Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Decision to go on acutane? Please help!?
So i have had acne for years, i am 17 and have had it since i was 13. But my acne is quite minor compared to some. I've never had cysts, but i have had mild body acne before. I am on proactive now, but it was drying out my face so i went to a derm and she told me i needed acutane (only for minor scarring for past acne i'm sure it will fade)
I've read so many bad things about acutane..... And one proactive i have zero pimples just some old marks.... Without proactive i have about 4 pimples at a time on my chin... I dont know if it would be worth it. I've heard of people who never had cysts before getting them in the "it gets worse before it gets better stage" and i cant handle that.
What do you guys think? Experiences, suggestions for other treatments etc. would be muchly appreciated.
Note: i have only ever tried 4 types of over the counter stuff to treat my acne. Clean and clear, acne stress control, oxy and proactive. I thought it was a little soon for acutane? Do u?
Thanks so much.
1 Answer
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
This sounds very strange to me. As far as I understand, dermatologists (in the US, anyway) are required to document that they have exhausted all other treatment options without results before trying Accutane (Isotretinoin). Oral contraceptives, and topicals like Retin-A & Differin, should at least be tried, and even if they fail Accutane is usually only used in cases of severe, cystic acne.
So yeah, way too soon. Accutane can work wonders, but in your case it really doesn't sound like it's necessary or even warranted. Proactive is Benzoyl peroxide, which can be very drying. Try alternating it with a 2% salicylic acid.
Edit: Just realized you're in Canada. Pretty much every other country on earth is less litigious than the US, so it makes sense that Accutane is prescribed more freely there. Still, with the presentation you're describing, I'd try some less drastic options first.
Source(s): RN obsessed with skin care - 8 years ago
acutane is for SERIOUS acne and you're right it has alot of potentially harmful side effects. My friend took it and although it got rid of his acne (it was really bad) he said it was the worst experience...and I think you have to take it for a year. Honestly, four pimples isn't worth dealing with acutane
