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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February 8, 2011

Pros:

+ Beautiful skin. Only occasional, minor breakouts, and no more cysts!
+ Blackheads gone (though I think this may be due to the strong exfoliating effect of the Retin-A)

Cons:

- Dizziness at first. To combat this, I stopped taking my morning dose, opting instead to take 100 mg at night only. This way I was asleep before any dizziness could kick in.
- Stomach upset. I began taking Acidophilus and eating yogurt, and these measures made this side effect pretty bearable.
- I get tiny tiny bumps on my arms every so often, but they're hardly visible.

I had mild to moderate acne that was so persistent and frustrating that I was considering Accutane. However, at least for now it looks as though Minocycline in conjunction with 0.1% Retin-A gel can keep me almost completely clear. I just hope things don't take a turn for the worse once my Mino runs out...
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January 30, 2011

Pros:

Does the job for the time being
No side-effects
Reduces redness

Cons:

The pros are gone as soon as you stop taking it
Antibiotics are not healthy
Not a lasting solution

Minocycline gets the job done when used properly. I have mild-sever acne and after trying everything for years, I finally decided to give it a try. Yes, i still had a few pimples here and there and 1 or 2 cystic acnes a month, but overall it cleared my pimples and redness like no other topical product has ever done. I was taking 100mg twice a day for 6 months. The bad came as soon as I stopped taking it. After a week my face broke out like crazy. Hopefullly my body will be able to adjust itself and go back to how things were or else I have no choice but go back on it.
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January 17, 2011

Pros:

Worked great for about 1 year. Awesome results!

Cons:

Quits working after time.

Like all oral antibiotics I have tried, minocycline failed about a year after I started it. During that year, though, I was breakout-free. It was GLORIOUS. Cystic acne, blackheads, whiteheads... all gone! I just wish it would have lasted forever. Sigh.
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December 30, 2010

Pros:

It Helps! (Not Cures, HELPS)

Cons:

Neasea

Bottom line is, It really has worked. 28 Yr. Female with mild/moderate adult Acne. I Just finished my 1st script of 100MG 2X/day & It is by NO means my "Miracle Drug" but I'm feeling a little better about my face these days! Thank you Birth Control (Mirena) for screwing with my hormones & giving me Adult Acne!! I litterally tried everything under the sun & would Cry almost every night I washed off my makeup. I never had "perfect" skin, but after coming off the Mirena, my skin just kept getting WORSE & WORSE & finally I couldn't take it no more. I called my Doctor & she prescribes Minocycline. I researched the HELL out of it & read tons of reviews. It did make me very dizzy/neasiated when I took it in the mornings, but that feeling went away after a few weeks & It did get worse before it got better! Try to stick it out if you can, cause it did work for me. However, I'm sure it's not a "Long-term" solution, so I've made an appt. with my Dr. to refer me to a Dermatologist. I'm hoping I'll be able to wean myself off & keep the clearer skin... *Fingers Crossed* Also, I use an Oil Free Neutrogena face wash, Day & Night Cetaphil for lotion after wash & Clean & Clear Persa-Gel (after lotion dries about 10 min.) on my sensitive areas. Good Luck, Acne sucks & no one can understand how it makes you feel if you've never had it!!
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December 26, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up acne pretty good just after a week or so.
Reduced redness of acne almost after a few days.

Cons:

None as of so far.

I'm covered for the cost of this, and i've been set up to be taking this for awhile. I'm using this along with a topical of benzoyl peroxide combined with some other anti-biotic. The Truth is alot of people search online and are concerned and get worried by reading bad reviews or comments. I haven't personally had anything bad happen to me while on this. And all it has done is boost my self-esteem. My skin isnt sore anymore and my acne is slowly disappearing. I highly suggest trying this anti-biotic. Just drink lots of water. I'm taking 100 mg every day in the morning, and then eating an hour later or so. Cheer up, you deserve to feel better mentally and physically, there is nothing to lose by trying this! If you start to have symptoms just stop taking it if it's too much!
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December 15, 2010

Pros:

I have been on minocyclen 50mg I take it on a daily basis. It has helped my skin some, I still get a few pustules but they seem to pop and come out, I tend to get big ones under my skin which are painful and last up to 4 to 6 weeks, inflammation. So I have noticed my skin a lot clearer.

Cons:

None, I drink lots of water, with it.

I really have noticed improvement in my skin, I'm just worried, I don't want to take it forever because it has a lot of side effects. Though I have not had any problems with it.
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December 8, 2010

Pros:

-works great if your body adapts to it
-cleared up my skin

Cons:

-induced lupus

Bottom line it worked great for me for two years. I was on and off. I took it for a year and cleaned up all my acne, I would never break out, only occasionally during my mestrual cycle. The second year I was on and off, only took it when I started having break outs. Three months ago I started having horrible pain on all of my joints and could barely walk or move my fingers. I would get that pain 3-4 days a week. Went to the doctor and they found out this medicine induced lupus and gave me all the symptoms of it so sadly I had to stop taking it. My pain is gone but started breaking out again:( Bottom line this is a great medicine if your body doesnt experience all the side effects, as you can see it worked for me just fine for 2 years. I do recommend it!
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November 21, 2010

Pros:

-Starting to help with the redness
-Helps with the inflammation
-Covered by my healthcare

Cons:

-Affects the less problematic areas of skin first.
-Took 3 weeks to START a VISIBLE difference.

I have tried tetracycline, and Diane birth control about a year ago, with no progress and no help, so my doctor put me on minocycline, twice a day. It's been about 3 weeks and i can say that i'm JUST starting to see a difference. For the first few weeks of being on it, my acne got worse, and mind you, it's moderately severe acne, around the sides of my cheeks, extending down to my neck, it's painful and inflated, which means that i need help now. I'm starting to see a difference, it's not as red, as for the impurities themselves, its all still there, hopefully it will work in the promised 3 months.
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November 16, 2010

Pros:

Got rid of large, painful bumps quickly.
Helped soothe redness.
Cleared me up about 90% in just over two weeks.
Easy to take.
No side effects at all.
Free! (Covered by my health care plan)
:)

Cons:

None for me!

I have been taking minocycline approaching three weeks this friday, and it has worked wonders on my skin! Two months after coming off the birth control Yasmin in the summer my face exploded with acne, much worse than what I had previous to going on the pill. It was very devastating. I didn't want to leave the house, which is not like me at all. I finally decided enough was enough, and when i had spent a pretty penny on multiple acne kits, spot treatments, at home remedies and the whole nine yards, i went to an acne clinic and saw a dermatologist. She was fantastic. She immediatley prescribed me mino to clear up the mess on my face, and we talked about adding in Spironolactone in three weeks at my next appointment (since my acne is VERY hormonal, around my mouth, on my chin/jawline, and nose). So far I am very pleased with the results of Minocycline! Even if it is a temporary fix, it did do the trick for the mean time. I am also back on birth control, but now am on YAZ, for one month now. Here's to clearing skin! Hope this helps. :)
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October 30, 2010

Pros:

-cleared up my severe acne relatively quickly
-noticeable results in 2-3 weeks
-all of the large bumps I had around my jawline reduced in size in a week or so
-the pills are small, easy to take

Cons:

-dairy products are said to reduce its effectiveness so that limited the times when I could take the pill

I had next to perfect skin before going off the pill in April. A few months later my skin broke out like nobody's business! I was very close to starting Accutane although my issue wasn't chronic and Accutane sounds pretty severe so I went the antibiotic route. Minocycline (twice a day, 50 g/capsule) in combination with Clindoxyl gel helped so much in bringing down the large, painful bumps on my face. My skin still isn't as pretty as it was before (I have red pigmentation marks left over from where the bumps were) but makeup can cover it up no problem. I definitely recommend Minocycline!
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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.
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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:

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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.
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