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What to expect for acne treatment?
billwill
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So for the past few months I've had relatively mild acne in the face (chin and cheeks). Never more than half-a-dozen or so little zits, but I just can't seem to get rid of them. Every time one goes away, another steps in to take its place.
I've tried every over-the-counter solution there is and I'm just tired of it. I'm ready to see a dermatologist. I believe I have pinpointed why I'm getting these outbreaks, too; it seems that an increase in testosterone can make zits occur. I've observed growth of chest hair in the last few months as well (yes I'm 20, no clue why it took this long), which can be another symptom of increased testosterone. So that's my theory on that.
When I see the dermatologist, what should I expect him to recommend as a course of treatment? I don't want Accutane; I don't believe what I have is severe enough to warrant it and the side effects are not attractive. What kind of treatments are there between over-the-counter and Accutane and what are their pros and cons? I would like to be as prepared as possible when I see him.
I've tried every over-the-counter solution there is and I'm just tired of it. I'm ready to see a dermatologist. I believe I have pinpointed why I'm getting these outbreaks, too; it seems that an increase in testosterone can make zits occur. I've observed growth of chest hair in the last few months as well (yes I'm 20, no clue why it took this long), which can be another symptom of increased testosterone. So that's my theory on that.
When I see the dermatologist, what should I expect him to recommend as a course of treatment? I don't want Accutane; I don't believe what I have is severe enough to warrant it and the side effects are not attractive. What kind of treatments are there between over-the-counter and Accutane and what are their pros and cons? I would like to be as prepared as possible when I see him.
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This was before Accutane was approved.
I didn't end up taking the antibiotic. I did use the cream, but I don't think it helped much. Honestly, I think I would've been better off just being more diligent in using Stridex and other OTC products, along with a good facial cleansing every evening.
Have you tried shaving with a blade rather than an electric shaver or maybe swapping out your shaving cream or after shave?
Well, unfortunately, I don't have any real facial hair left besides the neck beard, and even that grows weak. BUT I do tend to get a few zits on my neck and jaw after using my electric shaver. I've never shaved with an actual blade; I guess I should try doing that. You put the shaving cream on first and then go top to bottom when shaving, right? I know it's sad that I don't know how but I've always had an irrational fear of slicing my jugular. :P
I would try this for a week before going to the dermatologist. Only do it a few times a week (once every 2-3 days).
Sulfacetamide - it was kinda a soap/lotion type thing. Put it on in the shower, wash it off. It helped a little, but didn't get rid of it. And it smelled really bad. It was 5% sulfur, so that explains that. I didn't notice any side effects (aside from the smell). Relatively inexpensive on my insurance.
Adapalene - topical treatment, just applied to the face. I didn't really have any problems with it, but it did absolutely nothing for me. Also relatively inexpensive on my insurance.
Doxycycline - Pretty mild side effects for me (mostly just killed my appetite for a few hours after taking it). Also helped a little, but didn't get rid of it. My dermatologist prescribed a brand name "Doryx" because he thought it was worth it, and gave me a discount card to make it 10 dollars for a month supply. I think there's a generic.
Accutane - Significant side effects. Eczema, joint pain, slow healing (and scars from pretty minor cuts), cracked lips, dry skin everywhere in general. It all went away a few months after treatment. Upside is it got rid of all of my acne in 3 months, was on it for another 3 months after that because I guess it goes in 6+ month long treatments. Hasn't come back since (1-2 years). It was 4 dollars for a 30 day supply (generic).
I tried the first 3 prescriptions, then the dermatologist gave me the option of another prescription similar to the doxycycline or isotretinoin (accutane). Seeing as how I had been on one prescription to another to another for 6+ months, plus the few hundred dollars for the visits and prescriptions, I opted for the isotretinoin.
You should definitely try the other options first, but don't mark isotretinoin off your list completely. The side effects may suck, but it's really effective at actually getting rid of acne and keeping it that way. Most good dermatologists realize accutane is not a good starting point.
Years ago (teenage years) I went to a dermatologist to help with some acne and was put on a course of tetracyclins that were mostly to do with something called minomycin (I really just remember that last name, and I have to remember it.....). The dosage started off small but increased over the course of a week to where I was taking 2 pills at a time twice a day - as the dermatologist said to do.
So a week into the up'd dose and I wake up on Saturday morning and notice a few things. Firstly my elbow and knees hurt, a fair bit. Any sort of movement felt like the entire joint was complaining with a solid ache. Then I go to scratch my elbow and I find out there's nice large welts on it. Nice. Basically I made it out into the lounge, flopped into the couch and just waited for my body to stop yelling at me.
I went back to my GP, told the story and he did a great facepalm when I told him about the dosage. I remember him saying this word 'minomycin' and that I need to remember it because I was now alergic to it, if I'd had any more I'd probably would have been looking at liver failure.
So the moral of the story is, whenever a specialist gives you a pill to take, it's normally a good idea to run it past your GP ASAP, because if things go pear-shaped, it's the GP who'll be the one to help you out of it and will probably care enough to spot problems in advance.
I get acne any time I touch my hands to my face or go more than 1 week without washing my pillow case.
Try bar soap like Irish Springs and scrubbing really hard with a luffa, that helps me tons.
He gave me Doxycycline to take orally and Atralin as an ointment to apply to my face.
The Doxycycline makes me feel a bit sick to my stomach if I take it on an extremely empty stomach (like 12 hours since having eaten level empty and already starving). Other than that it's fine. The Atralin isn't too bad except it's dried out my skin a bit, and I got some in the fold on the side of the nose where it attaches to the cheek area, and it got super red and irritated, so I'd avoid that area. The overall dryness is a welcome change though, since I used to have unpleasantly oily skin.
He also had me get some specific over the counter face washes to use too. I'm supposed to stay on these medications for two months and we will re-evaluate then. It's just been a few weeks and I think it's already improving.
1. Correct your bowel movements
2. Wash your face with moderately hot water with a good soap and apply lemon on it.