Acne

Sugar_Coated_Owl

lol tell to listen to her Mum as she talks a lot of sense

If the GP isn't able to prescribe anything surely he would refer her to a dermatologist? I assume the pregnancy has made it much worse?

I would really try to get her to go back to the GP. A few spots can be a pain but when you have lots and there's no sign of them going away it can really knock your self-confidence.

Riq

Use Clinique soap for a start. It's pricey but it's great and I should know. I have the dubious honour of having the worst acne the consultant had ever seen in 30 years

All gone now and apart form a few scars on the right of my face, you would never have known I had acne.

Anyway it was roaccutane that eventually got rid of my spots, yes i know it has some pretty big side effects, but it was worth it. With your daughter being pregnant there is no way she will be able to have it, whcih is a shame as it has a 100% success rate as far as i am aware.

So I would just go with the clinique soap, it's excellent and all I will ever use on my face now.

melancholly

i have to say that i am now i devout follower of clinique too - and it's improved in the last year since i moved to their antibacterial stuff (and since on top of acne i also have very dry skin on other parts of my face, it's not too harsh). they also have a blemish gel that makes things disappear pretty quickly (overnight for me!).

i did manage to get referred to a dermatologist eventually, but that was only because there was one high dose vitamin E medication that my GP couldn't prescribe. it ended up as a horrible experience where they held a desk light up to my face (interrogation style!) and told me it was all my fault for touching my face..... needless to say i didn't get anything beneficial from the experience!! although i'd hope that other consultants were better atuned to dealing with teenage girls in a more sensitive manner!

they say the earlier you get it, the longer it lasts.... i think i'm almost past it - i don't have anything as bad as i used to, but i still get spots..... i started getting them in junior school and i'm not mid20s... joy!

changes in diet can help to a degree and drinking lots of water is meant to help too - but if you're daughter is pregnant then she's probably already taking good care of herself. i suffer due to stress and there's a clear monthly pattern so it's hormonal too, so diet can't fix everything!!

Riq

I had the light thing and they took pictures too for their records. I just think they had an acne fetish personally but what do I know?!

They didn't blame me for it though, seems abit harsh when you are often already vulnerable and reserved because of the acne.

My consultant was ace, he had the poshest voice I had ever heard and it reassured me he knew what he was talking about. I hoped. But turns out he did!!

NickiM

Riq wrote: »

Anyway it was roaccutane that eventually got rid of my spots,

Yes, this is what the doctors wanted to give me but I refused - the side effects sounded scary. I was really odd though because one day I just got this huge spot (which didn't really look like one) and it was there for months...but never mind.

Yes, she should probably get a second opinion, it sounds like it should be treating, but not sure how many of these drugs/creams you can't have if you are pregnant.

sarah84

She should definitely see a doctor, but unfortunately it tends to be a different solution for everyone with acne. I tried so many pricey skincare products including clinique but nothing made any difference. Dermalogica helped slightly but its pricey and can be hard to get hold of. The only thing that has worked for me so far is Dianette.
Might also be worth seeing if she is allergic to anything? Hope things improve!

Benidormqueen

Thanks all of you,:A
Before she found out she was pregnant she did ask the Doctor for Roaccutane,but he only wanted to go through the old medication again, she knows of all the side effects but was willing to take the risk,she used to work in the Pharmacy at the local chemist and saw teenagers with skin almost perfect but they where getting it perscribed................ suppose she will have to wait untill after the baby is born before she can get any more medication.
Hoping the Pregnancy care vitamains may help a little............. think I may have a little chat to her GP. thank-you all,

madtrekker

she used to work in the Pharmacy at the local chemist and saw teenagers with skin almost perfect but they where getting it perscribed

Are you sure this was Roaccutane? Roaccutane can't be prescribed by a GP and is only available through a hospital pharmacy with a consultant dermatologist's prescription. She should insist on a referral to a dermatologist after she's had the baby. Roaccutane worked for me and I'd recommend it. It's certainly a no-no if she's pregnant though (can cause serious foetal abnormalities) and probably for a while after she's had the baby as there is a bit of a risk of depression with it and I think it wouldn't be a good idea to take in the post natal period.
Unfortunately, people with acne often find it gets worse during pregancy (all those bloomin' hormones!). I'd stick to mild soap etc., and get a dermatology appointment when the baby is born

Benidormqueen

madtrekker wrote: »

Are you sure this was Roaccutane? Roaccutane can't be prescribed by a GP and is only available through a hospital pharmacy with a consultant dermatologist's prescription. She should insist on a referral to a dermatologist after she's had the baby. Roaccutane worked for me and I'd recommend it. It's certainly a no-no if she's pregnant though (can cause serious foetal abnormalities) and probably for a while after she's had the baby as there is a bit of a risk of depression with it and I think it wouldn't be a good idea to take in the post natal period.
Unfortunately, people with acne often find it gets worse during pregancy (all those bloomin' hormones!). I'd stick to mild soap etc., and get a dermatology appointment when the baby is born

The teenagers who she knows now getting Roaccutane, used to be prescribed Oxytretracyclie, their mums told my daughter they where now on it and that it had worked wounders.........

shop-to-drop

I've suffered too, less now I'm nearly 40 but still have some spots. I also use Clinique skincare and have done for over 20 years. Doesn't clear it up but good to use skincare that doesn't irritate it.

I think the times in my life when my skin has been clearest have been when on very healthy diets. Lots of fruit and veg. low fat, low sugar, most importantly drinking loads of water. I definitely noticed a big difference when drinking at least 2 litres of water each day.

Of course a diet like that will also be good for the baby and so another incentive to give it a try.

Congratulations on the expectant grandchild.