Acne

[paladinoflunaria]

There are some posts where I have mentioned my acne (see the archives if you wish). My doctor suggested going on a cycle of Accutane, a vitamin A derivative. It is supposed to be a major breakthrough in acne treatment, and I've read many reports on how much it helps. My doctor also told me it would help out a good deal. I guess I have what's called Acne Conglobata (i.e., cystic or nodular acne). It actually hasn't gotten this bad until this last year. I wouldn't complain if it was gone, but Accutane is also reportedly some dangerous stuff. The likelyhood that it will have a serious sideffect on me is slim, but there are also some discomforts: dry face, possibility of extreme breakouts before they start going away, dry lips, dry eyes, skin pealing, etc.. Reports of serious sideffects include: suicidal tendencies, suicide, increased aggression, brain damage, bone and joint damage, among others. I'm not worried about the suicide stuff- I've been on psychoactive drugs before that didn't do anything to me, and I go though random bouts of depression every once in a while anyway. The brain damage is extremely unlikely, but the bone and joint damage seems to be more common (its just weakening of bones and joints). Is it worth all of these risks in order to kill my acne?

[ohnoaninfp]

Before you decide to get accutane or not, I wanted to know what kind of face wash do you use? I breaK out when I put on make up, there for I do not wear foundation or powder anymore. I tried a lot of things to try to clear me up, except for the accutane. They didn't work. There is a product out there called Eucerin it doesan't have the irritants in it that soap does. It seemed to work ok, but I was stupid and wore make up, so I broke out again. I would suggest trying the Eucerin face was, toner, and the moisturizing lotion. Your acne may get a little worse, while the products are starting to work, so dont worry. Try it for two weeks and see if it works. :D

[Division56]

I used to have mild-acne. When I went on Atkins it went away. Haven't had a single bump since.

[paladinoflunaria]

How severe is your acne? My doctor said that Accutane is the only realistic choice. I haven't gone to see the dermatologist about actually getting the prescription yet, so I can talk to the dermatologist about it.

Any soaps that aren't so irritating? I suspect that irritants in soap, etc. may have a little to do with it (allergic reaction or something).

[file cabinet]

I started taking a multi-vitamin and that seemed to help. Certain acne has a direct correllation with what you eat.

[paladinoflunaria]

I've taken multi-vitamins before, but never payed much attention to how it affected my acne. Like I said, my acne has only been this bad for about 6-12 months now.

[ohnoaninfp]

i think i have moderate acne. The soap Eucerin doesan't have any dyes or perfumes in it , so it might work.

[paladinoflunaria]

I have severe acne, so it's gonna have to be pretty heavy-duty to work.

[The Architect]

had acne pretty bad, wouldn't call it severe though, took acutane, it went away, didn't have any side effects, stopped taking accutane, acne stayed away

completely beneficial in my case, I did feel a little dry while I was on it, but I was out in the sun way more than was recommended.

[int]

I had bad acne as a teenager and tried a lot of different drugs (...for the acne...), scrubs, washes, etc...

Cephalexin is what worked for me. I tried a whole bunch of stuff that didn't work, until one day my doc gave me some of these to treat an infection and my face cleared up as a side effect.

I went to another doctor a few years later and asked for some, but she gave me a weird look and a tube of Differin (sp?). Then I had her pull out a cyst and she gave me an Rx for the pills. A week later she commented how clear my face was and asked if I was using the Differin. I told her I wasn't (the truth) and reminded her I'm not insane, cephalexin just works for me. Side effects - alittle tingling numbness in my lims, that seemed to disappear after a tolerance was built - about a week or so. Not really a big problem, just a nuisance.

That was a bout 8 years ago. Now I spot treat with the Differin once every month or so when it gets bad, and it helps.

Just keep working with your doc to find what works for you. Everybody's different, after all. Although, personally, I'd shy away from anything that has "brain damage" on the side of it. :mellow:

[sme_bro]

I had mild acne problem, my school is a free bording school and as part of the medical care they give us it is very easy to get free medication, so i managed to get myself on this new anti-biotic called mono micilian (or similar spelling) you are meant to take it for a long long period of time and then your acne goes away forever, only problem is i have heard that if you miss even one day then the next day you do it it will be as if you are starting all over again.
but its work in progress, im always accidently missing days.

[Birdsnest]

Just because I read this in one of those free home remedy lists, I will mention it. Don't know if it works for acne, but it is supposed to work for boils/cysts: Tomato sauce! Dab a little tomato paste or sauce on one and see if it helps. There is a lot of acid in tomatoes that will help to dry some things up. Might be worth experimenting with, who knows. Also those naturopathic things you get in the health food store, I would try that route before I tried the stronger ones first.

[int]

Foods are a big part - peanut butter causes breakouts for me.

[HairlessBluetick]

Foods are a big part - peanut butter causes breakouts for me.

My dermatologist told me that what you eat doesn't (and can't) cause acne, but he may have been just trying to sell me more drugs.

[MasterMerk]

I just finished taking accutane a month or so ago.

My acne wasn't bad at all, but the Dermatologist mentioned that I could come out of it with scars (I later found out this wasn't the case). He perscribed accutane (called Roaccutane in my country) and I went on it for around 9 months.

Completley cleared up my face - the catch was 9 months of extremley dry lips. I needed to put balm on them every day otherwise they would dry out and look like leather. It's very annoying, but worth it.

[paladinoflunaria]

Cool. How long did it take for your face to clear up?

[MasterMerk]

I'd say It was about half-way through the 9 month period that my faced was cleared up. The rest of the time was fortifying it so it would not return.

EDIT: About the other side affects - My dermatologist stated that there has been no thorough investigation on the whole "suicidal tendencies" issue. I certainly did not feel any more depressed during my course, infact I remember being quite content most of the time. :)

[paladinoflunaria]

Well I'm not worried about "suicidal tendencies." I contemplate suicide semi-regularly, like Hamlet :D. I'm looking into loss of bone mass, weakening of joints, possible eye problems, etc. I look at it similarly to Claverhouse:


( & being a pessimist, I'm quite sure that if 500 people including me took one batch of heroin & only 2 died, I would be one of the two ).

[CeSoirNoir]

I used Proactiv, and it worked out great. I was breaking out for more than 6 months, and I tried everything to get rid of it, but proactiv was the only thing that worked...I haven't had a break out in months..

[ohnoaninfp]

proactiv really didn't do any thing for me. I am still trying to use the Eucerin, I just wish these blemishes would go away. I dont want to have the urge to layer my face in makeup just to cover them. I don't put on makeup very often, because my skin is so sensitive to it, even the neutragena clear complexio stuff. I feel ugly, because of the red dots on my face, but hopefully the eucerin will work. :ph34r: :unsure:

[int]

My dermatologist told me that what you eat doesn't (and can't) cause acne, but he may have been just trying to sell me more drugs.

My derm said otherwise, and specifically mentioned PB, which is why I mentioned it. But that was 9 years ago (or so).

But I still think it holds true, ime.

[Mirimon]

Nuts generally make me break out., and over-eating and laziness does too, it seems. The more I'm active, the less of a chance I ahve of breaking out, it seems. Also, use an alcohol-based astringint to help maintan a clear complexion. Works for me.

[Birdsnest]

Something that might be worth a try is, Clinique acne products. My teenagers girlfriend told him about a product called "Clinique" that has already worked to clear his acne up in just two days. She said what you do is go to the counter at a department store like Belk or Macys and ask them to tell you which acne products are right for your skin. They recommended a bar of clinique soap and spot healing gel, and after two days, his face has cleared up, and it was $22 dollars. Might be worth a try.

[ohnoaninfp]

My acne has been showing up more ever since I started my job at McDonalds. I should have never put make up on for the interview. Seriously what in the hell was I thinking. Foundation powder and all that other crap that girls are supposed to put on their face to make them look flawless, just makes me breakout even more, even the non comedgedic makeup.

[Avengardh]

I use Clearasil...but mind you my acne was not that bad...also, I have stopped eating almost all greasy foods and such for a while now, I could even say years. Because my face has a weird dry/oily constitution it's important that I clean it daily...but, meh.

I am trying though...so far I am fine...but I would recommend the face wash...

~*Aven*~