acne for years

[goncrazy]

Hi

I am a 24 year old male...I have been breaking out since I was about 12...I went on accutane when I was 17 and 20 1/2...
After this I used proactiv for a while...I have found that during the summer I break out. I work at a camp and I am outside in the humid sun all day long...

I am very concerned as to why I am still breaking out at this age...I don't see many others who are still breaking out at my age..I've been going to demratoligsts forever and I havent seen any improvement unless I take accutane...I really do not want to take this again.

Frankly, I am somewhat skeptical of dermatologists. Unfortunately, it is a business and I am surprised that not one dermatolgist has ever asked me about my diet... I should note that I do drink a lot of gatorade and I am wondering if the large amounts of sugar could be contributing to my acne...I have always drank gatorade or iced tea on a daily basis and I think it might be possible that a correlation exists.

I am looking for some type of guidance here. i feel quite old to still be dealing with this problem and onviously, it is embarassing.

Please, whatever help you can provide is appreciated

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I hear you.

Actually, acne at your age is extremely common.  That doesn't make it good, but you should know that it's not as add as it may seem.

Your dermatologists didn't ask you about your diet not because they are in business for your money but because it's clear that, in the vast majority of cases, diet plays no role in acne.  That's one of the first things I tell patients when I first evaluate their skin.

As to treatment, I agree that another course of Accutane may not be the best choice, not because it's dangerous--it isn't--but because it's likely that you'd relapse again.

Other treatments to consider would be antibiotics, including ones you haven't taken yet, other topical therapies, and light-and laser-based treatments.  Your doctors can fill you in on these.

I appreciate your frustration and reluctance to take more medication, but the alternative is to keep suffering with acne, which won't last forever but may go on for several years before you finally grow out of it.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[goncrazy]

I meant to ask what effect zinc might have and I have also heard that bacitacin in the nose at night helps too...

Any truth to this?

Thanks

[jayhoo]

i have had to deal with acne too.  mine had always been very sever until i used clidomisin< don't know if it's spelt right> it has done wonders for me.  if you haven't tried that out bring it up to your demotologist and he/she should be able to tell you all about it.
hope i helped

[poco1023]

Hi Brian,  I'm a bit older then you 44 and this year I was diagnosed with adult acne.  Have no idea where it came from just out of the blue.  My dermo put my on dynacin (spelling?).  I had to be on this for quite some time before I could really see a change.  Currently (knock on wood) i'm acne free, but she did tell me there is a possiblity it would come back. If that  happens I'll have to start the meds again.  Hope this helps that your not alone and good luck to you!

[Neuron]

43/M here who has suffered from acne since the age of 12 and I found taking accutane actually helped my acne in one area and hurt it in another.

Like a lot of diseases, the genes play the predominate reason for the suffering.

[Kaela24]

I'm 24 and have tried everything. Finally I was introduced to Arbonne They are all botanically based. This took my acne away. You can email me for more info @ ***@**** or go to arbonne.com I am a member now so if you want anything let me know I absolutely love my skin now.

[tabicat]

Hi-Hope this may help someone.  I am a 39 year old female who has suffered from persistant acne since age of 11.  Varying from moderate to severe.  I have tried all sorts of creams and potions over the years as well as Minocin, Erythromycin (taken for 20 years on and off) and Dianette, all to no avail.  About 4/5 months ago I started taking Pantothenic Acid and Zinc.  At first I also took Flaxseed oil but have since stopped that.  (not sure if it was the Flaxseed or just coincidence but my face seemed more oily than usual).  I noticed a difference in my skin within the first week and it has continued to improve.  I am still holding my breath incase my skin improvement is a coincidence, but instinct is telling me that the supplements are helping.  I am now able to use Liz Earle facial cleanser and moisturiser, which is real luxury.  I have never before been able to put anything on my skin.  I never do expect a miracle cure.  I still get spots and have oily skin but the improvement is immeasurable and I feel SO different.  Fingers crossed that it keeps up and that maybe one of you will try this and find it works for you.  Let me know!!!!!!!