Cutie - I'm feeling for you since I have a girl the same age. You didn't mention taking any oral antibiotics. Have you ever tried that? Hey, I'm a health freak so I know the risks, etc. etc. but sometimes you have to way the pros and cons and figure in quality of life issues. My daughter did not do well on ortho-tri-cyclen which she took for her acne only. It's what led her on down the road to accutane because it made her skin so bad. She gave it 4 months and quit going in the 5th month. I feel bad because I encouraged her to try it since the bp pill is what cleared my acne so long ago. I also took straight Premarin for a while for the extra estrogen. I've often wondered which pill she'll try when she becomes sexually active.

At 17 I was devastated with acne and would have swallowed sewer water if somebody said that would help. I had all those feelings you are describing and life sucked. That was my attitude. Thank God, my daughter has this sunshine disposition cause she's been through hell with her acne and has never let it stop her from doing anything. The only thing that mattered to me was it being gone. If it is any comfort to you what they say about other people not caring about your acne nearly as much as you do is really true.

OK - so this is long - but what I am suggesting is a short term course in oral antibiotics just to get clear and then perhaps follow-up with some esthetic services such as laser treatment or chemical peels. My daughter was given this advice back in October and her skin has much improved since then. She sees an esthetician tomorrow to start some treatments. Can you talk to your Mom about these things?