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I had ok skin, some acne that I managed with Exposed acne treatment. Decided to go off of it because my was doing pretty good and I had read the harsh products can cause aging. Tried to the natural thing but my face starting getting breakouts. Went back on Exposed on 10/26 and in the last 3 weeks my face ha blown up. It is worse than its ever been. I am a 15 year old guy and I am devastated. I have never had acne so bad.
Here is my question, most people say to stick with an acne treatment for 6-12 weeks, is that true? Should I continue with Exposed since today is 6 weeks? Or should I try a new treatment the dermatologist prescribed, minocycyline, epiduo forte gel and duac topical antibiotics? I am so afraid of my face getting even worse.
I'd say don't worry, your face is not like a ticking bomb. An ineffective combination of medication or insufficient length of treatment will not make it blow up irreversibly. It just takes time finding what is the cause of your specific acne and treating it.
Without pictures or further history of your acne its hard to pinpoint the cause. I see no problem in discontinuing Exposed now and beginning your dermatologist's regimen.
Thank you for the feedback. The last thing I want is to make my acne worse than it is right now. I am thinking about not taking the antibiotic because of the harsh side affects, but just using both topical antibiotics and a mild face wash and moisturizer. Have you heard of those to topical treatments or used them?
Duac is an excellent spot treatment. The abx and topical retinoid that the derm prescribed are the standard first approach to acne. In many cases this is sufficient to clear things up sufficiently (but often not 100%). If you are worried about antibiotic side effects, take probiotics (not the yogurts etc at grocery store, but something like NOW food Acidophilus 8 billion; can be found at local health food store or sometimes in organic section or local grocery store [its refrigerated])
Go with what the derm recommends while trying some of the natural treatments available in the product review section
https://www.acne.org/reviews/
Such as potato peels, salt water soaks, Niacin, etc.. Just pick and choose whatever is convenient. Your derm will want a followup and if what he rx'd didn't work he will explore other pharmaceutical options.
I actually met with my MD yesterday, she said that both topical antibiotics may be too much to soon. She has started me on the Minocycline, took my 2nd pill today. And will start the epiduo topical tonight, she had me test it on my arm first to see if there was any reaction. She wants me to hold off on the Duac for now. Do you have any experience with the Epiduo forte gel? My face is so bad, I am worried it will go through that "get worse before it gets better" stage. It would kill me if it gets any worse. I attached a picture of one side of my face.[Edited image link out]
Thanks for attaching a picture. I have experience with topical retinoids (which Epiduo is) and while they will almost invariably help, it is more of like controlling a fire rather than putting the fire out.
Howis your acne on the other parts of your face, body, scalp? Any cyclic variation over the course of a month?
I cannot say for certain if your skin will improve without purging first
the other side of my check is not as bad. Mostly have it on my checks and forehead. Nothing on my body or neck.....I feel like my face is bad enough and really don't want it to get any worse before it gets better. I have started the Epiduo Forte gel and the minocycline antibiotic. So really hoping to see some results, positive ones.