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Ok heres my deal, 31 year old male. Did not have acne problems until 24 years old. its been 7 years and I am now 31 and still dealing with acne. I have been to 4 different dermatologist and tried countless gels, creams face washes, shampoo's etc. I have gone to an allergist (I am allergic to dust, mites, pollen, cats & dogs) and an endocrinologist (levels looked fine except a little low on vitamin d).
I am really not sure what to do anymore to get rid of my adult acne. Dermatologist says its not bad enough for accutane but I have slowly tried to get off the gel's and such but i start to break out again once I do.
I am really at a loss of what to do and this battle with acne has left me with zero self-confidence and really made me recluse in life. I was a fun person who was always out enjoying the sun rays in the summer but now I try to avoid the sun or wear a hat and just kind of hide my face because the acne and scars bum me out.
Between an internist, endocrinologist, and 4 dermatologist I would have thought we could find the root cause and i would be clear by now. None of them seem to think it was strange I had clear skin until the age of 24 then it was onset. There was some traumatic things that happened in my life around then but I dont see how it stayed with me.
At this stage I don't know what to do anymore... I cant think of another doctor to see to figure out my issues and my skin seems its just becoming more and more oily, probably from all these products I have used. I had perfectly normal skin and now I feel its ruined.
Does anyone have any recommendations of what I can possibly due to try to finally rid myself of acne?
Hi djtoodles
I am approaching 33 and still getting breakout once in a while. I had two rounds of accutane over the course of maybe 8 years and it really settled down my acne. However just early last year I start to breakout a little, it is not too bad just a few pimples but I could feel the oil of my skin coming back on and I fear that it could get worse and the acne episode will come back all over again. My derm therefore suggested to put me on accutane but in low dosage. 10mg pill to take it only once every two to three days. This has really helped me to control the oil from my skin, in fact it is drying out a little and stop the acne almost completely. So what I would suggest is to see if your derm agree to put you on accutane in a low dosage, since your acne is not bad enough to put you on a normal course, low dosage would make sense to just help lower the oil production and clear your acne. However if you are planning on any scar removal procedure such as laser, needling, you will need to wait 6 mths to a year after your last accutane. Perhaps you can also read more about accutane side effects before deciding. But for myself, accutane is still the way to go. You may break out more at the start, but it would definitely help you to stop them almost completely.
Hi djtoodles
I am approaching 33 and still getting breakout once in a while. I had two rounds of accutane over the course of maybe 8 years and it really settled down my acne. However just early last year I start to breakout a little, it is not too bad just a few pimples but I could feel the oil of my skin coming back on and I fear that it could get worse and the acne episode will come back all over again. My derm therefore suggested to put me on accutane but in low dosage. 10mg pill to take it only once every two to three days. This has really helped me to control the oil from my skin, in fact it is drying out a little and stop the acne almost completely. So what I would suggest is to see if your derm agree to put you on accutane in a low dosage, since your acne is not bad enough to put you on a normal course, low dosage would make sense to just help lower the oil production and clear your acne. However if you are planning on any scar removal procedure such as laser, needling, you will need to wait 6 mths to a year after your last accutane. Perhaps you can also read more about accutane side effects before deciding. But for myself, accutane is still the way to go. You may break out more at the start, but it would definitely help you to stop them almost completely.
Yeah I have read the side effects of accutane. I feel the only way I would be put on that is if I stopped taking all acne meds for about a month let me skin start to break out more then a few days before going to the derm to start taking it again so my pours appear more open. One of the derms told me to come back if one of the meds didnt work and she would put me on it. It didnt work and she still wouldnt put me on it. I had a long debate with her about it but she refused. I find it strange a doctor would refuse to put a patient on something that could cure them versus letting them continue to break out and have scarring.
I have read low dosage of accutane isint as permanant. The other option I could do is trying to find the meds online and take it myself but that seems a bit dangerous. This has just been a depressing battle for 7 years to get rid of something I should have had as a teenager not get as an adult.
Then I really think you need to find another derm. I know you have been on a few derms but you need to find someone who can help you, don't give up. You are right, low dosage isnt as permanent but if your acne is not that bad, you should start off with this first. Take a step at a time. I know how you feel, I have been having acne since 15. 18 years and am still facing this. I am just glad the acne is quite over with the help of accutane, and once i see any abnormalities i'll be back on it again. One day it will stop. And now I am still dealing with my scars which I am taking it by steps to get them better. I am sure alot of others feel the same way as you here, just don't give up. There are a lot of advancements in cure now, take it slow and steady. Solve your oil problem, get it clear and then deal with the next.
Yes I don't think you should be taking that risk. Maybe you shd get some derm recommendation through this community, im sure you be able to get some help through here to find one near you.
Then I really think you need to find another derm. I know you have been on a few derms but you need to find someone who can help you, don't give up. You are right, low dosage isnt as permanent but if your acne is not that bad, you should start off with this first. Take a step at a time. I know how you feel, I have been having acne since 15. 18 years and am still facing this. I am just glad the acne is quite over with the help of accutane, and once i see any abnormalities i'll be back on it again. One day it will stop. And now I am still dealing with my scars which I am taking it by steps to get them better. I am sure alot of others feel the same way as you here, just don't give up. There are a lot of advancements in cure now, take it slow and steady. Solve your oil problem, get it clear and then deal with the next.
Yes I don't think you should be taking that risk. Maybe you shd get some derm recommendation through this community, im sure you be able to get some help through here to find one near you.
Is there somewhere on this board to find one? I dont see that section anywhere.