Doxycycline
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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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3.4
1460
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20.4%
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35.1%
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21.8%
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12.1%
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10.5%

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June 15, 2012

Pros:

Helps acne a bit

Cons:

Causes stomach upset and may cause bacterial resistance.

This is the second time I have been on the medication. It helped a lot the first time but quit after about a month. Acne came back. I am taking again but scared after reading that it may come back worse after discontinuing the medication. Also extreme nausea when taken without food.
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June 13, 2012

Pros:

Clearer skin after a week of use

Cons:

I havent found any yet. Other than when I stop using I may end up with acne again :(

I havent experienced any stomach pains. I always take after I have had my breakfast. I havent experienced any headaches. I am still using PhIsohex for the bacteria on the skin it is an antibacterial face/body wash aswell as acne. moisteriser. & for spot treatment I have been using an at home remedy it consists of: - 1 tsp ground nutmeg - 1tsp milk mix into a paste and apply with a small brush onto the spot & leave for a couple to a few hours wash off with warm water & then pat dry. your skin feels instantly smoother. well mine did :)... I hope that this will help you in any way as it has for me.
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June 5, 2012

Pros:

Effective. My skin looked better after the first month.

Cons:

Nausea and dry skin

I took Accutane in 2004-2005 and it miraculously cleared up my acne on my back, chest, and face. I had my confidence back, it was great. 2011 acne came back and broke me out under my jaw line and neck area. Tried over the counter products in hopes of getting that clear skin back but nothing. I was prescribed Doxycycline Mono 100mg cap and after 1 month of seeing results I stopped. Today, 5 months later, I have acne once again on my back, chest, and jaw line area. I'm taking Doxycycline for the second time, this time I'll wait longer than 1 month.
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May 27, 2012

Pros:

Helped to keep it under control

Cons:

Unless I used it with multiple topicals (including cleanser/topical treatment/moisturizer and masks for when it got really bad) it didn't work at all.
If you take this for too long, it can have a bad effect on your bones and make your teeth yellow.
If you take this and are sexually active, if you are pregnant you could seriously deform your baby.
Acne reappeared much worse than before I took the medication

I wouldn't use this product again. For the first 6 months it helped to keep it under control but then it was hardly effective at all. I noticed that when I tried to ween off of the pill I got sick all of the time because my body had to work twice as hard to fight off the germs since it was used to an antibiotic. Also, I didn't have insurance so it was pricey for me. I was afraid that my teeth were getting yellow, so I tried to back off it while still using topicals. Once I stopped using it, my acne came back so much worse... This product was a waste of money and time.
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April 5, 2012

Pros:

Clears up most acne; fewer breakouts; if I did get acne, it would only be a pimple or two and they'd heal quickly

Cons:

Developed a resistance FAST :(

Definitely good for a few months, but after that I developed a resistance and started breaking out HORRIBLY :( Going back to the derm this week to ask about Bactrim.
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March 23, 2012

Pros:

Kept Back Acne Under Control (which was cystic)
Reduced Inflammation everywhere (face and back)
Helped my roosacea (by reducing redness)

Cons:

Threw up from taking on empty stomach
Can upset stomach
Not the best on immune system

I took this over the summer. It helped I'd say. I has nice clear skin for months. When the fall came; however, I had a major breakout (tiny bumps, very red, all around center of face). So, it didn't help with that. At least I wasn't getting the bigger pimples though. I couldn't continue because of insurance issues, but when I did, I didn't have to pay.
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March 14, 2012

Pros:

No side effects (except I feel a little tired always)

Cons:

Just plain didnt work

My dr prescribed this for acne that was not being kept under control by Differin and benzaclin. It didn't make any difference, dr said the bacteria are probably resistant. Trying minocycline next. I would recommend giving it a shot, since it seems to work for most people, and there are minimal side effects (do not however take it on an empty stomach no matter what the bottle says)
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February 28, 2012

Pros:

Chest and back are clear

Cons:

It's been 6 1/2 weeks and I haven't seen much of a difference.

I had really bad hormonal acne. I can tell that the doxycycline is surfacing the pimples, it's just taking longer than normal. I wish I knew if I were wasting my time. I'm using this 200 mg a day with duac and differin.
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February 12, 2012

Pros:

Removed most Cysts on face.

Cons:

No real cons, I experienced no side effects, just made sure I ate before I took one.

After taking this for a few months, despite the fact it has eliminated some cysts on my face, I am not satisfied. I still break out and I would suggest if you're willing to go on Accutane, you skip Doxycycline and start it. Even if this is effective, your acne is still likely to come back after treatment. However, if you're not willing to try Accutane due to it's side effects, this is probably the best antibiotic for you.
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February 8, 2012

Pros:

Very inexpensive
Side-effects were minor

Cons:

Requires a lot of patience

During college I had moderate acne easily controlled by topicals over the counter, but after my complexion started getting much worse, large, deep pustules mostly on the side of the chin and on my cheek bones. Been on Doxy for about a month now and am seeing some improvement, but need to be patient for full results I think. My skin is a little less oily and new zits take less time to go away than before the doxy. Hoping If I stick with it Ill see a ton of improvement by end of month 2.
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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