acne

[Peachy]

How is the duac working for you? It's a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin, I believe (the latter being an antibiotic that some would say is "stronger" than erythromycin. . . it actually has a slightly different bacterial coverage range). Erythromycin is another antibiotic, belonging to the drug class called macrolides. It basically inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, so the bacteria can no longer grow (same mechanism as clindamycin). Different people just respond differently to the various antibiotics out there.

Retin-A (tretinoin) and Accutane (isotretinoin) are both Vitamin A derivatives, not antibiotics.

As for your liver. . . well, the vast, vast majority of medications (including something as "harmless" as Tylenol!) are cleared/metabolized through your liver, including the clindamycin in your Duac (next up is your kidney). The benzoyl peroxide in the Duac is metabolized through your skin. I understand your concern about that, but as long as you aren't in danger of being pregnant and get your liver enzymes checked every month, you should be okay (but if you really hate needles, that's another matter).

Have you tried Tazorac (tazarotene) for your body acne? It also requires a negative pregnancy test before you can begin, but I know some people who have had some success on it.

An important point: you need to give whichever medication you're using at least 8 weeks to work before you try something new. This is how long it typically takes for anti-acne medications to take full effect, and in fact, you may notice some worsening of your symptoms before things get better.

Any other questions, please ask.

Good luck!

[joyce]

I actually have some tazorac...dear god it made me peel every 3 days...I would use it every other day...then every 3 days...every week...I would ALWAYS peel...is that supposed to happen? DO you really think that could help my body acne? Can you give me more info on it please? I still have some...does it expire? and should I be peeling from it? Should I use it every day? Thanks.

[Peachy]

okay, here goes. . .

if you were peeling even when using Tazorac once a week, then it might not be the best first choice for you. Or see if you were using the higher concentration (0.1%) and try switching to the lower concentration (0.05%).

Have you tried ProActiv? I believe it has a salicylic acid compound. Wal-mart sells its own version of it which has the same ingredients and is actually a little cheaper (I forget what it's called).

Phisoderm makes body washes for acne (also available at Wal-mart).

Doxycycline is another antibiotic which is a cousin to tetracycline, as is minocycline (although people tend to report more GI upset with minocycline).

Aczone (topical 5% dapsone gel) has an unknown mechanism of action, is metabolized through the liver and should not be used by patients with anemia or G6PD deficiency; prescription only. Might be one that works for you. Common side effects include dryness, oily skin and peeling, all of which may resolve over time.

Azelex (topical azelaic acid) also has an unknown mechanism of action, is metabolized primarily through the skin, prescription only. Common adverse effects include burning/stinging, tingling and itching.

Benzamycin 5%/3% gel contains benzoyl peroxide 5% and erythromycin 3% (similar to the Duac you are using, which is a benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin combination).

If you are not allergic to sulfur, there are some additional options for you:

Klaron (topical sulfacetamide 10% lotion) which is also prescription only. Common adverse effects include itching, redness and irritation.

Plexion (10% sulfacetamide/5% sulfur topical wash), also goes by the trade name Rosanil and Rosula. In a cream form it is known as Rosac.


Whatever you try, you need to give it 8 weeks!

Good luck -

Peachy

[charlysays]

just to add my 2 cents, if u use pure tea tree oil (the essential oil) it works great, but it stings pretty bad. my mum's an aromatherapist, and it's pretty d**n cheap, just put it on neat-but not too much.

also pure witch hazel is a good cheap option-i use witch-stick-honest it works!! are u on the pill?-i was put on norimin for my spots when i was younger and it really worked, but im really allergic to erythromycin

I also use a facial scrub-like st ives walnut-its pretty cheap and really opens up your pores so whatever ur putting on gets right in there!! i hope u find something that works for u x

[Peachy]

I'm glad you put in your 2 cents! I had forgotten to mention the witch hazel for acne, although I think I did briefly mention tea tree oil. . . do you know any good places to get the tea tree oil?

[charlysays]

are u in the uk or US Peachy?

[Peachy]

Hi Charly,

I'm in the U.S.

[joyce]

Hmmmm, why do you think Aczone would be good for me Peachy?

Everytime I go to my dermotologist, I ask him like 100 questions and he's just like...it'll go away on its own, give it time, leave that alone, don't worry about that, blah blah blah...man! I am going to you so you can fix these things not tell me I'll be fine! I know acne won't kill me but its annoying as...god knows. I am going to ask him about aczone or other acne meds instead of tazorac and duac only...
what do you think is the best way to go about back/chest pimples?

[charlysays]

hi Peachy, as i'm in the UK i get mine via my mum from eve taylor but here are a few links to buying online-u can probably get essential oils from health stores or chemists?

www.earthyfamily.com/eo.htm-these guys have free delivery and they have a sale on tea tree right now-one bottle lasts ages cuz u only have to use a tiny bit. a tip is to apply the oil with cotton bud, then u don't get any bacteria from ur fingers in spots (apparently it's a big problem wen applying any acne treatment to your face)

www.essential-oil.org/proddetail.asp?prod=EO-209%5F10ml&cat=26
these guys do different szes and are very cheap-only $3.99 a 1/3 oz bottle!

i would recommend eve taylor's website-as I know their products are top quality, but it's under reconstruction
www.eve-taylor.com/

joyce- probably u know all of this but here is a link to some pretty coomon sense advice
www.acne-advice.com/articles/top_ten_tips.shtml

good luck!