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I've suffered from moderate-severe acne for over 5 years. I've been to a dermatologist who prescribed me Duac + Retin-A gel.
Currently, I'm only using Duac 2 times during the day and using CeraVe moisturizer and cleanser + Toner for the morning/night.
Is there any way to improve my current situation? Thanks.
Acne is prevalent on the forehead, temples, cheeks, and a few on and below the chin.
Update - I have an appointment to see a dermatologist again in about 2 weeks. Would a BHA exfoliant help (Paula's Choice 2%)?
If you you had moderate -severe acne for 5 years mabye it's time for you to look into Accutane.If Accutane is not an option try the Regimen.
And there is always a way to improve your situation.
I have the 8% AHA and 2% BHA from Paula's Choice , they are great exfoliants but I wouldn't exfoliate on active acne , if you must,try the 1% BHA.
As for the scarring ,there is no point in treating acne scars if you still have/get acne.
There are a lot of tratment for acne scarring that include : Subincision,laser,deep chiemical peels,punch excison,etc.
You do have some dark marks from prior acne too for that I can recommend IPL laser.Or you just wait it out and once your acne is under control buy the 2% BHA(for daily use) and 10% AHA(for weekly use) and some hydroquinone .
If you you had moderate -severe acne for 5 years mabye it's time for you to look into Accutane.If Accutane is not an option try the Regimen.
And there is always a way to improve your situation.
I have the 8% AHA and 2% BHA from Paula's Choice , they are great exfoliants but I wouldn't exfoliate on active acne , if you must,try the 1% BHA.
As for the scarring ,there is no point in treating acne scars if you still have/get acne.
There are a lot of tratment for acne scarring that include : Subincision,laser,deep chiemical peels,punch excison,etc.
You do have some dark marks from prior acne too for that I can recommend IPL laser.Or you just wait it out and once your acne is under control buy the 2% BHA(for daily use) and 10% AHA(for weekly use) and some hydroquinone .
hello!
did u face any problem with accutane?
i had a course abt 5 mnths ago.mine was isotroin.what was urs?
aana
If you you had moderate -severe acne for 5 years mabye it's time for you to look into Accutane.If Accutane is not an option try the Regimen.
And there is always a way to improve your situation.
I have the 8% AHA and 2% BHA from Paula's Choice , they are great exfoliants but I wouldn't exfoliate on active acne , if you must,try the 1% BHA.
As for the scarring ,there is no point in treating acne scars if you still have/get acne.
There are a lot of tratment for acne scarring that include : Subincision,laser,deep chiemical peels,punch excison,etc.
You do have some dark marks from prior acne too for that I can recommend IPL laser.Or you just wait it out and once your acne is under control buy the 2% BHA(for daily use) and 10% AHA(for weekly use) and some hydroquinone .
hello!
did u face any problem with accutane?
i had a course abt 5 mnths ago.mine was isotroin.what was urs?
aana
Dispite my horrid initial break out I would say I was fine.
nose bleeds now and then,dry skin and lips.
how was yours?
If you you had moderate -severe acne for 5 years mabye it's time for you to look into Accutane.If Accutane is not an option try the Regimen.
And there is always a way to improve your situation.
I have the 8% AHA and 2% BHA from Paula's Choice , they are great exfoliants but I wouldn't exfoliate on active acne , if you must,try the 1% BHA.
As for the scarring ,there is no point in treating acne scars if you still have/get acne.
There are a lot of tratment for acne scarring that include : Subincision,laser,deep chiemical peels,punch excison,etc.
You do have some dark marks from prior acne too for that I can recommend IPL laser.Or you just wait it out and once your acne is under control buy the 2% BHA(for daily use) and 10% AHA(for weekly use) and some hydroquinone .
hello!
did u face any problem with accutane?
i had a course abt 5 mnths ago.mine was isotroin.what was urs?
aana
Dispite my horrid initial break out I would say I was fine.
nose bleeds now and then,dry skin and lips.
how was yours?
please check this elaborate posts:
(i've had it about 5 mnths ago.october '12 i suppose)
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/6942/entry-25947-from-redness-and-blemishes/
also,am not sure if accutane is the reason behind this but honestly i suppose 'not' : http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/6942/entry-26024-from-acne-spotsdark-brown-and-red-marks-not-scars-that-wont-go-awayeven-with-niltan/
please use moisturiser as per ur needs.
the main cause all the cracks and darkening i had was extreme dryness.
also like i've heard from many members here..some have extremelt dry lips.so they use vaseline every 15 minutres.it depends a lot on the power of med u r having?
i had isotroin 20mg
and then isotroin 10mg
(isotroin reduces the size of the oil glands and thus reduce oil production.dry and flaky skin is its most common side effect)
what med are u using?
If you you had moderate -severe acne for 5 years mabye it's time for you to look into Accutane.If Accutane is not an option try the Regimen.
And there is always a way to improve your situation.
I have the 8% AHA and 2% BHA from Paula's Choice , they are great exfoliants but I wouldn't exfoliate on active acne , if you must,try the 1% BHA.
As for the scarring ,there is no point in treating acne scars if you still have/get acne.
There are a lot of tratment for acne scarring that include : Subincision,laser,deep chiemical peels,punch excison,etc.
You do have some dark marks from prior acne too for that I can recommend IPL laser.Or you just wait it out and once your acne is under control buy the 2% BHA(for daily use) and 10% AHA(for weekly use) and some hydroquinone .
hello!
did u face any problem with accutane?
i had a course abt 5 mnths ago.mine was isotroin.what was urs?
aana
Dispite my horrid initial break out I would say I was fine.
nose bleeds now and then,dry skin and lips.
how was yours?
please check this elaborate posts:
(i've had it about 5 mnths ago.october '12 i suppose)
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/6942/entry-25947-from-redness-and-blemishes/
also,am not sure if accutane is the reason behind this but honestly i suppose 'not' : http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/6942/entry-26024-from-acne-spotsdark-brown-and-red-marks-not-scars-that-wont-go-awayeven-with-niltan/
please use moisturiser as per ur needs.
the main cause all the cracks and darkening i had was extreme dryness.
also like i've heard from many members here..some have extremelt dry lips.so they use vaseline every 15 minutres.it depends a lot on the power of med u r having?
i had isotroin 20mg
and then isotroin 10mg
(isotroin reduces the size of the oil glands and thus reduce oil production.dry and flaky skin is its most common side effect)
what med are u using?
Accutane is isotretinoin .
It has a lot of brand names Storet,Clavaris but they are all the same , it's all about how much mg are you taking .
I took 40mg for 8 months.
thats a long time.u faced any severe side effects?
also,are u clear now?
I faced no severe side effects.
I'm completly clear in terms of acne , but I do have red marks from the inital break out.
am sorry that am bothering u way too much.but did u read the posts i sent u.
can u suggest anything?
Your not bothering me I'm here to help.
I did read it and let me start by saying that your skin is looking great.
Mabye the darker areas and mostly the redness come from your prior acne and/or a lot of dryness.
You said that after you started moisturizing some of the darkness was going away ,well are you still moisturizing?
Also did you use any hydroquinone?I doubt that isotretinoin does that.
I've seen your picutres and I can tell what are you talking about but everyone has that more or less.
What does your dermatologist says about this?
Also make sure to be very gentle with the skin and wet your face only 2 times a day no more no less.
Your not bothering me I'm here to help.
I did read it and let me start by saying that your skin is looking great.
Mabye the darker areas and mostly the redness come from your prior acne and/or a lot of dryness.
You said that after you started moisturizing some of the darkness was going away ,well are you still moisturizing?
Also did you use any hydroquinone?I doubt that isotretinoin does that.
I've seen your picutres and I can tell what are you talking about but everyone has that more or less.
What does your dermatologist says about this?
Also make sure to be very gentle with the skin and wet your face only 2 times a day no more no less.
thank u 
it's summer in india and moisturising now(or evn abt 2 mnths ago) made me breakout or have tiny white heads on those areas.
so i am kinda giving it its own time to heal.
am just hoping that i get back the even skin tone i had.
u're right its for extreme drying.cause i wasnt careful while using accutane.although mine was as low as 20mg.once a day.
she blames it on lack of moisturising but she's not much concerned with it.it sometimes irritates me (docs here in india r so busy in a wrong way that they can hardly have much time for each patient.they are always in a rush..just like my derma is.the 1st time she dint even notice that my face n bosy colour were so differnt.!)
i wash my face twice a day.in the morning n at night before bed with saslic salicylic foaming face wash.
plus i wash my face with just water once in shower and 3 more times.
before n after use of clingard(clinamycin phosphate gel) twice a day(as spot treatment).
and i use bp(3%) at night.but i use it only if i really feel the zit is bad enough or on small or big pimples.cause its so harsh..it kinda darkens the spot and creates a burnt brown layer sometimes.
aana
I've suffered from moderate-severe acne for over 5 years. I've been to a dermatologist who prescribed me Duac + Retin-A gel.
Currently, I'm only using Duac 2 times during the day and using CeraVe moisturizer and cleanser + Toner for the morning/night.
Is there any way to improve my current situation? Thanks.
Acne is prevalent on the forehead, temples, cheeks, and a few on and below the chin.
Update - I have an appointment to see a dermatologist again in about 2 weeks. Would a BHA exfoliant help (Paula's Choice 2%)?
go on to derma and ask for accutane mate.
urs dnt look like cystic acne.
u could use aha face wash(less %) for oily skin.
constant use will not only help in keeping ur face less oily but also unclog pores(as they claim) and removes dead layers off the skin which is the main cause for acne.
so ask ur derma if u can use it.
i had been prescribed saslic.and have found it very good.
also,i'd like to know about ur diet?and lifestyle.?
aana
Currently using -
Duac x2
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
Cerave cleanser
Cetaphil moisturizer
I exercise 3-5 times per week, mostly running outside and core/chest/back workouts inside.
I eat mostly everything, but I stay away from fried foods.
I drink a glass of milk and about 60 ounces of water every day.
I'm waiting for the 2%BHA Liquid from Paula's choice and Neutrogena 30 SPF Visibly Even Moisturizer for the mornings.
Dermatologist appointment is in about a 1 1/2 weeks.
Accutane is a cancer drug that is widely known to cause erectile dysfunction. Acne scars are superficial and can be hidden and treated, a droopy you know what can't without old man viagra pills. As a young man who finishes Accutane, you may end up with flawless skin, but you may have the sex drive of a 90 year old nursing home patient. It's kind of funny, guys take Accutane to look good and pick up chicks, but many of them now can't actually do anything with them. Actually, its NOT funny. It's horrible.
It also causes psychosis, organ failure, stroke, hair loss, and suicide. I don't want to go on a 2 page tangent about the side effects, read the medical journals and FDA reports. They are far understated than what the people on this board believe based on heresay or their Dermatologist/paid spokesperson. Medical journals are now catching up and recognizing that a good portion side effects are occurring years after Accutane cessation. There is a reason Roche pharmaceuticals discontinued it, they could never win the lawsuits that were coming their way every day.
Focus on your diet. You say you eat practically everything and drink milk daily. Please, for the love of god.... lay off dairy, limit refined carbs, and use herbs like thyme and oregano. Try to limit grain carbs in general. Eat lots of beans, starchy vegetables (limit potatoes though) instead. Juice a ton of fruit and vegetables. Take zinc. But most importantly, stay away from things like cookies, chips, french fries, bread, pasta, rice, etc. Switch to brown rice, whole wheat pasta, corn tortillas if you must have these types of foods, but try to get at least half your carbs from legumes and veggies. Also, don't shave, use a beard trimmer only. Take probiotics every day or every other day and make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D (go in the sun).
I know you have an appt soon but what are you really expecting? 95% of them just switch up meds, which are band aid solutions that only treat the symptom. Try to make an appointment with a naturopathic physician as well, or a Dermatologist who understands the lifestyle-diet-acne link. They will be much more empathetic and will tend to lay off the heavy stuff and try to find a real reason you are getting acne. Remember, most developing countries who are not exposed to our diet have little to no acne at all. The American Academy of Dermatology actually acknowledged for the first time in 2013 that studies have known proven diet and acne have a direct link, particularly through insulin responses and allergic reactions.
Holistic and/or practical minded derms try to avoid hurting you with dangerous chemicals just to keep their job. I have been to one of these types in my lifetime and they gave great advice about supplements, practical things you can do, etc. They offered prescriptions but never forced them on me, while also telling me there were plenty of other things I could try which are just as effective if I wanted to keep my insides safe.
WOW what a concept, first do no harm....
Thank you so much for your response, sir. I will never use Accutane after all of the side effects I have read online.
I have recently been using Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid and Skin Balancing Moisturizer as they are supposed to help stimulate collagen growth and reduce acne scars. So far, I have not seen much improvement (1 week), but I am hoping for the best.
I'm also looking to change my diet. I legit consume everything that's in front of me; minus potato chips and fries etc., not much of a snacker.
I'm eating carrots, celery, and fruits on a daily basis (trying). As you mentioned about eating grains, etc., I'll try to lay off of white and dairy.
Dermatologist; hopefully diagnose (even though most of you already did) my acne problems.
Thank you so much for your response, sir. I will never use Accutane after all of the side effects I have read online.
I have recently been using Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid and Skin Balancing Moisturizer as they are supposed to help stimulate collagen growth and reduce acne scars. So far, I have not seen much improvement (1 week), but I am hoping for the best.
I'm also looking to change my diet. I legit consume everything that's in front of me; minus potato chips and fries etc., not much of a snacker.
I'm eating carrots, celery, and fruits on a daily basis (trying). As you mentioned about eating grains, etc., I'll try to lay off of white and dairy.
Dermatologist; hopefully diagnose (even though most of you already did) my acne problems.
That's good that you are cautious about mainstream treatments. We all need to take prescriptions now and then, but we should reserve dangerous prescriptions for serious life threatening ailments. Research shows us that acne (even severe) can be treated successfully without harsh prescriptions, although it may take some patience while you find what works for you. I'm also glad you are going to try to change up your diet. Remember, you probably won't have to eat like this forever but it is a test to see how your body responds. You will be able to reintroduce foods at a later time to see what your body can and can't tolerate in regards to your breakouts.
Also check glycemic loads of foods before you eat them. They contribute to insulin spikes which trigger hormone fluctuations that cause acne. Foods like sugary drinks, potatoes, white rice/bread, etc are high while meats, beans, veggies, etc are low. In short, a low GI diet with mostly non refined carbs/no dairy, with a ton of veggies/fruit chocked with vitamins should be every acne sufferers diet plan.
You said you are trying a new BHA formula, remember, give it time. 6-8 weeks is the norm to see if its working or not. Unless it is a topical retinoid that causes an initial breakout, this "purging" phenomenon is a myth. At least thats what I was told by a dermatologist I respect. If your skin starts getting much worse, its usually not a good sign so stop if it does. If it just seems like things are staying the same, stick it out for a few months and then kick it to the curb if it hasn't shown significant improvement.
Although I am not a fan of a lot of conventional Dermatological treatments, I am very optimistic about photodynamic laser therapy. It's not a permanent solution for active acne, but from what i've read its a safe and non-systemic way a lot of people with severe acne and scars are getting treated these days. The medical journal reports are quite promising. I would look into that if I were you. Some insurance may or may not cover it. Sadly, if yours doesn't, the price is hefty (hundreds of dollars per treatments and you need multiple treatments). In all, its an emerging form of acne treatment by using light zaps to kill bacteria under the skin and it is effective even with severe cystic acne. It works wonders for those lingering with scars. Side effects are minimal and certainly won't cause any internal issues. I'm also on Benzaclin which is like Duac, and I know it can only last for so long until it loses its effectiveness so light therapy is my next option if my cystic acne does not resolve.
One other piece of advice, you may want to ask your dermatologist to take a culture of your lesions. This will be able to rule out things like gram negative folliculitis, staph, or a fungal-acne infection. If you have on of those, you may need to change your plan as these are not always responsive to some traditional acne meds.
So when you go to the derm, definitely ask for a culture and a referral for light therapy done by a respected dermatologist or physician . Good luck and keep us posted.
It's because of people like you that I have such severe scarring. I had severe nodulocystic acne and I delayed proper treatment thinking I could cure myself with diet. I am now deformed and will be for the rest of my life. I needed accutane and people like you told me I could just cut wheat and dairy and be saved.
It's because of people like you that I have such severe scarring. I had severe nodulocystic acne and I delayed proper treatment thinking I could cure myself with diet. I am now deformed and will be for the rest of my life. I needed accutane and people like you told me I could just cut wheat and dairy and be saved.
Dr. Joseph Mercola is a well known physician who suffered from severe cystic acne until his mid thirties. However he finally experimented with his diet and removed his mercury fillings and he cleared himself 100%. Don't know where you have been getting your information from, but its not as simple as just dairy and wheat. You need to identify imbalances, focus on your insulin levels, limit grain based carbohydrates, as well as change your total lifestyle. It goes much deeper and complex than that, and is an individual journey for each acne sufferer.
My advice certainly isn't stopping anyone else from taking Accutane, my opinion on it is really just a summary of the medical science that is already available to consumers about the confirmed side effects and deaths.
Although my advice of trying alternative and safe treatments may keep some people from getting clear overnight, it does keep people alive and able to spend time with their families. Your type of advice of telling people to just take Accutane and forget the rest has certainly ended up causing death. I go to sleep better at night knowing I am not putting others lives at serious risk over a non life threatening skin condition.
But I must wave the white flag, out of OP's respect we should not turn this into an Accutane debate. This is about OP's scarring issue, and I even learned later on he was already against taking Accutane, so my advice really did nothing to sway him. With that, I must move on after this post. Personally, i'd rather watch paint dry than debate with most Accutane supporters. I've played that game, and its pointless to throw out evidence taken from medical journals while the other spouts off stories of personal experience. That's a debate that goes no where.
It's because of people like you that I have such severe scarring. I had severe nodulocystic acne and I delayed proper treatment thinking I could cure myself with diet. I am now deformed and will be for the rest of my life. I needed accutane and people like you told me I could just cut wheat and dairy and be saved.
Dr. Joseph Mercola is a well known physician who suffered from severe cystic acne until his mid thirties. However he finally experimented with his diet and removed his mercury fillings and he cleared himself 100%. Don't know where you have been getting your information from, but its not as simple as just dairy and wheat. You need to identify imbalances, focus on your insulin levels, limit grain based carbohydrates, as well as change your total lifestyle. It goes much deeper and complex than that, and is an individual journey for each acne sufferer.
My advice certainly isn't stopping anyone else from taking Accutane, my opinion on it is really just a summary of the medical science that is already available to consumers about the confirmed side effects and deaths.
Although my advice of trying alternative and safe treatments may keep some people from getting clear overnight, it does keep people alive and able to spend time with their families. Your type of advice of telling people to just take Accutane and forget the rest has certainly ended up causing death. I go to sleep better at night knowing I am not putting others lives at serious risk over a non life threatening skin condition.
But I must wave the white flag, out of OP's respect we should not turn this into an Accutane debate. This is about OP's scarring issue, and I even learned later on he was already against taking Accutane, so my advice really did nothing to sway him. With that, I must move on after this post. Personally, i'd rather watch paint dry than debate with most Accutane supporters. I've played that game, and its pointless to throw out evidence taken from medical journals while the other spouts off stories of personal experience. That's a debate that goes no where.
I never said I was an "accutane supporter". I never wanted to go on this drug. It wasn't about getting clear overnight, it was about the massive damage that was being done to my face that started in a matter of days. I was oozing green puss and people were telling me to just stop eating sugar. Wheres the medical evidence that diet can cure actual severe acne?
Would you tell this girl that she is the problem and she needs to change her diet and lifestyle?
I don't believe accutane should be used for almost any of the cases here on acne.org. But there are cases it was meant for! I never thought I would be one of them as I never even had a problem with acne until this year when I turned 27.
I did change my entire lifestyle (went on an entirely whole foods diet, no gluten, dairy, refined sugar) as well as doing yoga and trying to manage my stress. But hey, I guess that wasn't good enough and I should have tried harder. For months I denied myself anything but the healthiest of foods and my face got worse and worse. I have developed PTSD because of what happened to me, and accutane was the only thing that stopped it the onslaught of destruction. You can't call it a non life threatening skin condition - I am a shell of who I was because of what happened to me and you make it sound trivial. Just like this doctor, who obviously didn't actually suffer from severe acne as he doesn't have the scars to show from it.
I'm glad you're able to sway people away from accutane that don't really need it. In my opinion the OP does not. But telling people everything can be cured holistically is not true.
It's because of people like you that I have such severe scarring. I had severe nodulocystic acne and I delayed proper treatment thinking I could cure myself with diet. I am now deformed and will be for the rest of my life. I needed accutane and people like you told me I could just cut wheat and dairy and be saved.
Dr. Joseph Mercola is a well known physician who suffered from severe cystic acne until his mid thirties. However he finally experimented with his diet and removed his mercury fillings and he cleared himself 100%. Don't know where you have been getting your information from, but its not as simple as just dairy and wheat. You need to identify imbalances, focus on your insulin levels, limit grain based carbohydrates, as well as change your total lifestyle. It goes much deeper and complex than that, and is an individual journey for each acne sufferer.
My advice certainly isn't stopping anyone else from taking Accutane, my opinion on it is really just a summary of the medical science that is already available to consumers about the confirmed side effects and deaths.
Although my advice of trying alternative and safe treatments may keep some people from getting clear overnight, it does keep people alive and able to spend time with their families. Your type of advice of telling people to just take Accutane and forget the rest has certainly ended up causing death. I go to sleep better at night knowing I am not putting others lives at serious risk over a non life threatening skin condition.
But I must wave the white flag, out of OP's respect we should not turn this into an Accutane debate. This is about OP's scarring issue, and I even learned later on he was already against taking Accutane, so my advice really did nothing to sway him. With that, I must move on after this post. Personally, i'd rather watch paint dry than debate with most Accutane supporters. I've played that game, and its pointless to throw out evidence taken from medical journals while the other spouts off stories of personal experience. That's a debate that goes no where.
I never said I was an "accutane supporter". I never wanted to go on this drug. It wasn't about getting clear overnight, it was about the massive damage that was being done to my face that started in a matter of days. I was oozing green puss and people were telling me to just stop eating sugar. Wheres the medical evidence that diet can cure actual severe acne?
Would you tell this girl that she is the problem and she needs to change her diet and lifestyle?
I don't believe accutane should be used for almost any of the cases here on acne.org. But there are cases it was meant for! I never thought I would be one of them as I never even had a problem with acne until this year when I turned 27.
I did change my entire lifestyle (went on an entirely whole foods diet, no gluten, dairy, refined sugar) as well as doing yoga and trying to manage my stress. But hey, I guess that wasn't good enough and I should have tried harder. For months I denied myself anything but the healthiest of foods and my face got worse and worse. I have developed PTSD because of what happened to me, and accutane was the only thing that stopped it the onslaught of destruction. You can't call it a non life threatening skin condition - I am a shell of who I was because of what happened to me and you make it sound trivial. Just like this doctor, who obviously didn't actually suffer from severe acne as he doesn't have the scars to show from it.
I'm glad you're able to sway people away from accutane that don't really need it. In my opinion the OP does not. But telling people everything can be cured holistically is not true.
I'm sorry that you sunk as low as using a crying girl in a video to emotionally blackmail anyone who states the true nature of Accutane. I'm also sorry you believe Dr Mercola would lie about having severe cystic acne. I'm not sure how old you are, but it sounds like you are a very immature person to accuse a physican of outright lying about their past conditions based on the fact that you claim they have no scarring. People age, scars minimize, and people get scar treatments. But I guess you judge books by their cover.
My acne's been as bad, if not worse than the girl in the video. I have dealt with cystic acne where I had golf ball and marble sized cysts all over my chin, cheeks, and neck. You are not going to win anyone over with playing videos like that. I'm stating factual evidence about the dangers of a drug and why it should never be used, while you are using individual experiences. This is why I do not debate most Accutane supporters. You cannot debate any point I made. Your post was useless. You simply don't have any factual evidence to counter my statements, so you try to attack personal character, claiming people who are against Accutane use do not understand how difficult it is to have severe acne, etc. This only shows the poor research you have done if thats all you can come up with. Its like someone saying "You don't support the War in Iraq?!!? You are un-American! You don't care about the troops!!!" You're no different.
Moving forward, can diet and lifestyle cure everyones acne? Of course not. In principle, it should help almost all acne sufferers, especially those with severe cystic acne. Trying to identify allergens, toxic buildup, insulin levels, etc can be difficult and take time. Most people never put in the work and then claim they tried the diet thing, so they move on to a toxic drug. Neverthless, diet and lifestyle may only help partially in some and severe limited cases. Thats were modern dermatology comes in. Although not ideal, in severe non respondant cases it is quite rational to take some of the heavier antibiotics/antifungal medications that are less prescribed than clindamycin/ethromycin/doxycycline. More importantly, there is now photodynamic light therapy that has been proven to be as effective as Accutane (although not as long lasting). Being hit with zaps of artificial light don't cause people to have a psychotic break and jump off a building, or have a stroke.
You see, I too could put up a video of a crying mother at an FDA hearing who's son killed himself as a result of Accutane. Courts, psychiatrists, and even the FDA have CONFIRMED 200 cases directly linked to Accutane. Medical brian imaging proves it significantly decreases frontal lobe activity. But posting videos of people in pain to try and get your point across is pretty low and disgusting. I prefer to use knowledge, words, and evidence taken from statistical evidence. You are unable to do that though, and that's disappointing.
You will never win the argument. There is no argument. I'm not arguing anything. Accutane is a cancer drug that has killed people at a high rate, orphaned children and widowed spouses. It causes permanent sexual dysfunction, stroke, deafness, heart attack, suicide, etc. and if you were not affected you are lucky. This is not opinion. Read the literature. Many doctors and even Dermatologists are now are using laser treatments and alternatives and rarely using Accutane if at all because they understand how risky Accutane toxic is is. They don't want to be responsible for someone's death who is someone suffering from a skin condition (albeit a disfiguring and often painful one).
The fact you came out of your rounds of Accutane safe is like someone saying they drank a gallon of gasoline and nothing happened to them, but it cleared their acne, so anyone stating the risks of drinking gasoline isn't sensitive about treating acne.
I'm glad you got clear. Please, just don't downplay the risks of Accutane. You took a cancer drug that has killed and disabled many people, you didn't suffer any of those side effects so far and now you have clear skin. Don't try to twist it anymore because you simply can't, the evidence against Accutane is too strong. Leave it at that. Last post I make in this thread to respect OP.
It's because of people like you that I have such severe scarring. I had severe nodulocystic acne and I delayed proper treatment thinking I could cure myself with diet. I am now deformed and will be for the rest of my life. I needed accutane and people like you told me I could just cut wheat and dairy and be saved.
Dr. Joseph Mercola is a well known physician who suffered from severe cystic acne until his mid thirties. However he finally experimented with his diet and removed his mercury fillings and he cleared himself 100%. Don't know where you have been getting your information from, but its not as simple as just dairy and wheat. You need to identify imbalances, focus on your insulin levels, limit grain based carbohydrates, as well as change your total lifestyle. It goes much deeper and complex than that, and is an individual journey for each acne sufferer.
My advice certainly isn't stopping anyone else from taking Accutane, my opinion on it is really just a summary of the medical science that is already available to consumers about the confirmed side effects and deaths.
Although my advice of trying alternative and safe treatments may keep some people from getting clear overnight, it does keep people alive and able to spend time with their families. Your type of advice of telling people to just take Accutane and forget the rest has certainly ended up causing death. I go to sleep better at night knowing I am not putting others lives at serious risk over a non life threatening skin condition.
But I must wave the white flag, out of OP's respect we should not turn this into an Accutane debate. This is about OP's scarring issue, and I even learned later on he was already against taking Accutane, so my advice really did nothing to sway him. With that, I must move on after this post. Personally, i'd rather watch paint dry than debate with most Accutane supporters. I've played that game, and its pointless to throw out evidence taken from medical journals while the other spouts off stories of personal experience. That's a debate that goes no where.
I never said I was an "accutane supporter". I never wanted to go on this drug. It wasn't about getting clear overnight, it was about the massive damage that was being done to my face that started in a matter of days. I was oozing green puss and people were telling me to just stop eating sugar. Wheres the medical evidence that diet can cure actual severe acne?
Would you tell this girl that she is the problem and she needs to change her diet and lifestyle?
I don't believe accutane should be used for almost any of the cases here on acne.org. But there are cases it was meant for! I never thought I would be one of them as I never even had a problem with acne until this year when I turned 27.
I did change my entire lifestyle (went on an entirely whole foods diet, no gluten, dairy, refined sugar) as well as doing yoga and trying to manage my stress. But hey, I guess that wasn't good enough and I should have tried harder. For months I denied myself anything but the healthiest of foods and my face got worse and worse. I have developed PTSD because of what happened to me, and accutane was the only thing that stopped it the onslaught of destruction. You can't call it a non life threatening skin condition - I am a shell of who I was because of what happened to me and you make it sound trivial. Just like this doctor, who obviously didn't actually suffer from severe acne as he doesn't have the scars to show from it.
I'm glad you're able to sway people away from accutane that don't really need it. In my opinion the OP does not. But telling people everything can be cured holistically is not true.
I'm sorry that you didn't listen to anything I said. Nice try using a girl crying in a video to emotionally blackmail anyone who states the true nature of Accutane.
Please read my full post, because you obviously did not.
You obviously didn't watch the video because she's not crying. She's handling this situation very well. I'm not emotionally blackmailing anyone, I'm showing you what accutane was made for - acne of this severity, acne that will not be cured by diet and "lifestyle" changes. It is not right to blame the victim for their disease.
editing for your further rampage: You are just making things up now. Did I say I was clear? Did I say I didn't know the risks of accutane? I have spent months and months researching this drug. I'm well aware of the side effects, the controversy, the devastating effects. But I was one of the very few who needed the medicine.
I of course looked the Dr up, I just think that like many people on these boards, "severe cystic acne" equates to "I have a bunch of inflamed pimples". You can't even get scar treatments for the kind of scarring I have. The girl in the video has acne conglobata - you did not have it more severe because that is the most severe it gets.
Antibiotics have just as many devastating side effects. Stevens Johnson Syndrome or permanent gut issues for instance. You know as well as I that antibiotics are dangerous. Light therapy is not proven to be beneficial to severe nodulocystic acne, it hasn't been studied enough. I read every single publication abstract on isotretinoin and nodulocystic acne before I made my decision to go on the drug. I felt I had no choice.
I never attacked your personal character, you are just reading into everything at this point. You're the one twisting everything, I'm not clear and I never will be because of the severity of my case. I wish no one ever felt they had to take accutane.
To the original poster, good luck with your decision, whatever it may be. Acne is a multi faceted illness than more often than not needs a multi faceted approach. Do address your diet but also address skin care whether that be prescription or not. As a user of accutane, it should never be a first resort but it can and have helped many people. It does have side effects but if people are going to crucify it, don't be hypocritical and forget to crucify other meds such as tylenol, advil, blood pressure medicatio, bc and others that ALL carry side effects.
It is obvious that you have a mind of your own and that you've done your research