Hi Lila
My youngest daughter got it severely, and it really took us by surprise as we couldn't think of anyone in our families who ever had it. (the really bad cases) We tried everything and I mean everything. It's really hard to see your kid go from being happy and active to being introverted, and not wanting to go and do anything anymore. I'd had some people tell me about a drug called accutane and said they swore by it as it was a miracle drug, and others tell me stay away from it. After years of nothing working and the problem getting worse and we could see scarring already on her cheeks we gave in and went for it. By CA law you have to have tried 2 other more mild types of prescriptions for acne first, we did, they didn't work. And the program takes 5-6 months to complete and they must monitor under strict care of a doctor. Blood tests in the beginning and monthly urinalysis during. The patient must also answer an online test monthly too. A doctor must also first certify the acne as a severe case and they evaluate them psychologically too during treatment as the drug can cause depression however my daughter never had a single side effect. I never in a million years thought I would allow my kid to undergo something like this, but all I can say is I am SO glad we did. It is a miracle drug. Within 6 mos her skin is the most beautiful skin I have ever seen. It is china doll gorgeous and over time the scarring has also disappeared. She finished the treatment over a year ago and has not had 1 blemish since then, NONE. And it will supposedly stay this way for life. (We were told that some patients need a smaller booster course a short time later, but so far my daughter has been 100% free of any blemishes almost a year and a half later.) We didn't realize it would not only make the acne disappear but she now has flawless perfect beautiful skin.
Not 5 months after having severe acne, we were getting glasses for me, and the woman there fitting them for me was sitting within about a foot of my daughter, she kept staring at her sort of distracted, and finally said to us, I'm sorry but I keep staring and I have to tell you, you have the most beautiful skin I have ever seen in my life. I can't tell you how it felt to see the look on my kids face.
I explained to the woman and she could not believe it was true.
Anyways... I know this is for severe cases and I don't know how bad it is, but I just thought I'd put this out there for anyone else who might want to know too. I know of at least 3 people now who did this, one a 20 something woman, a teenage boy, and a 50 something man, all who say it changed their lives too.
By the way it's expensive, but we have Kaiser and it covered it 100%. Also that's good that she is using Bare Minerals, it's the only powder that ever helped my daughter (with coverage when her skin was bad), but don't use the mineral veil! That one can irritate the skin, but the colored foundation powders are great.