Clearing up Acne

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/124/original/acne/danby.html

I do not have experience with early acne. I'm posting the link because I recently saw it as a headline. It is a scientific paper, very dry, lots of statistics, and big words. But the last two lines on the abstract says it all: We found a positive association between intake of milk and acne. This finding supports earlier studies and suggests that the metabolic effects of milk are sufficient to elicit biological responses in consumers.

something that i have found that works that is not a bunch of chemicals that burn skin (i burned my skin w/ overusing clearasil) is a gel made by JASON'S and it's a tea tree oil gel. the main ingredient is witch hazel and tea tree oil and many other wonderful ingredients. you can put it on the face, which is where i typically use it, and on the back, etc.. it will dry out pimples and blackheads.
you will be able to find it at a health food store. if you can't find it, any tea tree oil based wash is best.

I have gone the OTC and dermo routes before...ended up using Accutane which worked for several years but then my acne resurfaced. I tried antibiotics again to no avail...was about to get serious and head back to the doc again when my mom sent me a link like this:

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2009/05/17/laxative-licks

I can't believe it but Milk of Magnesia has been working so well for me! $3.50 a bottle for the generic kind, plus I use my current products (apricot scrub to exfoliate and then Cetaphil daily cleanser) and just before I get out of my morning shower, I pour a handful of MoM, apply it to my face and let it sit about a minute of so. I rinse before I get out of the shower, and poof! A MUCH clearer face! Instead of a constant crop of 10+ blemishes, I've end up with only one or none during my monthly cycle. So cool!

Other folks use it differently too, they let it dry and keep it on over night. If you're willing to try something new, Milk of Magnesia is sooo cheap and even I can't believe how effective it is.

When my now 17.5 daughter was 10, I took her to a leading dermatologist in our area as a proactive approach to just check her skin. We both go yearly now just for updates and checks.

At the age of 10, she also started using Clinique mild facial wash and gel moisturizer. As she got a little older and more prone to breakouts, especially during her time of the month, she used the Clinique Acne wash and gel moisturizer. Clinique also has a spot gel for the occasional pimple.

She has flawless skin... a lot due to genes, a lot due to her diet and activity. I'm very fortunate to have a child very focused on good nuritional foods. She is also very active with cheerleading.

We never, ever go to bed without our facial routine and same for the mornings. It is something I have done since age 10 and she has seen me do it for years.

I use the Clinique line as well. I use the Repairwear series. I love the Clinique products, they are dermatologist recommended as one of the best. If your skin does not work well with Clinique, you get your money back.

Most Clinique counters at department stores have associates who work for the store and an associate who works specifically for Clinique.

I have used Clinique faithfully since I was about 10 or so and I just turned 50. I am proud to say I don't look a day over 35 and sometimes pass for younger. Granted... Clinique is not the only factor for my success, I was blessed with good genes, I drink a lot of water and always use sunscreen.

Good luck.

My sister sold Mellaluca products and when her daughter started having this sort of stuff she would use their skin care stuff from the cleanser to the acne stuff. It worked overnight.

Most all brands of skin care products have some sort of line of products for this.
Finding one that works for her is a good start, then it's just like when they were little, "It's time to get ready for bed, brush your teeth and clean your face". Going with her is a good way to make sure she does use the products and get any residue off when she rinses. It takes a month or so of doing it every day to start forming a habit so plan on doing this from now until the end of June. That way you can start letting her do it on her own, but I'd still check during the time she was in there to make sure she didn't stop the first opportunity.

Showing her pictures of acne scared faces might scare her straight too....

As I was reading this, I thought this was my post! (: My 9 (10 tomorrow) year old has the same problem...blackheads and an occasional pimple usually on her chin or around her nose. This has been happening for probably 2 years now! Right now, we use clean & clear blackhead eraser cleansing mask. You just put it on for about 5 minutes and wipe it off. That's been working pretty good on the blackheads. And I have her was her face with neutragina wipes every morning and every night. (along with washing her face with regular soap when she's in the shower.) I keep the wipes on the bathroom sink so she'll remember to wash twice a day with them and they are already moistened so it's very easy. Good luck! I'll be checking back here since we are having the same issue at the same age.

Don't go overboard with washing and scrubbing as it will just make things worse. I would try Burt's Bees acne products. They are safe and natural and MUCH more gentle than the regular stuff. Wash in the morning and evening with a gentle wash (fingers only!), use a toner, and make sure she moisturizes. Only scrub once a week. I'm sure it's tough for a 9 year old to keep up this routine, so definitely try to help her stay on top of it. She definitely needs to wash at night though. Burt's Bees is a little more expensive than the average acne stuff, but a little goes a LONG way. That stuff lasts forever.

All that stuff may be further irritating her skin.

There are 2 over the counter medicines. Benzoil Peroxide - its good to dry up an active pimple, but its very drying and can cause overproduction of oil if you use it all over. and Salycylic acid. It's much more gentle and helps at the black head level.

My recomendation is a foaming face wash and moisturizer that contain Salycilic acid (nuetrogena makes a good one) Cataphil is another gentle option. Benzoil peroxide spot treatment.