Dermatologist

[waverly]

I am taking DS and DD to the dematologist for acne and dandruff.  I have back to back appointments for them.  They are 14 and 12.  If you have gone recently for acne and dandruff, what types of treatments are dermatologists recommending lately?

I will say that I don't really want them taking any oral medication, and would prefer topical.  DS's acne responds well to salicylic acid, but he isn't consistent, and it dries out his skin, so if he is consistent I have to be on him to moisturize.  So because it does respond well to topical, I am hoping we can stop there and not do anything oral.

DD's acne is pretty under control because she has a good skin care routine.  Her issue is more on her back because she isn't using skincare products and washing there and dandruff.  Over the counter dandruff shampoo doesn't seem to work at all, and we've tried the 4 main ingredients that are basically out there for dandruff.  I'm hoping the dermatologist can give her solutions for washing her back and a skin care method for that because it kind of relies on me washing her back which is awkward and doesn't happen very often/ unsustainable.  I've seen some back washing methods for hard to reach spots on social media too and saved them, but haven't tried them yet.  

[nicolewi]

I don't know about dandruff.

For acne, they seem to recommend a benzoyl peroxide and/or salicyclic acid product like you could get at the store. IF that doesn't work, try Differin. Then stronger Differin. If that doesn't work, then it seems to be a retinol product next. Also they will probably want to try an antibiotic in combination with those things. The most effective thing for DD1 has been birth control pills (purely for skin!) and they have made a big difference. She has not been using her retinol lately b/c her BCP are doing so well.

DD2 goes for the first time this month. Her face isn't bad but she has acne on her chest/back. We've been doing OTC Differin and amazingly (to me!) it's actually working, but we have to use a lot. So I want to see if there are other options or if it would be cheaper to get it via an Rx.

ETA: the wash they have us using for chest/back or anywhere is the Panoxyl wash. You get it over the counter. 

[waverly]

I'm not a fan of benzoyl peroxide as it bleaches towels, but if that is their #1 recommendations, I may have to invest in white face and hand towels. Differin and Panoxyl will likely do the trick. I'm also interested in cheaper, larger quanitity options if anyone finds them.

I think it is helpful to have someone besides mom tell them what to do and methods for washing their face especially for DS. He tends to use too much face wash and get it everywhere and struggle with getting it off his face when rinsing. I will ask her to describe face washing techniques since I have tried several times with DS but he thinks I am just being weird/ mom rather than paying attention to what I am saying.

DS obviously can't take BC pills and DD is only 12 so on the young side to take it only for bacne. But definitely can be an option for her if it gets worse or as she is older.

[tiki]

Could the bacne be from a bra irritating her skin? Or the band is just uncomfortable and so she's always reaching back there to scratch or move it around, and that's transferring bacteria from her hands to her skin?

[waverly]

tiki, I don't think so since it is high up way above the bra strap like behind the shoulders. DH also has bacne, so maybe a genetic component?

[thebreakfastclub]

A few months ago, my son started a medication for alopecia, which fortunately worked and regrew his hair completely, but had the side effect of acne. At his derm follow up, she put him on a lotion for acne.

It's a combo of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide - he uses a tiny amount every other day in the evening, with moisturizer layered on top.

I don't see any effects on laundry, it's a pea sized amount spread on his face, so once you wash your hands, there is nothing to affect the hand towel.

My son showers at night and washes his face in the shower, so there is no mess. We are shower at night people.

[waverly]

A lotion would be better. It was a facial wash that bleached the towels. Wash your face then dry with the towel and there is still some face wash left on there.

[puppylove64]

The backne and dandruff could also be from dd not rinsing her hair well. Does she have long or thick hair? Try checking her hair when she gets out of the shower to see if you think she is rinsing well enough.

[litasail]

FYA Panoxyl is benzoyl peroxide.

[heygrey]

Can you try a loofah on a handle for the back washing? I had one and it worked well for getting that hard to reach area between your shoulder blades.

[waverly]

Jul 15, 2025 20:37:29 GMT -5 litasail said:

FYA Panoxyl is benzoyl peroxide.

Oh that is helpful!  Ha, I am clueless, but hoping to have more of a clue before the appointment which is why I posted. 

[waverly]

Jul 16, 2025 8:04:46 GMT -5 heygrey said:

Can you try a loofah on a handle for the back washing? I had one and it worked well for getting that hard to reach area between your shoulder blades.

Yeah I think there are various things we can try but haven't because it was winter and wasn't a priority, and DD doesn't really see it since it's on her back.  But now, I think let's incorporate those kinds of things since we are doing the derm anyway.  

[waverly]

Jul 15, 2025 19:34:51 GMT -5 puppylove64 said:

The backne and dandruff could also be from dd not rinsing her hair well. Does she have long or thick hair? Try checking her hair when she gets out of the shower to see if you think she is rinsing well enough.

I will say that DS's dandruff got much better after he started washing his hair everyday.  According to the experts that is not supposed to happen, but it did for us.  

I am not sure if she is rinsing well enough.  I think technique might be part of it and something the derm can address since we've also discussed it at home.  But I also think her dandruff is more severe than the norm.  DH has it more severely and seemed to pass it down to the kids. 

I get it occasionally, but it is more like dry skin in the winter, so my techniques are more aimed at dry skin rather than actual dandruff.  

I'm hoping the dermatologist is open to talking about both products and the best way to apply them.  

[ellipses84]

DS1, age 14 suffers from this and I had it pretty bad as a teen and still have or occasionally even in my 40s. I think so much of it is hormonal at that age. Some of it is stress and diet related (like I think chocolate /sugar can make the acne worse). For acne our pediatrician recommended Differin. There is face wash and spot treatment, but you want to get the more $$$ kind that is formerly prescription strength you can now buy over the counter.

We’ve also had good luck with joesephs acne bar soap which someone on here recommended. It’s great for travel and lasts a long time. The biggest thing is to make sure they are washing their face well and consistently twice a day, using spot treatment, and not touching/ picking at their face which is the struggle with my teen. Use face wipes after sweating, but not for regular face washes.

For dandruff, there are different types. Ours is more like psoriasis and a wetter type on the scalp and very itchy (gross I know but that is how a hair dresser described it). Drying hair with a hairdryer helps. Nizoral a few times a week and alternating shampoos helps. DS will also use head and shoulders as a regular shampoo. I have to use conditioner so I use the Dove scalp kind and alternate shampoos, but I try to stick to clean, paraffin free products for the rest. Use a scalp brush. This is a hard brush that you scratch your scalp with while you are shampooing. Keeping DS’ hair short on the sides also helps.

[waverly]

ellipses84, yup the acne is 99% hormonal.