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Background: I'm a freshman in college. I've never had horrible acne, just moderate pimples showing up here and there, but it's gotten worse in the last two months. I have Keratosis Pilaris on my cheeks and so acne doesn't show up there, just on my forehead and chin. I've been using the Olay Pro-X brush for about a month now, and I don't think it's making my skin any worse, but it's certainly not making it better.
One thing I'm beginning to suspect that is causing acne is the baby powder I use as a powder finish for makeup instead of loose mineral powder. (Opinions?) My roommate uses baby powder and she convinced me to try it since it's cheaper. But I'm beginning to suspect that it may be making my skin worse.
Anyways.
So I went to the dermatologist for the first time ever.
I need help. Everything he said makes me really wary of him.
Keep in mind that I'm moving to Japan for sixteen months beginning in May. I won't be able to get a lot of these products in Japan, which complicates things.
So on my first visit EVER, he suggested accutane. My acne isn't that bad, especially for a last resort medication like that.
He also gave me a month supply of samples of Ziana for night, and Acanya for the morning. He prescribed some for me to pick up from the pharmacy, but one of them was $700 and the other $400. There's no way I'm paying that, even in his wildest dreams.
I did pick up a prescription of Minocycline pills to take twice daily that's supposed to help clear up my skin. It was about $18, luckily.
He also suggested that I use the Clarisonic instead of the Pro-X. I've always wanted a clarisonic but I really can't afford one at the moment.
So basically, he recommended a bunch of expensive products that I can't afford, and that seem more long term (especially accutane) when I'm leaving the country in a few months. I plan on calling him tomorrow to ask him for generic prescriptions or other alternatives. I won't be paying $1,000 for the cremes.
I've had people suggest two things to me: go on Proactiv or just convert to the clarisonic. What should I do?!
I'd suggest you try antibiotics for a while and see what happens. Maybe benzoyl peroxide plus a topical antibiotic could be a good option, that worked for me for a long time. I think both are cheap, although I'm in the UK and pay a nominal charge so I wouldn't know. I'm found that nearly all non prescription acne treatments don't work but everyone's skin is different
Accutane is for moderate to severe acne that isn't responding to other treatments. The majority of people find their acne gets a lot worse before it gets better during the treatment. It's a serious medication to be on and his attitude you have described is worrying. Many people, included some on this forum, seem to think accutane should be used on mild acne and up. I'm on it now and I wouldn't recommend that you take it at the moment.
I would try to seek out a second opinion if your expenses allow. Typically, accutane is prescribed for moderate to severe acne and / or acne that does not respond to most other conventional treatments.Based on the research I have done and my own experience, the typical course of conventional treatment (if your case is not a severe one) begins with a topical BP/ antibiotic and a mild retinoid. If there is no significant improvement after about 9 weeks, they will typically add oral antibiotics to the mix. Most dermatologist recommend trying multiple kinds of antibiotics (i.e., doxycyclin, Minocyclin, and Sulfa) before moving on to suggest accutane. Many dermatologists will recommend you start on some kind of hormonal treatment as well.
In terms of the topicals the derm prescribed, there are definitely comparable cheaper alternatives. I would definitely seek a second opinion.
I think that I would be wary of your dermatologist as well. His solutions seem pretty extreme for what appears to be a mils case of acne. Getting a second opinion as the other poster suggested seems like a good idea.
From my own personal experience the Clarisonic made my skin worse (so save your money) and this was confirmed by several estheticians that I know who said they are much too rough for skin with blemishes and can actually just spread the bacteria around.
Be gentle with your skin.
If you want a good site which rates and recommends beauty products many of which are inexpensive and available around the world take a look at www.paulaschoice.com.
I did "The Regimen" and it worked for me but my acne was more severe than yours.
Good luck!
Agreed. Get a second opinion.
Retinoids, salicylic acid, and/or sodium sulfacetamide + sulfur combos, possibly with another topical antibiotic like BP or clindamycin is used first. Depending how inflamed your skin is, they'll also typically put you on an oral antibiotic, or if your acne is definitely worsened by menstrual cycles, put you on birth control or spiro.
In my opinion, Clarisonic is nothing but hype.
Accutane for milder acne with no previous history for severe acne is currently being studied. It's not officially recognized as a treatment for milder acne.