Been browsing around in the forums here for a long while, and read a lot of experiences on all kinds of products & medicines.

And what strikes me is that, the only thing that really seem to work out for people is Accutane.
BP, topical retinoids etc. seems to work so-so, and are products that you need to use continuously to maintain any result.

Am I wrong.. but is Accutane The only "Real" effective treatment out there which really cures acne?

Well i havent read of anything else that can get you permanent remission even after stopping it. The only other things will be diet (for some people), and just growing out of it i guess.

Accutane is no more a cure for acne than any other oral/topical treatment. Some who take it might have permanent remission, but there are tons (including myself) whose acne came back right after stopping the medication.

I can look back over the last 5 years and list off numerous different treatments that kept me completely clear for a period of time, then eventually "wore off". Accutane is no different.

I think the myth that Accutane is this magical holy grail answer to acne is what causes so many people to take it, and is ultimately a mistake in a lot of cases.

Morten,

Accutane, it works. For some people it stops when they come off it, but for most, they get either full remission, or a decent period at it.

About 60% of people clear their skin on Accutane for good, if you dont clear it the first time, try again, and again, and again.

Topicals are treating the symptoms. Sure they can stop the ones on top of the skin, but the ones that start deep under the skin, that is what must be treated from the inside out.
Other oral things like antibiotics, they may work to an extent, but most of the time don't clear people up as well as accutane, and you have to stay on them for the rest of your acne-life.

Basically, Accutane, other than simply growing out of it, is your only chance at permanent cure.

Thanks a lot for your inputs guys, much appreciated!

AcniBoi, that pretty much confirmed what I suspected.

For me, yes. Nothing else had worked. Accutane was the only drug that really made a difference. I'm on my second course because I happen to have very resistant acne but for a few months inbetween my courses I was truly clear.

Almost all derms conclude that acne is caused by hormone imbalances. Oily skin is a good hint that hormones are your main cause. When your body has too much androgens(testosterone), it's telling your oil glands to keep producing oil, don't stop. Eventually this oil reaches the outer layer, and traps germs and p acnes. Everybody has p acnes and germs on their face. The only time acne is caused is when the oil traps these germs on your face. This is a feeding ground for bacteria. Now, bacteria just keeps multiplying and creating a pimple, or very many pimples. testosterone is a male hormone found in both males and females. Males produce a lot more, that is why women are more feminime, and also why boys get acne worse than girls. During puberty, that is when hormones go crazy, and also why acne is found in a lot of teens. Women in their late 20s and early 30s can get breakouts during pregnancy and even during menopause. There are some great hormonal acne medications that are approved by the FDA to treat servere acne. Some of the groups are Oral contraceptives, Oral corticosteriods, and anti-androgens. the most popular hormone medication is spironolactone "spiro", this belongs to the antiandrogen group. I am currently on this pill, but it takes about 1-3 months to start really showing results. It works by controlling the oil production. The less oil on your face, the less likely it is for you to have acne. I woud also ask your derm for a hormone blood test. See what he thinks will be good for you.