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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
acne for years
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
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acne for years
by goncrazy, Nov 16, 2006 12:00AM
Hi
I am a 24 year old male...I have been breaking out since I was about 12...I went on accutane when I was 17 and 20 1/2...
After this I used proactiv for a while...I have found that during the summer I break out. I work at a camp and I am outside in the humid sun all day long...
I am very concerned as to why I am still breaking out at this age...I don't see many others who are still breaking out at my age..I've been going to demratoligsts forever and I havent seen any improvement unless I take accutane...I really do not want to take this again.
Frankly, I am somewhat skeptical of dermatologists. Unfortunately, it is a business and I am surprised that not one dermatolgist has ever asked me about my diet... I should note that I do drink a lot of gatorade and I am wondering if the large amounts of sugar could be contributing to my acne...I have always drank gatorade or iced tea on a daily basis and I think it might be possible that a correlation exists.
I am looking for some type of guidance here. i feel quite old to still be dealing with this problem and onviously, it is embarassing.
Please, whatever help you can provide is appreciated
I am a 24 year old male...I have been breaking out since I was about 12...I went on accutane when I was 17 and 20 1/2...
After this I used proactiv for a while...I have found that during the summer I break out. I work at a camp and I am outside in the humid sun all day long...
I am very concerned as to why I am still breaking out at this age...I don't see many others who are still breaking out at my age..I've been going to demratoligsts forever and I havent seen any improvement unless I take accutane...I really do not want to take this again.
Frankly, I am somewhat skeptical of dermatologists. Unfortunately, it is a business and I am surprised that not one dermatolgist has ever asked me about my diet... I should note that I do drink a lot of gatorade and I am wondering if the large amounts of sugar could be contributing to my acne...I have always drank gatorade or iced tea on a daily basis and I think it might be possible that a correlation exists.
I am looking for some type of guidance here. i feel quite old to still be dealing with this problem and onviously, it is embarassing.
Please, whatever help you can provide is appreciated
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Nov 17, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 17, 2006 12:00AM
I hear you.
Actually, acne at your age is extremely common. That doesn't make it good, but you should know that it's not as add as it may seem.
Your dermatologists didn't ask you about your diet not because they are in business for your money but because it's clear that, in the vast majority of cases, diet plays no role in acne. That's one of the first things I tell patients when I first evaluate their skin.
As to treatment, I agree that another course of Accutane may not be the best choice, not because it's dangerous--it isn't--but because it's likely that you'd relapse again.
Other treatments to consider would be antibiotics, including ones you haven't taken yet, other topical therapies, and light-and laser-based treatments. Your doctors can fill you in on these.
I appreciate your frustration and reluctance to take more medication, but the alternative is to keep suffering with acne, which won't last forever but may go on for several years before you finally grow out of it.
Good luck.
Dr. Rockoff
Actually, acne at your age is extremely common. That doesn't make it good, but you should know that it's not as add as it may seem.
Your dermatologists didn't ask you about your diet not because they are in business for your money but because it's clear that, in the vast majority of cases, diet plays no role in acne. That's one of the first things I tell patients when I first evaluate their skin.
As to treatment, I agree that another course of Accutane may not be the best choice, not because it's dangerous--it isn't--but because it's likely that you'd relapse again.
Other treatments to consider would be antibiotics, including ones you haven't taken yet, other topical therapies, and light-and laser-based treatments. Your doctors can fill you in on these.
I appreciate your frustration and reluctance to take more medication, but the alternative is to keep suffering with acne, which won't last forever but may go on for several years before you finally grow out of it.
Good luck.
Dr. Rockoff
Any truth to this?
Thanks
hope i helped
Like a lot of diseases, the genes play the predominate reason for the suffering.