I've been taking B5 after a long break from it, and the results now are just as dramatic as when I first started it some years ago. I've got a lot of clearing left as my back broke out in what seemed like an acne war, but it's slowly but surely going away. I've taken some before pics and plan on saving them until after I'm totally clear and post both the before and after together. Just remember that you should still try and maintain a good diet along with supplementing, it will get you where you want to be faster and just plain improves your quality of life.

Hi,

I'm interested in taking the B5 regimen, but I have several questions before I begin:

1. I have seen almost everyone using 500 mg pills. Why are people not buying the 1000 mg pills so they don't have to take as many?

2. I have read that pantethine is more effective than B5. Correct? Incorrect? Should this be implimented in the regimen?

3. Should the regimen incorporate L-Carnitine?

4. I am currently on Dan's regimen, and it has cleared me up (only use in the middle of my face and forehead), except I get a descent amount of redness and dryness (although my face gets oily by the end of the day). Any suggestions on how I can slowly come off Dan's regimen while beginning B5? Or should I try a mixture of both? I would prefer to squelch any IB from the B5 with Dan's regimen. By the way, I only apply Dan's BP during the day.

5. Is there any particular brand of B5 that is more effective?

6. What is the precise regimen I should follow during the beginning weeks?

7. What other suppliments must I be taking along with B5? (Biotin/ B complex?) I already take vitamin C and a multi-vitamin.

8. I only get acne (knock on wood) in the middle of my face and my forehead. And those are the only areas were I get oily...the rest of my face is dry and clear. Could B5 potentially change this?

Sorry for the ton of questions. If anyone would be nice enough to answer them, I would honestly greatly appreciate it. This is just the first time I would be taking an oral treatment against acne, and I'm a little nervous.

Hi there

I didn't even know there were even 1 gram pills. I think many might take 500mg as they are easier to find possibly. Either way makes no difference 500mg or 1gram only less pills to pop.

Not sure about Pantethine Acid.

L-Carnitine no idea about this.

I cannot help you with Dan as I know nothing about Dan or his regime.

As far as I am aware all B5 is pretty much the same. If it is not then I would like to know the better brand.

The first week most people tend to begin 2-3 grams a day and build upto the dose they have decided to take. So if you're going to take 10grams a day then increase the dosage each day until you are at what you have decide to take.

B complex most say to take this and many take Zinc as well 50mg a day.

Sounds like your acne is not too bad if it is only on small area. Hopefully this might help you, give it a few months see what happens.

Michael

Thanks for the advice Mike. I may only try 2-3 grams and see how it works.

Any other advice from my previous questions?

hey- i've been thinking of trying b5, but i was wondering:

- why is it necessary to go up to 10g a day if you experience clearing during the first week when you are ingesting 3-5g?

- do any of you know studies or support that this could be potentially harmful (either in the short or long run)?

How come doctors dont recommend this then if its safe ? :S

 

I never heard of it being recommended by a doctor?

 

:-k

 

Where has a doctor said its not safe? It's a lot safer than accutane, and almost as effective. It's your acne, and your choice to take B5 and cure/improve it or not.

 

I think doctors don't recommend it because they don't really know much about it. Therefore they wouldn't want to advise someone to take it because of some *chance* that something bad might happen. Also, when do doctors not like handing out prescriptions?

 

...and once you find the cure you'll never go back to them again LOL

OK, so today I went to GNC and bought three 500 mg bottles. Each one contains 100 capsules. I do have some questions though. Is it bad to start taking 20 capsules the very first day. If yeah, then how many should I take the first few days. Also can I do my regimen while taking B5 or do I just take the capsules and wash my face?

Just ordered my B5 for $9.95 for 200 capsules of 500mg each

Just ordered my B5 for $9.95 for 200 capsules of 500mg each

It sort of sounded like you would buy into this B5 idea. : P

That being said, I take about 2 g a day myself. I bought a bunch of so-called "timed release" B5 from Vitamin World: each $6 bottle contains 100 (500 mg). Good deal on the 200 for $10.

Just ordered my B5 for $9.95 for 200 capsules of 500mg each

Nice! Care to share the site?

After reading up on B5 for the last week or so, I'm giving it a try. I'm mainly hoping it can deal with my oily skin, so from what I've read it seems I might be a prime candidate.

However, I've read a lot about these megadoses thinning hair, so I'm going to see if just 500mg has any effect...1g at the very most...I just can't risk losing my luscious locks

Obviously the large doses seem to have worked for a lot of people, but I just find it odd how the (only) study didn't give different size doses to the participants. 10g is quite a strange (and large) amount...

Good luck to everyone else, and here's hoping!

Just ordered my B5 for $9.95 for 200 capsules of 500mg each

 

It sort of sounded like you would buy into this B5 idea. : P

 

That being said, I take about 2 g a day myself. I bought a bunch of so-called "timed release" B5 from Vitamin World: each $6 bottle contains 100 (500 mg). Good deal on the 200 for $10.

 

It's all natural, why not try it? I don't have a problem with acne per se, my skin is just extremely oily...and this seems to help!

Just ordered my B5 for $9.95 for 200 capsules of 500mg each

 

Nice! Care to share the site?

 

This is exactly the one i ordered: http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Vitamin-B5-Pantothenic-Acid

everyone should check out puritan's pride they are having a huge sale buy 1 get 2 free

i just got 900 caps of 500mg for 32 bucks

[Removed] i think it is

if b5 is destroyed by heat does that mean i can't ingest it with anything warm/hot? and if not how much tim should i wait before having a tea or something?

However, I've read a lot about these megadoses thinning hair, so I'm going to see if just 500mg has any effect...1g at the very most...I just can't risk losing my luscious locks

I wouldn't worry too much about this because it is rare for B5 to cause thinning hair. As long as you take B-100 Complex, Zinc, and Biotin with your B5 megadose, the chances of losing your hair are slim. Also, if you do experience hair thinning, you can stop megadosing and your hair will return to its normal growth cycle. From what I have read, there is very little to no proof that B5 megadosing will cause permanent hair loss. But, if anyone has any contradicting evidence, please share it with me as I want to keep my hair too!

A fair bit of talk about B5 causing hair loss on these forums.

There were a few other forum posts I found when I was reading up on B5, and the affected posters seemed to say that even after stopping their dosage, their hair DIDN'T return to its original state.

Food for thought really.

I wonder if that's just a coincidence. Most people (guys) develop male pattern hair thinning without ever taking B5 supplements.

I've been doing b5 10g day (spread throughout the day) for about a week now, wondering if a b-50 complex taken once daily is good enough to counter all the b vitamins I'm losing?

I also take 2500mg of omega 3, 50mg zinc daily. Also drink tons of water.

Seeing some good results so far!

I know that this B5 idea is pretty popular, but I got a couple of questions I can't seem to find the answer too:

 

1) How safe is Vitamin B5? Side effects? Pros and Cons?

 

2) Has everyone who is taken B5 seen results? Is there acne completely clear? A little better? How much of a difference is there?

 

3) How long does it take for these results to show?

 

4) What other vitamins are recommended to be taken along with these vitamins?

 

5) How should I start my B5 if I wanted too? First does? And how long before I move up?

Hiya,

I can only speak from my experience but these are my answers

1) Ive used it for just 4 weeks, no side affects at all except for slight stomach troubles in first week.

2) Im taking approx 10g a day using B5 powder, works out 3 teaspoons a day in total.

3) 1st real results showing in 3rd week, now Im almost completely clear. Oil has reduced by about 50%, nose still gets bit oily.

4) I occassionally take B complex but nothing else really.

5) I went straight in with 10g a day, no breakout experienced.

I have to say my skin is currently the best its been since I was about 14, im 30 now. I did try B5 about 10 years ago and had no success what so ever. The main difference this time is I have stuck with 10g a day every day, spread out in 3 portions. Im using B5 powder which I think is better than capsules and Im sticking with it, not giving up after a couple of weeks or missing any doeses.

Hello, i am new to this site and have been reading and learning about B5. I purchased mine the day before yesterday and took my first dose that night. After about my 3rd dose yesterday i did a check and to my surprise my Oil Refinery production had decreased!! i was amazed.. i did a oil blotting sheet and not much oil at all. It's early morning on 2nd day and i don't feel or see my usual oil slick.. i will continue 5 x 4 caps a day/ 500 mg with food. No stomach trouble (yet) but a decreased in appetite, a plus for me. I am hopeful this will continue!! i will keep updating maybe daily..

I see there's not much activity on this board.... But any way i wanted to do another update . I am still seeing improvement in my skin. My pores are disappearing before my eyes! I had huge visible pores, and they seem to be basically closed.. my skin is becoming smooth. i still have a little oil but nothing like before. The pimples are almost gone completly. I have been reading the Little there is on this site about pantothine , you take less of a dose and supposedly no side effects. I think i will switch over to that once i finish my bottle of B5. Let me know if anyone else on here has tried and what was your outcome. Oh also i will start Dan's regimen sound's great.

I don't believe vitamin B5 or the more active B5 being Pantethine works much for acne.

I have tried this B5 for a few months at 10g a day with split dosing daily. Plus, I tried 900mg of Pantethine regimen daily as well.

If this someone does think Vitamin B5 does work. Please indicate so by showing before & after photos at 3 & 6 months.

Better off taking Isotretinoin (the gold standard in acne treatment) 20mg once a week making 2.85mg per day. Just need to go to a dr for a presciption. Just 1.5mg to 2.5mg per day is enough to maintain Isotretinoin's wonderful effects. Though studies have shown to maintain you must take usually at least weekly. Start taking 5mg per day for 30-60 days. Then, 20mg each Sunday (once a week) thereafter to maintain what you got. If there's any side effects at all maybe some lip dryness. Just need lip balm.

Also, take Isotretinoin with your last meal with two flaxseed oil softgels to help with absorption.

But, be sure to take one 1,000IU of vitamin D3 (lanolin-non fish source) with your first meal also with two flaxseed oil softgels as well. This should hinder any potential bone side effects of such a micro-dose of Isotretinoin.

I was on accutane about 2 1/2 years ago , after a horrible initial breakout my skin did indeed dry up and clear. I discontinued after it got toooo expensive to continue.. My skin stayed relatively clear for a period but i began to get cystic acne and very oily again. I did not know you could take accutane weekly for maintenance .. Thanks for the info and i will contact my dermatologist again about it...

Oh one thing i have to mention... Accutane definitely affected my eye sight. But maybe at a lower dose it won't be a problem. I will weigh my options and glad to have some. As you all know living with bad skin is so depressing... I am glad about my b5 results but i pretty much know i won't continue after hearing about kidney or liver problems and HAIR LOSS!! If anyone has knowledge of bad side affects of Pantethine Please enlighten i will also start researching... Thanks

I just switched over to Panthethine today, first dose at 1:00, also i started Dan's regimine on last night so far my face feels fine no extra dryness or irritation will keep updating on it. i will be taking 3 / 300 mg's per day. It makes better sense to me to take Pantethine opposed to Pantothinic Acid.

No hair loss, no calcium build up and most IMPORTANTLY ONLY 3 SOFT GELS PER DAY.... My skin is clearing rapidly, AMAZING!! i WILL share with everyone i know with this problem . I will continue to update this thread with good or negative results.