[ddqqww]

So if i go to a dermatologist, and i ask to prescribe me a cheap topical,
will that topical work more better than.. pro activ & acnefree products? ._.

[sunnyskys*]

I haven't been to a dermatologist but I would assume it's safer with a professional even though it's more costly.
Many people have had good experiences with Pro-Activ but keep in mind that many others have had bad experiences too.

[Subways]

Yeah a dermo is an expect in these things they spent years and years studying it its better than anything you can research yourself
anyway theres prescriptions available that uses the same ingredients as pro active but stronger and much more cheaper
and your insurance might cover it too

[random koohkie]

I used Acne Free and Proactiv and was prescribed topical for my acne (just from my doctor, not a dermatologist).
I found that the topical worked better and didn't cause my skin to peel or become red.

[am747]

My friend got on Accutance for his moderate acne and he ended up with huge festering cystic nodules on his back, which he then had to get multiple surgeries for. This led to him getting depressed and basically f***ing up all his senior year grades and college apps....so long story short, don't use Accutane during important times, or just don't use it at all unless you have SEVERE acne.

[SwEet.DrEaMs]

I honestly don't like dermatologists. From my personal experience, I had acne when I was a teenager. My parents took me to visit dermatologists and they only spent like 5-8 minutes looking at my face and then prescribed me with something that did not work at all!! I tried Proactiv and it didn't work for me as well. So, I avoided going to see dermatologists. However, my cousin told me about Acne.org. I have been using this product for a couple of months now and I love it. I have less breakouts. I recommend you to try it.

[aznsweetie143]

My friend got on Accutance for his moderate acne and he ended up with huge festering cystic nodules on his back, which he then had to get multiple surgeries for. This led to him getting depressed and basically f***ing up all his senior year grades and college apps....so long story short, don't use Accutane during important times, or just don't use it at all unless you have SEVERE acne.

...That's ONE experience.

Yeah, go to a dermotologist. Because they can see your skin, and decide what's good for you. Products off the shelf... not so much.

[VIETboredom]

accutane has a lot of negative side effects :]
unrecommended.

good luck @ dermatologist. :]
I think they would help since they study the skin.
I think it takes around 12 years... to become a dermatologist.

[KaiIem]

I've tried both Proactive and AcneFree before, and I have to say that Proactive worked better between the two. But truthfully, the Proactive wasn't that great either. I went to a dermatologist about a year and a half ago, and it was honestly the best thing I could have done for my skin. It's true that they looked at me for about five minutes like someone else mentioned prior to my post, but I really don't know why that matters...?

It took about a month or two for my acne to completely go away, but it's understandable because both my sister and I had about moderate to severe acne. Now I no longer have acne, just the occasional pimple here and there. They also prescribed me medicine that erased-- if you will-- my acne scars. I still go to the dermatologist, and they keep giving me stronger stuff as the years progress so my skin is able to withstand the more potent medicine better. My insurance company covers most of it, but it can still be pretty expensive-- though equal in price to Proactive.

[cciconoclastic]

All of the prescriptions for skin that I've encountered from going to the doctor and then being referred to a dermatologist (managed care insurance plans... not always good for accessing specialists) were fairly affordable. Not super cheap, particularly when multiple topicals are prescribed on top of pills, but my copay for each individual item on my insurance plan was about 15 USD for three months or so supply.

I've never really had luck with over the counter products of any kind (though in truth, my teenage acne was not too bad at all) so I always recommend seeing a dermatologist or doctor as soon as possible if someone's skin is really bothering them.

[**lily**]

So if i go to a dermatologist, and i ask to prescribe me a cheap topical,
will that topical work more better than.. pro activ & acnefree products? ._.

it really depends. some people are lucky with using only non-prescription anti-acne products, but if you're like me, go see a dermatologist.

proactiv worked on me for, like, the first 5 months then it stopped. i probably wasted a good $600 on other non-prescription anti-acne products before i finally decided to see a dermatologist. he studied my face plus asked me about my family medical history, and he figured out my problem wasn't only topical, it was in my blood as well. it made sense cos my acne wasn't only just in my face, it was on my back as well. so he prescribed me a topical cream (differin) plus antibiotics. it's a slow process but hey i've been living with acne since my teenage years so i was more than willing to wait to see the results for another year. now, i have no acne at all. i get break-outs once in a while but it's just one or two on the face.

but, as with everything, don't take what your doctor says like it's the law. do some research on your own and take every advice he/she gives with a grain of salt. and if you're not satisfied with the results, seek a second opinion. but also be willing to wait it out. i already saw results the first few weeks i started with the regimen my dermatologist recommended, but it was only after a year on it that my acne completely disappeared.

My friend got on Accutance for his moderate acne and he ended up with huge festering cystic nodules on his back, which he then had to get multiple surgeries for. This led to him getting depressed and basically f***ing up all his senior year grades and college apps....so long story short, don't use Accutane during important times, or just don't use it at all unless you have SEVERE acne.

moderate acne? i thought doctors are only supposed to prescribe accutane for severe acne AND after all else have failed? accutane is a very powerful drug. i've taken care of a patient like your friend and, yes, it can have some pretty horrible effects. but i've also heard of success stories. so really it just depends on the person. and as i've said above, take everything with a grain of salt.

[tetteke]

It depends on whether over-the-counter products have worked for you in general. If they have, I wouldn't mind giving acnefree/proactive a try. In my case, I had to go see a derm to treat my acne since its pretty bad. I've been on tretinoin (retin-a) and its relatively cheap if your insurance covers it - about 10$. It depends on the type of topical the dermatologist determines you need though. I know prescriptions like Duac aren't covered by most insurance companies and can cost 200$ or more. I'm sure if you let the derm know your budget, they will help you work with it though.