Recommend a dermatologist please

[Limbo]

Hi everyone,

Not sure which section to post this but...
So I'm looking to really tackle my acne problems since for some reason its been worsening for the past few months. I don't have severe acne but its gone from mild to moderate and seems to keep coming, maybe it's stress from a new job or something, don't know.

Anyway I've tried everything from Proactiv to other Benzyol peroxides and salydic acids and nothing works.

Anyone know of a derma who actually helped them clear up current acne and past acne scars?

Thanks.

[lordnikon]

Don't you need a referral from your GP to see a specialist? If you're acne is severe, they would probably recommend Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) but it's pretty strong stuff and there are a lot of side effects.

[Abel4Life]

You probably need to check with your GP, get a referral, then see a Derm to pursue Oral meds ranging from Retin-A, Minocycline, to Claravis (generic accutane).

[aaronl3e7]

Like everyone else is saying, you need your GP to recommend that you see a dermatologist.
I got some pills form my dermatologist when I was in my teens, those things worked well, but they had a warning label that told me to stay out of the sun. Not sure what they were called though :confused:.

[rageking]

only a GP can get you an appointment with a dermatologist. Even if you called up them up directly they will refuse you as a patient. They usually haev lots of clients so they arent hurting for business.

Expect a month of waiting before you can set up an appointment.

In the meantime ask your mom, girlfriend or whoever for clay masks out of a tube that can dry up the oil on the skin and inside the pore holes. That will help tremendously. Of course refrain from eating oily foods like chips, deep fried items, and refrain from drinking or eating sugary items. And change your pillow cover every night.

[plymouthhater]

Dr Charles Lynde in Markham.

[Limbo]

Where do you get clay masks? Is that like the mud masks stuff? Also heard accutane makes u super dry and it comes back after tou stop taking it?

[thrifthunter]

How old are you?
If you are young and you have the type of acne that doesn't leave pitted scars, then leave it alone. If the scars you are talking about is red marks, they'll fade on their own in time. You can use a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acid to speed exfoliation which will get rid of the marks sooner. Your skin will eventually naturally fight off acne. You don't want your skin to become dependent on products to remain clear for the rest of your life.

[Limbo]

25 right now, i've just been using the clinique green tube with BP and their yellow dramatically diff moisturizer...

[Talamasca]

Where do you get clay masks? Is that like the mud masks stuff? Also heard accutane makes u super dry and it comes back after tou stop taking it?

You can get clay masks at Shoppers or any drug store. St. Ives has one in a tube that sells for about $5.

And yes, Accutane will make you very dry (your lips will really suffer!). The drug basically works by drying out your skin to minimize the excess oil production in your body that is causing the acne. It is used only for stubborn and moderate to severe acne.

The Acne Treatment Clinic (http://www.acnetreatmentclinic.com/) (multiple locations in the GTA) will see patients without a GP's referral. They charge $30/appointment but my health benefits through work cover this cost. Cortisone injections and dry ice exfoliation are included in this cost.

[portimoss]

You can try helthmedica (formerly healthworks)
http://healthmedica.ca/services/acne-therapy

Dr. Beach (sp?) is a family doctor but she speciailzies in skin care. She also helped my sister who had more severe acne (prescribed accutance). Since she's not a dermatologist the visit is covered by OHIP. You may want to visit her first before an acutal derm.

Good luck!

[mjl_toronto]

Here's a good regimen I discovered several years ago that's really helped me. http://www.acne.org/regimen.html

[sedated_xtc]

There's a dermatologist I went to when i was younger at Midland/mcnicoll, not sure wha this first name is, but I think his last name was Tam?

But I don't know, I agree with the other posts, you can go to your fmaily MD and see what they say? I think they can write you a prescriptoin for tetracyclene or if there's other meds availble and see if tha thelps? (I'm not a doctor, just that one of my friends got that for acne from her MD).

[Limbo]

For those who have been treated, what did you think worked the best with the least side effects? Whether it's blue light or laser or creams, etc...
Has it helped permanently or only when you were treated?

[thrifthunter]

Here's a good regimen I discovered several years ago that's really helped me. http://www.acne.org/regimen.html

Just be prepared to commit to this for the rest of your life. It will likely clear your skin but your skin WILL become dependent on it to stay clear.
If you use it until you clear up, then stop, you acne will just come right back even worse than before.

[spintheblackcircle]

This is what you do...

Obviously the acne is bothering you (I know that feel) and it is potentially leaving scars and red marks...

- Make appointment with GP. Tell GP the above and that you'd like to be referred to a specialist (dermatologist)
- Derm will consult with you and very likely first prescribe oral antibiotics and a combination of topicals. You will generally have to trial these for at least a few months.
- If those work, great! If not, then I'd recommend you just go straight to Claravis (Accutane)
- If you have any significant underlying medical problems - especially with your liver, kidneys, certain GI issues, and/or a history of psychiatric problems then they very likely will not prescribe it to you. If you are in good health than you SHOULD be ok for the Rx.
- You have to get blood work monthly and before you start. Mainly monitoring cholesterol and liver function.
- If you are female, then there is more work involved and they are stricter - you HAVE TO be on birth control, you HAVE TO get pregnancy tests, ect... in addition to the blood work. Accutane is a known teratogen.
- The most common side effects are fatigue and VERY dry lips and skin. If you have oilier skin, you will notice a SIGNIFICANT improvement after only a few days of taking it.
- You will likely have to sign an informed release of all the potential side effects.
- Hopefully you just experience the above common side effects and of course... CLEAR SKIN!

I had mild acne with fairly oily skin. The main issue with me is that over the past few years I started getting cysts (small, but persistent) that were bothering me and I had to have several Kenalog (cortisone) shots to clear them up. People said that they didn't even notice, but I did. The derm finally asked if I wanted to trial Accutane, and I said yes. I have less than a month to go (four month cycle @ 80mg) and I haven't had a cyst or zit in over 6 weeks. It's great! There are "breakout periods" where your skin can get worse (black heads come to the surface too, it's gross). But soon enough that will fade, and you'll be left with vastly improved skin. Again, VERY dry lips and skin (mainly around the mouth and forehead) and some noticeable fatigue, but otherwise nothing. My cholesterol was slightly elevated, but nothing to worry about. Personally, I'd recommend it, but do your research. And again, if you're a woman there is more involved so be aware of that.

EDIT - I should also mention you don't use ANYTHING on your skin while on accutane other than moisturizer and a mild cleaner. No acne cleaners, topicals, scrubs, nothing! Also DO NOT pick or squeeze anything, even those blackheads that come up, let them fall out on their own.

[Limbo]

Whats a cortisone shot?
Im a guy btw

[mjl_toronto]

Just be prepared to commit to this for the rest of your life. It will likely clear your skin but your skin WILL become dependent on it to stay clear.
If you use it until you clear up, then stop, you acne will just come right back even worse than before.

That may be true. Perhaps my condition wasn't that serious to begin with. I'm fortunate that the only thing I use now is a mild cleanser. I still get the occasional small pimple, but that doesn't really bother me.

[spintheblackcircle]

Whats a cortisone shot?
Im a guy btw

Well you can forget the pregnancy stuff then...

Cortisone is a steroid which is injected into pimples (mainly cysts) to speed up the healing process. Otherwise some can persist for weeks (or months). They aren't like normal pimples...

Just please educate yourself man to the options. But unless you have severe acne, oily skin, or cysts (which it doesn't sound like you have) you will trial other medications before Accutane even enters the picture.

[skinnyp]

Paul adam. His office is located at sherborne.

[BornRuff]

To see a dermatologist, you will need a referral from a doctor.

It kind of sucks, because it can sometimes take a while just to see your GP, and then it can be months after that before you can see the specialist.

That is why I loved this place.

http://www.avantderm.com/

Once you have your referral, you can go see him the very next day. They operate somewhat like a drop in clinic in the morning. When I went, there was nobody else waiting, so I was in and out in about 30 minutes. It is really a great practice. You only have to do the drop in thing the first time, after that you just make appointments.

It is down in the Distillery District, so certainly a bit of a drive from Markham. You can get down there on the DVP really quick though, and it beats the hell out of waiting months to get an appointment elsewhere.