How much money do you need to get rid of acne? 6 true stories

If it seems like nothing compares to the amounts paid to you for dental treatment, you are wrong. Getting rid of acne forever is sometimes more expensive and, of course, more difficult. In order not to be unfounded, let those who know this first hand speak.

This article is not an advertisement for any goods or services and was created solely to inform readers based on personally received data from the heroes of the article. Also, any of the mentioned drugs can be used only after consulting a doctor.

Ksenia, 24 years old, credit manager, blogger

acne stage: temperate

treatment time: 10 months

I have probably tried all possible treatment methods. It started with vitamins and external agents like Indoxyl and Adaklin. I had millions of tests that did not show any malfunction in the body and I went to the state hospital where I was given drugs that did not cope with my problem. As a result, after a while I went to a dermatologist in a private clinic and have been seeing him for the past two years.

Systemic retinoids were my last hope and at the same time the most effective remedy. These are drugs that block the sebaceous glands and normalize the amount of their secretion. So I started taking Roaccutane and I am in the final phase of my acne treatment.

Recommendation: Check the training of doctors. Before I got acne, I didn’t take much care of my skin. Once, as it turned out later, I went to a doctor who did not have a medical education for mechanical cleaning. I got an infection there, and then my acne story began.

Elizabeth, 20 years old, student

acne stage: from first to third

treatment time: 5-6 years

At first, in my youth, my mother treated me – she squeezed acne for me, applied alcohol tinctures, but the skin condition worsened. So I went to a dermatologist who prescribed me Effezel topical ointment. I had treatment with them for several years, got a little better, but the acne did not go away completely. Then I went to a paid dermatologist who recommended me a new treatment – La Roche-Posay, Skinoren and Baziron AC. I was treated with them for three months, but there was no particular result.

Finally, a friend recommended me a dermatologist at a free clinic and we decided to treat him with systemic retinoids. I started drinking them in November 2020 and they have become the most effective acne treatment I have treated for five to six years. I drank retinoids for 10 months and now I am grateful to them for the skin I have.

Recommendation: Do not delay going to the dermatologist. When I got my first teenage acne, I didn’t even think about going to the doctor. I did acne treatment with my mom. Mechanical cleansing and alcohol solutions killed my lipid layer and eventually led to the third stage of acne.

Anastasia, 28 years old, beauty blogger

acne stage: second

treatment time: 5 years

The main problem was that the condition of the skin, as in the “previous” photo, lasted more than five years. So at some point I decided to seek medical help. I received online treatment at a clinic that specializes in problem skin. Consultations were conducted via WhatsApp – I sent many photos and videos of the current condition of my skin, and the doctor prescribed tests for me, consultations with other specialists and treatment based on their results.

At first I was prescribed Retinol Palmitate, but over the course of three months of treatment, the doctor and I were not impressed. Then we decided to switch to systemic retinoids. I read bad stories on the Internet and tried to delay this moment, but the doctor assured me that we would carefully monitor the condition of my body and adjust the dosage in case of any problems. I had 90% side effects in 11 months of treatment, but I got tested every month, so everything went well.

Recommendation: Don’t get carried away by acids. Due to their excessive use, my lipid barrier has been severely disrupted. Since I peeled too often, my skin became very sensitive and irritated at the slightest blow. This was probably the cause of my acne.

Anastasia, 22 years old, blogger

acne stage: heavy

treatment time: 11 months

My conscious acne treatment journey started at the age of 18. Before that, there were attempts to treat the skin with speakers, various ointments from the pharmacy, I even visited a dermatologist for free, but they all ended in relapses. At 18, I found a doctor from ATC, but the treatment regimens were not the best: monthly scraping for demodicosis, improper use of ointments, lack of competent care, intestinal cleansing tablets, brewer’s yeast. But even with this treatment, I was able to go into remission for about six months.

After a lot of stress in 2020, I took a shower again, even more than before, and I decided to look for another doctor. So I reached out to a good specialist (paid) who prescribed me systemic retinoids. And a year after the course my skin looks perfect.

Recommendation: do not self-medicate. First, a banal, but very simple rule – do not crush pimples. There were wounds where I crushed them. Secondly, do not overdry the skin. I thought if I started wiping my face with salicylic acid all the inflammation would go away but eventually it got worse. Thirdly, do not resort to folk methods and recipes. Unlike a dermatologist, no cucumber mask and tar soap will help here.

Alexandra, 26 years old, model

acne stage: average

treatment time: 9 months

I have struggled with acne for about 10 years using most topical products. This was probably my biggest mistake – self-medicating. I am a paid only dermatologist and Roaccutane has really helped me. It took me about nine months to recover.

Recommendation: Do not neglect supportive treatment. At the final stage, it was necessary to maintain the result either with local means or with drugs in smaller doses. My dermatologist did not extend the treatment for this period, so I got acne again, but this is not comparable to before. I quickly removed them with shells.

Alina, 24 years old, lawyer

acne stage: from first to third

treatment time: 8 months

Initially, I tried to fix the problem with different ointments: zinc, Vishnevsky’s ointment, Tetracycline. The effect of everything was short-lived and barely noticeable, and the pimples became more and more, and I decided it was time to go to the doctor. I was advised to go through a checkup, donate blood, check stomach, hormones and lots of other things. Thus, superficial gastritis appeared. I used the medicine given by the doctor but it didn’t help.

After that, I decided to go to a paid clinic, where I was prescribed a course of antibiotics. But that didn’t help either. Then the doctor gave me a course of Sotret that lasted for eight months. It was very difficult to endure – the drug has many side effects, each of which manifests differently. For example, I had bone pains, weight fluctuations, nosebleeds, hair loss, fainting, dryness of everything. In addition, it was necessary to have a test every two and a half months to prevent any deterioration in health. But it’s a tool that really helps me. I’ve had combination, oily skin all my life so acne has become the norm for me. Now I understand that even with this type, you can live without acne.

Recommendation: Now I wouldn’t waste my energies on cosmetics and surface care and treatment of severe acne. This is temporary. In general, before the course I did everything right, without a doubt, just acne is a disease that needs to be treated.