I’m having mother fears in re: my 15-y.o. son and the route we’ve embarked on for the treatment of acute acne on his face and torso. There is now “permanent scarring” on his back and shoulders according to the dermatologist, and he is to be taken in for a blood test to check that his liver function is normal. If it is he’s to go on a oral prescription which for “90%” of the people who take it clears their acne in 4-5 months. Permanently.  Downside is monthly blood tests and the risk inherent with taking a strong medication like this, including permanent organ damage. Also the stuff costs up wards of $400 bucks a month a that’s with the insurance paying part of the cost. Spouse is going to look further into it.

Meanwhile, I plan on taking him in tomorrow for the blood test and then next week we’ll go from there. I feel badly for him. His father has scars all over his face form his adolescent acne, which the dermo keeps offering to “sand” off–no insurance coverage though so no cosmetic procedure for him. Genetically, he’s the reason my son has acne. Since he doesn’t talk about his feelings I have no idea how or even if he feels anything about it. For my part, I know I’d feel badly if I passed on an icky gene like that.

What we are doing isn’t working though–this is rather a last-ditch effort.

Tags: beauty, health, parenthood