Accutane questions, alternative to Accutane, or ANY OF YOUR ACNE TREATMENTS?
Hi,
I have just turned 13, and I'm wondering what I can do about my acne. It's really not terrible, I sort of go through spells of worse acne, and when I'm not in a spell I at least have a couple spots. Right now my chin has 3 red, pointy type pimples. My nose has loads in those cracks on the side of my nose, and I have a bunch between my eyebrows. I'm guessing this is because of eyebrow waxing..? Oh, there are also lots around my hairline. I have side swept bangs so that side gets really oily. I usually tie them back, but I recently got them cut and I think they're a bit too short this time around. I guess the best way to describe it would be that it's not the kind of acne that's red and inflamed and stuff. You don't see patches from far away. Standing 6 feet away, you'd be able to make out a couple red pimples around my face. Honestly, I know other people have worse...
But that doesn't mean I like it. I doubt anyone would put me on accutane, especially since accutane fixes the oil glands, but all the oils in my pimples come from hair or wax or something. Does that matter though? I know the side effects, by the way.
Are there any weaker alternatives to accutane? Any acne advice? Any non-prescription drugs? I'm sick of looking like this.
January 9th, 2011 - 09:08
What you are experiencing is normal for your age. Hormones, side swept bangs and topical products are all contributing to your acne.
The first thing you can do is cleanse your skin twice a day with a gentle foaming cleanser, warm (not hot) water and a wash cloth (Certaphyl is good). The wash cloth gently exfoliates and removes all traces of the cleanser and makeup, especially around the hairline. Use a toner containing 2% salicylic acid (available at drugstores) to remove excess oil and dead skin cells. A light water based moisturizer is important because oily skin can be dehydrated. Dehydrated skin needs water or it will produce more oil. Use mineral makeup (like Bare Minerals – it’s inexpensive and gives a good result without clogging pores and contains SPF 15 and zinc oxide.) Wash your makeup brushes weekly in mild shampoo to remove oil and bacteria. This should help.
If your acne gets worse, your dermatologist may put you on an antibiotic like Minocycline or Doxycyline and/or topical products containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid or a combination.
If your acne continues to get worse then Accutane may be necessary. Accutane is used for 6 months, it causes oil glands to stop producing oil so everything dries up (that’s why your acne improves). You’ll have chapped lips and dry skin everywhere, it causes birth defects so you must not get pregnant while taking it, it’s also hard on the liver so blood tests are needed to check for liver problems. The good news is, it works and the results last long after the patient stops the medication.
Accutane is usually recommended for stage 4 acne. It sounds like you have stage 1-2 acne. Try the recommendations above first. I hope this helps. Best of luck.
January 9th, 2011 - 09:08
Just go to your dermatologist. They’ll have a better idea of what will work for you. I doubt you’re at the point of needing antibiotics, let alone accutane.
January 9th, 2011 - 09:08
If you have any questions after reading this please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are looking for a low cost, effective way of getting rid of acne I suggest that you try red clover acne tea. It’s actually and blend of several natural ingredients and good for a variety of inflammatory skin conditions, acne being one of them. I personally endorse this product because I use it and began using it without telling my family about it, drinking it one to two times a day.
Shortly after beginning to use it–about 2 weeks–I was helping my mother do something on the computer. She kept looking looking at me. Finally, she just stopped and said "What did you do to you skin?" Confused, I said "Nothing. Why?" She said "It looks so much better and so healthy!" Thinking rapidly I responded "Oh, that. I started to drink this special tea to help me with my acne. I suppose it’s working!"
I’ve now been using red clover tea for a few months and my skin is healthier than ever. The bumps on my face have gone down, my skin is smoother than ever and my skin is less oily. The bumps on my back and chest have also gone down. I still have a few but compared to before they’re nothing about which to complain. The best part is that it only costs me $15 every 6 weeks to 2 months to maintain my acne fighting routine which is significantly less than other acne fighting systems like Proactiv or Klear and my skin is not left feeling dry and tight, as is a common side effect with those systems.
It does treat scars but only slightly. They are supposed to be releasing a mask that help to heal the skin and treat scars.
I do continue to clean my face a few times a week with a facial cleanser and I do use a drying agent every now and again as they do have their benefits but I do not rely on them anymore.
Red Clover Acne Tea has been the most effective acne fighting product I’ve ever tried and will continue to us it.
If you’d like to try it go here:
http://www.jewelry-city-and-more.com/product/red-clover-acne-tea