6 replies to this topic

[MJRI94]

Hello everyone!

I have had acne for 5 years now, the past 3 years unfortunately have been cystic. In those past 3 years I have seen a doctor a couple of times and got 2 rounds of antibiotics (Erythromycin + Tetralysal) and some topicals (BP + Zineryt), however I have never seen an actual dermatologist... the last time I went to my doctor she mentioned she would refer me to a derm if the Tetralysal did not work (which it hasn't), which brings me to my question, would it be worth seeing a derm?

Now, I'm sure most people would say yes but I'm not sure if the "normal" treatments will be beneficial to the way I want to treat my skin. By "normal" treatments I mean topicals, antibiotics and (ro)accutane.

I don't want to be prescribed another different topical - they only lessen my acne and don't deal with the main root cause, plus they can be damaging to my skin.
I also don't want to go on more rounds of antibiotics as while they work for a short amount of time, the acne comes raging back seemingly even worse after you stop, another concerning point is how antibiotics can mess up your gut flora.
Lastly, I want to avoid (ro)accutane like the plague - I understand it has helped many people and while the risk is small, its not a risk I want to take at all.

These 3 main areas of treatment seem to be the only options that seeing a dermatologist would provide, so I am not sure it would be worth being referred. I'm basically wondering what peoples opinions and experiences are with dermatologists are in how they can treat you in different ways apart from the norm (if there are any!), thanks for reading

Edited by MJRI94, 09 August 2012 - 01:19 PM.

[Green Gables]

Are you female? Some of the most successful acne treatments involve hormonal treatment via birth control or spironolactone.

I would go as far to say most women don't "grow out" of acne, they hit adulthood and go on hormonal birth control which cures it as a side-effect.

[Chestercool]

birth control, other antibiotics and accutane

[MJRI94]

Completely forgot about birth control, I am male so it wouldn't be an option (unfortunately, I have heard it can work wonders!)

[Flyer17]

What about retinoids? They didn't really work for me, but they are a very popular and often successful treatment. Other than that, maybe the dermatologist can give you some specific advice about a routine, etc.

[Green Gables]

Completely forgot about birth control, I am male so it wouldn't be an option (unfortunately, I have heard it can work wonders!)

A natural anti-androgen such as saw palmetto or stinging nettle, taken at the right dosage for an extended period of time, can essentially do the same thing as birth control...for men...without the other birth control stuff

[MJRI94]

What about retinoids? They didn't really work for me, but they are a very popular and often successful treatment. Other than that, maybe the dermatologist can give you some specific advice about a routine, etc.

Haven't heard much about retinoids, apart from accutane - which I believe is a type of retinoid? Worth a try I would think, thanks for the info.

Completely forgot about birth control, I am male so it wouldn't be an option (unfortunately, I have heard it can work wonders!)

A natural anti-androgen such as saw palmetto or stinging nettle, taken at the right dosage for an extended period of time, can essentially do the same thing as birth control...for men...without the other birth control stuff

I have tried Saw Palmetto before but I'm not sure it was the correct dosage or amount of time so I didn't see any results, I still have some pills of it left, maybe worth doing again but in a better routine, thanks.