I haven't heard of PROACTIV, but a little bit of investigative work with our pal Google will certainly reveal any of the limitations or restrictions of this prescription drug.
First off, I simply used Google to search for "manufacturer PROACTIV" and instantly found that the manufacturer conveniently has an AdWords paid advert in the search results:
I won't click on this ad, however, because I can just as easily type in the short URL and save the company a few cents in ad costs: PROACTIV.com.
First thing I see on the PROACTIV site is that famous celebrities like Vanessa Williams, Jessica Simpson and Elle Macpherson all use this skin care system. Impressive! I kinda wonder how much these celebrities are charging the company to use their likenesses and names, but since PROACTIV is produced by Guthy-Renker, I get the feeling that this is more about marketing than pharmaceuticals.
Buried in the Customer Care: Product Questions area is the following question and answer:
Is Proactiv Solution safe for teenagers?
Proactiv Solution was originally developed and formulated for young adults between the ages of 12-25, but people of all ages have had success with our products. Please contact your personal physician if you have concerns about using Proactiv Solution.
But let's not stop here.
The active ingredient in Proactiv Solution is benzoyl peroxide, so let's pop over to the US Food & Drug Administration site and see what the FDA has to say about benzoyl peroxide, shall we?
Ah, interesting. On a page entitled On the Teen Scene: Using Over-The-Counter Medications Wisely, the FDA says:
Another type of skin problem, pimples or acne, can also be treated with topical OTC products. Many of these lotions (such as Clearasil products and Oxy-5 and -10) contain benzoyl peroxide in strengths of 2.5, 5, or 10 percent. It's best to try the lower dosage level first, to keep your skin from getting too dry.
The FDA has called for more safety studies on benzoyl peroxide because of concern about what happens when skin treated with it is exposed to the sun. Until research can establish or disprove a possible skin cancer link to the use of benzoyl peroxide products, the agency plans to require an extra warning and directions on the labeling: "When using this product, avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use sunscreen." and "If going outside, use a sunscreen. Allow [product name] to dry, then follow directions in the sunscreen labeling. If irritation or sensitivity develops, discontinue use of both products and consult a doctor."
I can't find anywhere on the Proactiv Solution site that indicates what dosage of benzoyl peroxide is in their product, but it seems reasonable to assume it's at ten percent, doesn't it? Further, note the implication here: Clearasil and Oxy-10 have the same active ingredient at the same strength as Proactive. And I bet it's a lot cheaper).
Anyway, from my research it's clear that Proactiv Solutions is a very popular approach to dealing with acne, and it's also apparently safe for 14 year olds, but I'd encourage you to try less expensive over the counter solutions coupled with a good cleanser before you pay for the fancy 60-day supply.
Whatever path you travel, good luck to you!
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I don't know too much about proactive but I'm fairly confident that most mild cases of acne can be controlled by simply following a simple face washing technique and a few simple acne tips.