Don't know what to do about my acne, help please?
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Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:40 pm

Hi,
I am 20 years old and I have consistent acne on my face. I had been using Duac cream on my face and although it took a while (a few months to see improvement) it worked to a degree. I mean my face was never completely clear of acne but it was keeping me clear enough so that scarring started to leave (by scarring I mean the ones that leave a discoloration, not the penetrating deep rooted one which I don't have, at least I don't thing I have)
after about 5-6 months I kind of was not consistent and even stopped for a period because I thought that it would be o.k (cause i don't want to have to put on acne cream for the rest of my life, right?) but then afterwards it got bad again so I started using it consistently. I used it for a few months but I feel like it's just not working for me anymore. and what really is freaking me out now is that I have acne in places I used to never ever get (below cheeks, usually it's on my cheeks). so now I have it all over my face, not big ones but small ones, but still. I am self-conscious about them even more now because my parents keep mentioning it and a few of my other family and friends which is even worse. I am now so aware of it all the time and I feel really ugly.
I don't know what to do. I really didn't think it was as bad as they make it seem. but I think it's alarming to them that my acne has spread to other areas and stuff.
I got a referral for a dermatologist but I'm scared that it will ruin my face even more, with all the products. I have heard bad cases with them involved, and also my mother keeps telling me about two family members (far-away family members) who have used all the skincare products you can think of to use and for them it's gotten worse and they are much older than I am and now they have permanent scars and everything. She still thinks I should go to a dermatologist and my dad thinks so too, but I also know that I don't want to try any pills because I don't want to mess with my internal system, have heard some risks that come with it and no thank-you I'd rather not go that way.
I just don't know what to do. I'm too scared to try so many products on, but I feel like I should. But i also don't want to try another product that will help me but make it worse in the long run. The long run is VERY important to me. I also know that I don't want my skin to get so used to a product that when I stop using it, it will make my skin freak out with out it.
when I went to my GP she said to try differin but it didn't really seem like she knew what she was talking about too much, at first she was prescribing me something else then she switched me to differin because she said that the ingredients in the one she was going to prescribe me were similar to duac and that if I was immune to duac then the first prescription won't work well.
she gave me differin to try while I wait for the dermatologist appointment which is in about 1.5 months. I don't know if I should try differin if it's only going to be for a few weeks, I don't want my skin to go haywire and for me to be invested in something that my GP was not even sure about. because then in a few weeks my derm will prescribe me something else and that will be a whole new flip-over for my skin.
what should I do?
sorry this is so long Sad

-I don't know if this helps but, I used to have oily skin, but now I have dry skin. I don't use duac anymore I just wash my face a lot with dove soap about 3 times a day (morning, night and midday)
Is the dry skin from washing my face a lot? What soap should I be using on my face?
-and I use bare essentials powder as the only skin makeup (is this good?) I don't use anything else because I'm scared of the oily concealers and products so I just don't touch them.

Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:26 am

Hi hopelft,

Sometimes the use of acne products can have a reverse effect, at least in my experience this has been the case. In my teens I used antibiotics, and it worked wonderfully.

I am now 31 and my acne worsened due to a medication and even when I stopped taking it, the acne persisted. I am also med-resistant and can't take Accutane for health reasons.

Birth Control is a very good method for controlling acne. Again, I can't take it due to side effects.

I felt hopeless. I was trying every topical treatment available and my skin was busting out with 6-7 new pustules every day!

I did a lot of research and a Dermatological Center advised a lady who had similar skin to my own to simply use Cetaphil for 2 weeks until the pustules clear up and then get the Clarisonic brush system.

I was very apprehensive about putting a creamy lotion cleanser marked for very dry skin on my acneic face, but to my surprise, it has been almost 7 days and I have yet to get one new pimple and my face is clearer and I have I think maybe two pimples left to clear up.

I know it is nearly impossible to get a pustule and not want to clear it out, but, it was advised for them to clear themselves out on their own. I thought they'd just stay there...they really do go away!

Every one's chemistry is different, so I don't know if this would work for you or not. I was desperate and at that point I felt maybe less product was the answer for me.

Don't be scared of the dermatologist though. If you feel you need to get one or 5 opinions, go for it! I know how debilitating it can feel to have a face covered with acne, not to mention the actual physical and mental pain it causes!

Good luck! Let me know how things turn out.

Michelle Smile

free skin care · Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:36 am

Hi Hopeful

I have been fighting acne for most of of teen years and still am now in adulthood so the good thing is that you're not alone Smile

.

I have gone to the dermatologist when I was 15 and she has placed me on some tablets that have made my skin very very dry and have caused me to be allergic to sunscreen. Go figure. I can't be on hormonal pills either because I cannot deal with the side effects. I ended up in hospital when I used them.

What has made it better for me is watching my diet and take chinese herbal medication. I am on sugar at the moment because of the festive season but I will get back on track soon hopefully. Basically I have found that if I don't eat chocolate, don't drink any fizzy drinks and don't overdue other sugary foods and stick to a lot of fruit and veggies that it definitely helps clear my skin. My Chinese practitioner believes that acne start from the liver which when you are under stress and tension imbalance your hormones and you therefore have acne. He is therefore working on balancing my liver which will in turn balance my hormones and hopefully improve my acne.

I really do believe in alternative medicine because it has saved my stomach from H Pilory when the doctors wanted me to take 20 anti-biotics a day which was making me very ill. I was on the herbs for a year mind you but it worked without any side effects.

So I guess to sum it all up my recommendation would be that rather than taking harsh skin products and medication to visit your naturopath or a chinese herbal practitioner and watch your diet. With that I would recommend a good skin care product that will not make your skin sensitive in any way. I have used everything under the sun. Proactive has made my skin super sensitive - very bad choice that one and it didn't work either. The rest of them overdried my skin and it looked like I had dandruff on my face, very gross. I have oily skin which is also sensitive so it was hard for me to find something that suited me until I visited my local beautician who had recommended Sothy's to me on which I've been for more than a year. It is so gentle. It doesn't overdry my skin or anything like that. I really like it.

You also say that your skin used to be oily but now it's dry. I thought I had the same problem however my skin was so imbalanced from stress, bad diet and bad skin products that I got a layer of something I don't even know what on my skin and it always felt very dry and disguisting. Sothys has taken care of that thank god but I still have the acne to take care of and it's going alright. I guess that my face will never be perfect but at least I know that I'm doing my best to get there.

Good luck with everything and visit your dermatologist. You have nothing to lose. If you don't like what they recommend you, you don't have to use it and don't have to go back but you can always get a few tips from them.

Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:51 pm

Hi Ceca01,

I agree with you that skin afflictions come from within our bodies, namely due to hormones being imbalanced. I had tried a product from my pharmacy called 'Perfect Skin'. It was essentially supplements with a lot of Fish oils, Omega 3, Zinc...etc. I tried it for a month and it made my skin worse Sad

I am thinking that the product is perhaps more geared for less severe cases, or again, my own body chemistry just didn't agree.

I am very interested in the Chinese herbal medicine you are taking. If you could let me know more information on that I'd be very happy Smile

I am still very pleased with the results I have had so far with my 'skin detox', but I know acne will inevitably still be a problem for me making me a little nervous about what further steps to take.

I contacted a renowned Derm Center downtown and the secretary/assistant contacted me within a few days. I was hesitant about making an appointment because I saw a dermatologist in the Summer and he said because I was so sensitive to meds, I was essentially 'untreatable'...I suggested an Endocrinologist and he thought that was a good idea and that he would refer me to one and contact me in a few weeks. I never heard back. This situation left me feeling rather hopeless.I am still pondering if I should go to this Derm Center-they supposedly specialize in acne and I explained to the nice lady what had occurred with the last Dermatologist I saw, and she disagreed completely saying there are so many combinations and therapies for us so-called 'hopeless acne sufferers'.

I also have a cyst on my left ovary. I think this could very well cause some hormonal imbalances as well...Geez, don't I sound pleasant Laughing

!!

Hope to hear back from you soon!

Sincerely,

Michelle Smile

free skin care · Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:33 pm

Hi Michelle,

I know it's not fun. I have the Polycistic ovarian syndrome so I'm having fun too even though I'm in my mid 20s. As I've already said the thing that annoys me the most is the fact that I can't be on the pill which is a quick fix but I'm sure that it would have some side effects in the long run.

When it comes to Chinese herbs I really don't know what else to tell you apart from what I already did. Chinese are very secretive when it comes to their medication and I honestly wouldn't have any idea of what they have in it. I did go to a naturopath before but that was just too expensive for me because she had me on so many different things because of my multiple problems which my Chinese herbalist believes all comes from the liver so now I'm taking just one tea to stabilise everything. I know that I was taking this for my acne: Sun Ten - Cinnamon & Hoelen Formula (I'm sure you can google it) which is for premenstrual symptoms but it worked for my acne as well. I was taking it three times a day with the provided measuring spoon (as per bottle instructions) and within a month my face was quite good.

I have decided though that rather than taking 100 different vitamins and minerals that the naturopath has prescribed me it is a better bet for me to stick with the chinese herbs. I still take my calcium, zinc and magnesium in tablet and powder form but the Chinese herbs are balancing my hormones slowly.

I think that the best thing would be for you to visit a Chinese Herbalist. But be sure that you get a recommendation for someone because I'm a little sceptical to go to just anyone. They will have a look at you and put you on something. Don't expect very quick results though because natural medicine does not work as quick and modern medicine but I believe that it's worth the wait because it's better than poisioning your body on daily basis.

Good luck with it all and let me know what you decide to do.

Svetlana

Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:38 pm

hi again,
thank you guys for the replies. I think I will most likely go to the derm but I don't know if I will try what he/she says for me to take. I feel like I should be healing the acne naturally I have a question for ceca01 what sothy's product did you use? the exact name please. And thanks for the Chinese herbalist recommendation will look for one.
I know that sugary substances like candy and chocolate don't help the acne but I don't know if I can eat healthy for the rest of my life just to help my acne, I love chocolate too much. LOL but I will probably be more aware of eating more fruits and veggies as well.
Thank you lots and lots.
any other suggestions will still be great. Smile

free skin care · Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:57 pm

First of all, change your cleanser. Soap strips the skin of it's essential oils. The best is the use a mild cleanser and follow up by a cream that has salycic acid in it. Don't pile on the products keep it light. Bare minerals works wonders for my skin, stick with it. Good Luck.

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