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Freederm- for acne.

tbm

13

Just wondering if anyone on here had tried Freederm for their skin, and what sort of results they had? Thanks.

Reply 1

tbm

OP

13

Its a gel that can be applied to spots to reduce inflammation, I was just wondering what sort of results other people have had because its quite expensive and I dont want to risk wasting my money!

Reply 2

Lush Law

15

I used it when I had the most horrendous acne on my back a few years ago. It didn't work for me - it simply inflamed my back more and made it more red and blistery and gunky and a disgusting mess tbh. It might work for some people. Thanks to roaccutane, the wonder drug for some dermatological conditions IMO - well that cleared up all my acne. I have no scarring whatsoever, but that's probably because I refused to pick and scratch.

Reply 3

Herleif

r_r, what kind of side effects does ro-accutane have?

Reply 4

Lush Law

15

metta

r_r, what kind of side effects does ro-accutane have?

You are probably asking this as a result of the 'roaccutane myth' as my dermatologist called it. There has been a lot of hype and panic about the side effects of roaccutane. My dermatologist told me that in 95% of cases the only side effects are:

1. It dries out the skin
2. Sore lips
3. Perhaps some lethargy.

The company who produce roaccutane are apparently really pedantic and thorough and therefore state every possible medical side effect that could occur as a result of taking roacc on the patients leaflet included with the drug....which in turn has led people to think it's dangerous. BUT, it's not - my dermatologist explained that most other anti-biotics and drugs can cause all of the horrid side effects explained in the roaccutane leaflet in RARE (extremely) cases.

Anyway - the only side effects I had were:

1. Being pissed off because I couldn't drink alcohol for 6 months
2. VERY sore lips (they became swollen)
3. Sore nipples that became very red and itchy

But all in all these side effects were worth it in the long run, I now have near perfect skin. :smile:

Reply 5

Herleif

red_roadkill

You are probably asking this as a result of the 'roaccutane myth' as my dermatologist called it. There has been a lot of hype and panic about the side effects of roaccutane. My dermatologist told me that in 95% of cases the only side effects are:

1. It dries out the skin
2. Sore lips
3. Perhaps some lethargy.

The company who produce roaccutane are apparently really pedantic and thorough and therefore state every possible medical side effect that could occur as a result of taking roacc on the patients leaflet included with the drug....which in turn has led people to think it's dangerous. BUT, it's not - my dermatologist explained that most other anti-biotics and drugs can cause all of the horrid side effects explained in the roaccutane leaflet in RARE (extremely) cases.

Anyway - the only side effects I had were:

1. Being pissed off because I couldn't drink alcohol for 6 months
2. VERY sore lips (they became swollen)
3. Sore nipples that became very red and itchy

But all in all these side effects were worth it in the long run, I now have near perfect skin. :smile:

thing is i seriously considered getting it but recently, thanks to religious use of copious amounts of benzoyl peroxide cream :wink:

, my skin is clearing up a bit. I gotta say it can be really depressing tho :frown:

Reply 6

Lush Law

15

metta

thing is i seriously considered getting it but recently, thanks to religious use of copious amounts of benzoyl peroxide cream :wink:

, my skin is clearing up a bit. I gotta say it can be really depressing tho :frown:

What's depressing? Roaccutane or benzoyl peroxide cream?

Honestly you're much better off on roacc, plastering your face in peroxide based creams isn't good. Any dermatologist will tell you that. Spot creams don't work in the long run, you need a good strong course of treatment to clear your system properly.

Reply 7

Sarky

18

red_roadkill

What's depressing? Roaccutane or benzoyl peroxide cream?

Honestly you're much better off on roacc, plastering your face in peroxide based creams isn't good. Any dermatologist will tell you that. Spot creams don't work in the long run, you need a good strong course of treatment to clear your system properly.

Roaccutane isn't for everyone though, things like benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid can be beneficial for milder acne.

Reply 8

Herleif

red_roadkill

What's depressing?

ACNE!!

red_roadkill

Roaccutane or benzoyl peroxide cream?

Honestly you're much better off on roacc, plastering your face in peroxide based creams isn't good. Any dermatologist will tell you that. Spot creams don't work in the long run, you need a good strong course of treatment to clear your system properly.

is it not possible that it might just be clearing up :confused:

Reply 9

Lush Law

15

metta

is it not possible that it might just be clearing up :confused:

Of course, see how it continues to clear up or see what your GP says.

ok, cheers :smile:

Roaccutane is great. Fair enough the dry skin and lips can be a bit annoying but if you apply Astral moisturiser at night before you go to bed then you should have a reduced dryness. Also putting Fucidin cream on your lips at night is a great way to stop dryness of the lips. A bottle of head and shoulders wouldn`t go amiss either as dryness of the scalp can occur during the first few weeks! I have 5 weeks to go of my course and my skin has improved greatly and heres hoping that the next 5 weeks will cure it totally! I no have dry skin,dry scalp but sometimes the lips can become a bit dry, tin of vaseline will do the trick or a lip balm.
For the guys considering roaccutane I have also found that shaving on a daily basis(sometimes twice a day!stupid I know)helps decrease the spots especially around the jawline where I was prone to them!
This is just my own personal experience but hope it helps a few others!

Reply 12

white_haired_wizard

16

Don't want to put anyone off from trying roacc, people's bodies are different, internals and reactions to chemicals are different, but i had depression from that drug, it was quite severe, but thankfully not suicidal at all. It must have screwed my chemicals and my inner body systems, because i was so down - it affected me for about 10 weeks in a big way - so down i considered dropping out of uni, affected my uni academic life and social life.

I was fine before taking it, and i was ok, when i took myself off it - the drug just wasn't for me, despite it clearing my skin, it left me with horrendous flushing and rosaccia (sp inc?!) in certain occasions. The drug ****ed me up to be brutally honest...but this is my own experience...i will probably be in the smallest of minorities, and well, i must be very sensitive to any chemical changes.

Reply 13

Phonicsdude

19

Is this roacc thing on prescription or can you get it from boots?
How hard is it to get?

Reply 14

Lush Law

15

Phonicsdude

Is this roacc thing on prescription or can you get it from boots?
How hard is it to get?

Heavens, no - you can't buy it from dispensing chemists. Your GP will have to refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist) who will perform an examination and assess the extent of your acne problem and make a judgement on whether the severity of your acne constitutes going on the drug. It's a very strong drug with a lot of implications, as some mentioned - depression (although my dermatologist told me the gruesome side effects are extremely rare) - so the government have a tight control over Roaccutane and you can only go on it if you really do have bad acne.

Reply 15

Evolin

13

my dermatologist has put me on erythomycin. its been quite good, nearly all cleared up. anyone know how strong it is compared to the Roacc... stuff.

Reply 16

white_haired_wizard

16

Its allegedly darn expensive stuff to produce (roacc), therefore, they are picky and choosy - your resident dermatologist that is!

Reply 17

Jenjey

Erythromycin is an antibiotic whereas roaccutane isnt.
Roaccutane is often given as a last resort because of the side effects it has. The most common side effects are dry skin and nosebleed. It can also permanently damage the liver and, some studies suggest, cause depression. Because of this, the drug is typically given only when milder treatments have proven insufficient. The drug also causes birth defects if women become pregnant while taking it.
Erythromycin has several advantages. First, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness in lesions, in addition to killing bacteria. Also, it can and should be taken with food - a benefit for teenagers. The dosage of erythromycin varies with the type used, but it is typically prescribed as 250 - 500 mg twice a day. It can cause stomach upset and nausea, but can be used in pregnant women. :smile:

Roaccutane is longer lasting because it works by reducing the production of the skin's natural oil (sebum). Isotretinoin (roaccutane ingredient) decreases the size and activity of the sebaceous glands in the skin, which reduces the amount of sebum that is produced. This stops the glands becoming blocked, and means bacteria are less likely to thrive.

Erythromycin is a good commonly used antibiotic, but if it doesnt work (and you've tried most other things like benzoyl peroxide and zineryt (topical applications)) then you may benefit from roaccutane.

HTH

Reply 18

BigDog04

1

wizard

Don't want to put anyone off from trying roacc, people's bodies are different, internals and reactions to chemicals are different, but i had depression from that drug, it was quite severe, but thankfully not suicidal at all. It must have screwed my chemicals and my inner body systems, because i was so down - it affected me for about 10 weeks in a big way - so down i considered dropping out of uni, affected my uni academic life and social life.

I was fine before taking it, and i was ok, when i took myself off it - the drug just wasn't for me, despite it clearing my skin, it left me with horrendous flushing and rosaccia (sp inc?!) in certain occasions. The drug ****ed me up to be brutally honest...but this is my own experience...i will probably be in the smallest of minorities, and well, i must be very sensitive to any chemical changes.

My experience was very similar to this and im usually not affected by drugs. The depression is very bad makes you just want to die/sleep. Shocking cos i m usually an upbeat person. Its only known to thin hair. Pregnant women should not tke it as you can lose you baby!
In short I would recommend it AFTER trying everything, but not before. It does work but the damage it does to your system is incredible. Plenty of people have killed themselves while on it. If you dont believe it just google.

Try ELICINA - very good and very safe

Reply 19

Jenjey

Lol, I said that in my post :frown:

/feels ignored

Freederm- for acne.

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