Have You Ever Used Prescription Skin Care?

January 13, 2010

When the acne gets tough, the tough get to a dermatologist. This is one of the best yet underused ways to attack stubborn skin issues, in part because your doctor can prescribe a regimen of topical and/or medicinal solutions. While I'm loyal to some over-the-counter products, you'd have to pry my tretinoin out of my cold, dead hands. Have you ever used prescription-strength skin care? If so, did it work?

Source: Flickr User erix!

Skin Care Bella Poll

32 Comments

GummiBears 3 years 17 weeks

Yes and they only work for a short while. F my life. Now I am going the "organic" route. Basically making some dietary changes and using herbs and vitamins to treat my acne.

ladolcealana 3 years 18 weeks

I had minor, but nonetheless irritating, acne from when i was 14 to 16. During this time, I tried a number of acne products, including Proactiv, which only dried and inflamed my skin. At 16, I went to the doctor and was prescribed Doxycycline and Duac. Both worked very well and I started seeing results in a week. After being on doxycycline for six months, I stopped taking it and went on Yasmin. Yasmin has worked remarkably well for my skin. It's no completely clear. In conjuction with a good skin routine, I never get breakouts. To all those who have persistant acne, don't hesitate to see a doctor! It's the best solution there is.

ladolcealana 3 years 18 weeks

I had minor, but nonetheless irritating, acne from when i was 14 to 16. During this time, I tried a number of acne products, including Proactiv, which only dried and inflamed my skin. At 16, I went to the doctor and was prescribed Doxycycline and Duac. Both worked very well and I started seeing results in a week. After being on doxycycline for six months, I stopped taking it and went on Yasmin. Yasmin has worked remarkably well for my skin. It's no completely clear. In conjuction with a good skin routine, I never get breakouts.To all those who have persistant acne, don't hesitate to see a doctor! It's the best solution there is.

hlj504 3 years 18 weeks

Tetracycline, Retin-A, Accutane - my skin was never terrible, but I became resistant to the antibiotics, and was put on a low dose of this back in high school. It did amazing things for my skin while I was on it, but I still battle the occasional acne and blackheads. My brother suffered from more severe acne and was on a higher dose - and he has gorgeous skin today! More recently had a prescription for Renova, but I struggle with dry skin, and this has been harsh on it...

starangel82 3 years 18 weeks

Duac is wonderful. It really works. As does Accutane, but the process you have to go through every month just to get your prescription renewed is tiresome.

Yogaforlife 3 years 18 weeks

I got a bacteria infection in a cut on my lip that caused my lip to swell and the doctor gave me a topical erythromycin ointment to clear it up. That's as far as I have ever gone with prescriptions. In fact, I'm a little annoyed. There's not many dermatologists where I live, and I went to the one with the best reviews to do my skin cancer screening and to talk about getting a prescription for treating fine lines around my eyes and she refused to give me anything. She told me Oil of Olay is as good as any prescription and to just go buy that. So frustrating!

Yogaforlife 3 years 18 weeks

mlnwalters 3 years 18 weeks

After YEARS of trying what seemed like every prescription ointment, wash, and pill out there the only thing that worked for me was Accutane, and what a blessing that was! I agree with another poster, find yourself a good dermatologist who listens to your concerns and will find the most appropriate treatment. My derm was very conservative and wanted to exhaust all other options before the Accutane. But in the end, I'm so thankful I did it. Accutane is a serious medication though, and many people are scared to go on it.. I had a good experience with the medication and I am a peer counselor for my derm's other weary patients. If anyone has questions about my experience or other concerns they can e-mail me @ mlnwalters@gmail.com.

any 3 years 18 weeks

no, but i used yasmin and i've only notice that when im in "those days" i get break-outs

supercoolnat 3 years 18 weeks

I've used Erithromycin for my back acne, although I wasn't really consistent with it so it's hard to say whether it worked or not.

Liselola 3 years 18 weeks

I've first used tetracycline and Differin for my acne (which was mostly on my back). Didn't work at all. Then the doctor put me on Diane35 which was like hell. I gained weight, got spotting and my acne didn't really improve. Then, I decided to stop the acne battle when I was 16. I started with Yasmin when I got 17 and since then I've been acnefree. I have occasional break-outs but nothing severe. Don't know whether my acne disappeared with age or because of Yasmin.

POPSUGAR Sex & Culture 3 years 18 weeks

Yes! I randomly broke out with horrible acne when I was studying abroad in college. After 3 months, I finally went to an Italian doctor and got a prescription of minocycline. I got off it once I got back because it was summer and I was worried about sun damage and I haven't needed it since.

Rosay77 3 years 18 weeks

I used to use Retin-A Micro 0.1%, but I stopped because it was too strong for me. I later consulted with my derm and she prescribed me Differin. Differin is much more gentle than Retin-A Micro. I use my Differin in conjunction with Duac, which is also great to treat my persistent acne.

Ellenora 3 years 18 weeks

I use two. I tried every last acne medication, including Accutane after Retin-A Micro caused a serious allergic reaction with me. I keep going back to Differin. My b.c. helps with my acne considerably as well. ProActive was a huge mistake too as I used it one time and had a sunburned-colored rash for a whole week. Lisa, on any retinoid, you may peel and be red for the first few weeks. That's how you know they're working. I didn't peel or turn red when starting Differin, but I know others who have. It depends on your individual skin.

Ellenora 3 years 18 weeks

cheer4veggies 3 years 18 weeks

i was on accutane for a few months in high school after being on antibiotics and creams that didnt work or i had a reaction to. honestly it didnt do a lot for my skin. and plus all the blood tests and the online tests you take to have to fill your rx. not worth it. my bc and a routine using my clarisonic has done what other prescriptions couldnt.

MsTyque 3 years 18 weeks

I've been using retin a for ages, first for acne and since it has anti-wrinke benefits, I see no reason to stop using it even though my skin is clear now. I have also used Yaz, doxycycline (antibiotic)and Azelex in the past to clear up acne.

MsTwirlySkirts 3 years 18 weeks

actually I am starting the generic form of tri-levlen called Trivora...

MsTwirlySkirts 3 years 18 weeks

thanks tlsgirl! I was on yasmine, but I think my body got used to it, and switched to sprintec (generic for ortho cyclen) which made my skin horrible! I am now about to go on tri-levlen, so I am crossing my fingers

tlsgirl 3 years 18 weeks

frenchys - I used Yasmin, which helped, and its generic Ocella, which freakishly made my skin AWFUL. I'm now on Microgestin - the generic for Loestrin - and it's calming the damage caused by Ocella.

JessiLee99 3 years 18 weeks

I used tetracycline and brevoxyl cleanser for my skin. Worked like a charm.

MsTwirlySkirts 3 years 18 weeks

I was on tetracycline for years as a teen, and also used retin A. It worked, but the antibiotics also did a number on my stomach. They are so rough, that over time, this is what ultimately caused my IBS. So I urge everyone to think twice before going on antibiotics for a long period of time. I started using retin A again recently to help with exfoliation and preventing aging and it works wonders...I also feel different birth controls either help or cause acne... does anyone feel that their birth control helps/worsens acne - if so what ones?

Gdeeaz 3 years 18 weeks

I tried several medications but none of them really worked. I used a combo of a pill and three creams and it did slightly work but it wasn't worth it for me. Cost way to much and the pill made me feel sick at times. They said I could try accutane but I know a few people who had horrible reactions to it and I didn't want to be one of them. I started using the Clinique 3 step skin care a month ago and my skin is looking great. I do have scaring but it is already fading.

eneriyma 3 years 18 weeks

I've tried many, many acne medications - and finally had to use Accutane and now use something daily to keep my face from going down that road again. I swear by my dermatologist - and hope everyone can find a good one, because my first kept telling me I was overreacting to my (painful) cystic acne.

POPSUGAR Beauty 3 years 18 weeks

Lisa, I would ask your dermatologist what to do next. The body can build resistance to antibiotics over time.

Link Love

32 Comments

You Might Also Like