7 replies to this topic

[Stubbs]

Just an update, for any that notice saw a derm yesterday, and I must say I'm quite hopeful. I'm going to be dove-tailing my current antibiotic (Purbac/Bactrim/Septra) with a tetracyline called Tetralysal, for two weeks. Thereafter it will just be the latter. I was impressed with the results from the Purbac, this is my third and final month on it and I no longer get cysts and it has mostly kept my skin under control.

I've also been prescribed Differin (again). I'm a bit sceptical because I know Differin can inflame the skin and cause initial breakouts. The thing is, I don't have active acne anymore - the antibiotics took care of that. I just have mild red blemishes. I'm worried that the Differin is going to irritate the hell out of my skin, making it worse and bring out pimples (wouldn't the antibiotics take care of that/already have?)

The redness and blemishes have been looking very good in the last few weeks and I'm scared of making it worse.

So what do you guys think I should do? Stick with Differin, or don't - seeing as how I don't actually have acne anymore.

http://www.acne.org/...__fromsearch__1

PS: My acne was never bad, it was mild, but not very widespread. I got the full menu though - whiteheads, blackheads, cysts.

[Shello]

Heya Stubbs. Let me clear this up immediately. Antibiotics did not cure your acne. It helps to fight infections by killing bacteria in your body. You stated that you don't have acne anymore, I am very skeptical about that. Your cysts and/or zits haven't been inflamed recently, because the bacteria is dead long before it's allowed to make your pores infected. Either way, if you get off the antibiotics, your acne will return. I'm talking about my own experience though, I have been on antibiotics for more than 3 times, they were nice, a nice temporarily solution, but nothing for the longterm condition of your skin. I suggest applying the Differin every night. It'll thin out your skin, it WILL give you an initial breakout, but it'll help you on the longterm condition of your skin.

[Paperboy Bike]

I've been on antibiotics twice and in combination with benzoyl peroxide they do a good job of clearing you while taking them but yeah once I stopped it comes back. I think antibiotics could possibly cure or stop very mild acne but that would be about it. But then again I get the feeling I'm going to be battling acne for pretty much the rest of my life due to genetic reasons so my skin is probably that comparable to most.

[Shello]

Ironically, I have mild to moderate acne and have been on antibiotics for about 4 or 5 times, it did not cure me. It will not cure any form of acne I'm afraid. Maybe try hormonal treatments or even try the holistic way, which is what I do. I take efficient amounts of vitamin supplements each day, they really do help. I love it, because it's natural for your body, vitamins don't only help to maintain the skin, but plenty of other functions in your body as well. Battling acne for the rest of your life, that might be the case, I'm not a fortune teller, but if your acne is severe (or gets to a severe point), you might want to discuss starting the Accutane treatment. I do not endorse taking that treatment, I'm just giving you the facts and options which you got. Good luck!

[Paperboy Bike]

I've already taken accutane once and it did it's job for about 6 motnhs after finishing but my acne started to return so thats why I'm on retin-a atm because I want to give it a good chance to see if it can keep my acne in check, if it can then I have no problem using retin-a for the next 10 years or whatever. If it can't then I will have to do a second course of accutane which the doctor has already suggested but I decided to turn down.

Anyway enough about me!

[Stubbs]

Heya Stubbs. Let me clear this up immediately. Antibiotics did not cure your acne. It helps to fight infections by killing bacteria in your body. You stated that you don't have acne anymore, I am very skeptical about that. Your cysts and/or zits haven't been inflamed recently, because the bacteria is dead long before it's allowed to make your pores infected. Either way, if you get off the antibiotics, your acne will return. I'm talking about my own experience though, I have been on antibiotics for more than 3 times, they were nice, a nice temporarily solution, but nothing for the longterm condition of your skin. I suggest applying the Differin every night. It'll thin out your skin, it WILL give you an initial breakout, but it'll help you on the longterm condition of your skin.

Thanks, that has put it into a clearer light. My dermotologist told me the antibiotics he prescribed can be taken long term, and hopefully they will control the initial breakout somewhat.

There is one thing I want to ask. I turn 16 in a month and I want to have a small party at home with a few friends around the 20th of February. Do you think I should start the Differin now and hope like hell my face looks okay by then, or start just after my party? Another thing is, as you can see in the pictures, I have marks and blemishes on my cheeks. I haven't had pimples there for about 4 months. Should I only apply the Differin to my chin, where I still get pimples (mostly after shaving, and where I used to get cysts) and on my nose (blackheads)? I'm just scared of bringing out pimples onto my cheeks; a friend of mine has been Differin for about 4 months now and to be honest I think it's only got worse. Truth be told, he does touch his face a lot and probably is rough on his skin.

But I did thought Differin would have helped him. I just don't want Differin to bring out the old pimples and then do nothing about them thereafter.

Ultimately I'm hoping to be quite clear/under control by the month long holiday in June - is that too optimistic?

PS: my dermatologist spoke about Roaccutane. It's the next option if the Differin doesn't help me.

Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate the understanding.

[ohhhhhhnooooooo]

In my opinion, I would use the differin. I am currently on differin and I have no problems regarding the useage. Just make sure you don't use too much for it can irritate the skin. Hope this helps.

[Shello]

Well, Differin does take approx. a month to "see results". I've used it myself, it irritated my skin, so I backed off, but I did see some results though. Just don't use benzyl peroxide in combination with Differin, it'll aggravate your skin like hell. By the way, I had the initial breakout after a week I took it, it might be the same for you, I think you should start applying the Differin, hopefully you'll get the initial breakout just before you turn 16!