So discouraged .. why am I still breaking out?
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free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:56 am

I'm 36 years old. I take a birth control pill that is supposed to help acne. I'm using retin-a every night. In the morning I wash with a sensitive skin, oil free cleanser, and apply an oil free sun block. I almost never wear makeup.

I have that acne that is deep and painful, around my mouth. I honestly don't know what to do anymore. Am I not doing the right things? Aren't I too old to have this still? What kind of hormone issues should I have at 36 years old????

GAHHHHHHHH!

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:15 am

sahmisme wrote:

What kind of hormone issues should I have at 36 years old????

They lied when they said we would outgrow our acne, and failed to mention that it would come back as our hormomes shifted later in life. Rolling Eyes

I started developing acne around my mouth and chin right about 36 or 37, and it continued for about 4 years. The only thing that worked for me was ProActiv, believe it or not, along with Retin A a couple of times a week.

I did get some help from my Zeno, even though I stopped breaking out shortly after I got it. Rolling Eyes

You could also consider a red and blue LED. But it sounds like you are already doing the right things for the most part.

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:25 am

Thanks Bethany. I've used Proactive too. I was reading up on hormonal treatments for acne, which I kind of where I'm at at this point. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and there is no end in sight. I'm ready to try something that suppresses androgen production.

Has anyone tried that? I'm so sick of this, 10 years of having almost constant acne.

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:48 am

Hi sahmisme Smile

Did you try Accutane?
I gave it to my daughter for 3 moth and most of the bad- painful acne is gone ...

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:55 am

sahmisme wrote:

I'm 36 years old. I take a birth control pill that is supposed to help acne. I'm using retin-a every night. In the morning I wash with a sensitive skin, oil free cleanser, and apply an oil free sun block. I almost never wear makeup.

I have that acne that is deep and painful, around my mouth. I honestly don't know what to do anymore. Am I not doing the right things? Aren't I too old to have this still? What kind of hormone issues should I have at 36 years old????

GAHHHHHHHH!

Sahmisme just drop the retin A until you clear your skin with Paulas Choice 2% BHA(beta hydroxy acid) and her Blemish Fighting Solution. You should start to see results in 2 weeks to a month. This is what keeps my skin clear especially around the chin area. Now my skin is flawless!

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:56 am

I had issues with breaking out around mouth and chin area too. I went to my derm at the time and he prescribed spironalactone. This pill is actually a water pill but it is also prescribed for acne. I researched it on the web and found others also used it for acne treatment. From the time I stared on it, the painful cysts disappeared. Check it out and see if you can find a derm in your area that would prescribe it for you....I feel it was the wonder pill for me!

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:48 am

On the YTF Spectacular Skin board, there was a woman called Susan RN who said that ordinary retin-a cream had an ingredient in it that could trigger acne. She used to sell a version without it, but I think she's left the business now. I think Retin-A micro might be worth a try also because that's a gel. LL Smile

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:06 am

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to ask for an antiandrogen, like babs1031 used. The only reason I could possibly have this acne is hormones. I had it for years before I ever used retin-a. I've had it consistently for 10 years. Minocyclin cleared it up totally, but it came back when I stopped taking it and I don't want to be on an antibiotic for long periods of time. I've read that ortho tricyclen (which I take) along with an antiandrogen is very effective for hormonal acne.

I have extremely oily skin, and the breakouts are around my chin and neck.

I'm just SOOOOOO sick of it, and I've tried so many different products. I think this is the only thing left for me to try. I don't think it matters what I put on my face, it's not going to make any difference. Crying or Very sad

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:21 am

Just out of curiosity... what is your diet like? Do you drink a lot of milk or coffee?

I found drastically cutting back coffee consumption and upping water with a workout regime was the only real thing that "fixed" my acne issues.

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:54 am

I really don't drink a lot of milk, but I have a few cups of coffee in the morning. My diet is mostly natural, I steer clear of products with added preservatives or hormones (I buy the Purdue no steroid no hormone chicken) and I rarely eat red meat. I buy fresh or frozen fruits and veggies, I buy Mom's Best Naturals cereals or Kashi cereals, if I eat yogurt it's Dannon All Natural Yogurt. I've really improved my diet in recent years. So the fact that my skin is exactly the same over the past 10 years tells me that nothing I've done is helping it.

I've been reading a lot about the causes of acne in adult women and what I've read consistently is that it's caused by androgens. I have excessively oily skin which is a sign of over stimulated sebaceous glands. Even my scalp is extremely oily. Being that I've used everything else they recommend, minocycline, retin-a, benzoyl peroxide, clinamycin, salicylic acid, and on and on I think this is my only choice left.

Sorry if I keep ranting, I'm just SO fed up.

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:42 pm

I don't know, if your skin is exactly the same as it was 10 years ago, maybe you're doing something right Smile

Maybe black currant oil supplements will help.

sahmisme wrote:

I really don't drink a lot of milk, but I have a few cups of coffee in the morning. My diet is mostly natural, I steer clear of products with added preservatives or hormones (I buy the Purdue no steroid no hormone chicken) and I rarely eat red meat. I buy fresh or frozen fruits and veggies, I buy Mom's Best Naturals cereals or Kashi cereals, if I eat yogurt it's Dannon All Natural Yogurt. I've really improved my diet in recent years. So the fact that my skin is exactly the same over the past 10 years tells me that nothing I've done is helping it.

I've been reading a lot about the causes of acne in adult women and what I've read consistently is that it's caused by androgens. I have excessively oily skin which is a sign of over stimulated sebaceous glands. Even my scalp is extremely oily. Being that I've used everything else they recommend, minocycline, retin-a, benzoyl peroxide, clinamycin, salicylic acid, and on and on I think this is my only choice left.

Sorry if I keep ranting, I'm just SO fed up.

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:46 pm

sahmisme wrote:

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to ask for an antiandrogen, like babs1031 used. The only reason I could possibly have this acne is hormones. I had it for years before I ever used retin-a. I've had it consistently for 10 years. Minocyclin cleared it up totally, but it came back when I stopped taking it and I don't want to be on an antibiotic for long periods of time. I've read that ortho tricyclen (which I take) along with an antiandrogen is very effective for hormonal acne.

I have extremely oily skin, and the breakouts are around my chin and neck.

I'm just SOOOOOO sick of it, and I've tried so many different products. I think this is the only thing left for me to try. I don't think it matters what I put on my face, it's not going to make any difference. Crying or Very sad

Go for it, girl!!! My derm put me on that stuff for a while and it worked like a charm. I hope you find some relief! While you are waiting for it to kick in, you might consider buying yourself a new toy or two (the Zeno and The Clarisonic have literally been LIFESAVERS for me... and I've heard great stuff about the thermaclear too). Also, check the ingredients of your sunscreen--- if it's really silicone-heavy it might be contributing to your congestion problem.

Also, while you are talking to your derm, try asking for a prescrip for Azelaic Acid too. It's not as drying as retin-a, but it works wonders for getting rid of the redness and inflammation--- it's even gentle enough to be used all over your neck if need be.

Hang in there--- there's a light at the end of the tunnel!^-^

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:48 pm

Oh, I forgot to ask, have you tried the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel yet? You can go to Sephora and ask for a sample if you want to try it. I use it for maintenance generally, but if I'm having a really bad skin day I'll use it and within hours things my skin will have calmed down and my breakouts will have started to subside. It's magical stuff!

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:53 pm

the reason why you have acne around your mouth maybe because you eat a lot at one time, or your digestive system doesn't function properly, or you lack VB.

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:06 pm

sahmisme wrote:

I'm 36 years old. I take a birth control pill that is supposed to help acne. I'm using retin-a every night. In the morning I wash with a sensitive skin, oil free cleanser, and apply an oil free sun block. I almost never wear makeup.

I have that acne that is deep and painful, around my mouth. I honestly don't know what to do anymore. Am I not doing the right things? Aren't I too old to have this still? What kind of hormone issues should I have at 36 years old????

GAHHHHHHHH!

I see your GAHHHHHHHH! and raise you an ARGHHHHH! It is so funny that you posted this today, because I am going through the exact same thing! I can totally relate!

A few months ago, I started breaking out really bad along my jaw line, upper neck, and chin where it is really hard to ignore. I blamed it on the bismuth oxychloride in the Bare Minerals I was using and immediately switched makeup. I also went to my dermatologist and started using Ziana (Clindamycin/Retin-A). The bad breakouts have gotten better, the red spots are slowly fading, but I'm still breaking out occasionally. And it's not just one blemish, it's like 3 or 4 at a time. I am 28 years old and I have worse skin now than when I was a teenager! I keep telling myself, "well, if I can't have nice skin, at least I have pretty eyes." Moving on...

I've decided that my problems have to be hormonal. Except for the very rare, small blemish on my forehead (too much hair product), I exclusively break out along my jaw/neck/chin, and I know that is usually where hormonal acne occurs. I am currently on (and have been for the past 5 years) Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. I'm a pharmacy tech and until today had forgotten that spironolactone could be used for hormonal acne. So I called my dermatologist to ask about it and he suggested that I see an endocrinologist to have all of my hormone levels checked. He said that the spironolactone is a great med for acne, but only if hormonal issues are to blame. I have ovarian cysts, and my derm thinks I could have polycystic ovarian syndrome, even though my gynecologist didn't seem to think so. I think I will check it out just to be on the safe side. I've also been wondering if it is possible to build up a tolerance to birth control pills, kind of like pain medication. Like I said, I've been on mine for over 5 years and wonder if I should ask about switching to a different pill. Opinions or thoughts about that, anyone?

So, that's my recent bad skin saga. Just wanted to let you know that you don't suffer alone.

Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:32 pm

Hi Sahmisme,
I am 35 years old and an aesthetician. I would HIGHLY recommend you to read Dr. Perricone's book, The Acne Cure. This book changed my life. Before this, I struggled and struggled with all kinds of acne. It was excruciating and painful. Every derm I spoke with kept saying what I ate had nothing to do with acne. It was a "mystery" as they say. I found out nothing could be further from the truth! Please read this book- it will change your life and your skin like it did mine. Because of this, I am now able to hold a profession to help other people with their skin, from the inside out. A dream I would not have thought possible years ago. And I did this through nutrition- not lots of drugs on the face. And believe me, I tried them all!

free skin care · Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:52 pm

Watch what food you are eating. Food that contains lots of fiber helps to clean you body and get rid of the accumulated poisons. I think first of all, you need to pop the acne in a professional SPA, then try a more regulator and healthy life style, it will definitely help.

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:08 am

I say go the natural path as well.

I was on the pill in my early 20's and it didnt help that much with chin break outs.

Instead of the prescriptions, I would try some natural supplements like essentials fatty acids(3.6.9) especially evening primrose oil or borage oil.
They have great supplements on the market now that are combos of efa's + other skin nutrients.
Check out Genuine Health Perfect Skinhttp://www.genuinehealth.com/english/pbn/index.php?id=52&section=220

As for the hormones, Vitex (chaste tree berries) is a herbal natural feminine hormone balancer. This is a safer & effective option than The Pill.

Research the above items. I really think you will benefit. Also check out the ingredients in your skin care products. I swear by Yonka when I was suffering with this problem.

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:18 am

one of my friends got over her acne after she gave birth to a baby

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:15 am

I feel your pain (literally). I was using salicylic acid for a while until I realized that it was breaking me out. Then I thought I had figured out my personal HG treatment for acne, but then when the seasons changed, and I started traveling a lot all of a sudden, my skin started drying out and what I was using wasn't working any more.

I am 39 and have had acne since I turned 21. I am so sick of it. But at least I'm not alone.

In the summer I was successfully using PSF papaya cleansing gel, their clarifying toner, Dr. H normalizing oil, and the acne mud (with sulfur) at night. Now I am using the PSF green tea cleansing milk, occasionally Dr. H cleansing cream, Dr. H Quince Day cream alternated with Dr. H normalizing oil and the PSF acne mud. I have the DDF sulfur mask on the way to me, as well as a DHC sulfur spot treatment for day on order. I'm also thinking about getting Dr. H rejuvenating mask to use when my skin gets really dry.

Anyway, I guess the point is not only does everyone need something else and we have to use trial and error to figure it out, what works for us now might not work for us later. That's my happy message for the new day. Crying or Very sad

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:32 am

Sahmisme - I'm so sorry you're going thru this. I do feel your pain.

My bout came out of the blue, painful cysts all over my face concentrating on my perioral area. My scalp was so greasy, I'd wash my hair in the am and it'll be stringy by noon. After multiple visits to the derm, trying different meds including doxycycline and creams - differin, tazorac and tretinoin; it finally cleared up. One thing my derm did insist on, no sunscreen during the treatment period, she felt that aggravated my condition.

Good luck! Hope you find something that works for you soon!

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:14 am

Have you had a look at the dairy and acne thread? I hope you find something that helps you. I remember how much it upset me when my skin was bad.

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:16 pm

Thanks again everyone! So much advice!

Nimue, I never heard of black currant oil supplements, how do they help?

Manslayerliz I'm glad to hear it worked for you! I'm really going to push for this when I see my ob/gyn on Thursday. If they have to test for levels of androgens so be it. We'll just go from there then I suppose. I have not tried Juicy Green Apple Peel. I think I'm so fed up with products, and I feel like I've spent a small fortune on acne products. I'll check it out though since it's recommended. Wink

Quote:

the reason why you have acne around your mouth maybe because you eat a lot at one time, or your digestive system doesn't function properly, or you lack VB.

I've never heard of this!! I don't eat a lot at one time though, not sure about my digestive system. I really think this acne is hormonal though.

Annie B, that's exactly where I'm breaking out, my chin, neck and jaw, deep painful acne. My FACE hurts. My friend was recently diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, and she was having horrible acne problems. I'm not sure how they treat that. Good luck to you! Hope it's nothing major. I don't know if you can develop a tolerance for birth control either. I've been on them for years and I have to stay on them because they reduce my risk of ovarian cancer. (I'm high risk)

I did look at the dairy and acne thread. I have really minimized my dairy intake. I do have a bowl of cereal in the morning but I don't drink the milk. I might have a yogurt once a week, and I never eat cheese anymore.

I tried to answer most of you but there's a lot of advice there! Oh it's funny, I've had 2 babies and I still have zits, so that didn't work for me. Laughing

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:50 pm

Sahmisme, I called my gynecologist today and he said a tolerance to birth control pills can definitely develop. Since I've been on my current pill for over 5 years, and I'm breaking out badly and having more pain each month from my cysts, he said it's probably time to switch. I've asked to be switched from a pill with tri-cyclic hormones (3 levels--a different one each week) to a mono-cyclic (1 constant level) in hopes that a constant level of hormone will be easier on my body. We're also going to run blood work to check my hormone levels and test for polycystic ovarian syndrome. I just have to time everything right because I'll have to go off the pills for a few weeks. I may wait until after Christmas. Between no pills and the stress of the holidays, things could get ugly. And "more blemishes" is not on my Christmas wish list!

free skin care · Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:22 pm

I am trying Clean & Clear oil free foaming facial cleanser, and so far, it helps to contain acne for me. Also every other day I add Oxy pads to the mix and the combination seems to work well.

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