hi all. i would say that the very best thing you could do would probably be to see the dermatologist. as we get older our hormones change, just like everything else, which is why you may have had pretty good skin as a kid and then find yourself breaking out suddenly in your 20's and 30's, especially those of us women who have had children. what's truly good for you is good for the kids too, so make sure to take care of yourself, just as you would make sure to take care of your family. it took me a few years to get that thru, now i am on my way. it's not an easier road, and it's definately been inconvenient, but (hopefully!) the end result will be nothing but satisfaction all around. i've tried all the otc stuff, the nice dept. store stuff and the online/infomercial stuff-- seriously, ALL of it-- and nothing beats doxicycline and cleocin! or whatever. the point is, they keep all the stuff that really works locked up tight behind the counter at the pharmacy and your derm is the gate keeper. just make sure that you get a good one, who respects you and cares about getting you the result that you're looking for. best of luck!

sawbuck- the best thing i ever got from proactive was a little booklet that had a very valuable piece of advice in it. they suggested that if you notice breakouts after eating certain foods then perhaps the offending food should be avoided. sounds simple and we're always being told that food doesn't affect acne, but that's not always the case. food affects certain hormones, one of which is the androgens, which are hugely involved in the acne. sugar, especially refined (white) sugar, and stress can lead the pituitary gland (i think) to produce more androgens, hence, more acne.

i don't know if this is a widely held belief among doctors, i wouldn't think that it is, but we must try to remember that western medicine is young and those guys with their little white coats and their nice cars don't know everything! there is something to be said for taking control of one's own health, i.e., paying attention to what works and what doesn't.

oh, and apparently iodine can trigger breakouts too, as can shellfish, like shrimp, which contain it. fascinating topic, acne, isn't it? nobody knows how to make it go away! i did have great success with the doxycycline and cleocin though, and i've heard that people do really well with some of the other new topicals too, like the retina micro and differin gel. there's loads of stuff out there, that's for sure! best of luck to you and your son. he's lucky to have a parent like you, who cares and takes the acne seriously.