acne meds does any one out there have any good suggestions

[TzuMom]

I'm 31 years old and have had acne since I was 11. I tried all the normal antibiotics in high school without much improvement. My acne was pretty bad (it runs in my dad's side of the family). I went on Accutane (back before a female had to sign her life away to get on it) and saw great improvement. I don't remember the dosage or how long I took it for, it was 15 years ago. My skin was good for several years, but started to get bad again. I went on Accutane again when I was 23 or 24 and saw an almost immediate improvement. Again I don't remember the dosage or length of time. Then about 3-4 years ago my skin got bad and I went back on Accutane. I forget the dosage, but it was higher than previous times and was for 3-4 months. My skin improved and has pretty much been great since. After years of acne, I was left with pretty significant scarring and discoloration. I had a series of laser photofacials which greatly improved my skin. I can leave the house now without makeup and not want to hide. The photofacials also helped reduce my large pores.

[misery_too]

Originally Posted by KB1065

Hi
Let me tell you what didn't work for me first. Proactive, Acnefree, Nucelle,
Burts Bees Tomato Cleanser and Toner, Loreal Acne System, Triaz, Oral antibiotics, and so many others I cannot even remember.
I have moderate acne and have had great success in what I am using right now. AM and PM wash with the Cetaphil for normal/oily skin. 2.5% BP at night and 2.5% salicylic acid in the morning. My face is almost clear and I have been doing this for about 1 month.. I have noticed a great improvement in redness, irritation and breakouts. I also use Dermacia foundation which has awesome coverage, and no breakouts! I am a 42 yr old female.
Hope this helps!

<laugh> I'm 43 years old. I'm so glad it was you who tried all those products. I tried most of the over-the-counter topical treatments, and I'm pretty sure all of you can guess the results.

To add some of my own "what didn't work for me": Biore, Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, and Vichy NormaDerm (all for acne prone skin), or anything botanical (especially teatree oil). It doesn't matter if you use the scrubs, the cleansers, and the toner. Doesn't work.

I am fond of salicylic acid (1%). The only product I had any success with (and I mean this stuff was great for me; people were telling me how great my skin looked, no ONE has EVER said that to me) is "Life" brand (a generic, folks) "Purifying exfoliating cleanser". I used it for two months, and I had clear skin. Not one new pimple. My pores and my scars looked smaller. Then they (Shoppers Drug Mart) discontinued the product line. I guess I could beg, but I don't see where that would get me (the product was discontinued for a reason).

I love all of your suggestions. I think I'll start with the Cetaphil, though. I wasn't aware it had salicylic acid (2.5% is very high). BP and I haven't got along in the past (so I'm a little nervous, but no biggy). But hey, I can generally tell if a products good within a week. Failing that, there's always Accutane, and a skin doctor.

Thank you everyone for you input. I'll let you know what happens.

[airheadtwirler0]

In the past, I've been on countless medications (accutane, zithromax, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin) for acne...along with more prescriptions for face cleaners and retin-a creams as well. The accutane was really the only one that was effective. However, a few months ago I started receiving Smoothbeam Laser treatments. The laser gives basically the same results of accutane, without all the other side effects. The laser decreases the oil production by sebacious glands in the face, as well as helping smooth the skin out from old acne scars. I have had 3 treatments so far and my acne has been reduced by about 90%. Currently I wash my face with cetaphil, and use cetaphil moisturizers...no antibiotics..nothing. For me personally Smoothbeam has really been my "cure" for acne. I still have 3 treatments left, but so far the results have been incredible. The only bad thing about smoothbeam is that it costs anywhere from 250-500$ a session depending on where you get it...but if you're considering it take my advice..the money spent is well worth it, and in the end I'll probably save money because I'm not spending so much money like before on antibiotics, face cleansers etc.
If you have any questions or would like to see before/after pictures then just send me a message I'm happy to help or give advice!