It’s been quite a while since I last talked about my skin—21 months, to be exact! So much has changed since then, and I thought it was time to give you an honest update. Spoiler alert: this is a positive story about my experience with Lymecycline, and I hope it offers some helpful insights for anyone dealing with adult acne.

In my previous post (which you can still read), I shared how long I had struggled with acne, what I had tried, and that I had just started taking Lymecycline. At that point, I’d only been on the medication for a couple of weeks, so there weren’t any major changes yet. Unfortunately, my mental health took a downturn at the end of 2018, and due to anxiety, I decided to stop taking the medication. I’ll write more about my anxiety in another post, but at the time, I felt that the meds were making me feel worse—so I stopped.

A year later, feeling much more stable, I went back to my GP and was again prescribed Lymecycline along with Finacea. Based on my previous experience with Finacea drying out my skin, I chose not to use it this time and focused solely on the Lymecycline. I took it consistently every day without fail. In terms of side effects—I didn’t notice any at all, so don’t let that part scare you off.

At first, it was slow going. After two months, I saw very little change, but things finally started to shift around the three-month mark. At that point, I had a review with my GP who reassured me that Lymecycline often takes several months to show results. She advised I stay on it for another three months—and I’m so glad I did.

Over the next few months, my skin improved dramatically. I still had the occasional breakout, but it was nothing compared to how things used to be. When the time came to stop the medication, I was genuinely nervous that the acne would return immediately—but it didn’t! It’s now been over three months since I stopped, and aside from the odd hormonal spot, my skin has remained clear. I’m relieved to know that if my acne does flare up again, I have a treatment option that works for me.

I do still have some scarring, though it’s gradually fading. Maybe a few marks will stick around forever, but honestly, as long as I don’t have to deal with painful cystic breakouts again, I’m happy. If you’ve found any great products for fading acne scars, I’d love your recommendations!

So if you’re struggling with adult acne, please speak to your GP and explore your treatment options. Lymecycline may not work for everyone, but your doctor can guide you to the right solution. I spent years just accepting my breakouts and covering them with makeup when what I really needed was help. If you’re just starting Lymecycline, my best advice is to stick with it and be patient. It’s not a quick fix, but it does work—you just have to give it time.