Accutane/accuzine and acne - Please help!!!
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Mon Mar 13, 2006 6:58 pm

Has anyone here tried acuzine? I am 32 and have very fair, sensitive, dry Caucasian skin (reddish hair, green eyes) and have really struggled with acne for the past 5-6 years. I'm just miserable. I'm very good at covering it up, but I'm sick of HAVING to cover it up!! I've tried retin A micro, chemical peels, brith control pills, tetracycline(sp?), and Proactiv. I'm at my wits' end. This product sounds like a scam, and I'm sure it is, but I was wondering if anyone out there might have had any luck. I suppose my next route is Accutane. Side effects of that don't sound like fun either, though. But if it works.

One of my problems is that most treatments for acne assume you have oily skin, which I don't. And they dry me up and make my skin look aged. Help!!!

I've learned so much about products here. My favorites from you all are Avene and LRP sunscreens, 1000 hour lash, and MUAC TCA peels Very Happy Thanks for listening.

Lee

free skin care · Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:09 pm

Lee,
have you seen/read Dr. Perricone's book called "The Acne Prescription" (or the new edition of it called "The Clear Skin Prescription")?

If nothing topical is helping, it sounds like a change from "within" might help you. How's your diet? water intake? all this is addressed in the book and connection between food/lifstyle and acne is well-explained.

You can probably find it at your local library and check out reviews and the gist of it on Amazon.com

free skin care · Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:48 pm

Not all birth control pills help clear up your skin. Actually the only one I know of is Ortho Tricyclen (and not the low dose version). And that takes at least a month before you'll notice any results in your skin. Is this what you were using?

free skin care · Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:16 am

Well I have taken accutane for like 6 months, but the thing is that my skin is really oily and it dried it really bad to the point of cracks on my lips when I smilled so I had to constantly be with a lip balm on me because the moment the lip balm would wear out my lips would start cracking.
Now I dont want to imagine what it would do to an already dry skin. However I can say that it really did wonders for my acne.
The side effects od course are harsh, it can almost ruin your liver so you must have monthly blood examinations.

free skin care · Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:57 am

Hello ljung
I do agree with starting from the inside out. The only reason I say that is because I have learned first hand. I still do treat my skin on the outside, by pampering it with nice (expensive and not so) cleansers, make up etc. Try vitiamns. Search on this site for some great hints on how to treat from inside out.

free skin care · Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:29 pm

I was breaking out like crazy (mostly on my chin) due to going off the pill. I tried many products and they didn't work for me. I went to a dermatologist and he recommended either Accutane or Spironolactone. He told me that Accuntane has a 50/50 percent chance of clearing up my skin. I decided to go with the Spironolactone. It's less harsh and it's cheaper. I've been taking the Spironolactone and using Serious Skin Care-Continuously Clear line and so far, it's helping.

free skin care · Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:46 pm

I'd agree with pumaka, check with your doctor first. Sounds like you started having acnes in your mid-20s, it does not strike as normal to me.

free skin care · Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:12 pm

I have no real advice, but just wanted to offer one happier Accutane story.

I went on Accutane in my late teens/early 20s. I had combination skin (some dry spots, some oily spots) and seriously annoying acne. Accutane was a godsend. I don't think there's anything like it. If it works for you, it doesn't simply clear up your skin - it makes your skin flawless. I LOVED it. I had zero side effects from it, beyond dry lips, which the prescribed lip balm handled easily. I just can't say enough great things about it.

See your dermatologist. If s/he does recommend Accutane (which many don't), give it a shot. It may work for you.

free skin care · Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:45 am

I don't know the product that you mention here, but I have done Accutane. It was very harsh and the clear skin only lasted a couple of years. I am pretty sure that the Accutane harmed my liver, too. After a couple of years, the acne came back and I am back to the drawing board to figure out how to resolve it.

I am finding food allergies and stress to be the main culprits.

Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:35 am

Hi ljung,

Hopefully you see this post since I notice that this was posted way back in March! Thing is I really want to help you, and anyone else struggling in this kind of situation, because I was in the same spot just months ago. I'm also a red head, green eyes, fair skin, seemingly dry skin and had acne. I'm 20 and suffered with acne for 10 years. I covered it up every day, like you became a master at hiding it, and couldn't leave the house without makeup on, for 10 years. Right now I have one small pimple (down from like 30+!) and no dry patches.

First you need to find out what kind of skin you REALLY have. Often people think they have dry skin when in reality they just have dehydrated skin, causes by a lack of water, food allergies, sun etc. Many products and cosmetics also dry out your skin, which was the problem in my case. Now to find out your skin type you need two things; ivory soap and skin blot papers. In the evening, forgo all the products you currently use, and wash your face simply with ivory soap. (Ivory has the fewest chemicals of the readily available soaps) I know it sounds yucky to wash your face with soap, but trust me here. After you do this, don't put on any moisturizer, nothing! For me this was the worst because my skin felt so tight and uncomfortable. Then go to bed, and the next morning when you wake up don't wash your face or shower. Instead, pull out the blotting paper and if when you blot your face the paper goes translucent, that means you have oil on your skin. Blot all over with several pieces of paper. If you notice oil all over your face (chin, cheeks, forehead, nose, neck etc) then you have oily skin. If no oil appears, you have dry or severly dehydrated skin. If oil appears on your t-zone but no where else, you have combination skin. I was shocked to see oil everywhere on my skin, because all my life I had been told that I had dry skin! But the blot paper doesn't lie. Now that you know your skin type, you can choose products (best with the help of a specialist) to suit your type. All too often people buy what others reccommend but it may not necessarily work for them- that is why its so important to analyze your skin first!

I highly recommend the Dr. Renaud line (available at EDS) and the Dr. Eckstein lines (available on their website). They have some great products, and are not 'gimmicky' like any other brands.

Next, I reccommend increasing your water inntake (unless you already take 8 glasses of water a day) and monitoring your diet. I found one of the biggest causes of my acne was dairy products. Once I reduced my dairy inttake I noticed the cystic acne completely vanished. I also reccommend taking all your pillow cases and face towels, and just throwing them in the washer. Change your pillow case every few days, and only use the same face cloth a maximum of three times before washing. Both harbor bacteria. Watch and see if the laundry detergent you use seems to irritate your skin- if so you may want to switch to something milder or even organic. If you use the phone alot, make sure it isn't touching your cheek. And don't touch your face, at all! You don't have to be paranoid, but being aware of small things like that and changing ones habits will greatly contribute to getting rid of the persistent, annoying acne. Anyway this is getting long so maybe I will just post the routine that I go by:

Morning:
- Wash with Dr Renaud Phytogel
- Tone with Witch Hazel
- Apply Dr Renaud Intervention Mosturizing lotion (nice because it mattifies and controld excess sebum- great under makeup)

Night:
- Wash with Dr Eckstein Lavolind
- Tone with Witch Hazel
- Apply Dr Eckstein Hamamelis lotion to any acne (this is basically witch hazel with sacylic acid)
- Apply Dr Renaud Intervention lotion

This works for my mild oily, acne prone skin. No breakouts (even those that normally came with hormones!) and absolutely no dry patches. I used to have eczema, but this disappeared along with this acne when I began eating more vegetables, more water, less dairy and less greasy food. Since this is my first post I hope it doesn't seem like I'm trying to advertise or endorse anything. I just really want to help people because I know how unbelievably frusterating it is to endure neverending dry flakes and acne. What is most important I think, is to work from the inside out as many of you have said, and find the root of the problem instead of just using products to 'cure' it. I would never reccommend Accutane, although my sister was on it duing her teenage years, because to me the side effects and potential disadvantages to the product REALLY outweight the benefits. I mean, depression, blod clots, liver damage/spots, strokes, it really scary and at the same time, Accutane won't find the root of the problem. With my sister, the acne returned in half a year. But again, what helped some people may or may not help others (thats what forums are for!) and I hope at least some of what I say can help some people.
Cool

Good luck!

free skin care · Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:24 am

I had cystic acne that came on due to stress way back in my 20's. Did a 6 month course of Accutane, w/ a monthly liver enzyme check. Went thru the dry lips, peeling, etc., but it kicked butt! My pores were nonexsistant and the cystic acne gone,never to return. I get a small pimple ever now and then, but nothing major. I would do it again, but with a good derm who moniters you closely. I wasted way too much time on antibiotics which really messed up my digestive system before switching derms and using accutane. It's not for everyone, but if you have CYSTIC acne and it's scarring your face, I recommend it.

free skin care · Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:18 pm

Honestly, Accutane scares me.
Shock

If you're hesitant about it...there are always other avenues to pursue.

Otherwise, go with what you feel is best for you and what will make you feel better.
You never know until you try!

free skin care · Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:46 am

did accutane for 2 months before the FDA made it so difficult to derms to prescribe it that my derm cut me off.. but it did work wonders i have to say..i feel if u start on a low dosage and build it up u can kinda control the side effects a lil..
but everybody's body is different.. when i talked a a few derms their main concern was the pregnancy deformity thing more than liver damage..i didnt find that it affected my mood swings or made me depressed.. was prone to nosebleeds though.. but that can be easily counteracted with vaseline in the nose.

have tried all other acne cures from tretinoin/differin to ipl, glycolic peels, doxy/minocycline,facials, BCP etc..none of them worked..

good luck

free skin care · Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:46 am

I took roaccutane, the European version of accutane, for 7 months in the 90s. I had regular check ups with my dermatologist. It helped a lot and I haven't experienced any major side effects besides extremely dry lips.

free skin care · Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:27 pm

Accutane certainly is not for everyone. As I said, I used it 24 yrs. ago and it was a life saver. But when it came time for my son in high school, we went the retin-a route until he grew out of it. I think side effects are worse on boys and he was playing football, and the dry & thinner skin were not compatible. He also has a hereditary liver ailment called Gilberts syndrom, which causes higher bilirubin counts than normal, so it was a hands-down, no-brainer. I would certainly think about if it will improve the quality of your life and self-esteem. I also know of people that have done a very low dose just cetain times of the month and it worked.

free skin care · Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:30 am

Hi, I know what you mean about most acne products assuming you have oily skin; I'm 29 and I've had the worst skin recently (though mine has been to due medication for arthritis) which means I get terrible spots without oily skin.

Whats worked for me is Retin A, but you mention you've tried that already. I post on another forum where many people swear by the regime outlined here

Which is pretty cheap. It just involves using benzoyl peroxide and a good moisturiser. I couldnt try it as benzoyl peroxide thins the skin, which my medication does anyway so I can't give you an opinion on how well it works!

EDIT: the site won't let me post up a link, so you can find the site by google searching for the clear skin regimen. (acne.org)

free skin care · Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:48 pm

i went on accutane TWICE and it did not permanently clear up my skin. i experienced the dry cracked skin and lips and but i also got really depressed and irratible, im sure it did some damage to my liver too. my skin was clear for about half a year the first time but eventually reverted back.. i think going on the pill made acne come back as well.
if you really want to go on accutane i think you should be really sure of your health first, because i think doctors nowadays dont really do that good of a job on checking you out before they prescribe stuff (that is unless u have a good or long relationship and trust your doctor) multiple doctors ive seen will prescribe basically anything that i ask for before really knowing the status of my health (ie. they just take a look at u and assume that you are healthy).
i think accutane is like a absolute last resort solution because the risks are so severe. i agree with DTQ about finding out your skintype to point you in the right product direction and staring all over from there, this method has certainly worked for me lately! natural methods and products are always better than chemical solutions too. good luck!

Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:46 pm

Remember this med is for cystic acne.

I had severe endometriosis and with all of the hormonal problems came cystic acne - I had never had skin problems until then ( around 32 yrs. old)

I had to take two courses of Accuntane before it was completely effective ( maybe becasue the endometriosis was still active) Blood tests every month. I used lip balm constantly and had a lot of problems with the mucus membranes in my nose and eyes. I think I also had dry mouth.

But the cystic acne did go away.

It took at least 18 months or more for all the side effects to vanish.

I suffered from this painful disfiguring disease for several years and I don't regret taking the medicine; but it was rough.

free skin care · Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:50 pm

I highly recommend the Intervention line of Dr Renaud products. I have had fantastic results.

free skin care · Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:53 am

I actually tried the Accuzine for a few months, did absolutely NOTHING for me except for money down the drain!

Now, I'm trying Acnease, another herbal remedy. I'm surprised at myself for wanting to try another expensive herbal product after that! It took me about a year to get the nerve up to plunk down $80 for one month's supply. I don't know, it may be a fluke, but after only a week, my skin isn't oily anymore, has cleared up, it's actually that time of the month, and NOT ONE ZIT!!!! That has never happened before. I'm still a little skeptical, so I'm holding off on doing an entire review for a month or so.

It was great, last night, my fiancee asked me if I wanted to go to the mall, and he said "since you have your makeup on already.." Shock

I almost fainted! I wasn't wearing ANY!!!! My face is always oily, red, patchy and inflamed with zits and scars without makeup! It's not anymore! Even the scars have lessened somewhat. I wanted to chalk it up to having a good skin day, but I haven't had one since I was 9! Like I said, after a full month or so, expect a review!

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