.....now my youngest is also on it.....out of 4 teens I have 3 that swear by it.

Hi J.,
I have used a product with the company I work with and it is very helpful. Even more so when my son uses it twice a day. Before his forehead under his bangs was more acne than healthy skin, now it is only about 25% acne. One thing we did is with the second application we have him use a warm wash cloth on his face and then the medication. One of the ingredients in the product is tea tree oil, the other is salicylic acid. When I was a teen and had acne I tried not to touch me face. My son also got his hair trimmed as he noticed it was worse along the hair line. My husband said, he didn't use any soap at all but several times a day just washed his face with soap and water to less the oils, he said this worked for him. Also you son has to want to do it at least once a day for best results.
Best of luck,
S.
PS: I think it's important to encourage our teens to take care of their faces as much as it is brush their teeth. They are not in the habit of thinking of the long term scaring that acne can leave.
http://www.YesToSuccess.net
helping families with health and wealth for over 11 years

Mary Kay has a pretty good Acne Treatment gel. It's inexpensive. My friend Jenny tried it after having minimal success with ProActive, and she said it worked for her.

Good luck!

K.

www.marykay.com/kcoyne

I have seen several responses that suggest using oil blotters from Mary Kay. I have found that any "cheap" tissue paper works well. You may not believe this, but the toilet cover paper you find in many public toilets works the best of all! I just cut up tissue paper into face-sized squares, fold them in quarters and stick them in a baggie in my bag. Blot whenever you see a shine.

P.

My brother had really bad acne and he started taking fish oil pills. They helped alot. He still gets occasional pimples but only a few every once and a while. Fish oil pills are just vitamins, they can help with a lot of stuff, my sister takes them to help her metabolism.
I was thinking, it could also be a food allergy. Whenever my mom eats eggs she breaks out really bad with pimples. Too much soda and chocolate does it to me.

I had acne as a teenager and have tried everything possible over the counter. I am 37 and still to this day break out over chocolate and caffine. I would start by limiting his caffine intake if he has any currently. Also I highly recommend the Neutrogena Acne Soap Bar, retails for $2.49 a bar. If he washes regurlary with that it should help. Also there is a Neutrogena Acne Mask that I used to use every night after washing my face. But be careful it does take the color out of stuff, so make sure the pillow case and sheets are white. I currently use Proactive and HIGHLY recommend it. I put a thin layer of the repair lotion on every night after cleansing. But again if you don't want to send away for the proactive and just want to go to the store Neutrogena Acne products are definitely the way to go!!!!

Maybe you should just try Proactive, they "Gurantee" their product. If you buy and it doesnt work just get your money back. One of my close friends bought it and it really did help clear up her face.

Hi J.,

Have you heard of Arbonne? It's a botanically based, Swiss formulated Skin care company. They have an acne line called Clear Advantage that is really gentle, way more so than Proactive, and really works. Check out the products and the company at www.arbonne.com and let me know if you're interested in trying it.

Good luck!

J. D

I tried ProActive and was ELATED at the results. It takes a good week to get things under control. The stuff at night reaks too, but I guarantee you he will see results.

For those pesky deep pimples that hurt before they actually surface, cut off the end of a potato and tape it to the zit overnight. It works and the zit will be half the size in the morning. You can actually see on the potato where the action took place. Gross, but morbidly fascinating.

For ProActive to work, he must be diligent and not slack off in any one area of the regiment.

Be encouraged! I had bad acne as a 20 yr old (and not before!). ProActive helped to leave no scars. You'd never guess it on me now.

J.

I suffered w/ acne my entire life... still do a bit. I'm horrible about washing my face before bed & dont like to do several 'steps'... @ least not every day. yes, I'm lazy.

I'm 35. I did the Accutane treatment when I was in my early twenties. It was the best 4 yrs of my life. No acne @ all, ever, nada, zilch. The doc's told me that my acne may come back after those 4 yrs... which is perfect for 'normal' kids that outgrow acne in 4 yrs or so anyway. I am not so lucky.

Mine did come back but not as bad...I am now in family mode. But fully intend to do the accutane again, once I am done having babies. (Causes horrible disfigured babies if you get pregnant while taking)

I remember it was really hard to go through the 1st several mnths of actually taking the meds but if his acne is bad enough.. or gets worse.. totally worth it once he is done. It's a process & once you copmplete the meds you dont take them anymore. 6 mnths I think.
(It completely dries you up... your lips peal horribly bad, eye drops are a must, drink water constantly, I'd use pure vitamin E oil on my hands etc.)
No other side effects that I recall. Well, except glorious clear skin! :)

I dont know how bad your sons acne is... I had the huge cyst's that always appeared in the T zone. I wish I had known about accutane or even just went to a dermatologist for basic injections, before my twenties... I have permanent scaring on my chin & forehead from my teen years. I didnt know you could go to a doctor for 'zits'.
I hope the info helps someone anyway.

Try Tea Tree Oil. It will dry out the acne very fast. It was the only thing that worked for me when I was that age. I am not sure where around here you can get it, I have not had to look for it since I moved here. But if you have him apply it to effected areas twice a day (be sure to keep it out of eyes, it stings really bad) his face should dry out in a week... Also Lush has a coal soap that is really good to use once a day. http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/index.html?lang=en_US&... Try looking on there.

Hope this helps,
S.

Hello J.!
My name is M. and I'm 18 (19 in about two weeks).
I used to break out ALL the time and it was so frustrating but last year I was talking to my neighbor about it and she said that her husband breaks out a lot whenever he has dairy. So I decided to do an experiment and go off dairy for a few weeks and sure enough my break outs lessened a TON. So maybe you could try taking your son off all dairy products? Just a thought. Just to give you the heads up..I tried soy milk and I actually think it was worse than drinking regular milk. I don't know. Let me know how things go for you. God bless. <3

My daughter (will be 13 next month) had pretty bad acne and we tried a couple of things that worked marginally well.

The best thing we found for her that she still uses and is happy with, is the over the counter .....

"Neutrogena DEEP CLEAN Cream Cleanser".

It is not expensive - it takes ONE STEP (kids are more apt to do the simpler things). It has the ingredient that you need to look for in an acne product: "Salicyclic Acid" - this is what the active ingredient is in other acne products.

Watch out for those pills the dermatologist may prescribe - I've read bad things about the side-effects! Not limited to liver problems due ot the long-term build up of "unnatural ingredients".

I am ALL FOR doing it the NATURAL way - Especially for kids! If the process is it too complicated - they just won't do it EVERY DAY, which is what they have to do in order to get rid of the inpurities which cause the acne.

Tea Tree Oil is a great way to clean anything naturally! I love it! It is not actually "oily" like it sounds - more of an astrigent effect. I even spray it, diluted with water, lavendar and lemon essential oils, to clean my yoga mat - It is gentle, but strong smelling.

Good luck!

A good friend of mine has had acne all her life. She's tried product after product and nothing really worked. She finally bought ProActive and it's the first thing that worked for her. Just from seeing the results she had with it, I would suggest it to anyone.

try tee tree oil. mix it with his face wash and on new pimples just dab on a bit of the oil. it works great for me

I had cystic acne as a teen and was on Acutane. That cleared up my acne for 15 years and then wore off(apparently it is common. Acutane is a brutal drug with many side effects and is not to be taken lightly.

Before heading to that extreme try the Arbonne clear Advantage line. It really works and does not dry out my skin like other brands. This line immmediatly clears up any breakouts I may have.Contact me if you have further questions and best of luck - I know how hard it can be!

www.kathyandco.myarbonne.com

Hi J.,

I have a 14 year and an 18 year old (boy & girl) and proactive works great but after a while, it quits working and it was difficult for them to remember to use the products morning and night. I now get Clearsil cleansing pads (HEB, CVS or Walgreen). They remove all the oil. I try to get them to use them after sporting events. They love them and it really works well.

J.... I have acne all my life it seems.I have tried everything. i had great success with acutainn (spelt wrong) my senior year. i tried proactive for my occasional breakouts...didn't work..made it worse.yes i did try it for longer than 2 months.to give it time to work. Murad works great!very few breakouts and when i do they cler up faster.i know they have a trial on thier website to...hope this help.bath and body work big stores carry it too.

HI J.,
My name is M.. I am 28 years old and have an 18 month old son. About the acne. I am a consultant with Arbonne International. I'm not sure if you have heard of this company, but the products are very safe and natural. I have personally seen some of my customers' skin transform before my eyes! The acne treatment contains a wash, toner, lotion and nutritional supplement. The supplement helps to detox the body and control stress factors that contribute to teen and adult acne. The set must be used for a full forty days as it does work to detox at first. Initially the skin can become worse before it begins getting better about the third week of use. The key ingredient is Salicyc Acid not Benzoyl Peroxide which can be VERY drying and unsafe for long term use. The entire system costs $66. I hope that helps. Please let me know if you would like to see some before an afters.
M.

Hi J.,

If Proactiv doesn't work, Drs. Rodan and Fields who created Proactiv have another product called Unblemish that is a sulphur formula and has worked really well for my son. It is a homebased business. If interested, you can call me at ###-###-####.

C.

I also had severe acne, and I used Acne Free, also like Proactiv, but you can buy it over the counter at WalMart. The three part system costs less than twenty bucks, and works wonders. You'll find it in the face wash section of WalMart. Good luck!

Hi J.. A friend of mine had tremendous results with the Sense skin care line and Body Rox nutritional supplements. It totally cleared up her acne. Contact me if you would like more information on those two products. ____@____.com ###-###-####

Hi J.,
I'm 25 and still struggle with acne! Nothing affects self esteem and confidence like acne- no matter your age. I recently started using Acne Free's Severe Acne and it has been working! Even my husband is noticing the difference! Along with the 4 step face treatment, I use the Power Pimple Peel. Good luck to your son. (BTW- ProActive never worked for me!)

get him proactive...it really works. they have it available at the kitsap mall. they have a small set and a money back guarantee. I have used it for more than 3 years and it is the only thing that has worked for me and my 11 yr old daughter. have him start with just once a day at night, he should see improvement within a week.

Arbonne has a product called "Clear Advantage" Ive heard its great.

My brother was on acutaine for a year and his acne improved along with his self esteem. He eventually grew out of the acne and the side effects were minimal and worth it in the long run...

hope that helps.

Have you tried ProActive? My 15 year old son had it really bad especilly on his forehead. We orderd the proactive and it worked really great. He has not had many breakouts since and still uses it. I know its expensive but well worth the money. He was really embarassed for a while but not any more.
Good luck,
B., mother of two teenage boys

Try Murad. I have battled with Acne since 17 years old and that is the ONLY product that has consistently worked great results on my skin. Dr. Murad is actually a dermatologist and I cannot say enough about his products. I actually have people stop me on the street now and compliment me on my skin. You cannot get any better than that! They have an Acne Skin Kit that cost about $50-$75 depending on where you buy it and it last me about 2-4 months. You can look around on line and find it for a pretty good price depending on the distributor you use. I tried ProActive and it tore my face up. Good luck!!

I've got a couple little tips that work to keep at least mild acne at bay, you may want to try them before resorting to meds... for pin pointing blemishes, dab a small amount of tea tree oil with a q-tip on each red spot at night. It sounds weird to put oil on a blemish, however, the tea tree is a natural antiseptic and will naturally work to clear the infected areas. You can get pure tea tree oil at the store, usually with any essential oils in the the naturals section (Whole foods, Natures) also Paul Mitchell sells the pure oil, if there is a salon that carries the tea tree line of products near you. I also use an Alpha Hydroxy face cream that I swear by as an exfoliant. This will help keep the surface of the skin free of dead skin cells that keep infected areas below the surface. I just buy the generic stuff at Walgreens, it's a tub of cream and is a 6-7% alpha hydroxy mixture (says Alpha Hydroxy Face Cream right on it)You would cleanse the face, apply the cream(about a nickel's worth) then moisturize on top, you can do this every morning and night before bed, using the tea tree oil for spot treatments. I hope this helps, you (Mom) can use this too, your face will feel amazing. -T.

My son used Pro Active and it worked very good for him. My sister uses Purell hand sanitizer and swears by it.

if his acne is really bad.. some treatments can make it worse... I would take him to a dermatologist... and really do what you can to find a good one... find out what is causing his acne.. and treatment (even if it is medication) could be just temporary and he could outgrow it... so he would not need the medication that long.. but it will certainly help his self-esteem if he could clear it up. If you get a good enough dermatologist.. he/she will not recommend medication unless he/she truly thought it would help your son.

Hi J.,
I'm almost 38 years old and STILL get acne break outs once in awhile. I've tried ProActive in the past, which HAS worked, but I also found it dried out my skin. Recently I tried the Philosophy cleansers and found that to work really well. It's a little spendy at $60 for the kit, but it lasted me for 6 months. There are different kits, but the one specifically for acne is "On a Clear Day". You can find them at Nordstrom stores. Hope this helps.

Hi J.
My name is Y., I am a skin care consultant and a grandmother of a teanager with acne, we used many prescribed medication before trying Jafra products for teens, all i can say is it worked for my granddaughter,and my Godson, Please call for sample so your son can try it,
###-###-####
Sincerely
Y.

Melaleuca sells a 4-step "Zap-It" that really works. There are no harsh chemicals and no perscriptions needed. If you'd like info on how to get it please go to
http://www.themomteam.com/achieve

I am no doctor. This is my experience with Acne. I got it when I turned 11 years and I am now 32. I had too much testosterone in my system. Your son bing a boy probably has more. This is probably the cause. I used to do the worst things to my skin because of comercials. He should wash with only a wash cloth very warm water and cold water to close his pores. I tried Retin-A really bad stuff! I did a 6 month stint of Accutane even worse! The Acutane worked while I took it but, after it cleared my system 2 years later the acne was even worse! I tried several antibiotics wrong way to go. I now take a water pill called SPIRONOLACTONE. I started out with 100mg daily to get it built up in my system. Then my doses where cut in half twice so now I take 25 mg every other day accept the week of my period I take it daily. My skin has no blemishes. He should find a good lotion to put on his face after he washes, I reccomend Kiss my Face brand Olive & Aloe lotion it works well for me. If you want to hear more of my experiences or have more questions please call ###-###-####. Hope this helps your son. H.

Have you thought about putting your son in a clinical trial for his acne? There are studies conducted by Board certified dermatologists. The patients are monitored closely. The side effects are clearly stated in the Informed Consent Form. We have several studies. The main side effect for the study medications are dryness and mild burning sensation upon application. This is consistent with most acne preparations. There is no cost for the visits and at the end of the study you are paid for your time and travel. The study medication is provided at no cost. If your son still is having trouble with acne at the end of the study he will be provided with a prescription for an acne medication and you can continue to follow up with our private practice for continuing care or you can follow-up with your son's regular physician for refills. If you are interested you can call our office and get more information. We are located in downtown Norfolk. ###-###-####. Hope this information helps you.

Hi J.,
I started to get acne as a teenager as well. Of course being a woman, I tried EVERYTHING over the counter, and unfortunately never seemed to find the one magic product. I finally went to the dermatologist and they prescribed a series of things for me. First they were topical (Retin-A was good but irritating, Differin worked for my sensitive skin), and then the topical weren't cutting it anymore so we tried oral medications. I tried several different ones before taking the last resort which was Accutane. I ended up taking 3 rounds of Accutane, and that seemed to do the trick. The thing with acne is that not all are the same. If your son has cystic acne (which means they are big and red and under the skin, and rarely turn into white-heads) then, unfortunately, the only thing that will help is oral medications.
As an adult, I also started to see an esthetician, and she worked miracles on my skin. I would say that diet plays a huge role, but mainly it's genes and hormones.
I hope that maybe through your search of over the counter products you can find the right one for your son, otherwise I would suggest taking him to the dermatologist so they can help him.

Hi J.. I am 37 and have had a slight acne problem all my life. I have had Rosacea as well. I went to a dermatologist and she told me about a product called "MD Forte Glycare Cleaning Gel." It is a glycolic acid based cleanser that is clear and NOT a scrub. I couldn't use anything with a scrub in it (like Proactiv) because it just irritated my skin and made my breakouts worse. I have always had pretty oily skin. Anyway, it is a good cleanser that works great and has kept my acne to a minimum, if at all. It is a little expensive (about $20 per bottle) but it does last me about 2 - 3 months. But it has definitely been a Godsend for me. It might dry his skin out a little bit at first (until he gets used to it) so he might need to use a moisturizer as well(there are several over the counter moisturizers that are oil-free by Neutrogena or Clean & Clear that work really well). You can buy it online at www.skincarerx.com and I've also found it on eBay and other dermatology/skin care websites. I hope this helps!

Depending on how bad your son's acne is, a prescription may be his best bet. I know for my dad and me Accutane was the ONLY way out of physically painful and self-esteem damaging acne. If you exhausted OTCs you may want to talk to your doctor. A lot of side effects are really rare.

We tried proactive for one year with my daughter at that time age 15. Then other natural products, later tetracycline then metacycline. When my daughter was in her senior year and 17 year of age we finally decided on Acutane and deep pore cleaning at the dermatalogists office. We both did not want to resort to this but when scaring started to occur and my daughter was falling apart because it was the year of Senior prom we both gave in. It helped amazingly. My neice who is 30 is just now starting on it. Her mother who is a medical technologist did not want her to try it but she now has terrible scaring and still bad acne. She told my sister she just wants to be pretty. None of us want to go to this length but if you end up considering it at some point know that other have been very happy with the results and no adverse reactions.

ProActive is great! Without it I have sistic acne. Do not use medication, especially Accutane-I did and my health has never been the same since (declined) - the side effects are intense. Help your teen to drink lots of water and avoid squashing and picking at all costs.

I know you already had all these responses but I had to respond anyway. Arbonne. It's wonderful. My daughter has adult acne and 2 hours after using the Arbonne Acne wash it was amazingly clear. She's never looked better. I bought the products and started selling it.

Hi J.

I am a District Manager for Arbonne international which is a botanical based company. We have a great acne line called Clear Advantage. It has 4 easy steps he can use. But the best part is it is all natural. Let him know that if he scrubs his face to hard or if he washes it too much it can make his break outs worse. Also, make sure he is not touching or picking his face because it spreads bacteria which will make the acne appear much worse too.

DO NOT use any sort of scrub (I used to love the St Ives face scrub) because it too will make the break outs worse. My mom has had horrible acne since she was a teen (she is 50) and she now uses the Arbonne anti aging and alternates during break outs with the Baby Care line Hair and Body wash. She swears it has made a difference. (washing her face with it...it is a really mild product great for sensitive skin at any age).

Email me if you have any questions: ____@____.com

I hope it gets better...

A. & Emily Grace (almost 10 months)

I would consult with a dermatologist and explain your concerns about the medication. There are often facial creams that are sronger than you can get over the counter that have few to no side effects in addition to pills. I say get all the info and make an informed choice.

Acne is usually caused by diet and to change the diet to no animal products and lots of fresh, organic fruits and veggies and whole grains will help acne. Also to flush system with lots of water, no caffeine and fresh lemon juice. 1/2 lemon in 8 oz. of luke warm filtered water every morning. Good Luck!!

Hi J.,

My son had terrible acne on his back. We saw a commercial for PanOxyl which is for face and backs. Prior to the PanOxyl we tried numerous products. The PanOxyl cleared up his back within 2 days. There are only 2 stores that advertise that they have it one is Walgreens and sorry I forgot the other. I know that Target doesn't have it because I checked there. It runs around $10.
Good luck!

Hi J.,

I had teenage acne and it lasted until early adulthood and came back in my pregnancy. I tried everything, but have recently learned that a big problem with fighting teenage acne is that the skin dries out and then produces more oil because it thinks it needs more. I would suggest trying a product with a good moisturizer, so the skin thinks it doesn't need as much moisture, which is oil for teenagers. I have a great product you can try, but any moisturizer should help. It is the opposite of what you would think you should do, but I think it would work.

Hi J.,
I wasn't sure if anybody mentioned using an acne treatment by Arbonne. I use it, and think it's fantastic. I like that the line is designed to treat the problem topically, and also has an internal supplement (that is safe for a 13 yr old) to combat acne from the inside.

I would be happy to share more with you, or let you try some samples when you contact me.
K. Pierce
###-###-####

J.,
Hi! I'm a good ol Mary Kay Consultant here in Green Bay. I have several girls on my team who initially had success with Pro-Activ, but ended up struggling with incredible skin dryness as well. They've found, and their dermatologist recommended. Mary Kay's teen "Velocity" line. It's simple, gentle and hydrating. Just let me know if you have any questions (by the way, the set is only $22 and has a 100% money-back guarantee).
Here's to a happy Ryan!

____@____.com

Try Clear Advantage from Arbonne. It is amazing. I have my daughter using it and can tell within just a couple of days when she quits. It is very affordable and also comes with a nutritional supplement. I have several different clients who have purchased the products for their kids and have seen amazing results.
G. Streeter

my 14 yo daughter had pretty bad acne. she was using stridex-type stuff with no help (never worked for me either). she opted for nuetrogena oil free acne wash. helped some. i got her noxema next. helped a great deal. i also got her a tweezerman blackhead tool which will help squeeze out the yuk when it's ready without leaving a big red mark or bruise from popping. now she only breaks out if she's lazy about make-up removal.

I am a beauty consultant with Mary Kay. The name of the product that absorbs oil is "beauty blotters" They are thin tissues that work great. Also there are products for acne prone skin.
I live in southeastern Michigan and would be happy to help you. You can contact me at www.marykay.com/mkieft You can also get on wwww.marykay.com and click on consultant locator and they can connect you with someone in your area.

Hi J.,
Both my teenagers had the same problem. If you are working on a tight budget like I was here is something that worked for my children. Noxzema! Wash face twice a day (oily skin more often) At night when they went to bed they would put it on the face & let it dry, washing off in morn. An old wife's tale was to put toothpaste on their pimples to help dry them up. This also worked. My daughter has a friend whose Mother worked for Mary Kay and she gave my daughter these clothes that absorded(sp.wrong) the oil (not sure what they were called) and she was able to used them while at school. If there are any Mary Kay ladies out there I'm sure they can tell you the name of the cloths & price. Good Luck to you!
J.

YOu got all the good information! I had it so bad I was with a dermatologist for years as a teenager, and this was in the 70's. I'm 44 and still have issues, I used ProActive but it left me with whiteheads (under the skin). I now use BeautiControl's All Clear and no one even can tell I ever had it. It's also reducing the scars and dark spots left from the cysts and eliminating all the acne. My teenage daughter now uses it too. If you decide to try it, it's available online (www.beautipage.com/rhondareese) and I also get it on Ebay sometimes.

J.,
Even though this is an old post I wanted to provide some feedback. I have heard 2 seperate incidences of products like ProActive, Clearisil etc.. bleaching out pillow cases and even hair!! Just a thought that you might not want to use chemicals like alcohol & peroxide which are so hard on your son's skin. Everything you put on your skin absorbs into your bloodstream - think nicotine / birth control patches... Arbonne does have a great acne line which comes with a nutritional supplement that works with your body from the inside out. All the ingredients are proven pure, safe and beneficial so there are no worries that you are hurting your skin / body. I have had great feedback with it and reported results in as little as 2 weeks, typically after a month there is a real noticeable difference. You can check out the site for great before and after pics :) Good luck!

www.TheSkinYourIn.myarbonne.com

I've had some luck with Milk of Magnesia. Put a teaspoon or so in your palm, rub hands together and then lightly coat face with it. It takes a moment to dry and seems to have some anti-inflammatory qualities. Use before bed and gently wash off in the morning.

Tea tree oil is another option.

I have had issues with acne since I was 13, and through my teenage years it was very severe, I saw several doctors and tried every over the counter and prescription medication there is, includidng 2 courses of Accutane (very rare they let someone do that, its nasty stuff) I have also tried many herbal treatments and nothing worked. Get your son the pro-active, it is amazing stuff and as someone else posted its not just about the benzoil peroxide (the stuff thats in the stridex) its a whole system and its important to use all steps. There is a product called acne-free that is pretty similar to the proactive and its pretty inexpensive. You can buy it anywhere. If cost is an issue have your son try that first, if he gets some improvment get him the real stuff, it is that much bettter. I had a lot of self-esteem issues growing up because of my acne and I know when my kids get to that age I will do all I can to help them. Good luck.

i had a girlfriend in highschool who went tanning to help with her acne... it was actually her mother's idea.

Hi J..

My daughter who is now 15, began breaking out about 1 year ago. She knows to stay away from soda, chocolate and most sweets - her skin pays the price almost immediately. Many will say food can't make you break out, but it makes a difference for her. She also uses Aveeno Clear Complexion bar soap which was recommended by our dermatologist.

I have a 17 year old son with a bad case of acne. He is working with an acupunturist and taking herbal supplements. We also contacted a woman who does facials specifically for acne. She recommended Paula's Choice which is an on-line company. Their products have the same ingredients as some of the others but it seems to be working better than what we have tried in the past. They are also very prompt in shipping their products. The woman who does facials also recommended using Vitamin A and Witch Hazel on the acne that is draining. Hope this information is helpful for you.

I know you have had so many responses already, so I'm sorry to bug you too! I just joined Mamasource and I also happen to sell Arbonne. I am looking for someone to sample the acne set, FOR FREE, so that I can see for myself if it works like everyone says it does. Please let me know if you are interested and I would be happy to drop a kit off with you! My home humner is ###-###-#### and my name is D. Sasson. Good luck!

Hi J.,
I would agree with using Arbonne products for acne. I have heard amazing results with teen acne using the Arbonne acne line. I have been using the anti-aging skin care line for several months now and have noticed a huge difference in the way my skin looks as an adult. Please let me know if I can help you,
Mary Crisp
____@____.com

there are great results with dietary changes - Loren Cordain has an ebook at dietaryacnecure.com. Its based on some solid scientific studies.

Hi, My name is F., I am a mother of three and a "Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner" Take your son to Chinese Solutions on 34th St. (west side of the road) just a few doors north of the I.H.O.P. at 58th ST. The exact address is 5944 34th St. Their phone # is ###-###-####, for their business hours. The womwns name is Zhou (sounds like JOE). I reccommend Margarite Acne Pills. Cai Feng Zhen Zhu An Chuang Wan. I have given this remedy to all my kids with great success. You can talk to Zhou and her associate who is a chinese doctor and they will reccommend the best formula for your son. Again, take him with you because there are several formulas. Hope you explore this treatment and hope to here of your success. F.

I have a small day spa in Palo Alto. A lot of Mothers come in for a cleaning facial for their teens. My teen facial also educates them on how to care for their skin. I have a $20.00 gift coupon for Mamasource moms. If you want to bring him in our spa number is ###-###-####. My website is T. Luras Crandall. Hope to meet you, T.

Hi J.,
In addition to all the good information given of what foods to avoid etc, it is very important that he drinks A LOT of water. Also the cleansing process is very important,
to remove all the dirt and dead cells. What worked for me was, in washing my face I used a clean white rag to apply my soap. This should help to remove more dirt than what the hands alone would do, and of course, rinse with warm water.

I know this is an older Request but I'm new to Mommasource. I own the Washington, IL Merle Norman and if you haven't heard we carry an acne line called Clear Complexion. It contains Salicylic Acid instead of Benzyl Peroxide like other brands. This is a more gentle way to address the acne with the same FDA approved results. If it's Cystic acne he will unfortunately have to see a Dr. because that will not clear up on its own. I hope I'm not repeating what others have already told you. Best wishes, L. Ann Saathoff

Coconut oil changed my life! Easy, inexpensive, and readily available with no Rx. Get the best stuff you can find for best results. Unrefined, organic, first cold press, etc...

Hi,

I had acne in high school and had tried almost everything. I did notice when I cut out caffeine such as soda as well as chocolate, candy, and nuts and included more water in my diet that I had clearer skin. I had also gone to the dermatologist all through high school and finally my senior year I was put on Acutane. It did dry out my skin and it peels/flakes off, but the results were amazing--I want to say I was acne free for over 2 years. I don't think I had any side effects--like depression or anything, but I did have to moisturize often and exfoliate. If you don't want to go to the dermatologist, I like to use Clinique Acne Spot Treatment or Clean & Clear Acne Spot Treatment--both have Salicylic Acid in them. I find the benzoyl peroxide ones are too drying. I also have heard that Mary Kay has some products--Velocity Cleanser and Moisturizer as well as other acne specific products that are suppose to help. And whatever he does, tell him not to squeeze or pick.

J.,
I am new to Mamasource but I would like to offer you some suggestions for your son's acne. I am an independent consultant with Arbonne International. Our products are Swiss-formulated and made in the USA, natural and botanically based, hypoallergenic and are much gentler on young, teenage skin. I would be happy to give you an ingredients list and FAQ sheet on our Arbonne Clear Adanvtage line for severe acne prone skin. There is no alcohol in our products and it will be much safer than other over the counter products. I would be concerned with your son's skin at this tender age and you want to be sure to find a product that will heal and nourish his skin for the long run. How can we get in touch with one another to talk more about this?

My niece had suffered from extreme acne through her teen years andnothing worked so she started using the Proactive. It worked but got expensive so she had to stop using it and the acne returned. She came to stay with me and started using my Burt's Bees grapefruit complexion spray(a blend of citrus essential oils)and her face completely cleared up. She loves the stuff and it is cool and refreshing. Try the more natural suggestions here first before medicating.

Im an aesthetician and could definetely help your son. I would do some deep pore cleansing facials,, which is HUGELY important. I have a facial package called Teen Facial 101. I treat, educate, and send them home with all the products they need for one price. If interested respond to ____@____.com luck

Stridex pads, aqua glycalic (toner{which is alpha hydrocy acid), acne cream 1%bensyl. You start with this twice a day, if it is to drying go to once a day and even down to a few times a week. This helps even red angry large patches. All items can be found in the drugstore. Meijers, carries a large bottle (generic) of the alpha hydrocy.

Hi,
My twin 14 year-olds have acne that is quite manageable with Clearasil Ultra pads and the ultra creame (It has to be the ultra. Anyway, Stridex did NOT work. If he uses this every day, twice a day, his skin will clear, or at least my boys' did. The only problem is getting them to do this on their own. I had awful acne as a teen and went monthly to the dermatoligist. I wish they had Clearasil Ultra back in the day :) Hope it works for you,
A.

i have a 15 year old daughter with acne problem stridex never work ... But i did go to walmark sometime back and i bought her this product i dont exactly recall the name but it clear her up ... its on the shelf and it said it was the same ProActive product just in a cheaper version ..
basically it was genric ProActive .. it really help
good luck

my daughter uses velocity from Mary Kay.....its a GREAT TEEN brand and my daughter's skin looks great! Call up Pam Ladiner on base....she gives a nice discount to military!!!

Hi,

I'm not sure if this will help, but it certainly is much better than doing anything topical or prescription and it's good for you!

I'm 42 and have had bad acne all of my adult life. I took accutane and other rx treatments. Proactiv was the only topical that cleared up some of the acne. But what really has cleared up my acne completely within the past 4 months was cutting my dairy comsumption way back to the recommended allowance(I was drinking 6 - 8 cups of skim milk a day) and also eating and drinking organic dairy products and eating as much organic foods as I possibly can, including meat, poultry. If I can't find it, I buy meat that's hormone and antibitiotic free.

It's not a cheap, but I cannot believe the difference. A couple of months after we switched I noticed the changed. I actually switched organic becuase of something unrelated.

I'm absolutely thrilled!

If you have any questions, please email me.

Good luck to you

Based on our history... We found going to the dermatoligist which was only a copay for us was best my daughter and myself only use topical lotions morn and night and it works almost immediately. Otherwise I have heard from many proactive is a product that does work.
good luck!

I have a son that as acne also. I took him do a skin doctor and he perscribed an antibiotic he takes daily, but he also highly recommended SAFEGUARD soap. Give this a try. If the acne is too bad and it is deep in the pores, you will need some sort of antibiotic. I am unaware of side effects.

I took Accutane as a kid too - it was the only thing that did the trick (I had to do two sessions).

J.,
The best thing for you to do, is to take your son to a spa... yes I said it a spa. Find him a good esthetician who can send you home with a good skin cleansing system. You want to find someone who will discuss diet, activities in his life, and how important it is to him for this change to happen. The teens that I have worked with in my small spa usually listen because I'm not "mom".
I also have a 17 year old brother that I have been working with to correct his problem.
The thing to remember is that dermatologist is going to put him on skin damaging acutane, and other products are parfumed and colored resulting in worse acne and sensitivity.
The first way to start solving the problem is from the inside out.
Good luck!

R.
One Woman Spa
###-###-####

J.

You have had lots of great responses. I am a licensed cosmetology instructor, so I want to share this with you. If his acne consist of pustules more than 50% then take him to a dermatologist. He most likely has what is termed p. acne the p stands for a long term for a particular bacteria that causes the acne. Some cases of acne need to be treated from the inside as well as the outside. They will not necessarily give him the strong antibotics depending on the severity. Also in the case of using the many acne washes available you may end of causing the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum because the skin needs a little oil to keep it supple. My advice to you in addition to seeing a dermatologist would be to find an facial specialist that use Physicians Choice of Arizona, their acne kit and chemical peels work great for treating acne. I sell Mary Kay and our #3 Cleanser and Toner #3 are excellent as well, but I have used the the Physicians Choice on clients who dermatologist couldn't clear up and we had great results. As with anything you use the key word is using it daily morning and night.

OMobbs

Hi!
If you are still having trouble with your sons acne, I can help! I am a Mary Kay Senior Consultant, we have a product that is awesome for acne! The product is Velocity. It is a cleanser and moisturizer. The cost for the 2 are $22.00 and should last about 3 to 4 months. They are a money back guarantee. If your not happy you can replace it with another product or get a full refund. If you are interested please let me know.
Have an awesome day!

Try proactive. I had bad acne when I was pregnant and it completely cleared t up. My 13 year old daughter was starting to have acne about 6 months ago. It was getting pretty bad so I started her on Proactive also. Her skin is now so beautiful. She hardly ever breaks out anymore. The Proactive is well worth the money. It actually works. Good luck

J. - I also had teen acne, as well as adult acne - severly. To the point of leaving some pretty deep scars...more cystic acne. I have used many prescribed medications, and most did not work, and as you mentioned, there were side effects. I began using proactiv when I was in my early 30's and it worked great. I have since changed to MDformulations and they have the teen acne line. I know that tanning has such a bad image, but I also found that some UV light on my face, helped clear it up as well! I hope this has helped a little. I have also learned that a toner before applying any moisturizer or after-wash treatments helps balance the skin so that oily skin dries a little and dry skin becomes moisturized. The toner "balances" the skin so that the after-wash treatments are absorbed more easily.

My college age daughter fought with acne since 8th grade. It wasn't till a year ago that we found some answers that have helped everything tremendously. Get some clorox wipes and clean everything that your child puts in contact with his face. Cell phones - house phones - if he plays football clean the helmet or other head gear and when he starts to drive the steering wheel etc in the car. All of these are full of germs and are places on our face every day. Then put neosporin on the outbreaks a few times a day. It will keep him from picking at them and help them heal. Use the cream not the oily ointment. This has helped my child get her's under control.

Hello J. - I am a mother of two and grandmother of 5. Many years ago, my sister suffered from acne, the cosmetologist strongly suggested a facial wash - Cetaphil. I also had my two use this when they were teens, my daughter, as an adult continues to use Cetaphil, and she in turn has her preteen son use it. It has worked very well for three generations. There are store brands of 'Cetaphil' which we have tried, however, the best results are found when Cetaphil was used.
It is so easy, simply wash in the morning and again at night as the instructions suggest - and he will not experience any tightness, dryness or stinging of his skin - but with continued use, he will see vast improvement.
Good Luck !

I had acne as a teenager and in early adulthood. I have tried everything such as diet changes, stridex, accutane, retina, tetracycylene and anything else you can think of. But the only product that made a difference is ProActive. My skin has never looked so good. Accutane made my skin dry and my lips turn orange.

Try it for atleast a month. You can get it at any mall (grapevine mills).

Hi J..... Looks like you got alot of advise... Some sounds crazy to me :) I have a 14 yr old daughter, she too has some problems with pimples :) I can't say she had full blown acne, just some day's were worse then others... We too did the proactive thing, worked great.. But then, like I was told by others, it stopped working. So now she is on a low dose antibiotic... She just takes it every night before bed, and seem's to be doing great :) But we do have to remind her she still need's to wash her face before bed. Anyway, good luck with what you choose to try.... It will probably be a learning experience for you both :) And just keep looking for the solution that work's best for both of you :)

J.-
I have also struggled with acne since I was 16. I am 34 and I still have to use a face cleansing regiman. I have been through all the over the counter treatments (including proactive) was on accutane in my early 20's (3x) and have had many a dermatologist. Over the years, what I have found is the combination between dermatologist and aestitician are key-many dermatologists employ aestiticians and will bill insurance. I have been on and off antibiotics (currently off b/c I am expecting) and have had to use regimens of topical creams/gels. It can be alot of work, but as long as you are consistant and use a combo I have found this has had the best results. Believe me, you want to do all you can to avoid the scarring. I have spent thousands of dollars as an adult on chemical peels& micro-dermabrasion, and my skin still has a bit of scarring. Good Luck in your efforts!! You are a good mom for caring so much!!

My son the sailor had a very bad case of acne as a young teenager, and we too tried everything. I stopped short of the prescription meds when I read some of the reactions and side effects. A good friend turned us on to the AVON products, and since then, I have been sold! You can try the products and if they don't work, or if he would have a reaction to the product, you can get a complete refund from AVON. Most over the counter remedies, or prescriptions do NOT offer you that guarantee. And please be careful when trying the prescription meds, many can be harmful and cause sterilization. Most doctors don't warn you about that!
As a skin care consultant and beauty advisor with AVON, let me offer the AVON brand Clearskin products as a solution. I'd be happy to help if I can!

Is your son taking antihistamines? My son was taking them regularly, and when he hit his teen years, started to get acne. Through research, I found that antihistamines could be the cause. I showed him a couple of articles, he stopped taking them, and the acne cleared up.

I mistakenly sent an answer to you and now I can't delete or disregard it. sorry.
TS

I have heard to change his pillow case every night because of the dirt a bacteria on it.

Hi J.,
Glad you got so many great responses. For my boys getting them on a good nutritional and shower gel without preservatives has been great. My husband's scarring from acne is even slowly healing over abuot a year. I didn't notice, but someone who hadn't seen him in a while did.
If you want more info on what we use, you can go to www.vibrantlife.usana.com

Blessings in mothering teens!
D. R

ProActive is the way to go, my daughter is 16yrs old and she started using proactive about 4yrs ago, it really works.

Hi J.,
I did not have ance as a teenager but as an adult. After I had my first child my hormones went crazy. ProActive worked well for me for a while but stop being as effective after a few months. I have heard many other say the same. I believe our skin must build up a tolerence to the product no matter how good the ance line might be. I am now an Arbonne Independent Consultant,so I use Arbonne's Acne Line. You will find it works just as good if not better than ProActive and it is less expensive than ProActive. My website is www.awakening.myarbonne.com if you want to check out the products. The prices are listed as retail but you can get a 35% discount off all products when you pay a $29.00 consultant fee. The consultant fee gives you your own id# so you can shop and get a 35% discount anytime you wish for a year. You will find the link to become a consultant and get your discount on my website,if you are intrested. Please contact me if you have any questions.
All the best to you,
J. Miller
____@____.com
www.awakening.myarbonne.com

hi J.
i just joined the mamasource group and i am a beauty consultant with Jafra international skin care this company has been around for 50 yrs and it is the best kept secret and i wanted to share it with you. This company is based out of california all natural product,dermatologist,clinically,allergy,irritancy teasted,And no animal testing. We have a very good teen skin care,this is the most advance formulas designed to take care of the special needs of teenage skin. if you would like more info on it you can check out my webb site www.myjafra.com/cdurojaiye1 ###-###-#### C.

Hi J.,
I'm not sure what your responses have been but I work as an independent consultant for Arbonne International. We have Swiss skin care that is completely botanical and free of dyes and chemicals. We also do not use animal byproducts or mineral oil. We have an incredible Acne line that has worked for all of my daughter's friends and I would love to share it with you. I am currently in Sydney Australia working my Arbonne business but can still place orders for clients in the states. I would be happy to give you more detailed information about our products. They actually do what they say they are going to do.
My email is ____@____.com

One more bit of information....Anything you put on your skin absorbs into your bloodstream within 26 seconds!!! Make sure to check your ingredients!

Thanks J.,
E. Cook

I am shocked and a little disappointed that people are taking the opportunity to sell their products on this site. I would suggest seeking medical attention from a dermatologist. When my daughter went through this, it was discovered that it was a fungus masking itself as acne. Don't be too quick to diagnose it as acne. Have him checked out. It usually only costs you a co-pay with a referral if using an HMO.

J.,

I am responding to this as myself as a teenager and adult suffered from horrible acne. PLEASE LOOK AT WHAT WE PUT IN OUR BODIES!. Does he drink enough water. When I started drinking 1/2 of my body weight in water my face cleared up. The horrible blackheads on my face went away. The pores on my nose that I swore you could see before you saw me shrunk down to almost invisible. My son also suffers once in a while. When he gets back to drinking the water and cutting out the processsed foods and sugar laden foods he clears up. I am not saying this is the only thing that will fix it but it will help. Just like we tell our kids what you put in your brain is what you get out it is the same for our bodies.

Hope this helps.

J.