Acne Agony

Minocycline worked for me years ago and for my DD quite recently. My DS did a course of Roaccutane about 7 years ago. The main side effects were really dry lips and mucous membranes but his acne never came back.

Rather than asking your GP for advice, ask for a referral to dermatology, so you can see a doctor who specialises in that field.

I've had Roaccutane twice. Once when I was 14, and again when I was 28. As pp says, there were some side effects (no depression, just aches), but it was the only thing that really worked after years of prescription pills and creams.

The first time I took it, it rid me of my cystic acne (basically the worst acne you can imagine - I had kids telling me they wouldn't leave the house if they looked like me). The second time was to treat a massive flare-up after the birth of my second son.

I feel your pain, I suffered for years with it, sometimes in tears before having to go to work feeling so self conscious or staying home to avoid being seen. The turning point for me was Lymecycline prescribed by the doctor, I’ve been taking them for 2 years (Doctor says it’s fine) and my skin is better than it has ever been, perfectly clear now! Good luck

Yeah, acne is a bit like the fire triangle (fuel / oxygen / heat), except the acne triangle is: bacteria / hormones / skin type. All 3 of these play a part in causing your acne, but one or two of them may be more of a main cause than the other.

So, for example, someone can have a filthy face covered in bacteria, but because their skin type is not prone to acne, they get no spots (all us acne sufferers know someone like this)!

You obviously have the skin type that does, but even though you treated the bacteria, you still got acne, so maybe it's the hormones or your sensitive skin that are your main problem? You may have a high androgen level, so Dianette may help. Or you may have an issue that's inflaming your skin, such as skin mites (don't be alarmed - everyone has them). Unfortunately there can be many causes that increase inflammation if you have very sensitive skin.

Also, just to add, I get zinc in my multi vitamin, but apparently this isn't enough and I need the extra.

Before spending money on expensive creams etc, try taking zinc supplements. Honestly, of all the supplements I've taken (and that's a lot!) it's the only thing where I notice as soon as I stop taking it because I break out! It's completely cleared up my hormonal cystic acne. I recommend it to anyone who'll listen to me!

I feel your pain. I had adult acne and it was horrendous. I was so embarrassed by it and nothing helped - antibiotics, changing the pill, coming off the pill, creams, treatments, facials etc. my best advice would be go to your GP, ask to be referred to a dermatologist and get onto roaccutane. It changed my life, the side effects for me were minimal and I wasn’t on it for long however it changed my skin within 6 months. I can’t recommend it enough, I know some people experienced the side effects and some will be glad to tell you horror stories however if your skin is getting you down, do not waste your money on skin products or facials.

My daughter has had roaccutane twice. Once aged 15 and once aged 31. SE of dry skin were awful but the results were amazing. She was unfortunately one of the 5% of people who needed a second course 15 years on.

I have suffered with painful acne on my chin all my life, even now at 33 and it’s horrible. I found that a 6 month course of lymecycline alongside Epiduo cream sorted mine out, and after the lymecycline the epiduo was enough to keep it at bay. I had a really bad breakout the other week (the spots lasted three weeks and were painful and unsightly, I didn’t want to leave the house) and so now I am back on the lymecycline. Definitely see the GP and ask if you can be referred to a dermatologist too. Good luck!

My son was referred to a Dermatologist and put on Roaccutane. He had zero side affects (albeit it’s not the same for Eve one and we were advised accordingly), he was told once his skin was clear, the acne will likely never reappear. This has been absolutely correct and while we were there, got talking to another patient who was raving about Rouccutane and said to my son ‘you must try it and if it works you’ll never look back’. She was right. Try everything as acne is utterly demoralising. Good luck 🤞

Dalacin t topical solution (antibiotic solution of prescription)
The combined pill dianette

Strong recommend Dermatica personalised solution. It changed my skin and my life.

I’ve had really bad acne for a lot of my teen and adult life, managed to clear it up in 2022/2023 with a combo of the following. I’m not sure which of these contributed to my skin healing so will list them all:

• I use La Roche Posay effaclar duo - this stuff is like magic potion for my skin, I highly recommend it. It is the only thing I use after la Roche posay face wash
• cleaned up my diet, cut down sugar, increased veg
• drink 2l water a day
• Intermittent fasting (16/8)
• I had a 2 month course of Lymecycline (via online GP as my face to face were useless)

I would really recommend the La Roche Posy range, quite often on offer at Boots.

There is a much better type of retinol that you can use which derms tend to favour over tretinoin. Tazarotene generally works faster, is more potent, yet doesn't tend to cause as much irritation (you have to start with lower strength creams first, don't go straight to 0.1%) You can buy it fairly cheap from online pharmacies. Do read up on it.

I'm afraid there are no known better treatments than Roaccutane and retinols for moderate to severe acne. There are light therapies, but these are expensive. And apart from hormone pills like dianette and antibiotics like oxy (some of which are really strong with side-effects), that's your lot really. Most of the commercial treatments will involve retinols and salicylic acid, or just be a load of expensive woo-woo hocus pocus crap.

There are some nice foundations you can use that don't block pores, and some that even help to soothe skin: Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment or Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup and Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 these are all safe to use for people with acne or rosecea.

My sister had terrible acne as a teenager. Her whole face was red raw with it. The ONLY thing that cleared it was an Australian Tea Tree oil face wash, used three times a day.

Hard lumps on the chin are usually linked to hormones I think. I went on the pill (Dianette then Yasmin then Lucette) which helped a lot but I also needed a course of Roaccutane in my 20s (which cleared it completely). Good luck, hope you find what suits you.

Azelaic acid.20%

I had same problem. I was prescribed Roaccutane for 3 months and it worked wonders. I thought they stopped them due to the side effects.

I’ve also suffered awful hormonal cystic acne, had it so so bad a couple of years ago.
I am now prescribed Adapalene from dermatica and my skin is basically clear.

Roaccutane was a life changer for me. I used to get hard painful lumps on my chin that were so painful it hurt to talk and eat.

went on roaccutane for 4 months and never had another one. That was about 15 years ago. Best thing I ever did. Just wish I’d gone private a year earlier instead of listening to my GP who insisted on all sorts of creams and antibiotics that didn’t work. I’m so scarred now - if I’d gone straight away I would have avoided most of them.

You need to speak to a professional to work out your root cause OP. If it’s hormonal none of the suggestions here will help for long, same goes if it’s an internal inflammation. If over production of oil or bacteria are big players you might be onto something with the above suggestions. Do you have times of the month your skin is better?

Really strong spearmint tea or nettle tea twice a day (not supermarket, I’ll link you if of interest).
or
continuous use BCP Yasmin.
Roaccutane I’ve had too, it’s brutal and a last resort.

Roaccutane was the only thing that worked for me.