Acne and Paragon Shopping Centre Clinics

So I went to a dermatologist for my ugly, red acne that has been building up for the past few months. I have tried ALL sorts of treatments....

Facial scrubs, Toothpaste, Masks, Neutrogena, 3M Pimple patches, Aloe Vera Herbal Soaps, Tumeric Paste Pimple Cream, Moisturizers, Tear Drops, Raffles Medical Skin Supplements, etc etc.... I was almost tempted to get freaking leeches on my face too, but NOTHING happened !

At least the herbal soap did work but just as it looked like it was going to go away, it came back!

I look like I've got pebbles on my cheeks!! I was beginning to feel depressed and it didn't help my psoriasis was getting worst too (oh such unfortunate skin I have)!

So one day, a friend of mine suggested me going to a dermatologist at Paragon.
She told me she had bad acne once too. (I couldn't believe it at first, she's really really pretty!)
It was the kind of pill she was prescribed by the dermatologist that helped tremendously with her skin... The downside was there was a lot of side effects to take note of paticularly taking precautions not to get pregnant. You cannot take this medication if you are pregnant, It will cause you birth defects!

I knew right there I HAD to go... Otherwise I would look like a monster!!!!! NO DOUBT!

I took days and days surfing the net, googling etc to find for some answers...
Initially I thought of going to a government based National Skin Centre for treatment as the cost is subsidised by the government, but the thing was it will take me AGES!!

So I googled more, sent various emails to different Dermatolosists and Skin Specialist Clinics...
Private clinics response were promt and service was good! Whereas the government based?
I can literally hear crickets. Grrrrr.....

First email I got from The Skin Specialist Centre at Somerset was great... So promt... and good explaination....

Downside? To start with, $80 - $100 for just consultation.... :O
That does not include the treatments......

Second one was the Paragon clinic suggested by my friend.
Consulation was a tad cheaper... $50 to start.

So I picked choice #2 (as I was getting too depressed already.... plus event is in a week... eeeks!!)

My story has just got to start......

Appointment was at 11am, although I was a bit late (typical me)
It's on the 9th level of Paragon Shopping Centre, called NU.U Aesthetics and Wellness Clinic.

Went in and it was nicely decorated, with pink chandelier lights, the kind tai-tais and socialites frequent for monthly botox jabs....

I was getting kind of nervous, I knew deep down the cost was gonna be a bomb!

Went in for consulation and was very good! The doctor explained why I had these acne and how the pills (the same kind he prescribed my friend), Oratane was going to help.. He drew diagrams and pictures on the paper, which helped me understand what I was going through...

The thing he described about the Oratane pills was that I will be getting clear and pristine looking skin within 9 months....
But... I cannot get pregnant because if I do, I will have a deformed baby.
I was given a form to sign stating I'm not pregnant and they will not be responsible for anything if I found out I was and I signed it of course.

The other thing is, I will get very dry skin. My lips will chap badly.. (Great.......) Blurred vision, heatiness etc etc....

And he gave me some anti-bacterial creams etc for my skin etc, etc...

So I went out to get the meds, and the bill came (heart beats, fingers crossed)

Bloody hell... $326.50? :
I gulped...

I decided to trade in the mask as I only had like $300 in my hands...
It was kind of embarrasing, but yeah, that's life not everyone is a socialite.

I went home and googled more on Oratane......

Seems like I will get very very bad acne in the first week (SHUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
but it will all clear up within the next month or so...
I might also gain weight (FUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK)

But ultimately, the results will be worth it.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed..
Let's wait and see.

And as for you guys out there... the clinic at Paragon is great!
But only go if you have the kaching! ;)

P.S. Next appointment on the 16th Oct..... gulp gulp....