<p>Daughter has moderate acne, topical treatments (Benzaclin and Epiduo) didn’t help, doesn’t want to take antibx. Based on an anecdotal success story, now applies Manuka honey to face for 1/2 hour before bed, then removes it and applies 10% glycolic acid cream (brand name Reviva) overnight. It’s only been about 5 or 6 weeks, but she’s definitely improved (not miraculously cleared, but about 50% better so far).</p>
<p>Swehappy, unfortunately for my S, acne is a dominant gene on my side of the family. My dad and brothers had horrible acne … oldest brother was hospitalized one summer as they tried to get his cysts under control. He suffers from depression so bad he is on a medical retirement. Two brothers did the Accutane route as adults - one needed two courses of it, and still has to use topicals. These brothers encouraged me to allow S to take it, as they wished it were available to them when they were teens. When I expressed concern, they told me that the harm to self esteem they (and older brother) suffered was as big a concern as any potential side effects.</p>
<p>That said, we did have a bit of a scare at first. S had blurred vision about 5 days or so into his treatment. The dermatologist didn’t play around … took him off Accutane, sent him to his opthamologist friend for a VERY thorough eye exam (looking for swelling behind the eye). All was well, but dr kept S off Accutane for a couple months, then started him back on at a lower dosage. He ramped it up from there.</p>