Out of options - teen acne - really need help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried Winlevi? It is topical and new in the last few months. It cleared up DDs skin in two weeks.

This is hormonal so they will only prescribe it to females.

[Anonymous]

Until recently, I would have been in the Accutane camp but the FDA recently approved a new laser for acne that is being touted as the biggest advancement in acne treatment since Accutane. I made an appt for DS. You need three treatments so we won’t know the results for a few months. I took Accutane as a teen and remember it being pretty awful so I’m hoping this works instead.

https://www.medestheticsmag.com/news/news/22144114/cutera-fda-clears-cutera-aviclear-1726-nm-acne-laser

[Anonymous]

Ymmv but try a 50/50 solution of braggs ACV and water. Use as a toner am/pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Epiduo from dermatologist
Don’t know if it will be strong enough for your DC but is fantastic and no side effects except sun sensitivity

Epiduo has worked for DS. But it’s pricing is outrageous. Pharmacist claims is $900 without insurance. I just paid $128 for generic; lasts about 2-3 months. Not sure if doc will recommend he stays on this or steps down to something milder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Until recently, I would have been in the Accutane camp but the FDA recently approved a new laser for acne that is being touted as the biggest advancement in acne treatment since Accutane. I made an appt for DS. You need three treatments so we won’t know the results for a few months. I took Accutane as a teen and remember it being pretty awful so I’m hoping this works instead.

https://www.medestheticsmag.com/news/news/22144114/cutera-fda-clears-cutera-aviclear-1726-nm-acne-laser

Wow! I hadn't heard of this. I'd appreciate you posting results in a few months. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried Winlevi? It is topical and new in the last few months. It cleared up DDs skin in two weeks.

This is hormonal so they will only prescribe it to females.

NOT TRUE. It stops the hormonal production on the SURFACE of the skin so it can be used by males unlike oral spironolactone.

Winlevi is an androgen receptor inhibitor meant to treat acne vulgaris in both males and females. The drug is a topical cream and should be available early next year. Dermatologists may use Winlevi in combination with other treatments to meet individual needs.

Winlevi is the first to use a totally new active: 1% clascoterone. Clascoterone is a topical androgen receptor inhibitor, meaning it inhibits testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) when applied to skin. The ingredient is also used for the treatment of hair loss on the scalp.

Androgens in your skin are responsible for the production of sebum (oil) and can lead to inflammation, which exacerbates acne. Cassiopea, the pharmaceutical company behind Winlevi, notes that while the exact mechanism behind how clascoterone works is unknown, the cream was proven to reduce acne lesions in clinical trials in both men and women over the age of 12.

What makes clascoterone such a breakthrough is that it's the first androgen blocker for acne that works in both men and women. Women are often prescribed birth control pills and spironolactone pills (off-label) to reduce androgen activity and help with acne breakouts. But as a 2020 study in JAMA Dermatology points out: "Both [birth control] and spironolactone are associated with systemic adverse effects, are contraindicated in pregnancy, and are unsuitable for use in males with acne." The study concludes that not only is clascoterone safe and effective for both men and women, but it can also be used as an adjunct treatment with other acne medications like retinoids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sigh. When will you guys understand that Accutane is the only solution that really works?

It's like retinol is the only molecule that's been PROVEN to work for wrinkles. Nothing else has the track record of retinol. For acne, it's the same. Nothing else has the same track record, or even approaching it, than Accutane for acne.

You have a girl, so the derm will have a very serious conversation with her about preventing pregnancy, because Accutane leads to fetal malformation.

THIS!! Get the accutane.

Seriously, have you read any of the comments from the previous posters about the situations in which Accutane is not the answer? I certainly wouldn’t want to jump to Accutane without exhausting other options, including testing for PCOS, in the event that Accutane is not going to be effective because of underlying hormonal imbalances that need to be treated.

[Anonymous]

I would try diet too- rich in berries and omega 3 fish. See this recent study: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10817267/amp/Scientists-eating-oily-fish-packed-omega-3-lead-clearer-complexion.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD eliminated dairy and started taking a vitamin b5 supplement. Clearer skin in about two weeks

How much B5?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD eliminated dairy and started taking a vitamin b5 supplement. Clearer skin in about two weeks

How much B5?

250 mg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sigh. When will you guys understand that Accutane is the only solution that really works?

It's like retinol is the only molecule that's been PROVEN to work for wrinkles. Nothing else has the track record of retinol. For acne, it's the same. Nothing else has the same track record, or even approaching it, than Accutane for acne.

You have a girl, so the derm will have a very serious conversation with her about preventing pregnancy, because Accutane leads to fetal malformation.

THIS!! Get the accutane.

Because there are some side effects concerns that I have with accutane side effects or long term effects. Do you think I do not know about this product?


For those with Winlevi, can you tell me more?

Our dermatologist is doing extremely low dose accutane and there are basically no side effects and the acne is going away so quickly. It is 1/6 of the normal dose. Downside is that he has to be on it for 1.5 years instead of 6 months but well worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sigh. When will you guys understand that Accutane is the only solution that really works?

It's like retinol is the only molecule that's been PROVEN to work for wrinkles. Nothing else has the track record of retinol. For acne, it's the same. Nothing else has the same track record, or even approaching it, than Accutane for acne.

You have a girl, so the derm will have a very serious conversation with her about preventing pregnancy, because Accutane leads to fetal malformation.

THIS!! Get the accutane.

Because there are some side effects concerns that I have with accutane side effects or long term effects. Do you think I do not know about this product?
Accutane is dosed on a cumulative amount. So In the end, everyone gets the same amount. It is such a huge pain to get every month. I mean good for you but I couldn’t do it for 1.5 years


For those with Winlevi, can you tell me more?

Our dermatologist is doing extremely low dose accutane and there are basically no side effects and the acne is going away so quickly. It is 1/6 of the normal dose. Downside is that he has to be on it for 1.5 years instead of 6 months but well worth it.

[Anonymous]

Diet change? Does she eat a lot of sugar, dairy and processed crap? Drink enough water?

[Anonymous]

Two of my DD took accutane (both at age 14). Oldest is 19 and has started getting breakouts around her period, but nothing like she had pre-accutane. Doctor prescribed winlevi and her skin is very clear again.

[Anonymous]

I was in your DC's shoes OP. We tried EVERYTHING and nothing worked. Until the miracle that is Accutane. Just use it. Don't waste another day.