does anyone else experience this...?
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:31 pm

for the past year or so, i think iv developed acne on my forehead, nose and well my t zone. it gets worse at that time of the month and has left me many many scars. well these scars sometimes get itchy and then the following morning, its erupted into a massive pus filled spot.
do u think this is normal?
at the moment, im using Exposed acne treatment, Epidermx microdermabrasion cream, ice elements 2 min exfoliating gel, dermalogica active moist, Dr H CC, estee lauder advanced night repair protective recovery complex
i have made an order to come DDF products too, hoping they will help
if you have any suggestions on other products, please do tell me, im willing to try ANYTHING

oh, i have oily/prone to acne skin, which can be quite sensitive

thanks so much Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:45 pm

yeahyeah wrote:

for the past year or so, i think iv developed acne on my forehead, nose and well my t zone. it gets worse at that time of the month and has left me many many scars. well these scars sometimes get itchy and then the following morning, its erupted into a massive pus filled spot.
do u think this is normal?

This doesn't sound normal when scars itch. You may be using something that is irritating your skin, which is trying to heal itself. Then it sounds like your scars get re-infected to create more pus. I would strongly suggest seeing a dermatologist. Also make sure you sleep on a clean pillow case each night (wash in HOT water and dry in HOT setting), if you find more pimples/infections when you wake up in the morning.

Hope you get better soon.

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:09 am

I second sweet28! I think you should stop putting any thing else on your face, just wash your face with water, and see a doctor pronto!

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:43 am

It sounds to me like you're just getting pimples in the same spots. It's not that your scars are getting infected, it's the skin. When it comes to pimples, simple treatment is usually the most effective. I would lay off the microdermabrasion cream and the exfoliator while your skin is healing.

What works for me: hot compresses on the blemishes to draw out infection, Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask as a spot treatment (overnight, or for 20 min at a time), and Proactiv repairing lotion.

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:53 am

I would also agree that you may be having two conditions - the acne, which you can see, and the itching which is caused by a reaction to your product. I have had acne too and not ever experienced itching. I have though often had skin reactions to product (acids and fragrance mainly) and have experienced a very uncomfortable itching sensation.

There is a lot of exfoliation going on. You may want to consider whether its that helpful for acne skin.

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:03 am

thanks for ur suggestions...but is exfoliating not good for acneic skin?
ppl have told me mixed opinions about this... but i think i should take ur advice and stop using Epidermx II for a while

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:23 am

hmmmm, just thinking about it now... i dont think its an allergic reaction to anything cos its only my spotty areas thats itchy, the rest of my face seems fine.
i read that loads of u c a derm, but in the UK, i never hear my friends say they see a derm unless they have severe acne... im just sooo sure theres something out there that will make my spots go away!!! *praying*

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:38 am

sometimes the same spots break out again because although the infection has subsided, the pore is still clogged. I often get them in the same place twice. The itching, however, is weird. I would also recommend a dermatologist. There is in general no wonder product out there -- it's a matter of balancing several factors, including hormones, irritation, sebum production, bacteria, and most importantly, genetics. Just because it's not popular in the UK doesn't mean you shouldn't go -- you shouldn't have to deal with acne.

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:31 pm

yeahyeah wrote:

thanks for ur suggestions...but is exfoliating not good for acneic skin?
ppl have told me mixed opinions about this... but i think i should take ur advice and stop using Epidermx II for a while

There certainly are mixed opinions on exfoliating and acne so I will just mention my personal experience with this. I too have sensitive acne prone skin and exfoliation-especially manual exfoliation like scrubs-makes my acne worse. I have tried the Epidermx II because everyone said it was great for acne prone skin and after one use I just knew that it was not for me. It felt harsh and the areas where I had my acne outbreaks looked very inflammed afterwards and I was being very gentle in how I used the product!!

It seems to me that for someone with sensitive skin you are doing alot of exfoliating (Epidermx, DHCC and Ice Elements) and yes I ageee with what some other members have said that in you case overexfoliating (especially with scrubs) may be part of the problem. I also agree with waffle about seeing a dermatologist.

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:04 pm

Here's my experience with acne and the search for the treatment holy grail - I bought everything - high end skin care, low end skin care, you name it, I bought it.

By my late 20s, my face had started to calm down - I suspect it was hormones more than anything else (some one here mentioned being on the pill - good idea if you get hormonal break outs). The two lines which helped my breakouts and skin tone were Neostrata (which a derm recommended) and Dr Hauschka (which the lovely ladies here at EDS use - I had not heard of Dr H before).

I tried Neostrata and although it was effective it used too many chemicals for my taste. When I fell pregnant, I wanted something less chemical based. I switched to Dr H. I remember using it for the first time - it was fantastic.

I'm sorry - it's awful to have spots. I still hate getting spots (am now in early 30s). Good luck with whatever you do.

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:10 pm

waffle wrote:

I would also recommend a dermatologist. There is in general no wonder product out there -- it's a matter of balancing several factors, including hormones, irritation, sebum production, bacteria, and most importantly, genetics. Just because it's not popular in the UK doesn't mean you shouldn't go -- you shouldn't have to deal with acne.

i do want to see a derm but its so hard...i would have to make an appointment with my GP then IF hes ok with it and recommends it too, he will refer me to c a derm, which can take 6weeks or longer.... if he doesnt refer me then i would have to go private which costs a MILLION and even tho i dont mind spending that little on skin care products, i really cant afford to go private, im a student!!! Crying or Very sad

i dont have money!
also, i rememeber ringing a private hospital (for my dad), thinking that cos its "private" i could just make an appointment, go, and pay the consultation fee afterwards...but they said that they need a doc's written referall b4 they can see my dad Confused

...u see the problem here Mad

is anyone here in the UK that has the same problem???

hmm

m, hearing all that about exfoliating i am def gonna just exfoliate prob just twice a week...but i read on Dr H CC that its not an exfoliating cleanser Confused

but thanks for everyone suggestions...means so much to me Very Happy

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:37 pm

Re seeing a derm - you will find you will need a referral from your GP to see one whether as a public or private - I am pretty sure the UK is the same as Aus. When you see your GP, just say - I would like a referral to see a dermatologist please. Don't be persuaded not to see one.

Also, re seeing a derm privately, I think you may find the only difference is the hospital costs, not the consultation costs.

Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:41 pm

A dermotolgist will prescribe some topical and oral antibiotics and that should help to clear up the problem...

Also taking birth control helps to regulate your hormones and improves acne as well. I know many people who swear by it's benefits for clearing up acne

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:50 pm

The Cooltouch laser is very effective, and affordable. I go once a month (a package of 5 treatments is 500. here) and haven't had a single blemish in six months.

Good for scars and wrinkles, too.

http://www.cooltouch.com/ct3.html

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:44 pm

Possibly none of the women who've replied here have ever had cystic acne? It ITCHES when one is growing under the skin but just barely becoming visible as a red spot or bump. It itches, you scratch, then it stings and it's obvious another one is growing. And, it's not unusual to keep getting them in the same spot (your existing scars).
As for exfoliating, if you DO have cystic acne, you never want to scrub, especially with something grainy. A soft clay mask that smoothes on then rinses off is much less irritating and helps clean pores and calm your skin.

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:52 pm

Velvettt wrote:

Possibly none of the women who've replied here have ever had cystic acne? It ITCHES when one is growing under the skin but just barely becoming visible as a red spot or bump. It itches, you scratch, then it stings and it's obvious another one is growing. And, it's not unusual to keep getting them in the same spot (your existing scars).
As for exfoliating, if you DO have cystic acne, you never want to scrub, especially with something grainy. A soft clay mask that smoothes on then rinses off is much less irritating and helps clean pores and calm your skin.

thanks for ur reply Velvettt. but why is it that i should never scrub? cos there r products out there that r specifically for acne

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:33 pm

Velvettt wrote:

Possibly none of the women who've replied here have ever had cystic acne? It ITCHES when one is growing under the skin but just barely becoming visible as a red spot or bump. It itches, you scratch, then it stings and it's obvious another one is growing. And, it's not unusual to keep getting them in the same spot (your existing scars).
As for exfoliating, if you DO have cystic acne, you never want to scrub, especially with something grainy. A soft clay mask that smoothes on then rinses off is much less irritating and helps clean pores and calm your skin.

Unfortunately I've had a problem with hormonal cystic acne ever since puberty and I've only ever had 3-4 in that WHOLE time frame where they itched. And when they did it was only for a very very short period of time and it DID NOT sting when I scratch. It is quite normal to get blemishes on previous acne areas (as other members have mentioned above) but it is NOT normal for your scars to simultaneously itch and become pus filled. Do your have scars itching at the same time or occasionally one scar itches and this happens? I think there's a big difference, if you have a bunch of scars itching at the same time you definitely need to see a derm. If it's very occasional with only one scar at a time it MAY be just reinfection of a clogged pore, though I'm not sure whether becoming "massively pus filled" is really that normal in such a short period of time.

In regards to exfoliation - just listen to your skin. You're probably over doing it with EII, Ice elements AND DHCC, you probably only need 1 of those 1x daily no matter how acne-prone your skin is (and I speak from experience). For me I use EII daily in the PM and have no problem with it aggravating my acne so whether exfoliation aggravates your acne or helps it ONLY YOU CAN TELL.

You'll have to wait to see a derm, it's normal and if you have a good GP he'd just write you a referral no questions asked. He might also prescribe you with something for the time being as well. If he tells you, you don't need to see a derm, find another GP - no GP should be telling you that in general. Keep your routine simple.

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:45 pm

I went through a period of terrible breakouts a few months ago, and I often had the problem you described. Like some other members have mentioned, you've either extracted the blemish or the initial swelling as subsided and there is just a red, slightly raised scar so you think it's healing. However, a lot of the time when you have that red, raised scar, the pore itself is still clogged, so it's going to come to a head again. That's what you're experiencing when the scar fills back up with pus. My advice: keep up with the EII as this will help keep your pores unclogged, and it will make it easier to extract clogged pores so they don't come back on you. I would definitely STOP using the DHCC as this has the potential to clog your pores in a big way--- that's what it did to me. A retinoid like Tazorac will also help bring things to the surface, however, you will need a prescription for it. (I think you can get that from your GP though.) HTH!

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:25 pm

I have this experience!
i just stop my using skincare products in that time, transfer to avene, a brand special for sensitive skin. it came better.

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:30 pm

i find that applying cp's on my spots helps them go away somewhat faster, or at least reduces the redness a bit. :/

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:06 pm

You should definitely see a dermatologist. It could be that you're just getting really nasty cystic acne in the same spot over and over (or the same cyst that isn't healing properly) but the whole mess sounds weird enough that you really ought to see a doctor.

In the mean time, your GP could give you something to try. My GP gave me birth control pills and clindamycin which helped with my cystic acne (although, I'd only get like 1 on my chin each month).

Another thing you might try is some kind of high frequency treatment, which will kill the bacteria festering under your skin. An acne facial at a spa starts at around 50 bucks, just be sure to explicitly ask if they use high frequency when you make the appointment. You could also get a Dermawand for around 100 bucks, but it would be better to see an esthetician for high frequency first to see if you like it and to see if it helps.

free skin care · Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:05 am

Everyone's skin is different. What is absolute for one person is a "never happens" for another. Sormuimui, I'm glad for you that your experiences with cystic acne didn't parallel mine because that itching and stinging is nasty. To the OP, the reason you never scrub acne-prone skin is this: think of a skin pore as a balloon. Small opening and round pouch underneath that can expand and expand as it fills with infected material. When you scrub on your skin, the rough handling can burst that balloon underneath and spread the infected material around. That's why you frequently get new pimples around old ones and why you never squeeze them. In my opinion, you need to stop everything except gentle cleansing until you can see a dermatologist. Feel free to disregard my advice, as only YOU know what feels right for you.

free skin care · Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:08 am

I would just like to point out that i read that the estee lauder advanded repair stuff can be very clogging on your pores and was just wondering if maybe this is making the problem worse. Also i think you need to use one product to get rid of the spot such as mario badescu drying lotion and then use something which is going to help the skin heal itself. I love Liz Earle superbalm which is a blend of oils which help speed up the healing process of the skin.

free skin care · Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:56 am

wickawer wrote:

I would just like to point out that i read that the estee lauder advanded repair stuff can be very clogging on your pores and was just wondering if maybe this is making the problem worse. Also i think you need to use one product to get rid of the spot such as mario badescu drying lotion and then use something which is going to help the skin heal itself. I love Liz Earle superbalm which is a blend of oils which help speed up the healing process of the skin.

OMG, i think it is the estee lauder stuff cos i have actually stopped using it and am a bit better.
thanks for all the advice, i have changed my routine and i think my skins getting better.

re: Manslayerliz- does DHCC really clog pores, cos many reviews on here says that it is very effective in removing blackheads? TIA

free skin care · Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:13 am

Glad to help, i saw this in a magazine and thought oh that sounds good i think i might try it then i did some research and found that a lot of people using it were complaining of spots when they never really suffered from them so i decided to give it a miss as my skin can flare up sometimes. When i saw you were using it and complaining of problems i immediately thought i would point out what i had read.
Check out makupalley.com

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.