<p>My oldest has been struggling with acne for the last couple of years. He’s been to the dermatologist. He’s done the antibiotic route and Zenia an expensive topical cream. Didn’t really help much. Lately, I’ve been doing some research and reading about a lot of people who’ve had success with taking Zinc supplements. It’s even on the Mayo Clinic web site now. They say it helps regulate the hormones and fosters healing among other things. Has anyone here or your kids tried it?</p>
<p>I haven’t heard that about zinc, but one of my nieces used to do the egg yolk masque. It reduced the acne scars and also seemed to cut down on breakouts. </p>
<p>Here is a link. There are several natural remedies you might look into, besides the zinc and doctor recommended treatment.</p>
<p>[Homemade</a> Acne Masks.Natural Homemade Beauty Recipes](<a href=“http://www.mybeautyrecipes.com/homemade_acne_masks.html]Homemade”>http://www.mybeautyrecipes.com/homemade_acne_masks.html)</p>
<p>My son took zinc for acne. But only in conjunction with an oral antibiotic and two prescription topical treatments, so there’s really no way of knowing which component (or combination) was effective. As I recall, I did research on the internet as to dosage and then bought supplements at the local drugstore. Good luck!</p>
<p>Did the dermatologist consider accutane?</p>
<p>1000 mg of vitamin D3 and cutting out milk worked wonders for my daughter. This was after several years and many different approaches. It appears some people are sensitive to the hormone in Milk. Most people are short of Vitamin D3 anyway with much in the news about needing higher doses then the typical 400mg.</p>
<p>My daughter has PCOS (hormonal imbalance) and very bad acne is one of the symptoms. She is fair skinned and so it was really bad. </p>
<p>She finally found a product that works . It’s called Skin ID ( I think it’s neutrogenia). She answered many questions about her acne and they determined which combination of their products to use. It’s topical. You can find it on line.</p>
<p>Well, it works awesome for her. I thought she had some scars for life but she now has the beautiful ivory skin she was born with with no hint of the years of nasty acne we thought she would have forever.</p>
<p>Accutane just scares the heck out of me. Do your research if you’re leaning this way.</p>
<p>It may sound crazy, but we use zinc! but topically! </p>
<p>Balmex and A&D ointment really does heal the skin. They are our babies!</p>
<p>Diet, managing stress and trying to prevent the outbreaks is the ultimate goal overall, but truly these creams work magic in healing.</p>
<p>My daughter’s acne was effectively controlled by Clenziderm which is under the Obagi label. I’m told that the magic ingredient is not so magic . . . Benzoyl peroxide, but that it is formulated to penetrate the skin instead of sitting on the surface. Worked for her after many, many failed attempts using other products.</p>
<p>We had the same experience with a dermatologist but what made the difference was going to see a pediatric dermatologist at our local children’s hospital. Within three months PMKjrs skin looked better than it had in the past three years. He’s at college now but scheduled to see her over winter break for refills. I cannot recommend highly enough seeing a dermatologist who specializes in children’s skin.</p>
<p>Every skin is different, and each teen needs to try things to see what will work. Both my kids have struggled with acne, and D finds that adrenal support vitamins and other supplements help - along with topical prescriptions (one for face, one for back). She has tried egg whites, Proactive, etc & nothing worked (except BC, which led to other health issues & is not a viable option for her). Keeping her hormones regulated really helps her. </p>
<p>S unfortunately inherited the terrible-acne-gene from my side of the family (from my brothers). He struggled with horrible acne in high school, and the dermatologist tried so many different things. Once he graduated from high school, he started on Accutane. Two of my brothers took it as adults & explained to me that it made a world of difference in their lives. It has been amazing for my S - it is not a “drug of choice” IMO due to the side effects. However, my S is self-confident for the first time in years & for him, it has been the right choice. </p>
<p>I suggest trying different things to see what works for your S.</p>
<p>None of my kids had cystic acne which can be a nightmare, but they had the normal breakouts over the years. Here is another product that may help those who struggle with acne.</p>
<p>When my D was a little younger, a friend recommended a product that she used when she was a teen. It has been around a long time, you can find it at places like Walgreens and Longs Drugs, it’s not too expensive (less than $5 a tube, which lasts a long time) and also works as a good spot treatment. You can use it as a masque once or twice a week or put a dab on the offending spot and by morning, the size has reduced and it looks better.</p>
<p>It’s called Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. It has been a lifesaver. I wish I knew about it when I was a teenager!</p>
<p>It sounds weird, but I got my son to use a zinc-based diaper rash ointment, which did help quite a bit.</p>
<p>Love the Queene Helene Mint Julep Masque. It’s at Sally’s Beauty Supply if you have one near you. Very inexpensive and for us, it works.</p>