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I am at a loss as to what to do about my current situation.
A little bit about myself:
- 23 year old women
- Had mild acne since high school
- Very active and healthy
- Currently on Diane Pill (not to help with my acne) & Duac
- Have taken several forms of antibiotics
I am getting married on November 24th of this year and with some recent flair ups I decided I wasn't going to take any chances come my wedding day and decided to get a referral to a dermatologist. I have been seeing doctors about my mild acne for about 7 years and most have either looked at me very confused as to why I am enquiring about acne treatments for 3 pimples, while others have stuck me on antibiotics. The antibiotics have been useless and haven't done anything to my skin. The pill I am currently on hasn't regulated my skin at all and have actually had some terrible cysts form over the time frame I have been on the pill.
I met with the dermatologist yesterday and admittedly I had 2 quite angry looking pimples on my face (one was small, but due to my picking it looked quite swollen and red). The other was a small but red pimple on my nose. I was mainly there to see what options I had to keep any new pimples forming on my wedding day, but predominately to talk about how to treat a few acne scars I have and uneven skin tones formed through years of picking.
He took one look at my face and stated "accutane". I was a little shocked...he said he'd put me on a mild dose of it. I stated that I was getting married and I knew all about the side effects of the drug. He seemed 100% certain that with the mild dose it wouldn't cause any issues. It wasn't through pushing and prodding about the side effects that he finally stated he'd give me blood tests to see the health of my liver and keep tracking those results. I am still a bit shocked and bewildered about being prescribed that, he didn't give me any options in the matter.
Honestly, I am hesitating purchasing it as I know all about the health risks and why would I want to take that risk. I do get a few really bad cysts that I make worse by picking at, but the Duac seems to be keeping those at bay on the most part (if only I could keep my hands off my face). I just don't know what to do, apparently the accutane would help with finally getting rid of getting these stubborn and annoying pimples once and for all, it would also help clear up my pores which have become quite large. The thought of having perfect skin for my wedding is a dream come true...but what if I break out and have a bunch of cyst pimples over my face caused by this drug?
I am interested in hearing from people who have used the low dose of accutane. I just don't know if I should take the risk or not.
From what you're saying (only 3-4 pimples and a cyst or two), Accutane would be too rough on you. If you don't believe me, look at my Accutane journey:
Even though I'm no dermatologist (though I am planning to become one) I suggest you either:
-Give "The Regimen" a try (if you do not know what it is, go to the acne.org homepage and you'll instantly see it).
-Ask your dermatologist about Doxycycline. That's the medication I took prior to Accutane, and my face was cleared up in 2 months. Reason why my acne came back is most likely hormonal and because I'm still a teenager, and the weather where I live at is horrible for my skin.
If you need help, just ask me! Good luck.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Does Doxycycline have a break out period? I was on minomycin (spelling) and it did nothing for me.
My dermatologist said the first week it may make your skin a bit dryer and more red, and maybe get a pimple or two, but that wasn't the case for me. My skin remained the same and it just cleared up in 2 months.
EDIT: It removes back acne as well. I used to have pimples on my upper arms, chest and upper back, but doxycycline got rid of it (it was mild though).