Homepathic treatment for severe acne?

I am a twenty-six-year-old female with very oily skin.  For the past three years I have had adult acne that has increased in severity.  Basically, at first my skin was mildly affected by acne but now I have one cystic break out about once a day.  These are painful, red and inflammed often leading to scars.  The area where the acne occurs is my jawline and cheeks.  I am rarely affected by acne on my forehead although I do have blackheads on my nose.

My doctor told me in December of 2007 that I have an ovarian cyst.  I am not on birth control pills and am wondering whether I should begin taking them as a treatment for the cysts (both ovarian and the severe acne on my face).  Also, what are some homeopathic treatments for severe acne (if there are any...which I hope there are)?  I have quit my job and become incredibly agoraphobic due to my high embarrassment.  Please help me in any way possible.  I don't have health insurance and dermatologists/their medications are expensive and not guaranteed to work.  If there's a "best of" treatment for severe acne (surgery?) I would like to know it as well.

THANK YOU.  This is really ruining my life!

[loiloi]

I totally empathise. As well as taking medicine for my acne I took Venlafaxine (an SNRI anti-depressant) for the associated anxiety, panic attacks and social phobia.
I do not know of any effective homeopathic remedy. Acne forms when androgens (hormones) stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce oil. This oil then mixes with bacteria on the skin. An effective treatment must therefore target the hormones, oil or bacteria involved.
I took Dianette (Diane35) which is an anti-androgen contraceptive pill. I also took Roaccutane (Accutane) a strong treatment for severe cystic or nodular acne which is resistant to standard treatments such as oral antibiotics and topical lotions. Roaccutane has many potential side effects but this must be balanced against the fact that it is your best hope of a long term remission from acne.
Roaccutane works by shrinking the sebaceous glands. They grow back very slowly, leaving the patient free from acne indefinately. Treatment can be expensive, but 80% of patients have a long term remission from acne after one course lasting 16 to 24 weeks.
20% of patients, including myself, require a second or third course.
Please see the photos in my profile and get back to me with any questions.
Best Wishes. Eloise.

[sociallywithdrawn26]

Exactly how expensive are the treatments and what sort of approval must you get to obtain them?  I have never been given anything but a sample of Retina-A by a dermatologist two years ago before my acne was severe.  I stopped taking anti-anxiety medication due to stuff I read stating that this classification of pills increases acne.  

Will you ever be free of acne for good?  Have you thought about any surgeries?

[loiloi]

Hi. I live in the United Kingdom where we pay for medical care out of our taxes, instead of having medical insurance. This means that seeing a doctor is "free" but this system results in long waiting lists. We also have private dermatologists which costs about £175. The cost of a private prescription here depends on what medicine is prescribed and how much the pharamacy charges to supply it.
In my personal experience, Venlafaxine has not increased the severity of my acne and acne is not listed as one of its potential side effects.
After my second course of Accutane I had microdermabrasion which cleared the majority of the scarring. For the occasional breakouts I still suffer I use Differin gel (0.1% adapalene). This is similar to Retin-A but is generally better tolerated with less side effects such as redness and peeling.
Accutane really changed my life as I no longer have severe cystic acne.  But I am realistic in my expectations and know I will always need to pay attention to my skin. I take an anti-androgen pill (Diane35) intermittently, 37.5mg Venlafaxine daily and use Differin gel. Taking my medications and using acne gel has become part of my regular rountine, like brushing my teeth!  And for me personally, the potential side effects of these drugs is outweighted by the beneift of having virtually clear skin.
Severe acne was devastating for me and I literally didn't want to leave the house. A combination of anti-acne and anti-anxiety medication had allowed me to enjoy a normal social life again.
Best Wishes, Eloise.