Hello,

I'm 15 years old (male) and had have acne for about 1 1/2 years now. It started to get worse in the beginning of freshman year (sophomore now). I play soccer in the fall and due to the sweat and the sun as well as the stress in school, I broke out. After a few months in the season when it started to get colder I went to a dermatologist. She perscribed a few medicines: Clindamycin Phosphate and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (1.2%/5%), Tretinoin Cream USP (.025%) for the topicals and a Doxycycline pill 2 times a day morning and night. She also suggested i use Cetaphil wash morning, along with the Clindamycin Phosphate and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (1.2%/5%), then Cetaphil lotion. At night: Cetaphil wash,Tretinoin Cream USP (.025%) then Cetaphil lotion. At this point my acne was out of control and my self esteem was 0. After about 2-3 months i finally began to see a difference, however here and there i would get outbreaks and i would get so mad but they would eventually go away. A few weeks pass and i breakout again. When summer came along i wasn't in school so i wasn't stressed and my acne went down drastically. When school started up again going up to Sophomore year my acne got worse. I went to the dermatologist again, and she prescribed me Clindamaycin Phosphate Topical solution USP, (1% Pledgets) to use before and after sports. I did as she instructed but my acne was still bad. Now it been about 1 1/2 years and I just don't really know what to do at this point. I stick my regimen strictly but i still have acne. I still don't have much self esteem/ confidence but more than i had a year ago. I don't like to go in public often because of what people will think of me. So i lost hope at this points. Whoever who had/ have acne could you please tell me how you get through this and tell me your story, i would like to know. Thank you