Anonymous wrote:Accutane is often maligned due to an alleged link to suicide. Accutane is most often rx for teenagers. The number one cause of death for teenagers is suicide.
My brother with severe cystic acne took it as a teen and it literally changed his life. He went from being angry and antisocial to a more normal confident person. My cystic acne was not quite as bad as my brothers but I ended up needing it in college and am so grateful for it. Neither of us had any sideeffects beyond dry skin. It honestly makes me sad to see the treatment has become so maligned when it can do so much good. Correlation is not causation.
Anonymous wrote:Have you tried Differin gel? It's now available OTC.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Eliminate ALL dairy. Be strict, and see where that gets her.
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That worked for one of my DD friends. Why the eye roll? Do me a favor and don't answer.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yup. Accutane marketing has found this thread.
Good work folks! Make those coins!
I don't know why you're saying that-- I don't care about accutane. I have no interest or stake in it, and I'm aware that like many medications there are some risks. I'm not encouraging anyone to take it- but the story of suffering for years with cystic acne and having scars, but "gee after some bad years, my life turned out generally okay" is really not going to help any teenager with severe acne.
Most teens are wired to be self conscious- more than the typical amount of acne is going to prevent them from wanting to do normal things like wear a bathing suit or a prom dress. I remember feeling so hopeless and upset about my acne--it's a big deal.
Anonymous wrote:Yup. Accutane marketing has found this thread.
Good work folks! Make those coins!
Anonymous wrote:Do hormonal birth control (the Pill) first, but I had great results with Accutane.
I had terrible cystic acne that did not respond to antibiotics, special soaps, etc. Just enormous multi-year cysts, and scars. The Pill helped a bit, but there were fewer types of Pills available at that time and doctors didn't realize/admit that some were better than others; personally I react poorly to the old-style hormones that are in the minipill, implant, etc.
I went on Accutane in my early 20s and the change was amazing. I couldn't complete a full course because my triglycerides got too high, but the results were still great. My skin looked amazing while I was actually on Accutane. Over time it did get less perfect but 15 years later I still get very few blemishes. The most blemishes I have had, since then, were on the minipill after I was pregnant; once I got on a newer pill I have had clear skin.
I know there are warnings about blindness, etc., but the big worry is birth defects. I would think that doing a course of Accutane as distantly as possible from getting pregnant would be a good thing.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Please don't use Accutane. It can have really awful long-term effects.
I had extremely bad cystic acne at 13/14 years old. It left prominent permanent scars on my face. It was difficult, but as an adult I'm glad my parents didn't make me take Accutane.
I went on to a great college, now own my own successful business, and have been married 10 years to the best partner anyone could ask for. Acne won't ruin her life.
OMG. Accutane also won't ruin anyone's life, and in fact, will improve it immensely. The side effects that everyone fixates on have occurred in a tiny percentage of cases. Both my boys had horrible cystic acne, both were put on Accutane around 12/13 and luckily, neither were left with scars because we acted quickly. Their skin is beautiful now. They experienced depression - BEFORE taking Accutane, because of how they looked. It was the Accutane which saved them. If my daughter also experiences cystic acne, we will most definitely give her Accutane as well.
There are few things more destructive to a teen's self-esteem than terrible acne. I would never tell my kids they couldn't take a drug that has been proven to be effective for cystic acne.
Looks like the Accutae marketing team found this thread.
You mean a parent who actually took action to fight her child's acne? Okaaaay...Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Eliminate ALL dairy. Be strict, and see where that gets her.
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That worked for one of my DD friends. Why the eye roll? Do me a favor and don't answer.