Packerfan785

Retin-A can take 3 months or more to become effective. My skin got worse for almost all of three months before I made big improvements.

Don't have a photo of myself but here are two photos for reference, my red marks are kind of in-between these two pictures. A little worse than this first photo, and a little better than the second photo. I am 20 years old and these red marks are from acne that I had when I was roughly 16/17. http://www.acne.org/..._1644_16870.jpg http://www.realself....00092-32786.jpg

I won't say they haven't faded at all, but they have faded very little considering it has been years since I have had major acne all across my cheeks and yet I still have red/pink marks all across my cheeks. I have been using Retin- A for two years now and have been exfoliating with Mandelic acid longer than that, yet little improvement. Should I resort to some kind of laser surgery? Is it effective? Can I do it while using Retin-A? To expand, I get darker red marks that go away in a couple of days to a couple of weeks when I get new acne, but these other marks have been there for years, I doubt they will just go away with time at this point.

I saw a study (I don't know how reliable) that it helps boost testosterone levels. Also heard (haven't looked into it) that it helps with depression.

What was the consensus on Naicin? I remember it was a huge topic of discussion a while back. I heard it helps with depression as well as gaining muscle, so I'm definitely going to give it a shot.

Do you still take Chromium? Did it lose its effectiveness?

Can I take a smaller dose of B5 and still get some benefit while minimizing the negative effects?

If I was already prescribed Retin-A do you think my dermatologist will provide me with an additional prescription for Azelaic Acid if I ask?

I can't find it anywhere but overseas online.

There is no doubt weightlifting causes me to break out more, but apparently DHT blockers have no effect on acne.

From all my years on here I have seen thousands of ideas thrown around, but only a few methods have had a large impact on clearing acne. (Clearing, or temporarily clearing) Why do the following methods work? What is the common mechanism/change? Retin-A/Accutane Vitamin B5 Niacin Fasting Low GI/GL Diet Avoiding dairy

You don't really explain what you mean by "DHT blocker". Are you referring to "androgen receptor blockers" (also known as "antiandrogens"), or substances which inhibit the formation of DHT from testosterone (5a-reductase inhibitors)? Several times I've mentioned a study that was done a few years ago, in which a specific type 1 5a-reductase inhibitor (the type found in sebaceous glands) was tested in acne patients. Unfortunately, it had no beneficial effect on acne, and the authors of the study (some big names in the field of dermatology) had no idea why it failed. I mean 5a-reductase inhibitors. High DHT levels seemed to make so much sense to me (dad had some acne, balding, prostate problems) but I guess not. I'm so close to going to get on accutane. I have spent years trying everything natural and Retin-A seems to less effective for me than it was in the past. Its amazing how much a seemingly little thing like acne can change your life. If the "natural" way hasn't cleared you, it means you haven't isolated the proper variable. Are you eating any common allergens/allergenic foods? Are you getting enough sunlight an exercise? Are you avoiding grains, dairy, soy and sugar? Are your veggies, fruits and meat coming from a reliable (and natural) source? Is your life stressful? I've been here since spring 08, I've read it all, I've tried it all. Every diet, lifestyle change, supplement, etc. Even though certain things have helped, there is no natural "cure" for me.

I have been using Mandelic acid along with Retin-A and it has been relatively effective for acne/red marks. However I have used just Retin A at times and it seems to make no difference in my skin. I'm wondering if Azelic Acid would be okay for a person with darker skin tone as my self? It's supposed to increase cell proliferation (which is the function of Retin A that keeps me mostly clear) and lighten red marks. I assume it would fade red marks faster than just exfoliating?

Like how many people are effected by hair loss or stomach problems?

You don't really explain what you mean by "DHT blocker". Are you referring to "androgen receptor blockers" (also known as "antiandrogens"), or substances which inhibit the formation of DHT from testosterone (5a-reductase inhibitors)? Several times I've mentioned a study that was done a few years ago, in which a specific type 1 5a-reductase inhibitor (the type found in sebaceous glands) was tested in acne patients. Unfortunately, it had no beneficial effect on acne, and the authors of the study (some big names in the field of dermatology) had no idea why it failed. I mean 5a-reductase inhibitors. High DHT levels seemed to make so much sense to me (dad had some acne, balding, prostate problems) but I guess not. I'm so close to going to get on accutane. I have spent years trying everything natural and Retin-A seems to less effective for me than it was in the past. Its amazing how much a seemingly little thing like acne can change your life.