r/AcneTreatments

After a year of experimenting with products, dealing with fluctuating acne and damaging my skin barrier, I’ve finally booked a dermatologist appointment. I’m honestly struggling so much with my appearance at the moment to the extent that I hardly leave the house anymore, always wear makeup even though I hate it and don’t really enjoy the things I used to. I have so much of my hope hinging on this appointment. Looking for any advice about how to get the most out of the appointment and anyone’s experiences that might be helpful!

Also I have a few questions:

- Is it likely that I will receive a treatment plan straight away, or will I have to come back for that? (It’s so expensive and I can’t bear to deal with my skin anymore so I’m hoping they’ll get me started on something straight away)

- do dermatologists tend to give advice on skincare? I’m worried I won’t be able to treat my acne yet given that (at least I think) I have a damaged barrier, but I’m breaking out way more than normal (like everyday something new pops up) and I’m scared of the PIE and scarring being left behind. I feel like the breakouts will settle when my barrier is healed (I’ve only been off actives for three weeks now) but I really want something to manage my acne in the meantime.

- is there a chance I’ve damaged my skin beyond being able to use Tret/retinoids again? My skin got so clear when I used Tret properly for the first time and I want to get back there so bad but I’m worried that i won’t be able to for a really long time/ever and that my barrier won’t be able to repair on its own (maybe catastrophizing?)

- how will a derm be able to prescribe me the right thing given that there’s only such a short appointment to discuss my acne history, what products I’ve found that work/don’t work on my skin, how it has reached its current state etc? I’m worried I’ll be prescribed the wrong thing and it’ll only get worse, especially seeing as my acne atm is largely due to misuse of products/use of wrong products for my skin type and not (at least not mostly) hormonal issues which might be more easily explained.

I would really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer or stories about your own experiences! At the moment I’m finding it so hard to believe that I’ll ever get back to clear skin but I’m trying so hard to hold out hope that one day I’ll heal and not feel anxious to go outside anymore.

I couldn’t post this in r/kenya so I opted to do so hapa. I have had acne since class 7. It has pretty much messed up my face. It’s fading away but leaving behind some nasty scars and I wanna do something about it. Now I’m looking into real acne scar treatments here in Kenya (especially Nairobi) and I’d love to hear from anyone who’s actually done something similar or with any information.

Would you mind sharing:

1 What treatment you got (e.g., microneedling, laser, PRP, peels, subcision)?

2 Rough pricing you paid (per session or package)?

3 Clinic/doctor & city where you had it done?

4 How many sessions you needed?

5 How well it worked for you?

6 Any recommendations or things to avoid?

Thank you in advance.

I don’t eat perfectly but overall eat on the healthy side. I do sometimes consume alcohol at times. I am on doxy 200 mg a day and spironlactone 50 mg. I’ve been on this for 8 weeks now. I do take a probiotic daily and fiber as I started the prior to my acne treatment. I tend to feel bloated daily and my stomach overall just feels blah. It doesn’t necessarily hurt but doesn’t feel good. Do I just need to have a strict diet etc? Has anyone experienced this through treatment and how did you deal with stomach?

Hi everyone!

I’ve been using winlevi for 3+ years now and it initially changed my life it solved all my hormonal acne. I was a spokesperson for the product telling all friends you gotta try it! In the last 3 months it’s just stopped working I now have a new zit everyday and don’t understand what’s happening.

About to go to the derm tomorrow and hoping to get a new product for my acne. Has anyone else had the same problem?

I’m 43F and have been battling cystic (hormonal?) acne for years. My dermatologist has me use Winlevi and Adapalene creams. They help a little but not enough. I use 10% bp cleanser. Azelaic acid. Zit patches. Dermatologist said next step would be accutane. Not a fan of that idea, since I went on it in high school and it was awful.

Any suggestions on maybe over the counter things I can try? I’m too old for this crap.