[lexxee1994]

I am 16 & up until I was 15 I never had bad acne... just the occasional pimple. Over the last year my face has gotton worse and worse. I have tried multiple products. Proactive. Some Mario Badescu Products from "mariobadescu.com" But their drying lotion does help a little. Sometimes.
I cannot even leave the house without wearing makeup because I have so many red spots and bumps under my skin. The bumps are all over my forehead and chin. I get deep red pimples above my lip and around my nose and cheeks. I am pretty pale so that doesn't help cover it. Lol. I want to go see a dermitologyst but I want to know if they can even do anything about it. I'm not one of those people who look like their a burn victom on their face. I wouldn't consider it severe acne. I think I have a dry complection but its weird that I get so many pomples, because oil build-up causes acne.

PLEASE HELP ME!

[J_9]

What you are experiencing is typical teenage acne. A dermatologist won't do anything for this except to tell you to wash your face with mild soap and warm water 3 times a day. Keep your hair off your forehead, and don't touch your face with your fingers.

[joypulv]

Read all about acne online. There are many sites and many chat rooms with other teenagers' stories.
How to treat acne is still in debate.
What foods, if any, affect acne are in debate. A healthy diet of course is good for your skin anyway.
You do need to keep your skin clean without drying out your skin too much, even though you do want to keep it dry.
What happens is that changing teenage hormones cause a disruption in how your skin oil can get out, they clog in the follicles, and bacteria move into the pores.
Any doctor can prescribe an antibiotic, but be careful to not use them too long. Many of them already are resistant. Not only that, but you can reach a state where you don't respond to most, or even all, antibiotics, and you may need them later in life for a life threatening condition.
Acne is almost impossible to get rid of completely until you pass puberty.

[J_9]

Any doctor can prescribe an antibiotic, but be careful to not use them too long.

Now, why would you want to take an antibiotic for acne?

[joypulv]

Because bacteria are part of acne. They move right into the clogged sebum in the pores.
I have a deep respect now for my skin and it's pores. I got a fast spreading cellulitis last summer and although I have been treated, I have residual effects that haven't gone away.

Topical antibacterials for acne: erythromycin, clindamycin (Benzaclin, Duac), sulfacetamide (Klaron), and azelaic acid (Azelex).
Oral antibiotics often used are tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, cefadroxil, amoxicillin.

Doctors may also give retinoids: Retin-A (tretinoin) has become milder over the years. Newer retinoids include adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac), especially helpful for unclogging pores. In 2008 the FDA approved a combination preparation, Epiduo gel, which contains the retinoid adapalene along with the antibacterial cleanser benzoyl peroxide. This once-daily prescription treatment was approved for use in patients 12 years of age and older.

[J_9]

Okay, I understand where you are coming from now, but most dermatologists will not give abx for typical teen acne such as the OP has.

[joypulv]

I agree, but wanted to cover all bases with information in case OP went to a doctor who does hand them out easily.
Also, the expensive brand name cleansers aren't worth the money.
Benzoyl peroxide 5% or salicylic acid 2% are what you should wash with, rinse well, lots of warm water, pat dry very well.
Some people claim a dab of toothpaste on a really bad zit at night works, but there's no studies done.
The Epiduo sounds like what I would try if I went to a doctor for a script.