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

Minocycline 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 taken once a day with food, at the same time every day.

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May 28, 2010

Pros:

It helped clear my back, but not completely. Mino didn't do much for my face.
Easy to take and inexpensive.

Cons:

Sun sensitivity

I used this for 6 weeks along with differin on my face. I was mostly taking it for my bacne. This might work for some people, but it didn't really help me, so my dermatologist switched me to cephalexin. I would try it and if it doesn't work talk to your dermo about it.
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March 22, 2010

Pros:

It clears up the skin and keeps cysts from inflammation. Makes skin less oily.

Cons:

MUST eat copious amounts of yogurt, take acidophilus probiotics, garlic pills, etc. to prevent yeast infections on this drug, causes discomfort in G.I. tract because it kills all the bacteria in your body, including your good bacteria! It also causes pigmentation in the skin with dark marks where pimples used to be. It also causes lupus like symptoms such as slight rash on cheeks and joint pain (in my ankles).

Do not use this if you have mild acne. I only get hormonal cysts (maybe one or two) a month on my chin. I was prescribed this by my doctor. Now, it hurts when I pee (not a burning UTI feeling). But, it causes a lot of gas build-up and majorly screws up your G.I. tract. I've read that some people have IBS from taking this drug for long periods. I've only been on this drug (100 mg/day) for a month and have begun weaning off it by taking it every other day. I've read this works best on websites as opposed to stopping cold turkey. Many websites say you should take it every other day for two weeks and then once every two days for another two weeks. Not sure if this will work! I hope so! I still got cysts (1 or 2) during my ovulation period while on this drug, but they were not as big. It also could be the topicals I use such as benzine peroxide and salycic acid (in low percentages). Do not take this drug unless you have to and take PLENTY of probiotics!
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March 1, 2010

Pros:

- moderate improvement
- inexpensive, if you have insurance

Cons:

- long term use will seriously affect your immune system
- does not work as well as Accutane

I took minocycline and many other antibiotic medications for acne during junior high and high school. A few years later, I got many yeast infections, one of which would not go away and lead to a systemic yeast infection that lasted for around 7 months. Some doctors don't believe in systemic yeast but essentially, the yeast seems to permeate your system and can cause a wide array of bad things to happen; i knew I had it when i realized that what I ate affected how i felt "down there." I strongly believe that my immune system was affected by taking oral antibiotics for acne for many years. I don't get colds or things a lot, but I really learned from my systemic yeast experience that taking oral antibiotics is dangerous, don't help acne if you scratch for emotional reasons or if you have hormonal acne, and messes up your immune system so that it can't fight off diseases and things on your own. Sometimes, taking that 7-day acne antibiotic treatment can be a lifesaver if you've got a really bad breakout... but daily oral antibiotics for months, maybe years, is not a good choice for your overall health. Acne sucks (had it for 13 years) but you have to think about the health of your whole system, not just your face, when you consider oral antibiotics! For me, it wasn't worth it.
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February 27, 2010

Pros:

it clears skin somewhat

Cons:

if you take it for a long periods of time you can get bad side affects

i started taking minocycline about 3 years ago and i keep taking it cuz it was keeping my skin a little clear, but after a while i noticed that my joints in my hands and feet were in terrible pain in the mornings especially. I had never had it before and didnt know what was causing it, but after about a month or two after stopping the pill my joints started to hurt less but four months later I still have some of the pain still left. so all in all i would not recommend this product it is not worth!!!
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February 17, 2010

Pros:

I used this product for 9 months. During these 9 months, I had great results. It stopped the formation of new whiteheads, and it reduced the size of cysts and blackheads by 70%.

Cons:

HOWEVER!!!! 3 months after stopping this medication; my face was worse than ever. Even worse than I started! I also experienced severe dryness of the lips and my face was all scaly during the course of the 9 months of taking this medicine.

You will experience great results; but if you stop taking it, your acne will return! It took me 1 month to prepare myself to stop taking it. I would eat 1 cup of yogurt, take selenium, would take my pill every other day for the last 2 weeks. I would not recommend this medication at all. It may heal symptoms of acne, BUT IT WILL NOT CURE ACNE!
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December 16, 2009

Pros:

Helped clear my skin some what. I have back, chest, and face acne. (Sucks but oh well). Anyways this antibiotic helped clear it up in the time I took it.

Cons:

I got really really sick from it. I could not eat because I was so nauseous.

I took it for 2 weeks but could not take the nauseousness anymore. After I stopped taking it it took 3 days to feel like myself again. But it did do what it was supposed to do it cleared my skin as much as it could in those two weeks. If it did not make me so sick I would totally keep taking it! Also it cleared up my chest and back acne which NOTHING has ever done that!
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November 24, 2009

Pros:

The price is good if you have insurance.

Cons:

This absolutely did NOT work for me. I took it for a month and my face kept breaking out more and more and got worse and worse. I am 49 years old and my face hadn't broke out this bad since high school. Awful, awful, awful!

The bottom line is that obviously not one particular thing works for everyone. My doctor also prescribed a topical cream called Metronidazole to use while I took Minocycline. It seemed a vicious cycle to me - Minocycline would make my face breakout and the cream would heal the breakouts but it just couldn't keep up... just too many blemishes to combat. Now after being off ProActv for six months I went back to using it last week to clear up all the blemishes. Combined with the cream to keep my face from drying out and to heal any new breakouts seems to be working. My face feels smooth again and the blemishes are slowly but surely healing and not returning.
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November 7, 2009

Pros:

1 pill twice a day

Cons:

3rd day for me and it looks horrible!!

I hope it works!
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September 21, 2009

Pros:

It does work but not as well as accutane. I have had bad acne since I was a teen and now I'm 27 years old.

Cons:

Please Please don't take this drug. The side effects are not worth it. I've never been so sick in my life.

Try accutane.
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September 15, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

I took this medication one year ago and not only did it not work, but it also made me violently ill. I was nauseous all the time and vomited at least once a month. I also had moderately severe acne, so I shouldn't have been given this med.

Don't bother with antibiotics: take Accutane. Don't be afraid of the side effects on Accutane, they are very rare and are the same severity as antibiotics.
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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