Take the hit for Lightwave CS?

So I have been suffering from moderate acne for about three years now. I have tried a lot of different treatments as prescribed by my derm. As of May 2009, my derm did not consider me a candidate for accutane despite my cystic acne. According to him, it is not bad enough (2-3 cysts/week, 2-3 pustules/week) yet.

One "regimen" he prescribed kept me clear for about 4 months then signs of antibiotic resistance started to show up so he prescribed me some different antibiotics to get a "jump" things.

Today, it seems that slowly but surely, my acne is getting worse which means that this new regimen he prescribed me is not really working and is probably not good for my health either. 3 years of antibiotics isn't exactly the most healthy thing.....

ANYWAYS, I've read about light therapy before and I'm skeptical to say the least. However, my acne seems to improve greatly when i go on vacation. I'm not sure if this is due to increased sunlight exposure or the arid climate. I don't think I'll ever know, but I'm hoping its the sunlight.

Lightwave CS

I chose this lamp for several reasons:

1. 110% Satisfaction Guarantee-I would actually be content with 100%
2. 90 Day trial Period-if it doesnt work after 90 days, I will return it for a full refund, and then some.
3. The company seems to be very responsive and willing to help people out
4. Seems of good quality
5. Healthy alternative to long term antibiotic usage
6. Last thing to try before I demand accutane*

*Before using such a powerful drug, wouldn't you want the satisfaction of knowing that you tried every alternative you could? I would.

I'm not going to lie, $349 is so expensive. I'm telling my parents its costing me $100, and even then, they will most likely flip.

I think I'm going to discontinue all of my current regimen and replace it with this. This worries me the most because I feel like there is a potential for my acne to become really bad. What is even worse, is if this happens and the Lightwave CS doesn't work...I'm screwed.

I'm not looking for the Lightwave to clear me up 100%. I'll be ecstatic if it does. I am, however, looking to be at least 65% clear. I can live with that, and have the satisfaction that antibiotics won't mess with my body anymore.

If anyone has anything to add before I order this, then please tell me. Good or bad.

I'll try to keep this updated every week with my progress.

I then hope to educate others about the Lightwave CS..good or bad experience.

Day 1 starts tonight...when I order the lamp.

Thanks for reading.

-Fred

Thick Sebum

Does anyone have thicker than normal sebum?? Anyone ever hear of this?

My derm is telling me that I have thicker than normal sebum because I have moderate-persistent acne, yet my skin tends to be dry. He says that because I have primarily cystic acne that my sebum production is not high, but is willing to believe it is extremely thick because of my acne problems.

Because of this, my derm has been reluctant to prescribe me anything other than oral antibiotics and topicals. However, as he put it, I'm nearing the end of the road and should start considering accutane for two reaons:

1. I'm coming up on two years on a plethora of antibiotics which are really doing little, if anything.
2. My mom had acne into her 30s, so he has reason to believe that I too will have it for a long time.

I understand the risks of accutane, and he told me that its nothing he prescribes lightly. However, he said he has prescribed it for many years, to hundreds of patients and only a few have had adverse side effects.

So basically, I'm not sure if this "thick sebum" thing is accurate.

Accutane, should I do it?

I've went to the dermatologist in December and he prescribed me Ziana and Doryx. I just visited him two days ago and he told me that my skin showed slight improvement in terms of the number of cysts, and gave me the option of enhancing my regimen or qoute on qoute "be more agressive" and try accutane. I had read some of the dangers of accutane so I asked him some questions about it and he told me most of the side effects are very rare. He proceded to tell me that most of them are over-hyped and all you ever read about online are the negative side effects because the net provides an outlet for an individual to vent. After telling me to do some research and he would back me on whatever my decision may be. So here come my long strand of questions I hope someone that takes/took accutane can find a couple mins to answer whatever they can. Thanks.

How bad is dryness of the lips, eyes, etc.? Can they be easily controlled?

JOINT PAIN? This concerns me because I am 16, and very active. I run in the fall, lift weights religiously in the winter and do my favorite thing in the spring, play baseball (which starts in one week). Is it really bad or can I disregard it?

After I end my therapy, will I still contend with dryness and joint pain? I would guess I do because my derm said the shrinked sebum glands stay shrunk for 3-4 years.

Blood tests? Do I need to get one once a month? Or is it just before and after initial treatment?


I visited my family physcian today for a physical and was curious about my decision on accutane. He told me that hes seen "many kids my age" use it and he has only heard of one kid who had an increase count of liver enzymes and was normal after the discontinuation of taking tane.

My acne does not really bother me too much cause I have a very positive outlook on life but I have a feeling it may get worse and I should just get the accutane therapy over and done with now instead of waiting.

Sorry for writing alot. Thanks so much reading.

Yet another moisturizer thread...

So I'm new here and I have been on the regimen for almost two weeks. I already see encouraging results. The only thing that bugs me is that the moisturizer seems to turn my entire face slightly pink. It is usually is gone by about 4PM and my face looks great after that. Does anyone else have this problem?