Pro-Activ..... like/dis-like, experiences?

[JoNeS]

^^^^^

 

[KillahBee]

Used it years ago with almost no results. IMO it was more work than necessary.
That being said, I think it's worth a shot for most people with acne issues, as I know from personal experience that you just have to keep trying things until something works. Pro Activ works for some and not for others, same with Accutance and Retin A.

 

[jaded]

What is the active ingredient in Pro Activ?
I've never tried it, but for a lot of people acne treatments are trial and error, so if you have a persistant skin problem it's worth a try.

I was on Accutane four years ago for a few months for a heat rash that wouldn't go away, and since that's usually prescribed for acne it worked wonders on my skin. My skin was extremely clear for a long time.

I break out sometimes now, but nothing severe. Usually as a result of stress

 

[JoNeS]

Active ingrediated is a concentrated 2.5% benzoyl peroxiod, and witch hazel

 

[jaded]

Active ingrediated is a concentrated 2.5% benzoyl peroxiod, and witch hazel

Ah, a lot of OTC acne treatments contain benzoyl peroxide as their main ingredient. Have you seen your dermatologist? They can probably recommend a good topical or oral treatment to use.

One thing with benzoyl peroxide products is that they can really dry out your skin. My sister has a prescription cream (Rx in Canada at least) that's clindamyacin + benzoyl peroxide and I'll use it sometimes when I'm breaking out. It works pretty well but dries out the surrounding skin, too. My mom took minocycline for her skin and it helped a lot - it's an oral, Rx medication.

I've heard good things about stevemyacin (topical) as an acne treatment, too. I'd see a dermatologist though, they can probably better recommend a product for you than I can. Also give whatever product you try a few weeks to see results. A lot of times ppl give up on a product after 2 days because they're impatient and don't see the results they want right away. A lot of treatments, especially oral ones, take a bit to kick in, I believe...

 

[tiger88]

didnt like it.,.its all basic otc stuff that is marketed very well... blah blah

if you want to use a cream go to your derm and ask for retin A mirco ...works good but if that doesnt work move on to accutane (I think anti's are a waste of time) low dose of accutane is a best chioce imo

 

[dawookie]

there is a knockoff with all of the same formulas and ingredients at walmart for around 10$ called AcneFree.

 

[superlyduper]

www.acne.org is basically the same as proactiv except it is better and cheaper.

 

[dirty~d~]

I've been using ProActiv for almost 5 years now and I like it. The only time I've had problems with it not working completely is when I've switched birth control pill brands. I still have break outs every so often while using it, but they are small, few and they go away within a day or two. I like using it because it doesn't make me photosensative like the anti's or the stronger topicals. I use SPF 15 and that's enough. I'm a sunaholic and I don't need something getting in the way of my worship.

 

[SaturatedGoodness]

I dunno...I don't believe in any product that's sold through infromercials.

I got sick and tired of trying all these cures so I went to my derm and he hooked me up with a gel called Tazorac.

I've started using Tazorac 0.1% which is supposed to be pretty much the most powerful topical acne treatment available. It's like a topical version of accutane. After 2 weeks of usage, I'm already seeing pretty big imporvements, and the stuff is pretty much 99.9% guaranteed to clear your skin (assuming u have mild-mod acne) for the most part after around 2 months of use.

My thing is = the most powerful and therefore effective drugs are prescription. If it aint prescription, it aint workin.

 

[SC4EVA]

I think Proactiv is one of those things that if you really have bad acne then go for it -more people problem just have issues that could be cleared up with proper skin care

 

[mayhems]

if u got bad acne use accutane, i dont know from experience on the results but one of my buddies had got horrible acne within 2-3 months and i say amazing results in like 4 months

 

[Freddie de Lux]

Nothing works, believe me: only Accutane. Tazorac is good for topic break outs, but it will not treat the cure and shut down your oil cells. I spoke to my dermatologist about Pro-Activ after I read this thread, and he said it is a good product for skin maintenance but, once agia, not for treating the cause of your breakouts.

 

[sacto]

I have had breakouts now for several years. I am almost 32. Seems like I have more now than in high school. Anyway, I have used Retin-A, Tazorac, Pro-Active, Dermalogica and the anit's too. I have been to the Dermatologist and have been trying to actively pursue getting rid of this. Currently, I am going to an aesthetician about every 4 weeks. That seems to help. I am also currently on Pro-Active in combination with Retin-A. Doesn't seem to be doing the full trick though. She would like me to be back on Dermalogica in combination with Retin-A, which is probably what I will do next. I have heard that Accutane is pretty serious though.

 

[Freddie de Lux]

I have had breakouts now for several years. I am almost 32. Seems like I have more now than in high school. Anyway, I have used Retin-A, Tazorac, Pro-Active, Dermalogica and the anit's too. I have been to the Dermatologist and have been trying to actively pursue getting rid of this. Currently, I am going to an aesthetician about every 4 weeks. That seems to help. I am also currently on Pro-Active in combination with Retin-A. Doesn't seem to be doing the full trick though. She would like me to be back on Dermalogica in combination with Retin-A, which is probably what I will do next. I have heard that Accutane is pretty serious though.

Darling,

Believe me when I tell you that Accutane is the only thing that works, espcially if you are 32 and still have breakouts. Insist with your dermatologist on getting Accutane, or find one that will agree with that. You will be so happy.

 

[theoak01]

worked for 2 weeks then i broke out worse then before,complete shit imo

 

[Maverick]

Darling,

Believe me when I tell you that Accutane is the only thing that works, espcially if you are 32 and still have breakouts. Insist with your dermatologist on getting Accutane, or find one that will agree with that. You will be so happy.

why would you risk taking a serious drug like that ? It can seriously damage your liver.

I would rather have acne then mess with accutane. Just stick to the topical shit and accept what you have

 

[MikeMartial]

why would you risk taking a serious drug like that ? It can seriously damage your liver.

If you've been blessed with perfect skin your whole life, then consider yourself lucky and ignorant.

Accutane CAN be a dangerous drug, no question. That's why every single person that goes on it has a full physical and bloodwork done prior to starting it, and also has fasting bloodwork done every month. Any potentially dangerous changes, and your off the drug immediately.

I would rather have acne then mess with accutane. Just stick to the topical shit and accept what you have

That's a bullshit answer.

Yeah, it's fine if your 18 years old and have a minor breakout here and there. What about the folks with bad cystic acne? Should they just "accept" what they have? I highly doubt they'd feel that way. With Accutane, at least there's an option.

Also, some adults have minor, yet resistant acne that has continued from their teen years. While to some it may seem like a benign issue, it's all relative. For many people, image plays a serious role in their professional careers.

After dealing with extremely minor, yet irritating breakouts into my late 20's, I finally went on Accutane. All the "topical shit" was pretty much useless. Accutane cleared everything up---yet I did have to deal with side effects. My physician monitored me closely, and I did have to lower my dose halfway through treatment.

Was it worth it? Yes.
Would I do it again? Yes.
Did I end up with high cholesterol and liver damage? No.
Did I have side effects lasting even after I was done treatment? Yes.

Accutane has it's pros, but it also has it's cons. What a person needs to do is discuss this with their physician/dermatologist, and make an informed decision.

 

[Maverick]

If you've been blessed with perfect skin your whole life, then consider yourself lucky and ignorant.

Accutane CAN be a dangerous drug, no question. That's why every single person that goes on it has a full physical and bloodwork done prior to starting it, and also has fasting bloodwork done every month. Any potentially dangerous changes, and your off the drug immediately.



That's a bullshit answer.

Yeah, it's fine if your 18 years old and have a minor breakout here and there. What about the folks with bad cystic acne? Should they just "accept" what they have? I highly doubt they'd feel that way. With Accutane, at least there's an option.

Also, some adults have minor, yet resistant acne that has continued from their teen years. While to some it may seem like a benign issue, it's all relative. For many people, image plays a serious role in their professional careers.

After dealing with extremely minor, yet irritating breakouts into my late 20's, I finally went on Accutane. All the "topical shit" was pretty much useless. Accutane cleared everything up---yet I did have to deal with side effects. My physician monitored me closely, and I did have to lower my dose halfway through treatment.

Was it worth it? Yes.
Would I do it again? Yes.
Did I end up with high cholesterol and liver damage? No.
Did I have side effects lasting even after I was done treatment? Yes.

Accutane has it's pros, but it also has it's cons. What a person needs to do is discuss this with their physician/dermatologist, and make an informed decision.

bullshit, the only reason why people feel this way, is society !!! the media makes you think you have to have perfect skin.

If you have a good job and a good women (or guy for the gays).... your acne will not really matter when you get down to it.

why do you think drug companies make billons ? because there is alot of insecure people out there.

PS: there is also new laser treatments that work well on acne

 

[tiger88]

accutane rocked...

bad things to say about it

1. intial outbreak
2. dry skin lips etc
3. time it takes to work (sometimes 4 months etc)


accutane is wonder drug. millions of millions of happy ppl from the tane... me being one of them...

i just wish i would have taken it longer and higher dose tho

 

[tiger88]

bullshit, the only reason why people feel this way, is society !!! the media makes you think you have to have perfect skin.

If you have a good job and a good women (or guy for the gays).... your acne will not really matter when you get down to it.

why do you think drug companies make billons ? because there is alot of insecure people out there.

PS: there is also new laser treatments that work well on acne

clear skin always makes you feel more confident.. my job is in the skin/beauty field so i see how important skin is too ppl every day ..... who doesnt want to look their best?

just no tanning on the tane

 

[Graphite]

If you guys are struggling with acne that much look into getting some antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide. I am right now taking accutane just finished my 4th month perfectly clear I havent had a new cyst/pimple for the past month or so. I got 2 months left on my cycle then I can start taking supplements again.

 

[Maverick]

also, why would you want to be on accutane the rest of your life ? once you stop taking it, your acne just comes back

 

[tiger88]

also, why would you want to be on accutane the rest of your life ? once you stop taking it, your acne just comes back

it shrinks the gland

so techincally the more u take and longer you take the less chance you will have a relapse

in europe they do longer cycles with lower doses while in the states go shorter cycles higher mg per mg



you are a smart bro but you are not up to date with accutane at all.



88% of ppl only need one treatment

of those 12% ..95% will not need any more accutane

 

[Maverick]

my bad, im just so anti drug companies !!!

 

[Graphite]

As explained before I could, 90%+ of users doesn't come back I have 2 personl friends who has taken accutane just as long as I did with just about the same amount of mg's and one is going on for his 2 year free of accutane and hes still clear and the other one is about 5-6 months free of accutane and hes pretty clear as well. I have 2 more months left I believe I am on my 4th month and my face is clear, it started clearing up after the 1st month.

 

[mayhems]

pro activ... hmm what can i say about it the mask worked good for the occasional pimple as did the cleanser for simply cleaning my skin but i never really needed to use to for a serious acne problem, but if i did i know id use accutane in a second before anything else

 

[Maverick]

What are the possible side effects of Accutane?
Accutane has possible serious side effects


Accutane can cause birth defects, premature births, and death in babies whose mothers took Accutane while they were pregnant. See "What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?" and "What are the important warnings for females taking Accutane?"
Serious mental health problems. See "What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?"
Serious brain problems. Accutane can increase the pressure in your brain. This can lead to permanent loss of sight, or in rare cases, death. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber right away if you get any of these signs of increased brain pressure: bad headache, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Also, some patients taking Accutane have had seizures (convulsions) or stroke.
Abdomen (stomach area) problems. Certain symptoms may mean that your internal organs are being damaged. These organs include the liver, pancreas, bowel (intestines), and esophagus (connection between mouth and stomach). If your organs are damaged, they may not get better even after you stop taking Accutane. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber if you get severe stomach, chest or bowel pain, trouble swallowing or painful swallowing, new or worsening heartburn, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or dark urine.
Bone and muscle problems. Accutane may affect bones, muscles, and ligaments and cause pain in your joints or muscles. Tell your prescriber if you plan vigorous physical activity during treatment with Accutane. Tell your prescriber if you develop pain, particularly back pain or joint pain. There are reports that some patients have had stunted growth after taking Accutane for acne as directed. There are also some reports of broken bones or reduced healing of broken bones after taking Accutane for acne as directed. No one knows if taking Accutane for acne will affect your bones. If you have a broken bone, tell your provider that you are taking Accutane. Muscle weakness with or without pain can be a sign of serious muscle damage. If this happens, stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber right away.
Hearing problems. Some people taking Accutane have developed hearing problems. It is possible that hearing loss can be permanent. Stop using Accutane and call your prescriber if your hearing gets worse or if you have ringing in your ears.
Vision problems. While taking Accutane you may develop a sudden inability to see in the dark, so driving at night can be dangerous. This condition usually clears up after you stop taking Accutane, but it may be permanent. Other serious eye effects can occur. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber right away if you have any problems with your vision or dryness of the eyes that is painful or constant.
Lipid (fats and cholesterol in blood) problems. Many people taking Accutane develop high levels of cholesterol and other fats in their blood. This can be a serious problem. Return to your prescriber for blood tests to check your lipids and to get any needed treatment. These problems generally go away when Accutane treatment is finished.
Allergic reactions. In some people, Accutane can cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking Accutane and get emergency care right away if you develop hives, a swollen face or mouth, or have trouble breathing. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber if you develop a fever, rash, or red patches or bruises on your legs.
Signs of other possibly serious problems. Accutane may cause other problems. Tell your prescriber if you have trouble breathing (shortness of breath), are fainting, are very thirsty or urinate a lot, feel weak, have leg swelling, convulsions, slurred speech, problems moving, or any other serious or unusual problems. Frequent urination and thirst can be signs of blood sugar problems.

I rest my case, i will never take this drug

 

[MikeMartial]

Yeah, and if you do a cut n' paste from basically any drug in the CPS (Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties) you'd get the same thing.

By law, drug manufacturers have to list all possible side effects. Does Accutance have side effects? Yes, we all know that. Like others said, though, most docs are going the low-dose/longer treatment routine, which eliminates virtually all side effects.

You are trying to make this a cut-and-dry issue, which it's not. Do more research, and then make an informed decision. Besides, were you ever actually considering taking this drug? By looking at your avatar (If that is you), I'd assume no. In that case, why argue the point?

Oh, and not everything you read on the internet is true, either.

 

[Maverick]

Yeah, and if you do a cut n' paste from basically any drug in the CPS (Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties) you'd get the same thing.

By law, drug manufacturers have to list all possible side effects. Does Accutance have side effects? Yes, we all know that. Like others said, though, most docs are going the low-dose/longer treatment routine, which eliminates virtually all side effects.

You are trying to make this a cut-and-dry issue, which it's not. Do more research, and then make an informed decision. Besides, were you ever actually considering taking this drug? By looking at your avatar (If that is you), I'd assume no. In that case, why argue the point?

Oh, and not everything you read on the internet is true, either.

ya that is me........

accutane is one of more serious drugs, go on drugs.com and look at the side effects. not many other drugs have that much shit on them.

 

[Graphite]

Because they don't work for shit,

Accutane is the god of acne medication.

Just about every 1 out of 5 people I meet that doesn't have acne said they taken 6 months of accutane before. And they look just fine. Just don't do stupid shit while on it and then your fine.

 

[1_more_rep]

ya that is me........

accutane is one of more serious drugs, go on drugs.com and look at the side effects. not many other drugs have that much shit on them.

i am about to try accutane for the first time so i am kind of anxious to see the results...

my brother, however, has already taken accutane for a few months. ALL of his bacne and face acne has gone away completely.

About the numerous side effects...yes it is a dangerous drugs but that is why before I was put on for this drug the doctor made me take all kinds of tests to measure ALL of my blood properties and make sure cholesterol, sugar levels, etc. are in order. If anything comes back sketchy from the results, the doctor said she would not allow me to take it.


The doctor was telling me because of ALL these side effects, the AMA or i forget who are making much greater restrictions and requirements for doctors to write prescriptions so they are safer. so if proper testing is done and everything is checked out, i believe this could be considered "safe"

 

[treilin]

I use the proactiv for combo skin but have noticed after twice starting up this product it turned my face into a flake for a couple of months it was sooooo dry. After that my skin became more immune to it and actually was producing more oil. So it balanced out.

 

[Stackt]

Has anyone tried Zeno ? ZENO™ The AMAZING little handheld device that speeds healing and eliminates redness of most acne blemishes with JUST A TOUCH.This simple device works by gently heating the blemish and surrounding skin. This kills the bacteria that causes acne while stimulating a healing response that speeds healing and reduces the inflamation that causes redness and swelling faster than you would on your own. I've seen it on magz and ebay !

It looks kind of like a zippo lighter .....I know it sounds too good to be true but has anyone experienced it ?