Private Dermatologist for Acne

[LazyFemme]

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?

Well I mean easy as in it's much more easily accessible to get treatment for it than it ever used to be. There's no reason for anyone to just put up with it any more (even teenagers!) and I feel like it's taking more seriously nowadays. Hopefully I'm making sense

The only thing I'm gutted about is I've had to wash my hair daily for years and years, then on the Roaccutane I only had to wash it twice a week and now I'm back to daily washing. It's worth it for clear skin though!

I took roaccutane about 6 years ago for 3 or 4 months. Never needed it again.
This was after suffering from acne for 25 plus years. Prior to this I tried many other so called cures, antibiotics, dianette, herbal, topical, expensive skin care, vitamins.I was so desperate.

I didn't do any pregnancy tests but possibly because I have been sterilised. Just had to have a blood test once a month.
I'm not in UK so just saw my GP who was great, so sympathetic.

I truly wish I had taken it years ago.

I've had a string of GPs refuse to prescribe Dianette for some time now, due to the risks of long term use. Tried Yasmin, but it was nowhere near as efficient

The only thing that worked for me in the end was Roacutane. years and years of Dianette pill.

Unbelievable, usually any thread that starts regarding Acne the quacks come out of the woodwork trying to take advantage of people.

Go to your GP, explain you've tried other things and that given the number of years you've had it you'd like to see a dermatologist to explore the possibility of other treatments. They should refer you. Trust me, they will have had far more trivial things through the door that day brought by people who didn't think twice about booking an appointment.

Hi LazyFemme

I'm a derm. A few thoughts...

Isotretinoin is an excellent drug for acne in the right circumstances i.e. acne with nodules, cysts, scarring or when acne is not responding to all other usual treatment options e.g. topical agents, oral antibiotics or contraceptive pill.

Candidates have to be selected carefully though due to the potential for side effects and this drug should only be prescribed by properly trained and accredited dermatologists. In the right hands, people who have suffered with acne for many years often have remarkable improvements.

So...a good drug when prescribed by someone expert in it's use. If you have cysts, nodules or scarring, or if you have failed on multiple treatments - point these out to your GP and ask for a referral to a consultant dermatologist on the NHS. They will help you decide if isotretinoin is the right drug for you.

If you don't have any luck through this route or you prefer to go privately, check the specialist's credentials on the GMC list of medical practitioners webcache.gmc-uk.org/gmclrmp_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEBHWND=&sn=CoOJAVEP23ILUyE82mnD1EdsQ1eqSq7bOL3bL8B5I7Oe.eJAbMny597hH-mZa.TU6qseEk5ax7Hw.0OWMVboah8l4LuZseozq3203wwyaqwX8vCPfVnmEmFd0d6eEDo0gIgGONl5igw4OoSh96-qhqJz9DFm2HxmIbH72X2lzzAJw1YhQQWlracJebrLosVOLyYLCxbakYQ&SWEView=GMC+WEB+Doctor+Search&SRN=&SWEHo=webcache.gmc-uk.org&SWETS=1470913179&SWEApplet=GMC+WEB+Health+Provider+Search+Applet.

If they are not on the specialist register for dermatology, they are not qualified to advise you!

I really feel your pain.
After 25 years of suffering I went to a private derm who very kindly recommended me a facial treatment of washes and products totalling about £450 worth of skin products which would cost approximately £100 a month to continue, only work on my face now back and chest which were also affected.
I thought twice about this and went back to my GP explaining my desperation and issues and my last resort private consultation....
9 months later I've been through NHS referral for roaccutane and have just completed a 7 month course. Yes it was tough with the usual symptoms but my skin is clear and I love it!!!! I have restored confidence, wear barely any make up and it was the best decision I have made - for me! Good luck X

i just want to place mark on this thread as i suffer terribly and i too have been considering going private.
i look young too so having acne just makes that worse!! i can't seem to get my makeup on very well either so it just makes my skin look worse!
i did try something from america that is a bit like the proactive system which was fab but really drying and literally as soon as you stop using it the acne returns so i had to choose between spots or constantly flaky skin!
I'm going to the gp later in the week so I'm going to mention my skin. I'm the same as pp said about feeling as though you are wasting their time though!
gypsyfloss could you send me details for durham dr as we are not far from there. thanks

Good point Taybert!

Thanks for that info DrJustine

So glad you had such a good experience lazydoll

Keep us posted smileyhappy!

I used roaccutane from a Dermotologist in Leeds you can see my full journey of how it completely cured my acne and what treatments I have had to help the scars:

www.emilyrajch.co.uk/what-is-roaccutane/

@Olennaswimple I'm in the same position re. Dianette. It's been like a miracle drug for me in terms of my acne. I had a long stint, before they seemed to worry about long term use, then about 18mos stints in between pregnancies. Then they took me off if because of the risks and my bmi. I also think it may have exacerbated/caused depression.
Tried Yasmin but it just doesn't work as well as carries some of the sane risks.

Acne is pretty bad at the moment but not sure what dr could do, it obviously is hormonal if dianette always clears it up so surely no point trying antibiotic type treatment?

Only other thing that has cleared it up is a low carb diet but find that v. Hard to stick to long term.

Hello I hope someone can help me - my daughter has suffered from acne/spots under skin/rash since June - she is 24! She is so upset and has tried various contraceptive pills (dianette now) and creams and lymecliline? To no avail. We have private insurance but when she was at school and had cream for her spots the insurance company have put a special condition in her bit of the policy so she’s not covered!! The doctor has now referred her to a dermatologist but now comes the long wait. Does anyone have any advice on dermatologists in the benfleet area Essex and how much paying private ourselves is going to be? Thank you to anyone who can help as this is now affecting all the family.

Honestly any dermatologist will be able to treat acne. Google your local private hospital, look at dermatologists and see which ones mention acne they all will.

Self paying, at a private hospital - Spire, BUPA and the like, is usually in the region of £250 for an initial appointment and less for follow up.

You can usually get an appointment within days.

Agree Sam Bunting's videos are really helpful.

Forgot to mention - make sure you find a dermatologist at a proper private hospital, not one that is going to sell you ££££ worth of clinic products as a poster found above.

Your daughter hasn't tried roaccutane, retin-A, spironolactone - a lot of things that a dermatologist would offer. These aren't going to cost a fortune in private prescriptions and are proper evidence based treatments.

I have just finished isotretonoin (roaccutane) a month or 2 ago and it has worked miracles! I absolutely wish I had done it ten years ago!
I was worried about the depression as I think I've battled it for a while now (undiagnosed) but it was fine. Dr said it's massively exaggerated in media and the people who have committed suicide whilst using it have generally been having suicidal thoughts beforehand anyway. That said at each appointment they did ask that someone was keeping an eye on your mood etc

Anyway, I didn't see improvement for about 4 months on my face (my back and chest cleared instantly) and was beginning to give up hope of it working.
However month 5 was a huge turn around and I did start to notice that the red 'spots' where just marks not actual spots and that I had no new spots. My face felt less bloated and my skin, although very dry, was so smooth!
I felt ok but wasn't hugely impressed but after suffering with acne I would take any improvement as a good thing!
Fast forward 2 months and my skin is amazing! The dimpled scarring is starting to fill out and appear smoother, my skin is so soft and smooth and no longer dry!
My face is no longer puffy.
I have freckles!!! I didn't know I had freckles as I couldn't see them for spots!
My make up goes on and stays on nicer.
Al in all my skin isn't perfect like I maybe thought it would be (dreams of magazine perfection) I can actually see my skin!
I have gone from someone who wouldn't even answer the door to the postman without makeup to someone who now does the school run/walks the dog and has even been to the shop without makeup!

As others mentioned I've watched lots of videos from Dr Bunting on YouTube, she looks great.