Anonymous wrote:what about Winlevi? Its a newer topical

This is the name I couldn't think of -- it's topical spironolactone for males who aren't candidates for oral spironolactone.

fwiw, my DS couldn't tolerate it. It made his cheeks bright red like the "slapped cheek" disease and, maybe, reduces cystic acne but generated an all-new sandpaper type acne with hundreds of tiny pimples on the cheeks.

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure if they put males on spirolactin. But it is considered another effective treatment due to higher testosterone levels (maybe just in females) it can be taken forever with regular blood monitoring (every three months).

they emphatically do not - but there is a $500 / tube topical version of this same drug that is new and created essentially for males. Spironolactone messes with the male endocrine systems so it's a no-go

Anonymous wrote:DS went on 6 months of accutane when he was 16 years old (after years of trying various prescription acne creams, antibiotics) and it cleared his acne but then the acne returned full force within several months. Cue another year of prescription creams and the derm finally put him on another course of accutane at age 17.5, this time the absorica LD kind that is coated to be less susceptible to efficacy issues due to not ingesting enough fats when taking the accutane. He did another 6 month course and this time within weeks of finishing his acne returned.

I’m at my wit’s end. Has anyone had this failed result with accutane? I’d appreciate any suggestions or help. The derm is just suggesting starting prescription trentinoin and benzoil peroxode face wash again, neither which has helped in the past.

there is peer-reviewed literature that 3 courses of (I forget which specific one) laser treatment is as effective as accutane in recalcitrant cases like yours and my young adult sons. The clinical trials had the usual standard of care (accutane) vs. the laser intervention vs. the control arm of no treatment. Laser isn't covered by insurance because it's not the standard of care (yet) and accutane is covered -- and laser if fairly expensive. Our doctor recommends 3 laser sessions because that's what the trial showed.

Evidently the powerful laser sort of melts the top layers of skin away - much like accutane remodels the outer layers of skin, for life. I guessthe laser just does it more effectively, reliably and for life

The laser whose name I'm forgetting is the powerful painful one, not the superficial one that all the medi-spa ones tout on Groupon. Our derm office essentially had to save up to obtain one

I feel for your teen. My son took 9 months to clear up and we live in fear of a recurrence. He became severely depressed waiting for it to start working. It actually worsened over the first 2 months and at 5 months I feared he might be the rare failure as he still had significant breakouts. But at 6 months it finally improved to the point where he had just 2-3 new pimples a month. The derm was really patient and reassuring that everyone responds differently but my son was despondent. I don’t think he can mentally handle another round.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this isn't what you've asked about, but I swear Proactiv works. It's harsh as crap, but really cleared up my DS's acne. We were just too worried about the side effect to try Accutane.

Proactiv is an expensive brand name and expensive celebrity endorsements around generic product.

I remember when it first came out, celebrities who were already famous were lying that Proactiv gave them their skin looks.

https://www.google.com/search?q=proactiv+&oe=utf-8

I'm familiar with it's history as I'm a child of the 80s, but that aside, the stuff seems to work. My sister used it in her teens, I used it on and off in my 20s/30s, and now my teen DS has used it with success.

Isn’t it just benzoyl peroxide?

Yes.

These people posting about Proactiv are obviously not familiar with cystic acne. Proactiv is for people who get occasional superficial zits.

I’m sorry your son is dealing with this OP. I did two rounds of accutane as a teen and then needed it again in my twenties. My face is scarred from acne. My daughter has had positive results with Winlevi, although her acne isn’t cystic.

Best of luck to you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this isn't what you've asked about, but I swear Proactiv works. It's harsh as crap, but really cleared up my DS's acne. We were just too worried about the side effect to try Accutane.

Proactiv is an expensive brand name and expensive celebrity endorsements around generic product.

I remember when it first came out, celebrities who were already famous were lying that Proactiv gave them their skin looks.

https://www.google.com/search?q=proactiv+&oe=utf-8

I'm familiar with it's history as I'm a child of the 80s, but that aside, the stuff seems to work. My sister used it in her teens, I used it on and off in my 20s/30s, and now my teen DS has used it with success.

Isn’t it just benzoyl peroxide?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this isn't what you've asked about, but I swear Proactiv works. It's harsh as crap, but really cleared up my DS's acne. We were just too worried about the side effect to try Accutane.

Proactiv is an expensive brand name and expensive celebrity endorsements around generic product.

I remember when it first came out, celebrities who were already famous were lying that Proactiv gave them their skin looks.

https://www.google.com/search?q=proactiv+&oe=utf-8

I'm familiar with it's history as I'm a child of the 80s, but that aside, the stuff seems to work. My sister used it in her teens, I used it on and off in my 20s/30s, and now my teen DS has used it with success.

Avi clear costed 2500.00 out of pocket. It cleared about 65% of DS acne. We decided to go ahead as he was not a candidate for accutane. It does not happen overnight, there is a purge time, and now we are at almost his 6th month mark. There has been a significant decreased in oil production.

How much does the laser cost

Anonymous wrote:I know this isn't what you've asked about, but I swear Proactiv works. It's harsh as crap, but really cleared up my DS's acne. We were just too worried about the side effect to try Accutane.

Proactiv is an expensive brand name and expensive celebrity endorsements around generic product.

I remember when it first came out, celebrities who were already famous were lying that Proactiv gave them their skin looks.

https://www.google.com/search?q=proactiv+&oe=utf-8

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are getting totally clear, Accurate seems far too powerful a drug to be taking. Accutane is for easing intense cystic acne.

You obviously know nothing about accutane. The goal is to be clear after taking it and most people achieve that.

+1
It’s obnoxious when people are so ignorant and post as if it’s a fact.

I know this isn't what you've asked about, but I swear Proactiv works. It's harsh as crap, but really cleared up my DS's acne. We were just too worried about the side effect to try Accutane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about Winlevi? Its a newer topical

They don’t give this to males either.

Are you sure? My son’s dermatologist suggested it for his acne. I’m sorry your son is going through this, OP.

Yes, men can take Winlevi.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about Winlevi? Its a newer topical

They don’t give this to males either.

Are you sure? My son’s dermatologist suggested it for his acne. I’m sorry your son is going through this, OP.