Doxycycline
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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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4
35.1%
3
21.8%
2
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1
10.5%

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December 15, 2011

Pros:

Works well when you find the correct dosage.

Cons:

Acne may return within weeks after you stop taking it.

If your insurance can handle it, this can be a cheap way of keeping your acne off your face.
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December 5, 2011

Pros:

Reduces inflammation for cystic acne.
Cheap.
Fast working (2-3 weeks)

Cons:

Some side effects (nausea, etc) - but only when not taken properly i.e., with food, and sitting up.

Started using Doxycycline when I experienced side effects from Monocycline antibiotics. My acne was severe with very large and painful cysts on my forehead and it rapidly improved after just a few weeks. My skin is now (almost) blemish free :) Only downside is that I'm scared to go off them and my prescription runs out in a month.
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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 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 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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October 12, 2011

Pros:

so far its clearing my skin

Cons:

yeast infections
stomach irritated

i have been on doxycycline for about a week i see my skin is improving i also started drinking alot more water. to prevent yeast infections i take 4 probiotics chewable tabs or gummies :) i also have a good skincare regime i wash my face 2x a day am and pm with mario badescu acne cleanser and then i tone my face and i use clindamycin lotion after then i prep my skin for make up to cover up i use bare minerals but i deff see my skin is getting better i see it clearing it up you have to be motivated to clearing acne
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October 7, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of blackheads
Clears body acne

Cons:

Sensitivity to sun, kills good bacteria as well

I have been taking this antibiotic twice a day for about a month and so far it has been working very well. I was concerned about the side effects, but I always take this pill with food, and no upset stomach has occurred. I also take a probiotic to avoid the chance of yeast infection. I did notice a major increase in sensitivity to the sun, my skin starts getting pink within minutes of being outside, but I packed on high spf sunscreen (oil free sunscreen for my face) and that problem went away. Overall, my back acne has cleared up and my face looks much better. I think it's worth it.
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October 6, 2011

Pros:

- helped with cystic acne
- decreased number of active pimples

Cons:

- caused monthly yeast infection
- caused nausea if not taken with food
- didn't completely get rid of acne

I have been taking 100mg twice a day for a year now. It has done wonders for cystic acne but unfortunately I have to stop taking it because it has been causing me monthly yeast infections which are just getting miserable. I don't think it's really a long term fix, but if I would continue taking it I probably would. It helps decrease the amt of acne I've had, but definitely not a complete cure.
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September 28, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of acne on both body and face.

Cons:

Increased Sensitivity to the sun
Gets rid of all bacteria not JUST bad bacteria so decreases immunity.

I think that this product works really well and i am happy with the results, if you are going to try it you just need to make sure that you wear sunscreen and it may help to take extra tablets to put all the good bacteria back in your body.
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September 20, 2011

Pros:

Works well for cystic acne
Extremely cheap ($2.87 before insurance)
Easy to use (compared to topicals for body acne)

Cons:

Intense stomach aches
Sensitivity to sun
Cannot take with certain foods high in calcium or iron
Does not work forever
Can cause antibiotic induced diarrhea
I personally have found it to be less effective for body acne than for facial acne, but not completely ineffective.

Doxycycline is a great but temporary solution. It will NOT work forever. I have been using it for a month, but a few years ago, I was taking it for over a year and it simply stopped working at all. Probiotics are a must. Eat plenty of yogurt, but make sure you eat it 3 hours before or after your dose. Antibiotic induced diarrhea can have very serious complications, and once it starts, it can be difficult to fix it. Increased sun sensitivity definitely happens. It was not as severe for me as it is for some, but I did notice it. Basically, sunlight feels like its burning your skin. You will definitely want to avoid excessive sunlight if you notice this feeling. If you are going to use doxycycline, I would start discussing other options with your physician. In my case, I have body acne, as well, so topical solutions aren't a very effective option for me. I am strongly considering Accutane after this round of doxycycline treatment. Either way, be prepared for this treatment to stop working, sometimes sooner than later. It works slowly. People here are saying they saw results within 2 weeks, sometimes within days. That is not typical. Generally, you won't see significant results for 4-6 weeks. Doxycycline does, in itself, have some mild anti-inflammatory properties. To be honest, ibuprofen has been a more effective anti-inflammatory for me. It also stops working slowly. If at any time after 6-8 weeks you notice your acne is beginning to return to the same level as before, don't wait to start discussing other options. I have also been on minocycline and have found doxycycline to be vastly more effective. My acne: Severe cystic acne on face and back. After 1 month, I have almost no active cystic acne left.
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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