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Original poster

Private Dermatologist for Acne

44 replies

LazyFemme · 08/08/2016 18:26

I've suffered from acne since I was about 10, so that's TWO DECADES NOW!! I've tried just about everything, apart from roaccutane(sp?) Which I've avoided due to concerns that it might trigger depression. I'm considering seeing a private dermatologist. Has anyone tried this and what happened? What did they suggest? How many visits and how much did it cost overall?

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shirkingworking · 08/08/2016 18:50

Not had acne seriously but Google Dr Sam Bunting and watch her YouTube videos about it... She's extremely expensive though so wouldn't suggest seeing her unless you've tried other dermatologists and they haven't helped. There shouldn't be any need for a 'celebrity' one on Harley Street. (Although I'm going to her for melasma treatment... So ashamed at how much I'm spending....) Good luck! But definitely try her advice.

Original poster
LazyFemme · 08/08/2016 18:56

Thanks, I'll check her out

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GypsyFl0ss · 08/08/2016 19:02

My Dd saw one this year. We found him by googling dermatologists practising near to her uni and then looked up where he was based and more importantly what his special interests were for the NHS. His speciality was the roaccutane clinic for the NHS so he was perfect for what she wanted. She had one consultation at £150 and two prescriptions that were about £30. He then wrote to her GP advising that she be referred into the NHS service locally and is now under them for her care.

GypsyFl0ss · 08/08/2016 19:05

Forgot to say he prescribed Doxycycline antibiotics and Isotrex gel to try for three months prior to starting roaccutane. They have been very successful and she's happy with the result so won't be going down the roaccutane route.

OlennasWimple · 08/08/2016 19:07

Have you tried spironolactone plus clinomycin and a retenoid cream? After two courses of that my skin is pretty much clear (having had nearly three decades of bad skin). Not sure why it isn't prescribed more widely in the UK (I'm overseas right now) but it has been a miracle for me

FriedSprout · 08/08/2016 19:11

Had the same experience as Gypsy. One consultation wth lovely private consultant, who referred directly to the NHS clinic. Prescribed Roaccurane, only thing that ever worked. Yes it has side effects, extreme dryness of skin, nasal passages, lips etc. Any lowering of mood was counteracted by the huge improvement of skin. Fingers crossed that skin remains clear.
At the clinic they were very aware of depression issues and questioned closely at each visit.
Nothing GPs (who was very helpful) ever touched the problem.
Very, very glad we saw the consultant Smile hope you have a good outcome should you go ahead.

TyrionLannistersShadow · 08/08/2016 19:17

My ds is taking roaccutane for the past 5 mths, having tried the creams and antibiotics without success. The roaccutane is working very well and he's had absolutely no problems or side effects bar some skin dryness. The dermatologist told us that the side effects are completely over emphasised by the media and in 29 years of prescribing it he has never once had to take a patient of it due to illness effects. We decided to trust the dermatologists expertise and not the media hype. I've since spoken to quite a few people who took it and , bar the transient skin dryness, they had no problems either

Original poster
LazyFemme · 08/08/2016 20:09

Some interesting points there, thank you. Even better if the private consultants are referring back to nhs rather than keep you private! I might give it one more go at the gp asking specifically for those things OleanasWimple

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Original poster
LazyFemme · 08/08/2016 20:10

I have a heart condition and there's a tonne of medication I can't take so I'm not even sure what they can prescribe me anymore :-/

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goldielookingchain · 08/08/2016 22:04

Have you used tretinion? Where are you based?

Original poster
LazyFemme · 08/08/2016 22:33

I'm in Sheffield, goldie. I'm not sure if I've used that tbh

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Afterthestorm · 08/08/2016 23:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LazyFemme · 08/08/2016 23:40

Thanks afterthestorm, I'm sorry to hear about your experience

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ScattyHattie · 09/08/2016 00:22

I was prescribed roaccutane by nhs dermatologist nearly 20yrs ago in late teens, i don't think they were as strict back then with the tests/birth control although do recall the pregnancy warning . I've had bouts of depression in years before & after treatment so perhaps more prone than most, but the roaccutane didn't have that effect on me although i did get the constant chapped lips and occasional nosebleed. My acne was awful & hadn't responded to anything else so was small price to pay. I still get acne but its been fairly mild since the roaccutane.

Its a shame have to consider going private to get the help needed, though cost doesn't seem too bad.

GypsyFl0ss · 09/08/2016 07:38

Lazyfemme the doctor we saw practises in Durham, let me know if you want his details. He was superb, very conscientious and honest with my Dd about what the benefits and drawbacks of her treatment would be and the potential limitations of it. If you are on roaccutane now he said there mandatory monthly pregnancy tests in addition to the need to be on robust birth control,
Most Gp's will only prescribe oral antibiotics , you could ask if they would give you a 3 month prescription for either doxycycline or oxytetracycline to try.You can also buy Isotrex gel online but I'd be tempted to be get a professional opinion before going down that route.

Original poster
LazyFemme · 09/08/2016 13:19

I'm a lesbian so I wonder what they'd do for me re birth control and so on. Probably wouldn't take my word for it Hmm

I think I'll try my gp once more and see what happens then go private if no good. I really can't afford it but I'm just so fucking sick of looking like the spotty teen character from the Simpsons!

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GypsyFl0ss · 09/08/2016 13:37

It'd be interesting to see what they say about that! A friend recently had a nuclear medicine scan done and despite her DH having had the snip many years previously she had to do a pregnancy test before they would proceed . She asked about lesbians and was told the policy was the same for everyone.

cathyandclare · 09/08/2016 13:44

My DD saw Dr Mark Goodfield in Leeds. He was fantastic and not too far from you. She had roaccutane in the end, he is incredibly knowledgeable, worked for the team that initially developed it in Leeds and does lots of related medico-legal work.
I would really recommend.

JellyBea · 09/08/2016 13:51

I'd definitely try the GP route first, if you're not in a hurry. You basically have to follow their pathway and try everything they can prescribe you before they will refer to a GP. It was around 1 year until I was referred, but I wasn't in a huge rush to make another appointment after I'd finished one treatment.

I started Roaccutane in January this year and my skin is now clear. I can't believe it! It's definitely worth the wait.

Original poster
LazyFemme · 09/08/2016 15:49

So with roaccutane, do you take it for X months and then that's it? Your skin (hopefully) clears up for good, you don't need to keep topping up with roaccutane?

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Original poster
LazyFemme · 09/08/2016 15:50

I feel a bit guilty going to the gp about my skin. It's so hard to get an appointment that if my leg isn't actually hanging off I feel like I'm wasting their time :-/

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JellyBea · 09/08/2016 16:03

Lazy don't feel like you're wasting their time! I felt the same but they were lovely. No one should have to suffer with acne nowadays as its so easy to treat.

Yes basically most people only need to take one course then they have clear skin forever more. My Derm said he's only had a few people out of thousands he's prescribed that have had to take a second course.

minipie · 09/08/2016 16:05

I am seeing a private dermatologist for acne at the moment. She has me on Dianette and Roaccutane. No pg test, just asked me if I could be pg and took my word for it - she treats you like a grown up basically Grin.
I didn't go via NHS due to wait and because I read they would insist on 6 months' antibiotics before trying Roaccutane and I don't get on with antibiotics. Private derm is expensive though and insurers won't pay.

Apparently the idea is that I should keep taking the Roaccutane (adjusting dose as necessary) until I can't really remember when I last had a spot. Then I stop and there should be no need for topping up.

Original poster
LazyFemme · 09/08/2016 17:05

Thanks Jelly. It's funny/awful to see you describe acne as easy to treat! Will you have to be on dianette for ever?

Ah that's interesting, minipie. Does anyone get on with the antibiotics do you think, or are they a bit of a pointless tick box exercise?

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Hellenbach · 09/08/2016 17:13

I went to my GP who referred me to a dermatologist. Derm was lovely and said anyone with chronic (long term) persistent acne should be referred. That doesn't mean you should have widespread acne but acne that doesn't respond to what a GP can prescribe.
I took roaccutane. My understanding is the dose is calculated according to your weight. There is an optimum amount you can take in one period.
It worked very well for me.
When I needed to go back for a second time I contacted the hospital direct to get an appointment.
Please don't think your GP won't refer you, you have a long term health problem.