I have moderate to severe acne, characterized mostly by blackheads, whiteheads, and what may be milia on my cheeks, chin, jawline, and around my ears.  I also get occasional cystic acne.  It appeared in my late teens and has been very stubborn for a few years now.  Nothing has helped.  A couple of my friends responded well with Accutane, but I'm not sure if it will help with my type of acne, since everything i've read says it is indicated for severe cystic acne.  I was wondering if anyone out there has used it, and what their experience was like.  I've heard the side effects are pretty ugly, and they the acne may get much worse before it gets better.  Is Accutane worth it?
137634
Accutane is the most potent of all acne medications and also boasts a success rate above 90%. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not use this drug.\n\nI have used Accutane in the past and found this...\n\nIt causes dry skin and chapped lips. It reduced acne on me and eliminated it completely on one of my friends, who has not had another breakout since he finished using it.
458391
Hi,\n\nI totally know where you're coming from.  I struggled with really, really bad acne about 2 years ago.  Intially I tried tetra-cyclin and retin-a.  However, my skin got freakishly dry and I started getting a weird rash on my face.  \n\nI quickly stopped taking them and tried Proactive.  That sure was a waste of money.  I finally started showering directly after the gym and found that this helped tremendously.  I also tried a free product I got on the net called Beautiful Skin.  Believe it or not, it worked way better than the prescription stuff!  I only paid $4.95 for shipping for a month supply.  I re-ordered and I use it to make sure I don't get back my zits.  It also has tea tree oil which feels really good on my skin.\n\nHere's the link if you want to get it, I think it's the best thing I've ever bought for the price $4.95\nhttp://www.alllsite.info/beautiful-skin.php\n\nGood Luck!
568128
Accutane is amazing stuff.  If you have really bad acne it will dry it up like magic.  However it will also dry your lips and eyes and you may need to have lots of moisturizers on hand.  The bad news is only if you get pregnant.  Accutane is linked with severe birth defects... so be very careful.  Good luck!
641573
One product alone won't clear up your acne. You have to buy several little things to see progress. For overall acne treatment, I'd look into something called Proactiv.
166213
No. Patches are made specificaly for their purpose. It has been my experience that the pill and patch both produce more acne in women and weight gain as well due to the imbalance of hormones created. The birth control pill is NOT good for you. \n\nFurther problems can develope such as mood swings, depression, anxiety and liver disorders and toxicity are also some other side effects of these hormone based products.\n\nJust in case you have not tried any dietary supplementation here are a few well known ones for acne as well as some back ground info on acne. You sound like you have been through the wringer with cures and I am guessing you have tried plenty so this is really just in case.\n\nACNE\n \n \nAcne is usually considered an adolescent affliction affecting up to 80 percent of teenagers. Although acne occurs most commonly in adolescent males, it can affect people of any age.\n\nSymptoms\nAcne vulgaris, the most common form of acne, consists of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and deep cysts that appear mainly on the face and to a lesser extent on the chest, shoulders and back. \n\nAcne is often worse during winter, improving during summer. \n\n\nCauses\nAcne commences when the sebaceous ducts in the skin become blocked by skin overgrowth to form a whitehead, or by plugs of sebum which darken on exposure to air forming a blackhead. \n\n\nWhen the sebum trapped in the whitehead or blackhead is forced into the deeper skin layers, an inflammatory reaction causes a red lump called a papule. If infection follows, pus collects and the classic pimple (pustule) is seen. When the inflammatory condition is severe, large, painful cysts may form.\n\n\nAcne is associated with hormonal imbalance, and will typically develop during puberty when hormonal activity increases the size and activity of the sebaceous glands. Some women also experience acne as a component of pre-menstrual syndrome.\n\n\nThe naturopathic view is that acne is aggravated by ineffective elimination from the body, which may be related to a build up of toxins in the system due to an inability of the liver to effectively break down circulatory toxins. It can also be initiated by food sensitivities, poor diet and stress.\n\n\n\nNatural Therapies\n\n\n\n\nZinc is an essential mineral used for wound healing and the normal oil gland function of the skin. It is also involved in the maintenance of vitamin A levels, transport and usage; for protein synthesis, (particularly collagen synthesis); and to help maintain hormonal balance. \n\nBeta-carotene is transformed into vitamin A in the body. These two nutrients act as skin antioxidants, and may be of assistance in the treatment of acne, other skin conditions, and the healing of wounds. \n\nSulphur is traditionally indicated as a liver tonic to support the body's detoxification processes, and for a variety of skin conditions including acne which are associated with sluggish liver function \n\nEchinacea has been extensively investigated and has been found to have a variety of actions on the immune system, including antibacterial and antiviral activity. \n\nCalendula has traditionally been used for the treatment of skin infection and to assist wound healing. \n\nVitex Agnus-Castus is indicated for acne problems which are worse pre-menstrually.\n \nPrevention\nThere are conflicting theories about direct dietary influences on acne. \n\nThe best approach is to adopt a healthy well balanced diet high in fibre, filtered water and fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid refined or processed foods, sugars and high-fat foods. \n\n\nRegular exercise is great for your skin, as it improves your circulation and aids in the removal of toxins. Try brisk walking, jogging swimming or any active sport 3 - 4 times per week.\n \nHope this helps.\n\nCraig - Naturopath.
32650
I was using Proactiv for about a year and is was keeping my skin clear then all of a sudden it stopped working, I think my skin got to use to it.  I'm now using Retin-A, it is doing a great job.  I have never tried Murad Acne.
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hormones\n\nFor most people with acne, it begins at puberty. This is when the body starts to produce hormones called androgens. Androgens cause the enlargement and overstimulation of the sebaceous glands in people with acne. Sensitivity to these androgens also cause acne to appear during the menstrual cycle and sometimes in pregnancy. The extra sebum (oil) that the sebaceous glands produce mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin's surface and this blocks pores. Inside the blocked pore, bacteria multiply and cause inflammation leading to the spots and pustules associated with acne.\n\nstress\n\nStress can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne.\n\nother causes\n\n    * Acne is often genetic\n    * Some medications and steroids\n    * Heavy or oily make up\n    * Over abrasive cleansing\n          o Astringent facial products can dry the skin out causing the body to create even more sebum to compensate\n          o Use of harsh exfoliators can damage existing spots and spread infection\n          o Picking or squeezing of blackheads, whiteheads and spots can send the infection deeper into the skin and cause scarring\n    * A diet high in foods that can aggravate acne\n\nou really can get rid of acne, naturally. How? By learning about the causes of acne and how to rebalance the body. By understanding that applying harsh chemicals to the skin can actually exacerbate the skin's natural oil production and make acne worse. Why is it that people who don't eat a Western diet don't have acne? You, too, can get rid of acne by understanding why it's predominantly a Western problem. In parts of the world where a Western diet is being adopted, they are now getting acne.\n\nOur bodies are fine-tuned machines, continually creating new cells and getting rid of dead cells. There are three processes vital to human health; appropriation (taking in food, air, water etc), assimilation (absorbing nutrients to create new cells) and elimination (expelling waste/toxins). If any one of these is unbalanced, this can lead to less than vital health. We need to take in the right fuel, use it effectively and get rid of by-products and waste. For example, we get rid of waste via the digestive system, the lungs and the skin; if the digestive system is sluggish waste may have to be expelled via the skin as blocked pores and acne.
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woah, proactive isn't working? i think your body is FLOODED with estrogen then. don't worry, you know its part of life, more estrogen makes you more womanly. there is a product called "accutane" i take it for acne problems, i went to my pediatrician and he sent me to a dermatologist, and he gave me accutane. works wonders. i haven't had a single pimpe since. been about a year. good luck\n\noh yes, if you do get accutane, make SURE he tells you the side affects, you could get depressed. i didn't but it could happen to anyone.
67832
I have used Proactiv for the last year.  I felt that it worked o.k.  I'm 30 and since I had children, I started having acene for the first time in my life.  I did give it to my 16yr. old nephew and it worked awesome for him, he completely cleared up.  I do know that after a year, I started having breakouts again.  I finally went to a dermatolgist and I have a cleanser and toner, plus a antibotic cream that i apply to my face.  The toner and cleanser are sold in his office and they cost as much as my proactive (surprised?)  You can walk into a dermatolgist office and ask if they sell cleanser over the counter and get their price list.  They are very helpful in finding out what might work on you based off your skin without a doctors visit.  My dermatologist also gave me cetaphil before I brought the cleansers.  My friend in college used it and it cleared her face right up.  Cetaphil can be purchased at Walgreens, Walmart, or any drug store.  Some of my friends swear by it.  Depending on your budget, or how it is affecting you psychologically try some or all of my suggestions.  Do what works, start out cheap with the Cetaphil, then a walk in to a dermatologist office (check to see if your insurance covers to the visit, and if it doesn't ask for their over the counter products and price sheets, you don't have to buy immediatley.)  Good luck:)
285817
We have been fooled, tricked, deceived, and just plain lied to. It's time that someone put a stop to it, and everyone learn the truth!\n\nThose of us who suffer from acne has usually been given 2 choices and neither of them work:\n\n1. Over the counter remedies such as cleansers, creams, ointments, etc. These things have been proven over and over again not to work.   Why?  It does not address the root cause of the problem.\n\n2. Go see a doctor and or dermatologist. They will generally prescribe prescription drugs which include topicals and or antibiotics. This, too, has been proven over and over again not to work. Why?  It does not address the root cause of the problem.\n\nI found a step-by-step program that cured my acne and it has never come back.  It is amazing and doesn’t use any drugs.  The truth is that acne can be cured…if we know the secret the doctors and drug companies don’t want us to know.\nThere is a great website:  http://cure-my-acne.info/3daycure  that has all the details.  I really suggest you check it out and see if it works as well for you as it did for me.
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Acne is a tough problem. Unfortunately, it doesn't always disappear as you get older, which could develop into adult acne.\n\nFurthermore, if left untreated, acne can cause semi-permanent scarring.\n\nThe good news is that it's all pretty much preventable.\n\nThe bad news is that I suggest if your acne is quite bad, you see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Save up some money, even if it means that you have to cut corners elsewhere for a while. You should make sure that your health and well-being is a priority.\n\nYou could try to tame acne with a regimen of over-the-counter solutions. You should make sure to wash your face at least 2 times a day, use a toner for oily or acne-prone skin, and use a topical cream to help dry out existing blemishes. You may also wish to try a system called "Proactiv Solution," which you may have seen on tv. People have used this product for acne with varying degrees of success. Google "Proactiv Solution" for more information.\n\nThe problem with this solution is that often, with acne, the problem is below the skin - where creams and washes can't reach. This is why it's so important to see a dermatologist.\n\nFor more information on this topic, google the terms "acne solution" or "acne tips."\n\nGood Luck!
140155
In my early twenties, I had acne that just would not go away.  I started washing my face, gently, with the noxzema, noxema, I don't how to spell it, in the jar, not the lotion-like kind.  After one week, my acne was completely gone and stayed gone as long as I used it.  It may not be the quick cover-up, but it sure did work for me and it got rid of my acne, not just covering it up.
362352
Yes this medicine works very well for acne.  I used this medicine for years as a teenager to control my acne.  Of course nobody told me the side effects of the medicine until later on in life.  I had beautiful skin when I was taking tetracycline, but if you take this antibiotic for long periods of time it suppresses your immune system like any antibiotic.  Also Tetracycline causes damage to your teeth often making them turn yellow and even decay.  Keep that in mind.  I took this medicine for about 4 straight years and I didn't really notice and big changes in my teeth until later on in life.  My dentist says the yellowing on my teeth is caused by antibiotics.  I have to go through a bleaching process to get my teeth back to a natural white.  I was also told that because the antibiotic caused this, the bleaching process may not get my teeth as white as they should be.
150752
ya i highly recommend it.  First couple weeks will be hell.  It gets worse before it gets better by using accutane.  But it  is the onlyt hing that actually works.
469166
Acne is a condition that mostly affects teenagers, thus acne can affect adults till thier late 30's.\n\nPopping acne pimple is the #1 cause of acne marks and/or scars, for most people not all.\n\nScrubbing your skin with harsh cleansers instead clean it with gentle soap some examples are in (Burts Bees.com)\n\nOver treating the acne, over the counter medications containing Benzoyl Peroxide can aggragate acne if used in high concentrations over a short period of time.\n \nPrescriptions that treat acne are erythromycin, clindamycin, azeliac acid, and isotrentoin. This prescriptions are stronger than over the counter. \n\nI used Tea tree oil for acne, no irritation, but smells like tea,\nreally clears acne as well as dimishising scars, thus I dont have acne anymore.\n\nOh, dont geT me wrong STAY AWAY FROM COSMETIC MOISTURIZERS. USE (Oil) like jojoba oil, avocado oil, or oils that contain oleic acid, lipoic acid, palmitic acid, and other fatty acids, they moisturize your skin naturaly, do not over use, dont rub pat on your skin gently. \n\nBecause cosmetic moisturizers contain synthetic chemicals that irritate your skin, it's possible for it to damage your skin's protein such as collagen and delay skin healing resulted for anything such as acne and mechanical injury.
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I have tried Colonix awhile ago, and it definitely helped my chronic acne and bloating problems.. I took it because of my acne and I heard that detoxing could really help it (the reason for acne is because inner toxins want to escape thru your skin)... I bought a 2 month's supply along with Toxinout, and after a few months into the regimen, my acne just stopped. I still have scars, mind you, but every single day I would get a new spot/cyst!\n\nIf you got constipation, bloating or any health issues, Colonix will definitely help. So yeah, it was worth the money for me. If you're still unsure whether to buy it, do some research. Here's a Colonix review you should read: \n\nhttp://www.colonzone.org/colonix-review.php
449820
I had the same problem, and i now exactly what you need. It is called ZINERYT, and it's the best. My acne past in a month. You have to clean your face at least 2 times a day, and and use it in the morning and before you go to sleep. i hope it will work!