If you do see any scars, use the Mederma “skin care for scars” cream. It stinks like onions but works well.

I got acne late in life. I somehow got through my teens without it, but it hit me hard in my mid twenties, and on into my early 30s. I went to dermatologists, first with them using various benzoyl peroxide gels, tetracylcine, etc, until finally Retin A came out. I used it for about six months. Just made things worse.

Finally, I went into the doctor for a checkup and a refill of my normal scripts and the dermatologist said “If you can get a thousand dollars together, I can put you on something new called Accutane, and you won’t need me anymore.” This was about 1986 I think. Now of course, as you know, it costs more than that;)

Well I got the money together and went on it. My lips dried out, but other than that, I had no side effects. By about a week in, my face had really dried out (I have oily skin). I had breakouts on my back and shoulders. They started clearing up too. By six weeks in, I was completely clear. He took me off of it, and said if it came back, I might need one more six week course.

OK, that was in the mid-80s.

It is now 2008.

I have never broken out again.

If there was ever a miracle drug, it was Accutane for me. I have read of others who were not as successful, but don’t let anyone tell you that this is not serious medicine. It DOES change your skin. To this day, my pores are different…I don’t know…maybe smaller or something. But I don’t break out. And it literally changed my life. I was always an OK looking guy, but whatever decent looks I had were ruined by this. Once it was gone, it was like getting a second chance at life.

So good luck, I hope you have the same success I did!

Tom H