17year old son with acne

[Heart3]

My son started with cystic acne 2.5 years ago, started on  minicycline 100mg 1x per day when he was 15 which worked remarkably within 6 weeks, his skin was beautiful.  But after 8 months on that drug it began not to work so she up'd the dose to 2x per day.  That seemed to work for a while, but then eventually it wasn't working and acne was coming through.  She switched him to cyprophlaxin 500mg 2x per day.  That again worked great, but she only allowed him 6 months on that and then switched him back to the 2x per day minicycloline which by this past April was really not working -- I had him take a break from everything which only lasted less then 2 weeks as his face really started to break out bad so we started back on the cypro and have been on that for 3 months - it took a while to work, and the short break left his face in bad repair, the scaring from the 2 week break is a lot, and he is fairly clear with a lot of red spots which will take time to fade.  

My questions are:  How long is safe to keep switching him from medications.  He is 17, am I hurting by keeping him on medications.  I researched Acutane, but am skeptical as there is controvercy about this medication, I certainly don't want something to go wrong with that.  Do you have any suggestions.... He uses proactive 2x per day. And I have him adding a beta carotine 25,000iu a 2x per week.  His back is also broken out, but with  a different type of acne, not cystic type as well as his chest.  But his face will be cyctic type with out medication..  Sorry so long of a post -- Any suggestions please...

[vernielou12]

Is he on anything else? most doctors prescribe those anti-biotics with something topical as well.
I was on 3 months minocycline,Differin gel applied once a day,and alpha-hydroxy like face wash called NEOSTRATA with 4% Pha in it.
I have been off the anti-biotic for a while,but continue to use the differin and have had no breakouts! Anti-biotics only kill the bacteria and there are more then one thing that cause acne. Oil,for example.Differin helps keep the pore unclogged by oil.The face wash then exfoliates (because dead skin cells also contribute to acne) Using anti-biotic alone will only make him resistant to them.
Ask about differin or Retna-a.Also,maybe Periostat,a doxycycline which is not an anti-biotic,but a very strong anti-inflammatory that is safe to use all the time.
If your dermatologist isnt open to these suggestions,you should find a new one right away. Not all dermatologists are created equal. I was very discouraged cuz I had cystic acne,and it wasnt until I went to the thrid one that I found my wonderful doctor that I have now. (the first one told me to wash my face more with only dove soap,obviously that didnt do a *#!%%& thing)
Good luck to you and your son. Tell him not to give up hope. Ance for everyone is different.There is somethng that will work for him,just gotta find it.

[Heart3]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful posts.  I will look into the blue lite therapy.  My son doesn't seem to be effected by his face.  He is very out going.   Right now his face doesn't look too bad, but if we stop the medication I know it would go wild....  I will keep doing research...:)

[rook_pup]

Hi!

I had the same problem with my acne. I was on everything. I even was on Acutane twice. No adverse effect though.

What helped me and my nephew was changing our diets. We stopped the sodas and fast foods. that was the key.

I still use proactiv, and my face is staying cleared.

[Demiguise]

You are such a great Mom to be in touch w/ your 17 yr olds
problem. Many say it's puberty & they'll grow out of it. Even
so, it can leave in/out scars for life especially as a teen. I
would also ask pharmacist abt any info they can give you abt these drugs. Co's give them handouts to pass on to you. Not
always light reading but poss. way to research. The longer the
tissue remains arrupting it can leave a scar. My brother went
through this w/ son in Calif. Meds had side affects & caused
more hormone gland problems. Sometimes genetics plays in. Son
withdrew from always being the outward one. The Derms kept him
on different rx's till he felt ill/fatigued then emotional. I'm
not a holistic, just believe fresh veggies are good for health/
skin & it helps some. Greasy food theory is sorta' myth. It
doesn't cause problem but turns on chemicals you make & causes
inflammation of skin. I'm for meds but not long term. My nephew
had 'Photodynamic Therapy' (uses ALA w/ blue-violet lite). It
opened glands & in 4 weeks was a different face! Sent me email
photo. Another is called just Phototherapy (uses blue light)
Perhaps ask Dr abt these or ck. ph-bk/net for more info. Let
him be in charge of decisions & come to you. He just needs to know he's your beautiful son.  Too much was made over my neph.
problem & his confidence dropped. You sound like you give alot
of hugs/love. Gd-luck.

[ErikaS]

Hello!
I feel for your son--I too am having cystic acne breakouts (ever since I got pregnant). I'm on minocycline now and it's ALOT better but what I wanted to say was have him go off the proactive for awhile. I actually used to use proactiv and was unaware that after awhile your body becomes immune to the benzoyl peroxide and it starts to have an adverse effect. Since I've stopped using proactiv I've noticed less redness, and any pimples that I do get actually come to the surface instead of hanging out under the top layer of my skin.
It's great that you're giving your son the support he needs :)