12 year old son with acne

I am hoping that you can provide some factual information based on your past patients.  My son is 12 1/2 and we have been battling mild to moderate acne for over a year to no avail.  He has used Benzoyl peroxide, differin, proactive, eurithromycin, doxyciclin, b5, apple vinegar...all to no avail.  His acne has gotten progressively worse but not horrible.  He has no cysts but persistent small bumps on his nose, sides of nose and mouth.   His dermatologist says his next option is accutane.  

Just some background that may be pertinent, he has seen an endocrinologist because he started puberty early just to be sure that all was ok.  He was given a clean bill of health and we were told that he started puberty on the early side of normal but there was nothing to worry about. He had a battery of tests performed including a bone age.  At age 11.5, his bone age was that of a 13 year old.  Again, nothing alarming and all of this went along with the fact that he was going through puberty.  

Anyway, regarding the accutane, I want to help him. He wants the acne gone. It is really tough on him because not many of the kids his age have even started getting zits yet!  I know he is really self conscience about it.  I have read a couple of odd articles regarding closure of growth plates and accutane.  Can this happen and should I be concerned? If there is any chance that his growth could be stunted, I would not even consider giving this to him.

I took accutane in 1984 at the age of 19 after suffering with mild/moderate acne for 6 years.  I missed many events because of acne. There were some really sad times. I did not have horrible cystic acne, just persistent, small pustules that looked rash like.  Accutane totally changed my life for the better and I have never battled acne again.  I don't remember any side effects besides dry lips which I still have as do many people I know who never took accutane!!  I just wished that I could have taken it earlier to avoid all of the heartache I suffered when I looked in the mirror.

All of these internet comments are making me wonder if I could be giving my son something to harm him.  I just hate to see him suffer all through junior and senior high school with this.  It seems like with modern medicine, he should not need to .

Please advise if you think the growth stoppage could be an issue .  Also, he is an excellent athlete, football, baseball, basketball.  His accutane therapy would run through the football season.  Should I worry about that.  It sounds like even if we do give accutane a try, he may have a recurrence because he is young and also only has mild/moderate acne.

ANY words of wisdom would be appreciative...I would really like to hear advice from a professional who treats this condition for a living than from the internet.

Thank you!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I have not encountered the problem of growth arrest.  Although I assume the risk is low,I don't know its actual magnitude.  My concern, like yours, would be one concerning effectiveness rather than safety--when used for non-cystic acne, it's not unusual for the acne to recur in a year or two, which then raises the possibility of having to take it again, and so on.

Your doctor may also want to at least contemplate other antibiotics (minocycline, cefadroxil, sulfa) as well as photodynamic therapy using a laser or other light source.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[ToniDlo]

I know of a product that may help. It's all natural, pure and safe. I have heard great things about it. It has a 45 day money back guarantee as well. It would be worth a try. Email me at ***@**** and I can give you more info.

[Momo4]

My daughters and her friends found the best help with acne
www.acne.org
They all had terrible acne and had also had antibiotics for infected pimples.  They all have clear skin now, it has a lot to do with 2% benzoyl peroxide instead of 10%

[ameliabadelia]

wow, i'm 18 and was wondering if i'm too young to take accutane. I've had acne for about as long as your son and his acne resembles mine. hmmm also i'm scared about the other side effects such as depression, hair loss, etc...i'm totally having second thoughts about it even though it's supposed to be a total cure. let us know how it goes!

[2worriedmom]

still struggling.  To the mom who's daughter/friends all have clear skin...did they just do the clear skin regime.  I am quite familiar with that website and seek help there.

[2worriedmom]

ok...today we are starting minocycline and tazorac...let me know if anyone has had success with these, and if so how long to see results and how long have you taken minocycline.

ameliabadelia...I took accutane at 19...phenominal for me with no side effects and I am now 40+ and all still well.  If you do go the accutane route, I hope all goes smoothly for you too. :)