<p>OK, so the dermatologist prescribes Triaz for my son’s persistent acne. This miracle drug costs $299 and insurance doesn’t want to cover it. They have a generic called Oscion (wait a sec… that’s another brand name, not generic) and that costs $200.</p>
<p>So I do a little research and I find that Triaz is benzoyl peroxide, and the doctor has only prescribed 3%, and it comes in 3 -6 - 9 % and you only really need a prescrption for over 10$ concentrations. Does anyone have a favorite nonprescription brand of benzoyl peroxide? It should all be the same, right? What a scam this Triaz has going.</p>
<p>I can’t believe the pharmacist didn’t explain all this to us. The insurance co may help.</p>
<p>Oh, I got ripped off too. My son went to the dermatologist a rash in his face (not acne). He got his Rx, and it was cleared up in a day or so. He also gave him a Rx for acne, with follow up appointment. His acne is so mild, that any over the counter stuff will do (if he would only use it). I paid for the wash, and some cream that needs refrigeration. It was covered, but I needed to pay $50 for the name brand blah blah blah. My son likes it, but he does not need this. The doc just wanted my son coming back for who knows what. I am cancelling his next appointment. There is no need for it.</p>
<p>PersaGel by Johnson and Johnson. Less than $5 at Walmart/grocery store/etc. It’s a 10% benzoyl Peroxide cream that you put on the acne spots. </p>
<p>For maintenance, I recommend 2x daily wipe of cotton ball soaked with Clinique #3 clarifying lotion (for adult acne, that is).</p>
<p>We went through all the incredibly expensive dermatologist creams, pills and whatnot also, good golly, they add up, don’t they? I had to draw the line somewhere. That triaz wash leaves the skin all greasy. I never liked it.</p>
<p>my daughter used proactive but actually she didn’t like it as much as AcneFree which we got at the drugstore or even better Nature’s Cure, which also includes homeopathic tablets</p>
<p>Remember not to dry up the skin too much
skin needs to be lubricated- oily doesn’t equal moisture
hydrated skin, isnt as prone to problems</p>
<p>I tried Proactiv and other assorted topical medications but none of them really did anything. I finally had success with Accutane, but it’s pretty scary---- had to sign a whole bunch of waivers because it can cause liver failure or birth defects in fetuses, so women have to be on birth control to take it.</p>
<p>I think Accutane is part of the nuclear arsenal of acne medication…</p>
<p>A note of caution…when S1 was using the various acne products containing peroxide (bought at Target), he would generally apply it at night before going to bed,then wash it off in the morning. I ended up with several ruined pillowcases and bath towels from the peroxide in the cream.</p>
<p>Benzoyl peroxide doesnt work. Pro-Activ doesn’t work. murad doesnt work. Nothing over the counter works. Laser treatment doesnt work. Antibiotics usually dont work for long.</p>
<p>Dirt and bad hygiene dont cause acne, and washing your face religiously wont make it go away. Its all hormonal.</p>
<p>Anyone with nodular acne needs to take accutane. It works immediately, and clears you up 100%. All that other **** is a sham by dermatologists to keep you coming back to them.</p>
<p>I waited until I was 36 before I could get a doctor to prescribe accutane for me. When I was a teenager it didn’t exist. When I was in my 20s and could become pregnant, no one would give it to me. I suffered for 20 years before accutane. For me, it worked wonders. About 5 years after first treatment, I went on a shorter course of treatment for minor relapses. The past 5 years years have been treatment free. Some people don’t grow out of acne. </p>
<p>But most dermatologists won’t prescribe it until they have tried everything else. You have to take blood (and pregnancy tests for woman) every month. </p>
<p>Don’t let a doctor try to give you too low a dose. There is a formula according to your weight. Women who can become pregnant should not even handle the pills. The birth defects can be devastating.</p>
<p>My derm did unfortunately give me a low dose. Based on my current weight I should be on 100 mg. He started me on 40, which is common because of the initial breakout. But then I stayed on 40 forever, then 60 for a while, and just recently got up to 80. I can understand wanting to take the initial breakout faze slowly, but I dont know why he didnt immediately crank it up when that was over.</p>
<p>And although she wont admit it, I suspect my mom may have asked my derm to take it slow because she was afraid of the supposed side effects.</p>
<p>Its only dangerous if you plan on getting pregnant. And lets face it, most people with bad enough acne to need accutane probably dont have a great sex life. And even if they do, most would consider 6 months of celibacy/non “real” intercourse/stringent adherence to birth control methods a worthwhile opportunity cost.</p>
<p>I spent 5 years and thousands of dollars “exploring other avenues”, and had nothing to show for it.</p>
<p>Accutane is a godsend to many people. The psychological effects of having severe acne are heartbreaking. I’ve known many, many people who have become changed people almost overnight after clearing up (with Accutane). The topical meds only treat milder, surface cases. And Accutane is a permanent cure. Once it’s done its magic, you’ll never have to use topical meds or inconvenient skin care routines.</p>
<p>There are side effects- terribly chapped lips being one. This is temporary (goes away when you get off the stuff- after 4-6 months) and can be alleviated by using emollients liberally. Also, many times you go on it for 4-6 months, go off, and have to repeat the treatment a year later. Usually you don’t have to be on it as long the second time, though.</p>
<p>There have been many reports of people committing suicide or other irrational acts while taking Accutane. However, I don’t know if anything has ever actually been linked to the drug itself.</p>
<p>Obviously, do NOT take it if you are pregnant, or even close to becoming pregnant.</p>
<p>Like any drug, you have to weigh the side effects and risks. Would you rather have the severe acne, or go through some unpleasant side effects? Is it worth the risks? That’s a decision everyone makes whenever take any drug.</p>
<p>My kids both use the 2.5% benzoyl Peroxide sold through the Acne.org website. Great big tubes that end up being much cheaper and better than proactive, even with shipping costs. My first daughter was using various expensive face creams (tazarac, etc.) but found this stuff worked just better and much cheaper. Some of it is in the technique of applying - have your kid go to the website and read all the info and watch the videos where the guy shows how to apply it. The 2.5% is very watery, and you very gently rub it in until it is all absorbed, then you moisturize; morning and night. We buy white pillowcases and towels ;), so no problem with bleaching!
The website has a huge forum (kind of like this!) where kids/adults rate their experiences with different acne products, show pictures of their acne, etc. It’s a good place to find out and receive support if you are suffering from acne.</p>