Treatment for acne

Bob the Builder · 26-08-2006 01:25AM #1

Hey,

I'm 14 years old, with a fairly major acne problem(basically spots all over my face). I have been to the doctor. he prescribed me "Zindaclin" which did absoloutley nothing to me. I bought 100% aloe vera recently which I managed to get my hands on. I hope it will work.

The thing is, I am getting acne very bad(along with other effects of puberty), but I can't get rid of it.

Can anybody who has experienced a similar situation please tell bout how you went about removing it.

Thanks all!

DonkeyStyle \o/ · 26-08-2006 01:43AM

There's a whole community built up around this at www.acne.org ... they've got some pretty busy forums, might make good reading.
I haven't tried any of their recommendations, but I kinda grew out of acne before I found that site anyway.

StormWarrior · 26-08-2006 07:28AM

ask your doctor for isotrexin gel. It helps alot!

xzanti · 26-08-2006 08:37AM

Your doctor can prescribe you antibiotics... I had terrible spots as a teenager and my doctor gave me Minosin SA and it started working straight away.. The only side effect I suffered from it was heart burn but it was sooooo worth it... Really worked.. skin was cleared up in a couple of months and never came back.. I still get the odd spot but nothing like what it was... My advice is do something now while you're still young and minimise scarring... Luckily I wasn't left with any scars but a lot of people do nothing and their skin is left destroyed after the acne is gone.. Good luck with it

sionnach · 26-08-2006 08:49AM

Try isotrexin, panoxyl and minocin with your GP and if none of those work, when you're a bit older see a dermatologist and maybe the last resort of roaccutane will do the job. I tried everything possible but Roaccutane was the only one that worked. Read up on the drug, it can be dangerous. Personally i suffered no side effects.

Umaro · 26-08-2006 11:25AM

xzanti wrote:

Your doctor can prescribe you antibiotics... I had terrible spots as a teenager and my doctor gave me Minosin SA and it started working straight away.. The only side effect I suffered from it was heart burn but it was sooooo worth it... Really worked.. skin was cleared up in a couple of months and never came back.. I still get the odd spot but nothing like what it was... My advice is do something now while you're still young and minimise scarring... Luckily I wasn't left with any scars but a lot of people do nothing and their skin is left destroyed after the acne is gone.. Good luck with it

I was at the doctors there on Tuesday after being bugged by acne for like 5 years I decided to do something about it. She prescribed me 3 months of Minocin SA and I started them on Wednesday along with Panoxyl (which I'd been using with not much luck for 2-3 years)

So I'm hoping this'll work for me anyways, and that I won't be scarred. But I do know you can get treatments that will get rid of the scars (they can be expensive though €300/treatment and so on..) Either that or I can just grow a fancy beard.

Best of luck with the treatment anyways - the important thing is that you've done something about it and that you should stick to the treatment now.

Santa Claus · 26-08-2006 12:41PM

At 14 there's not a lot medicines can do for acne as your hormones are in full swing. Drugs only tend to work towards the end of puberty when acne is still an issue.

Have a look at your diet OP. I know my ex girlfriend used to always go on about how people should drink loads of water for their skin (she's a beautician) but whether that will help acne or not I don't know but it certainly can't do any harm to try.

Have you used any over the counter treatments such as Biactol etc....they can help.

Overall it will disappear in time as you hormones calm down, not much you can do to eliminate it...but everyone has to go through it !

Dave! · 26-08-2006 02:37PM

If the drug you're on isn't doing anything (and your GP acknowledges this), then ask him to put you on something else -- there are alot of different drugs, creams, etc., for acne. If it's bad enough perhaps you could ask to be referred to a dermatologist, cos they'll better know what will work for you.

They may put you on Roaccutane. It works, but it sucks. Most people are cleared up within a few months.

Santa Claus wrote:

Overall it will disappear in time as you hormones calm down, not much you can do to eliminate it...but everyone has to go through it !

It doesn't always disappear after puberty mate, and there are things you can do to eliminate it!

LegacyUser · 26-08-2006 03:19PM

I'm 20 and still have them. Its not all hormones as Dave says. If you are given a course of antibiotics - FINSH THEM for gods sake. Always finish the course!

marissa · 26-08-2006 03:49PM

like u at your age i had terrivle acne and it seemed the end of the world,but now at 17 its eased off,thank god!
i tried every prescription drug and cream there was available! nothing worked!
then i went to one of those herbal shops..the shopkeeper sorted me out with a few tablets and the like..it cleared it up yes,but once i stopped the blasted buggers came back again!
finally in the end..went to a witch/herbal docter gave me a months supply of a herbal cream...and iv never looked back since!!!! stank a bit but it worked the charm at the low price of a tenner!

id recommend a local witch docter in your area,i didnt believe the myth at first but he really helped me out!

Bob the Builder · 26-08-2006 04:01PM

Thanks a million all for your replies!

I will take a look at that website which i thought never existed!

As for the drugs, my body/skin never reacts to anything, and yet I have never had that many prescriptions. My doctor always has to double the dose for everything I put on my skin. It takes strong cream to even make a difference.

I put steam on my face last night to open my pores(held my face over a kettle!!), followed quickly by Aloe Vera and Zindaclin together. Today, My spots have calmed down. they were sticking out bad but down they have changed color and softened. I am so Happy

Dave! · 26-08-2006 10:34PM

Finishing the course of a medicine when it shows no signs of improving is a bit pointless. nevf, have you gone to a dermatologist or are you still with the GP?

Ask him about changing the antibiotic if it's not working, and ask him what he thinks about being referred to a dermatologist.

If it's bad enough Roaccutane may be the only option (that sounds a bit dramatic -- like it's torture. It's not, but if there's an alternative method then I'd prefer that)

forget about that witch-doctor stuff please!

Santa Claus · 27-08-2006 12:00AM

DaveMcG wrote:

Finishing the course of a medicine when it shows no signs of improving is a bit pointless. nevf, have you gone to a dermatologist or are you still with the GP?

Ask him about changing the antibiotic if it's not working, and ask him what he thinks about being referred to a dermatologist.

If it's bad enough Roaccutane may be the only option (that sounds a bit dramatic -- like it's torture. It's not, but if there's an alternative method then I'd prefer that)

forget about that witch-doctor stuff please!

People, lets bear in mind that the OP is 14.....While meidcation can help if acne is still an issue after puberty, there's very little it can do while just starting puberty !
I'd be suprised if any GP would refer someone so young to a dermatologist !

SingingCherry · 27-08-2006 12:11AM

www.proactiv.com

I started using this when I was around 16/17 and I now I'm 25 and I still use it. It really did wonders on my skin and very fast. My skin was looking perfect in around 2 weeks and then it kept my skin looking healthy since. Sure, I get the odd spot now and again, and when I go off of it (sometimes I run out) it's a problem, but as long as you keep yourself in supply, it'll be great.

Dave! · 27-08-2006 01:17AM

Santa Claus wrote:

People, lets bear in mind that the OP is 14.....While meidcation can help if acne is still an issue after puberty, there's very little it can do while just starting puberty !
I'd be suprised if any GP would refer someone so young to a dermatologist !

Ah didn't realise he was 14. While Roaccutane probably can help acne when you're that young (since it works by reducing the amount of sebum -- the cause of acne -- your glands produce), I doubt a doctor would put you on it at that age without trying everything else first.

Stark · 27-08-2006 01:27AM

I find Quinoderm cream (active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, same as in panoxyl cream and proactiv) to be great. You can get it without prescription from pretty much any chemist/Boots. Go for the 5% strength, it's far less harsh on your skin than the 10% version which will leave your skin dry and flaky.

Bob the Builder · 27-08-2006 01:49AM

EDIT: I have only ever tried Clearasil and Blunaclin as OTC's. Both did feck all for me...Benzoyl peroxide has enever been an ingredient in any of my products, it might work.

p.s. Never ever been to a Dermatologist..../EDIT

Stark wrote:

I find Quinoderm cream (active ingredient , benzoyl peroxide same as in panoxyl cream and proactiv) to be great. You can get it without prescription from pretty much any chemist/Boots. Go for the 5% strength, it's far less harsh on your skin than the 10% version which will leave your skin dry and flaky.

I was looking at www.acne.org, a URL I was given earlier in this thread, it recommends benzoyl peroxide on that website

My Question! is that cream available as an OTC(over the counter)?

Stark · 27-08-2006 02:45AM

nevf wrote:

My Question! is that cream available as an OTC(over the counter)?

Yes

Bob the Builder · 27-08-2006 03:47AM

is it expensive?

StormWarrior · 27-08-2006 06:46AM

I would also recommend Dermalogica's Medicated Clearing gel. You can buy it in beauty salons.

Bob the Builder · 27-08-2006 01:28PM

StormWarrior wrote:

I would also recommend Dermalogica's Medicated Clearing gel. You can buy it in beauty salons.

I mean to sound like no expert but does it contain benzoyl peroxide?

Stark · 27-08-2006 01:41PM

nevf wrote:

is it expensive?

I can't remember the exact cost but it's not expensive at all. I have a tube that cost me less than €5 and has lasted me for months.

Bob the Builder · 27-08-2006 06:16PM

Stark wrote:

I can't remember the exact cost but it's not expensive at all. I have a tube that cost me less than €5 and has lasted me for months.

Thanks!

lolo2 · 27-08-2006 07:37PM

Hi Op,

Steaming your face when you have acne is not a great idea, unless done by a professional beautician, it can irritate your skin further. I know its horrible to have acne, just when you get interested in the opposite sex too! I had it from about 13 until 22. Did everything too, anti-biotics all the creams etc. to no avail.

On the http://www.acne.org/ site that was mentioned I realised I was NOT puttiing enough benzoyl peroxide on because I didnt want the red/scaly look and I wasnt moisturising.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to over-cleanse acne prone skin. Use the most gentle face wash and light moisturiser twice a day. Then apply your cream. If you over dry your skin by using medicated wash, medicated creams and medicated toner etc, you will make your problem worse. Be as gentle as you can with your skin.

Be careful with anti-biotics prescribed for acne as they can cause severe depression in some people. (I personally know of three cases of this.)

Bob the Builder · 28-08-2006 01:01AM

lolo2 wrote:

Hi Op,

Steaming your face when you have acne is not a great idea, unless done by a professional beautician, it can irritate your skin further. I know its horrible to have acne, just when you get interested in the opposite sex too! I had it from about 13 until 22. Did everything too, anti-biotics all the creams etc. to no avail.

On the http://www.acne.org/ site that was mentioned I realised I was NOT puttiing enough benzoyl peroxide on because I didnt want the red/scaly look and I wasnt moisturising.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to over-cleanse acne prone skin. Use the most gentle face wash and light moisturiser twice a day. Then apply your cream. If you over dry your skin by using medicated wash, medicated creams and medicated toner etc, you will make your problem worse. Be as gentle as you can with your skin.

Be careful with anti-biotics prescribed for acne as they can cause severe depression in some people. (I personally know of three cases of this.)

I suppose, doing that isn't a good idea at all...Acne.org is a very helpful site, I will defo follow them instructions.
I understand about the fact too much or too little of them creams is bad, getting it right is a priority, as with irritation

Anti-biotics fro acne are known to cause depression. Sounds very peculiar but I'll depend on your word...

um7y1h83ge06nx · 28-08-2006 09:55AM

I was put on Tetracycline (an antibiotic) at 22/23 for 6 months. It seems to have worked.

The odd time when I notice a spot I put on some Tea Tree oil. I think that seems to help a little. Don't wash your face too much as you'll only irritate it.

Bob the Builder · 28-08-2006 06:48PM

Marleigh Some Pastrami wrote:

I was put on Tetracycline (an antibiotic) at 22/23 for 6 months. It seems to have worked.

The odd time when I notice a spot I put on some Tea Tree oil. I think that seems to help a little. Don't wash your face too much as you'll only irritate it.

Has acne ever came back? I heard Tea Tree wasn't a good idea and Aloe Vera was better...I was told to wash it every time I passed a sink!

Also, has Clearasil help ANYONE that had acne? its advertised everywhere for being so good, but it never helped me

Stark · 28-08-2006 06:57PM

nevf wrote:

Also, has Clearasil help ANYONE that had acne? its advertised everywhere for being so good, but it never helped me

God no, it's ****e.

/me awaits boards.ie lawsuit from the Clearasil guys

Dave! · 28-08-2006 08:03PM

I'd never use Clearasil after seeing the TV ads they put up, and I've complained to them twice (not that it makes a difference). They've no shame.

projectmayhem · 28-08-2006 08:08PM

honestly the only thing that ever worked for me is water. i drink about 2litres a day and have clear skin!

Umaro · 28-08-2006 08:53PM

Water is a myth though, it will have a small effect on spots but not on acne.

And Clearasil is a load of rubbish. It doesn't work!!

Treatment for acne

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