The Acne Thread

[Reseneace]

Is there anything you can use on just ordinary scars?Just too ake a little less noticable.

 

[anacori]

Acne is the result of bacteria in the skin and clogged pores - putting any kind of butter or any greasy lotion on your face won't help. If you have insurance I suggest seeing a dermatologist who will likely prescribe a strong oral antibiotic. If you have already tried that then you should tell your dermatologist you want to try Accutane. Accutane is a pill you take for about 5 months and your skin completly clears up. It really works.B) Accutane costs about $30 a pill or $900 a month if you don't have insurance. There are a lot of potential side effects though.

 

[Kora]

Have you tried microdermabraision? it's supposed to be great for acne, scarring, and bringing back the glow. I have not done it yet (I have no time) but you should try it.

 

[kitsch]

Personally, I think it's best to leave your skin alone and not waste your money on all these spot treatments, they tend to just thin your skin and make you more prone to getting spots.

If that doesn't work after a couple of months, see a dermatologist and they'll prescribe something that suits your skin.

Edit: One more tip, try not to keep touching the effected areas.

 

[Alessandra]

Orchidlady is correct. My best friend also took tetracycline for her acne condition years ago. It discoloured her naturally white teeth. It's stained yellow now. She was on the antibiotics for about 9 months and although it did show some results in the first few weeks or so, she kept having to up the dosage after every visit to keep up the results.

I would suggest you try and ask for an alternative medication/treatment and check it's effects first.

By the way, i'm new. - Hi to all!

 

[Orchidlady]

Just had the last five hour round of oral surgery to correct the tetracycline damage today. Needless to say, I really recommend that you ask your dentist before even remotely considering this type of acne therapy!

 

[adorevintage]

Have you tried microdermabraision? it's supposed to be great for acne, scarring, and bringing back the glow. I have not done it yet (I have no time) but you should try it.

About how much does this run price wise?
Thanks in advance

 

[posterchild]

I've had it done once in a place here in canada and it was $120 canadian!!!

but i know there are even more high end places in U.S for a couple hundred dollars

and a dermabrasion is late 1000- early 2000 U.S

 

[xcoldricex]

ale, how long did it take to see results? did you put it on 3-4 times a day.. if so how did you deal with the smell?

Noe, how's that egyptian magic stuff working out?

 

[ala]

I say the wisest thing to do is to go see a good dermatologist. Although all the replies on this thread have been well-intentioned, it's safe to assume we are not professionals and cannot give you the help you would need.

 

[Alejandro]

ale, how long did it take to see results? did you put it on 3-4 times a day.. if so how did you deal with the smell?

To be honest with you, I gave up on the first month... I only used it at night time, but because my skin normally heals really fast from scarring and such, I got results faster than my friend who used it three times a day for a month ... he doesn't wear makeup, I do, and wearing that under makeup is just a big no no, cause after it dries, it turns into this peel off masque kinda thing... the smell is whatever, onions , my bf thought he was sleeping next to the salad bar at Denny's or something

 

[CharlottefromCA]

Does anyone have more info on RetinA.. I used to use it like.. 3 years ago.. and I don't really remember if it worked .. I didn't really pay attention.. I jsut remmeber it made it worse for the first 3 weeks or so.. then I think it got better.. but I was a young idiot and I didn't moisturize or put on suncreen as advised .. and I got al dry, dark and scaly... so I quit and now I want to try it again..

 

[bikkle]

i prefer to go the gentle way...eat lots of vitamin c rich stuff and use a lotion containing ester c, which is the best kind of vitamin c for our skin...it fades with time, just gotta be patient!

 

[Drowned]

Does the laser surgery actually work? I'd try it but I heard your face will be red like a couple of months or more...and you should avoid sun for about half a year.
I don't care about the price because I think my incurance will cover it...if not, well then I won't do it.

 

[posterchild]

Verilux HappySkin Acne Light

Ok this is supposed to be an at home version of the clear skin lights used at dermo's offices. It has a red and blue light which is suppose to kill acne bacteria and helps inflamed pores.

Has anyone tried this product? Or what are your takes on it? I am really tempted to buy one but a part of me thinks it might be just crap. It seems to good to be true

AH god i hate my open pores, red marks and black heads! and stupid stupid oiliness

 

[Bonchic]

I've never heard of the at home version. Where is it sold and how much is it? Sorry I can't help

 

[posterchild]

it's actually sold on their website if u google it or osmething n also on ebay whcih is where i intend to buy it from

 

[happycamper]

Question for anyone who has taken prescription acne medication

Hi,

I spoke to my dermatologist today and she suggested I take a prescription of isotretinoin for my acne. I was reading the booklet and aside from the serious side effects of death, heart disease, and suicidal tendencies I was also concerned with a few more common and trivial side effects. One of them is dry eyes. The booklet said that people may not be able to wear contacts while on medication. For anyone who has taken such a perscription has this been a major problem? I use eyedrops relatively frequently so I hope I can curtail this problem but I would also love your opinion as well. Also, thinning hair was mentioned as a possible side effect which freaks me out because, well I'm very sensitive about my hair lol. For anyone who has taken such a drug have you noticed this? If so, how bad was it?

I'm going to ask my doctor in person but if any of you who have taken such drugs and could share some of your personal experiences I would really appreciate it!

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[LauraK]

i was recently on accutane for twon and a half months and had to be taken off of it. i was one of the few people who got one of the more rare side effects. i developed papilledema, which is the swelling of the optical nerve, in my right eye. this gave me double vision and i had it for over a month. it was so bad that i couldn't drive. accutane can cause brain swelling/pressure in rare cases, like mine.

as for the minor side effects you were asking about, your skin does get incredibly dry. but you can use moisturizers with oil in them b/c the accutane is taking care of everything. my lips got really dry, actually at times, painfully dry and the sides of my mouth cracked and sometimes bled, but just a tiny bit, nothing too terrible. if that happens your doctor can prescribe a medicine called bactroban and that should take care of it. also, at first your skin will break out really bad. it gets worse before it gets better. accutane works really well, it just doesn't work fast. i dont wear contacts, so i dont know about the dry eyes, sorry. also, my hair didn't thin out at all, nor have i known anyone whose hair has thinned out while on accutane.

if i hadn't had the side effect, i would still be on it. i have a lot of friends who have taken it with no major problems and loved the results. most people liken it to a wonder drug. i would just be really sure it's what you want to do. you can try antibiotics and topical creams if you haven't already. taking accutane is pretty serious. there are a lot of lawsuits against this drug. you have to be on birth control and have a blood test done every month. there are a few different reasons a doctor can pull you off of it. best of luck in whatever decision you make.

laura

 

[Orchide]

i did a 5 month course and it was fine for me. it really helped my skin out which is why people do this. i felt a few of the side effects like dry skin and dry mouth and aches but it was worth it to me...i would do it again!