23 year old female; trying different skin care measures after deciding against Accutane - Greenville, SC

See comment under first post. Did you tey Accutane yet????

You are so pretty acne or not. It seems like something is getting in the way of you seeking treatment. Hope things improve for you :)

Accutane truly was a god send for me... My acne was horrible and painful and over a year post Accutane still acne free and 30 day post last pill you can go back go ttc... Side effects were almost non existent minus dry eyes headaches and dry lips for me. It changed me life majorly

I really think you should see a dermatologist and seek an aggressive treatment like Accutane or spironolactone. The Accutane side effects really scared me and I had bad acne all through high school. I finally did it when I was 19 and it changed my life. I regret not doing it sooner. You should also ask about spironolactone. I had acne come back many years after Accutane (7 years) and I thought I would need to take it again for a 4th course. Spironolactone cleared it up completely with no side effects, but it did take 4 months. I think minor acne can go away with over the counter treatments and topical products, but hormonal cystic acne won't respond the same according to my dermatologist. Sometimes Accutane can't even fully cure it. I use no topical acne meds now as I don't even need them, just spiro. It's at least worth a shot if you won't take Accutane.

Hi, allemaster! I'm glad to read others recommending Aldactone/spironolactone. It has positively SAVED my skin.

Twelve years ago -- when I was 22 -- my face went from being blemish-free to being full of angry, inflamed cystic acne, particularly around my chin and along my jawline. After one too many dermatologists blew off my suspicions that it was hormonal (the acne was accompanied by a bit of hirsutism, after all), I found a nurse practitioner who administered a test of my testosterone levels and found that they (and my estrogen levels) were too high, while my progesterone was too low. TRANSLATION: I had/have all the symptoms of PCOS. She prescribed me spironolactone to block the testosterone, which is a major factor in sebum production and acne. Voila! Within days/weeks, my skin was on the road to recovery. To this day, people compliment me on my skin.

Over the last 12 years, I have learned that our skin is an instrument for telegraphing what's going on inside our bodies. Over time, I've cut out processed foods -- insulin resistance is a precursor to PCOS, come to find out -- as well as trimmed back dramatically on my alcohol consumption and upped my physical activity.

I still take spironolactone and am so grateful that it exists -- and that I had the good fortune to encounter that ONE medical professional who was willing to investigate my situation, rather than dismissing me as so many others in her field did.

Keep your hope up!

So, did you end up trying Accutane (Isotretinoin)? Let me tell you... I had a very similar experience to you. I had some problems in high school with acne, but was prescribed birth control and Benzoyl Peroxide topical cream which worked back then. However, once I got to college it was completely out of control, I couldn't do anything to fix it, birth control, different face washes, facials, different make-up (including very expensive makeup and washes, masques, etc). I struggled with it and terrible self-esteem/not wanting to look anyone in the eye until this year (at 33 years old). I've finally decided to take Accutane. My advice? Don't wait! I could have avoided basically all of the scarring I have if I had gone on Accutane when my dermatologist first recommended it. When I first decided to go on it, I was having a bad breakout on my cheeks and jawline, but since there is a 31 day waiting period, by the time I started I was mostly clear (this is how it's always been for me - clear-ish, or terrible, on and off). I am on my third week and haven't had an initial breakout (presumably because I was lucky enough to start it during a clear phase, but don't really know why for sure), but even still - once you get past that, you may not ever have a problem again. I wish I had not waited and spent SO MANY mornings DREADING what I was going to see when I looked in the mirror. As long as you are mindful of what the side effects are and keep in contact with your doctor about anything concerning, I think you will be fine. I can't see the FDA allowing it to be prescribed in the US without it being safe enough under a doctor's supervision. The only side effects I've had so far are dry skin and lips... which are manageable with sunscreen/lotion and good lip balm (Aquaphor SPF 20 is what I use). I'm on 40mg/day and weigh 108... so that can give you an idea of what the prescription/weight ratio. Good luck!!

I'm glad to see that your skin is looking better! Acne is such a frustrating issue to deal with. I've struggled with it in some way or another since I was in the 7th grade. Now, at the age of 34, I still have it. Over the past few years I've used different washes, prescriptions, and homeopathic methods all in the hopes of having even somewhat clear skin. What I (and my dermatologist) have found works best for me is spironolactone, amoxicillin, and a generic form of Retin-A. I know many people may not agree with our choice of regimen, but I have gone on and off of these meds, in the hopes of having "cured" myself or in the hopes that maybe some sort of holistic method would be best. I've tried honey, baking soda, ac vinegar, charcoal, oils, blah blah blah. Absolutely nothing worked..... So I always go back to the spiro, retin, and amoxicillin. The spiro isn't usually prescribed for acne, but is a testosterone blocker. I also found a new makeup with amazing ingredients! If you're ever wanting to try a new makeup, it's called Too Faced Born This Way. Good luck!!

I am a male in my early 40's. I had occasional acne in my teens and turn around age 35 developed horrible break outs. Mine were painful cystic like acne that wouldn't go away and always left scars. The only way for the cysts to go away was to have my dermatologist inject them with steroid. This worked but it was crazy - I was always getting these huge painful cysts that required me calling to see if my derm could squeeze me in for injections. We talked about accutane but, like you, I was worried about all the side effects. I tried everything I possible could - facials, creams, washes, etc. nothing made a lasting difference. I was always getting my hopes up that the next thing I tried would cure it all. It never happened. Aftet almost 4 years of this, I finally agreed to take accutane. I got the prescription and then changed my mind. Of course the acne didn't get better so I went back to my derm and got another prescription. This time I took it. It's now been 5 months since completing it and wow!!!! My skin is so great. It's clear and no more cystic acne. I might get a lil pimple once in a while but it's minor and gone in a day. Acne is a complex condition and all the non-medical treatments might work but at some point it requires medical care. For example, if you had diabetes or cancer, you might try alternative or homeopathic treatment, but hopefully you would also be willing to accept medical care if there was no cure after attempting everything else possible. I have mild scarring from the past but at least I'm not adding to it. The worst side effect I had was dry lips. That was it. I also take anxiety meds but I was fine. What I read online and the registration material that they give you when you sign up scared the crap out of me. No, you don't want to get pregnant while on accutane. They list all the possible side effects but if you develop any serious ones, you stop taking it. Look up the potential side effects for aspirin or anything else and it looks scary. The law requires that all potential side effects are listed. This doesn't mean you wil have every one of them.

I encourage you to not withhold from yourself a treatment that could be life changing. If you have admitted defeat against acne and your army of non-medical treatment are losing the battle, really consider taking accutane, especially if you are basing our decision soley on fear, not your own actual experience taking it.

Send me a message if you have more questions. Good luck. I know it sucks!!

I did the accutane treatment for an entire year. Doctor monitored my liver reach month. It was the best choice i made. Its been 12 years now and have never has a break out again. IT IS WORTH IT!!! It change my face forever. Dont heaitate to do the full treatment. You will not regreat it! Do it now that you arw young. Good Luck!

are these pics recent? I read your entire profile. Its pretty tough going through cystic acne. I started getting it 5 years ago and i'm 35 now. I get it on and off but when its on its on. I find i have a lot of food triggers mainly dairy. And when I have some of my trigger foods i have fear and anxiety that i'll get a huge pimple. Low and behold i'll get one.. im sure the stress of having one contributes. I started accutane about a week ago and its helping? i dont even know.. it got worse a little bit but its not terrible. Anyway i wont talk you to death.. I really just wanted to post to say im rooting for you.

J

Just saw your posts. I'm currently on accutane because I had the same problems that you have. My skin would look good for a while and then it would get really bad. The great thing about accutane is that you don't have to wash your face! I only rinse my face with water in the shower, and my skin looks amazing every day....consistently for 6 months now. I have one more month of accutane, for a total of 7 months. I really wish I tried it sooner!
So, I highly recommend that you do it and stick with it. You will be so glad you did!

So are you on Accutane now? Or has your skin cleared bc you are lessed stressed?
Whatever the reason your looking fab and glad its working for you!

Hi! Since I've joined the group, I've had little time to read and post my own journey, but I came across yours and wanted to add my 2 cents. I am a 42 yr old mom of 2 children. I have depression, some anxiety, PCOS, hive/itch issues, have suffered with acne since the age of 15, and cystic acne since my mid-20's. I have been on and tried every "cure" out there (toothpaste, blue light, zeno, professional dermabrasion, personal dermabrasion machine, spironolactone, the pill, every "cycline" doxi, mino, tetracycline, epiduo, differin, so many cortisone shots I lost count, soooo many more & too many to list!). At 25, I took my first course of Accutane. It definitely helped (not cured) but my acne came back within a few years. At 28 I was on Accutane again, same results. I got married, kids, but the acne continued through the years, getting worse as time went on. I've experienced the frustration with trying to cover my face with make up to go to work. I've called in sick to work because of how bad my face was. I wouldn't like outdoor activities because my skin was so bad I was embarrassed. I would always avoid face to face conversations if I could and at work I would always feel "less" than others and self conscious in social gatherings, lunches, and meetings. I wouldn't take walks outside with co workers because my make-up woukd "melt" and expose all my red marks. I was incredibly incredibly thankful for the 12 years I was able to work from home and visit the office 1 day a week. Not only did that save me commuting time, it saved me countless hours in covering my face, peeling dried dead skin flakes to prep for make-up, and blotting my face all day to remove oil. After losing my job after 18 years at same company, and the start of interviewing, it became increasingly embarrassing to interview with bad skin. I have always struggled with self esteem but there were many times I had ZERO self esteem, which makes me terrible at interviewing. My cystic acne has effected my life in so many ways, most people will never truly understand. Passing on invites and activities because of "my face is too bad". At this time in my life I don't have a minute to myself, so the thought of stating Accutane (blood work and pregnant tests) was just a waste of time that I didn't have to spare. But finally in February 2015, I just reached a point and said I need to do this. My face was showing so many signs of scarring and just kept getting worse. I booked an appt (1 month wait), then had to have a blood test (wait a month for neg test), then finally started Absorbica (Accutane / Isotretinoin). Well as much as its a pain in the ass and time consuming (bloodwork and monthly visits and screw ups by derm office not calling it in, pharmacy not filling it, the time window expires and I have to repeat bloodwork within 2 weeks because of their errors) I am here to finally say IT IS WORTH IT. All that time spent each month is actually SAVING me time in covering my face in makeup, picking at my face (nothing to pick at) and I go everywhere without a second thought of who will I see because of my face. I hardly wear makeup, just dot on concealer and go! i am on 120 mg/day for my weight. 80 mg in morning, 40 at night. My face has dramatically improved. I also keep a skin journal with pictures months before taking Absorbica and now. Big difference in clarity and noticeable improvement. I still do have cysts that are troublesome and continue to get cortisone shots as needed monthly. Absorbica has not shrunk my problem cysts that continue to fill with crap or oil. but I have not experienced increased depression, in fact my depression has improved!!!
The only downside for me was the joint aches I have that seem to be getting worse. I am on my 6 month and I feel like I'm 100 when I get up from sitting. Once I'm moving I'm fine. And lastly, I've still had a couple of MAJOR cyst flare ups. I mean A MAJOR ONE like raised like a ping pong ball and so so deep. The same cyst has been problematic since Christmas 2014. It's been injected at least 7 times. Sometimes 2x in same week because it was so bad. I will attach a photo if it lets me. But overall my Accutane has been a positive experience!! Good luck and I will follow you to see how you make out. I also just heard about laser acne treatment I'm going to look into that soon too.

After reading your story, I just have to reply. My skin is a lot like yours, I started to have cystic acne around 21. I had acne in my teens, but not the kind that scarred like I started to get in my twenties. Now I am 28 and I am on Absorica (Accutane) low dose of 30 mgs. I'm so excited because once the course is over I'm going to wait 6 months then get scar treatments.
Over the last year the scarring has become so bad on my chin that I no longer want to go places, date guys, or meet with friends. This is not normal for me. I urge you to do more research. You are so pretty, I would hate for you to continue getting acne and then end up with the indented scars like I have on my chin. Also, i always thought mine would just go away and had times of remission where my skin would look great for months and then the cysts would come back. With Absorica the only side effects I'm having are dryness and sore muscles, but I'm so excited for the outcome it doesn't matter to me. Just think about it and good luck!

You are an adorable young woman.