Bad Advice??

I'm new, I noticed that there is an online dermatologist here, but I couldn't figure out how to post a question there, so hopefully somebody here can help. My daughter, age 16, had perfect skin until about 3 months ago. She had 5 or 6 pimples on the forehead, 3 on the chin...OTC products did not help, so we went to our GP. He prescribed Differin gel (the weaker strength) we had a follow-up at 6 wks, and the acne had gotten worse instead of better. I understood that after an initial breakout, that things would be better by that time. So, he then prescribed oral minocycline 100mg 1/day in addition to the gel. after 8 weeks, she's had a vast improvement. Mainly now, she just has discoloration, and a couple of rough skin patches. A couple of people who have kids with acne are telling me this is bad treatment, he was much too quick to prescribe the oral and the improvement was due to the gel and he should've have given 8 weeks to begin with. I've been told that minocycline shouldn't be used with differin because of the side effects and that she should've been given birth control while on Differin b/c of the similarity to accutane! My doc told us none of this, and he said what he is doing is exactly what a dermatologist would've done. I was also told by friends that once the orals are discontinued her face will be 10X worse!!!! Whom should I listen to? I am confused, a dermatologist's office will not answer questions unless I pay for an appt!!!!

[loiloi]

Hi. This is Eloise, the Community Leader of the Acne Forum.
A combination of oral antibiotics and a topical retinoid such as Differin is the standard treatment for acne. These medications are widely prescribed and generally well tolerated.
If your daughter is sexually active she should use contraception because oral antibiotics can cause problems in the developing baby. Differin is a retinoid and there is a theorectical chance it could cause birth defects. This is unlikely though as only tiny amounts of Differin are absorbed through the skin.
A combined oral contraceptive pill such as Diane35 or Yasmin will also help your daughter's acne. This is because anti-androgens and oestrogens block the effect of acne-causing hormones on the skin. These can be prescribed for acne whether birth control is needed or not.
Your daughter will need to use such medications for a long as she is prone to acne. If she stops taking them too soon, her acne will return.
Best Wishes, Eloise.

[31acne]

Hi guys!

I've been on Spironolactone for one month now and have been also using differin gel for about two weeks. Even though I keep it far away from the eye area, I've been noticing increased dryness, redness bags and darks cirlcles under my eyes and increased wrinkles. I look like ive aged 10 years!! Someone please help is this the acne med i'm on the topical gel? I have never had this problem before!!

[loiloi]

Differin cannot effect parts of the skin to which it is not applied. It also will not cause wrinkles, since retinoids are used in anti-ageing treatments. If it causes redness use a bland soap-free cleanser and reduce application to every other night. Alternatively, ask your doctor for Differin CREAM instead of Differin GEL, because it is less drying.
The Spironolactone is probably dehydrating your skin (it is a diuretic) so drink plenty of water.