So, I have acne.
It really lowers my self-esteem and I hate it. I know I shouldn't freak out so much over some pimples, but it just aggravates me to no end. I only have it on my face and it isn't severe. It's mostly little pimples on my forehead, chin, and T-zone. Some of the skin is rough and my pores are clogged. I've tried a lot of remedies (Proactiv, Clearasil, Cetaphil, Oxy, Neutrogena) but none of them seem to work.
I have sensitive skin, too. I would prefer organic or more natural cures, but if it works, please tell me about it. If it matters at all, I'm a female.
Help me get rid of it, please?
have you tried perscription drugs? it depends how resistant your acne is, but if its really immune to safer drugs, the last thing you can use is roaccutane (sp?). its nasty with quite a few side effects but it'll definetly clear it up. beware that roaccutane can cause birth defects if you are pregnent while using AND after for a few months?<(not too sure about how long but def a period after, due to redidual effect that keeps working after you stop taking it, other side effects like dry skin also stay albeit to a much lesser extent), dries out skin terribly, skin becomes very sensitive to sun and so on. Some studies show it can also cause depression. This drug really is a last resort and won't be perscribed untill most other drugs have been tried first. You'll obviously need to see a doctor about this, and they'll start you on weaker kinds of drugs first which might work and let you avoid roaccutane. Also, the stuff like clearasil, proactive and some creams you might be perscribed if you see a doctor contain benzil peroxide (the stuff thats suppossed to work) and if one product failed to work with B.P in it, you could pretty much rule out all the daily cleansers and other B.P based stuff. (Most of the facewash products really). Try the perscription-only B.P cream, as its more concentrated then what you can buy elsewhere and might just work. Sorry if you knew any of this already and hope it helps!
Prescription drugs definitely work.
But before you resort to that, do you have some sort of daily skin regimen? My boyfriend used to have awful acne and, occasionally, he still has breakouts when stressed or upset. But his skin is often in good order as long as he keeps with some habits he got into when treating his acne a few years ago.
In the morning (often in the shower) he'll use Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash with Salicylic Acid to curb oiliness during the day. In the evening he'll use a scrub (I gave him Freeman's Totally Juicy Apricot Pore Scrub) to get rid of dead skin cells and clear pores. Finally, about once a week, after using the scrub, he'll use Queen Helene's mint julep masque to get rid of, again, the oiliness and smooth his skin. Great, inexpensive products and a lot less hassle than the blood tests that often accompany intensive acne treatment drugs.
>>2 Thanks for telling me about that. I don't think it's really severe enough for prescription drugs...I dunno, I guess it just bothers me because I've heard that Accutane fucks you up pretty bad.
>>3 I don't really have one at the moment. I'm trying to start one once I find some products that work. I'll look up those products and see if they suit my skin type. Thank you so much!
By the way, I have a Lush store that's about 15 minutes away from my house. Has anybody used the skin products from there? If so, did they work?
Here's their US website: http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/index.html?lang=en_US&dlang=en
See a dermatologist, he can prescribe what is the best for your type of skin.
I agree with >>5 , I got much less acne after seeing a dermatologist who prescripted me some antibiotics and a paste for the skin. I've also tried different remedies before that, but none were effective.
Here's a third agreeing with >>5; I waited way too long to see a dermatologist, and he put me on Accutane. (My acne was pretty bad by the time I finally saw him.) The medicine's not completely finished yet but my skin is clearing up quite a bit. A dermatologist will know best what will help you.
>>3 here and agreeing with >>5
The stuff I suggested (face wash, a scrub, and a mask) is pretty basic upkeep of a nice complexion; both folks with good skin and acne-prone skin should do it. You should definitely start doing those things-- at least washing your face at night and in the morning--but also check with a dermatologist. He or she will better be able to determine whether medication is a good idea.
As far as Lush? Good products, although expensive and a bit heavily perfumed for my taste. Check out Sally Beauty Supply, Beauty First, or Ulta.
There are some antibiotics you can take that aren't that hardcore, but can really help.
Like Tetracycline and Minocycline, you should see a skin-doctor first, though.
I'm taking Minocycline and it's helping my Back-ne stay in check and it's really helped clear up my face.
You should also always wash your affected areas at least once a day and put on some of those creams they've got. If you go ahead and pop a zit, make sure you disinfect it afterwards, although I understand it's best not to pop them (more scarring and risk of reinfection).
Anyway, good luck!
Also, stay out of the sun.
And stress affects acne a lot more than you would think. If you think you have acne, you get acne, you have to be confident that your skin is clearing.
What? Are you serious? I've heard that getting a tan does wonders for clearing your skin. Oh well.
I haven't really got any advice for the original poster; unfortunately, I have yet to find a method that helps me to clear my acne.
There's plenty of threads beyond the first 40 shown up top, many of them dealing with acne. Search through those and see if there is anything that could work for you.
a few acne myths:
You shouldn't prescribe yourself, specially if we're talking about antibiotics. That's why we have trouble with MRSA and VRE.
I didn't, I saw a doctor, was prescribed tetracycline, that didn't really work so well, so then I tried minocycline, and I'm taking that now. I was just describing my experiences with antibiotics.
Whatever you do, avoid acutane. I took it for about six weeks, and while it cleared up my skin (I get most of my acne in non-facial locations - yuck), I started getting blackouts while driving and it was insanely dehydrating in general. Not fun.
Accutane is a hardcore drug with serious side effects. Obviously it effects many people differently, and this drug should only be for people who are very desperate to get rid of acne. To others and OP, I'd suggest like what other people have stated earlier and see a dermatologist. They'll give you the treatment path that will suit you. (Obviously) Depending on your severity, it ranges from simple daily upkeep and topical creams to oral drugs and finally accutane. You won't be started on accutane first and it's the only oral drug that has such serious side effects. Youv'e mentioned that you've tried proactive and other topical washes so perhaps a light oral drug will be effective. (Your acne doesn't sound severe enough to warrant Accutane, and that's a good thing but I'm no expert and either are any posters here). With deciding to use Accutane, prospective users must balance the risks of adverse and possibly dangerous health problems with the desire of clear skin. It's your choice and no one but yourself can really choose. If you have any mental illness, don't touch it. Pregnant or possibly planning to, don't touch it, don't like any of the side effects, don't touch it. Sorry for going on, but its a nasty heavy duty drug with heavy duty side effects and while it's highly effective, the mentioned side effects are why specialists and doctors don't go straight to it.
As mentioned earlier it dries skin and makes it very sensitive to the sun and depending on where you live, places with high U.V will cause serious damage and image-wise will increase sunspots . Psorasis(sp) is also a common issue during and after usage. (Flakey skin, also may increase dandruff). Sorry for the huge post but I think just saying "Dont touch Accutane" is incorrect as it's up to the individual but there is a valid point in that there are many downsides to it.
You should be happy you don't have it on your shoulders/back. Its fairly annoying not wanting to take your shirt off in the pool just so you don't gross anyone out.
Go swimming in the ocean. Ocean water will help your skin heal/clear.
Wash your face every night, and every morning. No need for soaps or face washes, water will suffice. Smooth back your skin with your fingers while it's drying, then actually dry with a clean towel that you're only using for your face. Regulate sleep, even if it is only 5 hours, or 12. Stop touching your face, cut your fingernails/always make sure they're clean.
It took me about three weeks to clear up my face, but the results made me feel better. I've been doing this routine ever since.
Last month I was in this really hardcore golf training program, two rounds a day and ten trays at the range afterwards with only a day off a week.
It fucked my skin up pretty badly, the heat, sunlight, and stress and probably sweat made my acne very bad.
I haven't played in a couple of weeks and my skin seems like it's going back to normal now.
Honestly, the best thing I've ever done is this guy's regimen: http://www.acne.org/regimen.html It's not insanely expensive, and everything is carried at even common grocery stores, so it's easy to get, as well. If you try it, make SURE to get he 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, though. I also have sensitive skin, and the 10% makes my face really irritatedm and doesn't help at all. You also need to keep up with it, too; I slacked off for a bit, and my acne went back to how it used to be, until I started back up again.
As for natural remedies, have you tried eggs? I do it a few times a week, and it really helps your skin. Rub the egg white on your face and let it dry before washing it off with water and your hands (NOT a washcloth), and then do it again with the yolk. Your face gets so soft!
I've been using MURAD for the past month and my skin is completely cleared now! it's a much gentler product than Proactiv and alot more affective.
http://www.murad.com/
I also suggest the book, "The Acne Cure". It has also had a dramatic affect on the texture on my skin
Good luck!
This is the OP.
I got a medication from my dermatologist - it's an antibiotic, I think? I use Cetaphil cleanser, rinse it off, pat my face dry gently with a towel (I only use this towel for my face), and then apply the antibiotic. It's on a roller type of thing, so I just dab it lightly on the affected areas. After that I put moisturizer on it.
If you see anything wrong with this routine, please tell me. D:
I did this... It didn't help me much, but I didn't really stick with it for very long, either... It dried my face out too much!! Make sure you put lots of moisturizer on afterwords, so you don't get discouraged like I did.
sorry if someone has already said this (i only scanned the forum a bit) but...
Maybe it's what you're eating (no offense) but what you eat can strongly effect your skin. Oily foods such as pizza and other junk foods may be yummy but all you're doing by eating them is feeding and cultivating your pimples/acne.
try to eat more health choices such as a fruits and veggies etc. and less grease, fat and oil or sugar.
i dont have specific food items to tell to help you with your pimples, however i do know that eating right and aso excerise helps
what also helps is if you go see a dermatologist (you might need a recomendation from your doctor)
having pimples and senative skin can be really difficult but it can get cleared up. just be patient and don't loose confidence!
i hope this helps ^.^
Sometimes acne dissapears as you get older, just keep your spirits up man and keep your cool. You will be fine, I have the same problem as you are but breakdowns have been slowing down. Just remember to wash your face lightly 2 times a day and to stay away from needless stress. It will be gone soon enough.