Doxycycline
Results
Side Effects

Doxycycline is an oral antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation. It should...

Doxycycline is an oral antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation. It should be used only short term (max. 3 months).

It is usually prescribed at a dose of 50 to 100 mg once or twice per day.

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December 4, 2011

Pros:

Helpful for some

Cons:

Not long-term (when prescribed properly)
Did not clear my skin
Sun sensitivity

Because of a predisposition for yeast infections (be careful with antibiotics, girls!) I can no longer take antibiotics. Took doxy for over a year but topicals were more useful. Antibiotics are over-prescribed and, when used properly, should NOT be used for more than 3-6 months.
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December 4, 2011

Pros:

Acne is cleared fast
No side effects

Cons:

Doesn't really work for cystic acne
Leaves red/brown marks

Didn't really experience any side effects because I took precautions after reading this page. Overall, it worked effectively for me in less than a week maybe because I have only light-moderate acne.
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November 29, 2011

Pros:

-The only thing that worked!
-Very Cheap (free on my insurance)

Cons:

-Large pill, hard to swallow

This is the only thing that has cleared up my acne, which consisted of whiteheads and inflamed bumps on forehead, cheek, and chin. I've tried benzoyl peroxide based topical products like Dan's system and Epiduo as well as taken Minocycline but they have had no effects on my acne. After 1 week of taking Doxy everything cleared up. I'll get 2-3 pimples a week but this is a vast improvement over anything I've used before. I took this on an empty stomach before going to sleep and didn't have an upset stomach or experience any sun sensitivity while taking this pill. I've since finished the 1 month prescription and don't know if my acne will come back but (crossing my fingers) I really hope it doesn't!
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November 26, 2011

Pros:

Clears skin
Low cost

Cons:

Mild nausea
May lose effectiveness
Can't take forever

I was put on a regimen of doxy, benzaclin, and tretinoin and it's worked very well. The idea behind the doxy is not to take it forever, but to mitigate the initial breakout which results from using the tretinoin. Being an antibiotic, the longer you take it, the larger the population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on your skin (and in your body) will dominate, because you are selecting for their growth (by constantly eliminating non-resistant bacteria). This always results in the drug eventually not working. I don't think many dermatologists prescribe this drug by itself anymore because it's not really a long-term option; they do it to buy you some time. You do get some nausea with this drug. I would say I have a pretty strong stomach, but even I'm reluctant to take this on an empty stomach. But I can't really complain about the results because IT DOES WORK (at least for me). Eventually your dosing will be reduced from twice a day to once a day, and maybe once every other day. The dermatologist doesn't want you on this for a long time because it makes you susceptible to stuff like pneumonia, or if you need antibiotics to treat illnesses in the future.
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November 24, 2011

Pros:

-Easy to get
-Works well

Cons:

-Not being to eat dairy products afterwards
-Heartburn
-Stomach Pain
-Overall sick feeling

This medicine is not for people with horrible acne. For horrible acne, you'll need to start off with something else. I have light acne, and I am also on a benzoyl peroxide gel and differin. I have been using this only for a day, but I am already seeing tons of side effects. If you take this medicine, you basically cannot safely have milk products, and there are many other restrictions. This is like baby acctuane, lol, I would not recommend this to other teen girls, this medicine is too restrictive. As for results, I have been taking this for 2 days and my skin has improved slightly.
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November 23, 2011

Pros:

Clears up acne
Easy to use
Amazingly cheap (Like $25)

Cons:

Does cause Nausea if taken on empty stomach
Makes you sensitive to sunlight

Great product to try since it's so inexpensive to see what it does to your skin. I have pretty bad acne with an oily complexion, but after using this for a couple of weeks my skin has been clearing up! I combine this with some benzoyle peroxide cream on the morning and some adapelene gel at night that my dermagolist recommeded. Still get some new pimples every now and then but its most likely since my hair touches my face and thats the only spot i get new blemishes. Super cheap product that worked for me, be a damn shame not to try it since its so cheap
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November 20, 2011

Pros:

Clears skin pretty quick.
Very Cheap

Cons:

Yeast Infection
Neausea

READ THE DIRECTIONS ON THE PACKET GIVEN TO YOU BY THE PHARMIST BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS MEDICAN!! It says do NOT take it with anything dairy. If it makes you sick when you take it on an empty stomach, eat with it [remember, nothing with any dairy]. Make sure to drink A LOT of water. And also DON'T lie down for 30 minutes after you take it. Wait 2 hours after taking doxy before you take any antacids, vitamins, or calcium products. This is a good drug for acne but no one is taking it correctly and it's getting bad reviews. Take the full prescription until your doctor says so, because if you stop, the infection can come back and you can become immune to the antibiotic. Basically, Doxy worked for me, and I had very sever foliculicus.
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November 11, 2011

Pros:

Inexpensive with insurance

Cons:

Doesn't really clear up acne
Sun sensitivity

I was prescribed this medication by my doctor. It was originally prescribed for my acne, but then I was given another prescription for another problem (that has nothing to do with acne). I've been using that last prescription for at least three or four months now, and I've seen no improvement in my acne. It has, however, helped me with my other problem. So I'll give it an extra star for that.
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November 9, 2011

Pros:

Cheap (but you get what you pay for)

Cons:

Severe Nausea

I took this for three months and had to quit. My nausea was so bad I was living off triscuit crackers. Dead serious. Also, my acne went from pretty bad only on my chin to blown up all over my face. I have cysts and nodules now that are the size of quarts and nickles and they're painful! My chin was the original problem and it FINALLY cleared up by the second month and then two weeks later started breaking out again. This is why I finally decided I'd quit taking them after my prescription ran out. After I finally get my skin cleared up one day when I find something that works, it'll take a lot of money and time to get rid of all the scarring and red spots. Thanks doxy.
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November 8, 2011

Pros:

Clears up skin

Cons:

Severe nausea

I started taking 100 MG twice a day for 2 weeks, every time I took it in the morning without food in my stomach I would throw up. So I now take it once a day before I go to sleep. It has been a month and my face is almost 100 percent clear. I don't get any new breakouts but the old ones are still clearing.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website