Why Don't Prescription Acne Treatments Work? Minocycline, Duac lotion, and Differin gel

asked 3 years ago by topher-chep in Arroyo Grande, CA
Latest answer by Don Mehrabi, MD
Question viewed 1,128 times
Tags: Differin, Duac, medication, Minocyline

I've consistently had mild acne for about a year, and in February my dermatologist put me on Minocycline, Duac lotion, and Differin gel. He told me to expect my acne to be gone in the usual twelve weeks. At first the treatment seemed to work, but the redness that was caused by the combination of the three treatments was worse than the acne it was supposed to treat. Eventually the redness calmed to a dark pink, but now, eight months later, I still have recurring acne, and doesn't seem as if it will be going away any time soon. I am an actor, so appearances are important in my profession, and I would like to resolve this issue as soon as I possibly can. Is there a reason that my treatment isn't working? Is there anything I can do (other than wear sunscreen) or take to reduce the redness in my face? Sincerely, Desperate for Clear Skin

1 answer to Why Don't Prescription Acne Treatments Work? Minocycline, Duac lotion, and Differin gel

Acne is a trial and error treatment condition

Thanks for your question. Your treatment and results really depend on your type of acne and the combination of treatments. It sounds like your dermatologist gave you a pretty good combination of products and it did work, although you experienced quite a bit of irritation. If this combination did indeed work, what you may want to try to do is use these medications, but add a moisturizer to your morning and nighttime treatments. A good choice is Cerave moisturizer, or Cetaphil Facial... more

Don Mehrabi, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologist

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Why Don't Prescription Acne Treatments Work? Minocycline, Duac lotion, and Differin gel

Acne is a trial and error treatment condition

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