Tetracycline
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Side Effects

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

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

It is normally prescribed at a dose of 300 mg once or twice a day. The dose is often reduced once acne is notably improved.

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September 20, 2011

Pros:

Does help A LOT with first few months

Cons:

troublesome taking it twice a day.
If you stop the acne comes right back.

Good for someone with mild acne, but not for someone with bad acne.
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August 27, 2011

Pros:

-clears alot in first few months
-helps alot with cystic areas
-confidence booster for a while..
-less whiteheads

Cons:

-skin will return.. if not worse
-very drying! hard to exfoliate..
-hassle to take everyday
-kills good bacteria and bad
-body evolves against the antibiotic

I was on this antibiotic for 1 year 2 months! First few months where great, my skin had dramatically cleared up, i would have at least one new whitehead everyday.. but such an improvement. Gradually after about 3 months of being on this med, my skin adjusted to the antibiotic and got worse and worse, a year and 2 months had passed and my skin was back to square one, just as bad as when i had started except now it had spread all around my face, nose, chin, forehead, and where it was originally, around my mouth and smile lines.. I would recommend it if you are looking for a quick fix, but for a lasting cure, no chance, i'm currently on another antibiotic, waiting for accutane..
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August 14, 2011

Pros:

Cleared acne up during course of treatment

No side effects

Cons:

After I'd finished my 2 month treatment the acne came back and much worse aswell.

Even when I was on it, it never cleared up my back or chest.

Takes a while to notice the difference.

Damn. I was so looking forward to this treatment. After suffering with acne for 6 years and dealing with the awful years of secondary school and stupid expectations my self esteem finally took an all time low. The doctor pescribed me with this (1 a day). After a month and a half my skin was glowing; all that was left on my face was acne scars and maybe the odd pimple. I thought i'd found my miracle treatment. For the next month or so, while I finished the course of drugs, people began to notice me and really comment on how good my skin looked. Honestly, I'd never been happier with peoples positive interactions with me. Anyway, aftter 3 weeks of finishing the tetracycline my acne came back and far worse. Evenmore disheartening was the fact I was getting used to having a clear face. Once again self esteem took an all time low and I really began to hide away Anyway I have surrounded myself with a good group of friends and I guess thats all that matters. Despite the fact that tetracyline didnt work for me, it doesnt mean that it wouldnt for others. I'm pretty sure it would in fact. If you do try it, just bear in mind that it probably will come back first time, several courses may be neccessary. Good Luck. And just remember that acne doesn't need to consume your life, like I let it do with mine. By the way, I've now been on tetracycline twice, and my doctor doesnt think its worth repeating, so we are looking for alternatives.
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August 13, 2011

Pros:

practically sucked my zits back into my skin, brightened my complection, and increased my skin confidence, made me less greasy

Cons:

dried my skin out a little, had to plan meals around pill, big pill,

I love this! It has made my skin really nice and clear! I don't know about the other people, but they should have had other creams prescribed with the Tetracycoline, and YOU HAVE TO WASH YOUR FACE WHILE TAKING THIS!!!!!!!!! It isn't a magic pill! The laws of physics still apply to this pill! You dermatologist doen't get his supplies from the guy who sold Jack his magic beanstalk beans! You still have to wash you face with whatever is recommended by your dermatologist, and keep your face clean! I don't know about you other guys, but I was still thorough with my skin care regeime, and I saw results. So bottom bottom line; THIS ISN'T A MAGIC PILL! WASH YOUR FACE REGULARLY, AND RESULTS SHOULD APPEAR!!!!
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August 12, 2011

Pros:

Clear Skin
Cheap

Cons:

You have to plan meals around it.

This was my lifesaver. I was 14 when acne struck me and it struck me hard. I had tried EVERY topical solution imagainable. Eventually after about eight months I gave in and went to a dermotologist and got a tetracycline and epiduo. I take 250 mg twice a day and use epidou at night. It takes about 2 months for it to completely get rid of your acne. Since it is not a cure, you will get a breakout everynow and then but they go away much sooner. Unfournutaly since my acne got so bad, i have some hyperpigmentation but other than those spots, i have NO acne whatsoever. I never experianced upset stomach or teeth yellowing but everyone is different. I highly reccomend this product as it really changes your skin completely. Im 15 now and my skin and self confidence couldnt be better. (:
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August 11, 2011

Pros:

I experienced NONE

Cons:

I have a SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to the drug
enornous hives, itching, swelling of feet, hands, face, mouth, joint pain and muscle pain, with skin sensitive to the touch

I would serious reconsider taking this drug for your acne. If you can do with topicals, stick with those. The side effects I experienced were far wost than my acne has ever been.
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August 10, 2011

Pros:

cleared up my acne very well!

Cons:

made me extremely nauseas
skin sensative to sun
had to plan my meals around the pill

I took this for a little over a year and it worked extremely well! it took about two months to COMPLETELY clear up my skin. The only problem is that once i stopped taking it, my acne came back worse than ever before.
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August 4, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

Made my teeth yellow
Didn't work

I used this product years ago when I was a teen. It didn't work well and made my teeth yellow over the years!
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July 25, 2011

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

- had to take 4 a day for 2 weeks in the beginning and i had to plan my meals around the pills which was really annoying
-made my eye sight really bad... it made my eyes go cross eyed randomly
-gave me muscle spasms
-decreased appatite
-DIDNT WORK

This didnt work for me. I wanted it to.... but it didnt. It didnt make my acne worse or better. It was like not even taking anything at all... except for the side affects. I think if I did keep on using this, i would have gone blind because everyday my eyesight kept getting worse. So, i used this for 4 weeks and saw NO improvement and only got bad things out of it. Bad pill. I wouldnt take it again and i dont recommend it unless you want terrible side affects.
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July 13, 2011

Pros:

-cleared my acne at first and quickly
-killed appetite

Cons:

-large pill
-stopped working after a while
-weird taste

I began taking this and it began clearing my acne within a week or two. I loved it and i thought that I had found a new magic medicine. My acne completely cleared up and I was happy. Since my acne cleared, i assumed that I no longer needed to take it. My acne came back stronger and more aggressive than ever so i went back on tetracycline and it no longer worked. Nothing seems to work now. However, I would definitely recommend taking this first before trying something like accutane or a harsh face cream.
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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

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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:

  • 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.

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  • 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.
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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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