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[jannellebelle]

So... Ive used minocycline before... and I suppose it helped. I can definitely say that my skin was soo much better back then.
I then gradually STOPPED taking this antibiotic... I was advised to take it only once a day instead of twice. I then stopped taking it all together. I figured my skin was completely cleared, and there was no reason for me to continue taking this medicine.
Well I was wrong.
After I stopped taking this medicine, my skin got a lot worse. I started getting a few cystic pimples.. 2 of which left scars.

I tried countless products on the market to help combat this.. and nothing really helped. I tried clinique, drugstore brands, and panoxyl. Nothing really helped. Granted, I didnt have TERRIBLE skin. It was definitely mild-moderate acne.

I was prepared to go to the dermatologist.. I was looking into getting a system from Obagi. It was supposed to be amazing. Why not start taking my oral medication again??

Then, I thought to myself... WHY am I continuously trying new topical products? Why not start taking my oral medication again... so I did.
Its been 2 months since I started taking minocycline again, and I do think my skin is getting a lot better. If I do get a zit.. it isnt huge. I have been getting some, but only about 3 over the course of 2 months. Which is great!!! BUT... they werent really filled with anything, they were just irritational little bumps.

Before taking minocycline, I got MANY large zits, which would be quite painful and take forever to heal.

I think minocycline is great. It probably wont work for everyone.. but for me it never seems to fail.

I also want to add, that my skincare routine might have a play in the results:

AM:
-Cetaphil Cleanser
-Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

PM:
-Baby Wipe (to remove makeup)

-Oatmeal cleanser (BubzBeauty diy)

-Boscia Thermal Black cleanser

-Clinique Mild Toner (with salicylic acid)

-Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

- 4 drops of jojoba oil.

-Proactiv refining mask (on ANY zits) -This stuff is AMAZING. I cant even explain my LOVE for it. I never wanted to try proactiv, but when I purchased this.. I realized what I was missing out on. SOOO AMAZING. It dries and soothes pimples overnight. I also use this as an all over mask 1x a week.

-murad acne spot treatment (2x a week on post acne marks) -it has AHA in it so it helps the skin to shed quicker. I used this and literally woke up the next morning and my huge acne scar was 3-4 shades lighter. Im amazed.

Normally, (if i wasnt taking antibiotics) I would NOT be able to use the cetaphil moisturizer. It is quite heavy.. but I like that. Even in the spring, its actually getting quite hot outside... so you would think Id need a lighter moisturizer, but I really enjoy the cetaphil one. it has never clogged my pores and ACTUALLY works.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you try out minocycline.. and give it TIME. Nothing happens over night. It took 3-4 weeks to see results. That in combination with my skincare routine has really helped. This is not to say that my skin is amazing. It definitely isnt. But, its getting much better.

ALSO. I cant stress enough... DO NOT PICK AT YOUR SKIN. If I have a pimple... I know just plop on a bit of the proactiv refining mask and leave it alone. This is the route to go!!! DO NOT PICK. It will take longer to heal and leave a nasty scar.

I also have been using 4% hydroquinone cream. It has an spf of 25... not that it matters, since i only use it at night. it seems to have helped a LITTLE bit.. nothing drastic.

[OPeggyGordon]

Im glad minocycline seems to work for you, my derm recommeded it for me but i am afriad to take it. i dislike takin prescriptions.
I notice that when I take other antibiotics uch as for ear infections, my skin does get a bit clearer, but cant antibiotics also give you candida infections( if youre female) and doesnt it kill off good bacteria in your digestive system?
Not tryin to downplay your success, Im happy if youre clear but its not something you can take the rest of your life. How long is it recommended you stay on these drugs?