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Bkaty
New Member
 
Joined: 02 Aug 2014
Posts: 1
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Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:45 am  |
Hi everyone
So I'm pretty much at breaking point with my skin now! I'm so tempted to go on accutane as a last resort but thought I would come and ask for advise before I do.
So a brief history of my skin: I'm 22 now and started getting acne quite young at around 11/12. I only ever got it on my chin and the skin around was always smooth and clear (if that makes sense.) I mean I had bad spots on my chin but the actual skin surrounding it was never congested or anything. Then when I was 14 I started taking medication and my skin was completely clear for about 3 years..then in the winter of turning 17 it all went to crap! I think I must have had some sort of crazy hormone change because as soon as the cold whether hit..my skin got absolutely terrible. It wasn't so much acne...just extremely congested. Huge pores, uneven skin tone, elevated areas of redness, dry patches but also waxy and greasy.
After having a good 2/3 years of seeing huge improvement in my skin it was obviously really upsetting and for a while I couldn't even work out what it was. It looked like acne scarring, but I only ever had bad acne on my chin and never on my cheeks so I knew that wasn't it. I went to the dermatologist who basically laughed me out of his office and said it was nothing compared to some patients he sees.
I should note that it's only really awful in winter. During the summer months, my pores are still noticeably big but I don't get all the bumps and redness. I actually find if I'm in a really hot country (I spent 2 weeks in Southern Italy in June) I can just about get away with no even wearing foundation- just a bit of primer.
I live in London so our winters are fairly harsh. I know it sounds vain but I this has been so crippling over the past few years. I've always loved Christmas and Winter in general but the last few years I haven't been able to enjoy it at all. I basically never leave the house other than go to class (I'm at university at the moment) and only go out in the evenings. I'm naturally quite an outgoing person but this has totally wrecked my confidence. I haven't had a boyfriend since I was 17 because my self esteem is so low. I've met people on a few nights out who have tried to follow it up with meeting for lunch/coffee but I just can't even stand going out in bright daylight.. I know in the grand scheme of things, bad skin can be seen as trivial but I just want my life back and to be confident again! I am absolutely determined to move to a country that's warm all year round just because of my skin..as I say I love Winter but not when I look like this.
Anyway sorry for the "emo" rant...I have uploaded 3 photos that I took last winter. This isn't even THAT bad compared to how it can be. Often my skin is flaky as well and there are far more bumps on my cheeks. Can anyone enlighten me on exactly what this is? Is it milia? The bumps aren't really like acne because I can't squeeze them in the way you could with acne. Also they don't even really show up until I put makeup on and they seem to just get more and more visible throughout the day
Hopefully all 3 photos have uploaded. Thank you in advance for any insight. Oh and I should mention I have had 9 sessions of microdermabrasion which did nothing for me at all. I am considering a skin peel but am a bit anxious as I spent so much on the microderms and so don't want to find I am wasting more money!
Ok just found out that I can't add links!  m.. would this work... if I say to type mybkaty.tumblr. com ? without the spaces  again sorry for the ramble. I just can't face another winter of this! |
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Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:26 am |
What is your current skincare routine? Are you under the care of a dermatologist? Without knowing what you are currently doing or taking, it is hard to make suggestions.
I have had acne for many years - my mother took me to a dermatologist when I got my first pimple at age 10. Although I have had different dermatologists over the years, the skincare routine has been the same:
Morning
1. Wash face using an anti-bacterial acne wash (helpful if it has a some amount of salicylic acid 1 - 2%)
2. Apply topical treatment for acne - your doctor may prescribe evoclin, benzefoam, clarifoam EF, or some other medications. If you're not going to a dermatologist, then you may want to go.
3. Wait a few minutes for the medication to absorb and then apply your skincare serums and makeup. Do not forget spf.
Evening
1. Remove makeup
2. Wash face using an anti-bacterial acne wash
3. Apply topical treatment for acne - your doctor may prescribe evoclin, benzefoam, clarifoam EF, or some other medications.
4. Apply Retin-A
5. Wait a few minutes for the medication to absorb and then apply your skincare serums. |
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Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:20 pm |
Hi Bkaty,
First of all, your skin really isn't bad at all. I know it feels awful when it's yourself but to others, you look just fine. Certainly nothing to keep you from having a boyfriend or going out. But I don't want to belittle your concerns, I know how devastating it feels.
I moved to the States from London a few years back and I have to say that my skin has greatly improved with what I believe to be a change in water conditions. Have you noticed that loads of people in London have acne? I did when I lived there and I noticed it on others all the time. The water in London is really hard and gross and the air is so polluted. I recommend washing your face with bottled water -- hear me out, I know it sounds ridiculous but give it a try for a few weeks. Just put some bottled water in a bowl, heat it up in the microwave and wash your face with it. Then rinse off your face with some more bottled water out of the bottle.
Another thing that has greatly helped me is going back on birth control. My skin is pretty much clear nowadays (even though I'm having a post-antibiotics rash right now) but it has been a long way.
If you are looking to see a dermatologist in London try Tony Chu, he's supposed to be the best.
And really, try not to worry too much about your skin. You're a pretty girl and your acne is nothing to worry about. |
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