So I decided to start a sort of log of my doxcycline experience, and also where I can get some help/advice.
I have only been experiencing moderate to severe acne this past summer (for the past 3 months). I am 19, almost 20, and used proactive throughout high school. It kept my skin average, I never had perfect flawless skin but it was never that much of a problem (not nearly as bad as it is now). So at the beginning of June I decided to go off because my results weren't awesome and it's pricey so I though I could use am etching cheaper, never anticipating what came next. I went through pretty much everything (clean and clear, cetaphil, Neutragina, etc) I even went to an aestisician where I got some high quality products. I like her products a lot (a 3% BP cleanser and also a sal acid cleanser), but by the time i got them skin was so congested and irritated the products couldn't clear it alone. So after many tears shed, and a lot of depression I finally went to the derm. I was prescribed 100mg doxy 2x a day, tretinoin cream at night and clindamycin lotion in the am. I've been on it a week.
Most of my acne is on cheeks, but got a pretty bad breakout on my chin a few weeks ago that is taking a while to clear up. My forehead has no really live pimples, but a lot of little bumps that are not very appealing. Well, pretty much my whole face has these little bumps that are so annoying. Since doxy and the other meds I've noticed more and more zits on my cheeks coming up, and so everything looks a little worse than it did before.
Sorry for this being so long, but if anyone has suggestions or advice please let me know! I go back to School in 3 weeks and am hoping for even slight improvement. This really has destroyed my confidence.
First things first, you're not alone. i go back to work in 3 weeks too and my acne is at its worse. It take roughly 3 months for any acne plan to really be effective so keep your expectations in line. Be patient and try your best to tough it out. The only suggestions i have are diet changes (cut out dairy and gluten) and vitamins (zinc, vit d3 and fish oil)
I was almost the same as you are now and it did work for me after a few months pretty well although some of the small bumps (blackheads, under the skin tiny bumps,etc) stayed on my face. After a year and a half though I stupidly decided to try other things since I still had those little bumps all over and it ruined all the work I'd gone through preventative-wise (sigh and I may be starting accutane a third time in result since it's gotten so bad). My acne is primarily jaw and cheeks as well. It could work well for you, so hang in there, just push through the initial peeling for the first couple months. It'll get better. And down the road don't go off anything unless your derm says ok.
Well I was taking doxy for exactly two weeks, and them I suddenly broke out into horrible hives. I've never been allergic to anything, so I didn't even know what it was. But I stopped taking the doxy to see if it changed anything, and my hives clears right up. So I must be allergic.
So now I need to start so thing else, cause my skin is not looking to well. Any suggestions of an alternative to take? Also, am I going to have to go through the whole beginning/breaking out stage?
Thanks!