All about ACNE

[SassyMochaJess]

Acnefree system sold in drugstores is doing it for me. I've been using t since April and it has helped my skin a great deal. I cleanse twice a day. I cleanse with Neutrogena(sp?) acne cleanser first then the acnefree. and I used up all my toner so now I use witch hazel to tone. I do a scrub followed by a mask twice weekly. Sunscreen is VERY important if you have scarring, I noticed fading from using this consistantly...

 

[thewinglessbird]

Accutane is the only thing that has ever made a difference. I only wish that the years I had to suffer with it, my GP had mentioned this sooner rather than later. I went through many creams, by doctors & on the market.

If your skin is really bad & it's really effecting you, don't waste any more time, go see a dermatologist & have it treated with accutane. I know people worry about it being strong & such, but if it was dangerous, it wouldn't be recommended. Depending on how bad your skin is, you can be put on a higher or lower dose.

You also have to think about the money you're spending on products only to keep your skin at bay. No product on the market is a miracle-worker & results wont be permenant, so it's definetly more reason to look into accutane treatment.

 

[ladyJ]

I would love to go on accutane but I don't have health insurance and it would cost wayy too much. I would be able to dish out the money for the medication itself but I wouldn't be able to pay for the blood work. I've heard great things about accutane though.

 

[Boasorte]

I went to the derm, and I got Epiduo, which worked very fast, the only downside is it leaves ance scars

 

[claralikesguts]

^ it's lightening mines up a bit! but my acne seems to be getting worse atm... so i guess it's different for everyone.

 

[gujifijian]

everyone is talking about acnes but wat about acne scars? I got it from using Mac foundation. I used to have such beautiful smooth skin and now it's all bumpy and not smooth at all! I don't want to try no harsh serious health problem pills. any suggestions?

Btw my face is that bad that I'm gonna go to the dermatologist with makeup on. Do u think I would have to take my makeup off for them to help me? It's gross without makeup!

 

[NatalieMT]

It sounds like the foundation may have clogged your pores too? Does that sound accurate?

You would have to take your makeup off when seeing the dermatologists yes, because they need to be able to view what the problems are to make an accurate diagnosis and offer an appropriate treatment. I wouldn't worry about being embarrassing because I'm sure they will have seen all sorts of skin problems and severities.

I recently got some retin-a gel to use because I have broken out a little recently but it's been great, has definitely lessened their appearance but I have had more dryness. I've had to stop using it this week because I'm due for a laser session tomorrow evening. But I'm hoping the combination of the two will nip this in the bud.

 

[User38]

Re: Tips for preventing pimples

I love to use an Asprin Mask on my face once a week -- seems my skin loves the Salicylic Acid

 

[thewinglessbird]

I'm going to add to my post, as it was all about accutane & nothing of scarring....

I cannot stress how helpful it is to constantly exfoliate the skin. Yes, constantly. That means once a day, if you can handle it.

Don't scrub. Gently, yet thoroughly use an exfoliant that doesn't consist of a creamy substance (like Clinique's 7 Day Scrub) because that did make my skin worse. It is rich & will clogg your pores. I recommend Laura Mercier's Face Polish.

Now I've never liked the idea of applying oil to acne-prone skin. That was until I started using Trilogy's Rosehip Oil. - For a completely different reason, but I very quickly discovered how rosehip oil settles the inflammation & does in fact fade out scarring!!

Now on the box, it does actually claim to minimize the appearance of scars, among other things (fine lines & wrinkles, aging skin, damaged skin) & I can say, hand on heart, it does the whole shabang!

This oil doesn't clogg pores & cause acne at all like I thought it would, so I have complete confidence in using it.

I apply this always after thoroughly cleansing (Clinique's mild soap) & exfoliating with Laura Mercier's Face Polish - before bed. I apply it only in the evenings or whenever I'm not going out, during the day, because it is somewhat very oily & I wouldn't wear this under my makeup.

I seriously suggest giving this reutine a go. Give it a week (not that you'll need it/ results are shown by the end of the day).

I'd be interested in how it has worked for you, so please report back!

 

[pink_lily82]

I suffer from stress/hormonal breakouts around my nose and chin and it's horrible! I'm waiting for my health insurance to kick in so I can go see a derm because it's getting pretty gross. I'm interested in night treatments that will help with both acne and scarring so maybe I will look into rosehip oil.

 

[kabuki_KILLER]

I'm 22 now and I've had acne since I was 16, almost consistently, getting worse every year. I used to mostly have T-zone acne, but now my T is relatively clear and my skin under my cheeks and on the sides of my face has a lot of deeper acne. Some days, right after I graduated college, with all the stress my parents were putting on me, it felt like my face was rotting!

If you're the type like me that has sensitive skin, it's probably best to use a mild scrub, cleanser and moisturizer that you make yourself. You can go to makingcosmetics.com for recipes and materials. A lot of products on the market have a lot of preservatives and harsh ingredients that could irritate your skin, either drying it out or making acne worse. I used Murad for a few weeks and it made my acne less severe and dried up the scar-like tissue (which sort of just flaked off), but then I had those annoying whiteheads again.

I recommend you make your own (much fewer ingredients). I also like using aloe vera and licorice in my recipes. The Aloe is an anti-inflammatory agent and helps balance out dry areas, but isn't all oily (good for the moisturizer). Licorice helps inflammation and making blemishes fade over time.

I only have been doing this for a short while (will provide updates in a couple months!), but my skin's balance is great and I'm seeing very few zits. The discolorations left by acne are going away slowly. Hope that helps!

 

[LMD84]

i have started using a cream called quinoderm. it's pretty cheap (£2.50) and has to be bought over the counter at boots rather than on the shelf. but i've used it for 3 days on my forehead because my little bumps were back with a vengence and in only 3 days they have nearly gone!

only downside to this cream is that it smells really horrid and my skin is a little dry - but i've been using a heavier clarins moisturiser at night to balance it out. and i'd rather have slightly dry skin and no spots than normal skin with horrid bumps everywhere!

 

[Girl about town]

i bought that quinoderm today in boots, since i had a miscarriage in august my face has broke out big time im like a hormonal teenager and my skin is really getting me down!!!

 

[LMD84]

yeah i was starting to get pretty depressed about my skin too

i hope quinoderm works for you - don't use too much though or it'll burn your face!

 

[Nicala]

So I tried proactiv for 2 days and broke me out completely. I stopped using it and I breaking out like I never did before. I even started getting cystic acne which I never had before!

I need recommendations for skin care.. I'm thinking of going all natural with skin care after that horrifying experience. I don't have a lot of money since thanks to California's economy being crappy, I have to limit myself on what to spend. I enjoy DIY stuff.

I'm 16, my mom thinks this whole break out episode is because of that but I KNOW it was proactiv. Meh. Anyone else have this problem before?

 

[LMD84]

thought i'd give an update on my skin seeing as i've been using quinoderm cream for about 2 months now.

i got back acne on my forehead and chin - on my chin they were full on whitehead spots that hurt and my forehead was covered with tiny under the skin bumps which looked scaley and also hurt on occasion. i started using the olay microdermabration kits which did smooth down the bumps a heck of alot but they were still there and you see the bumpy texture quite obviously when wearing foundation.

so a lady in boots reccomended quinoderm cream which is super cheap! after the first couple of days my skin had totally cleared up. for the first time in years i had no bumps what so ever. however i thought it wouldn't last and they'd be back. but they're not!!! at that time of the month i do get the odd spot on my chin. but it goes after a day or so and not nearly as big in size as they used to be.

i use the cream all over my forehead each night. the only downside is that it bleaches the colour out of things. for example one of my duvet covers has gone from a mocha brown colour to orange where my face touches it!!! and the pillow case too! my more expencive bedding has been ok though thank goodness. but still not good for my mocha brown one!

 

[Nicala]

Any recs for cystic acne?

 

[Verient]

People who had acne?

HOW can you get rid of it?!

I've tried so much. I'm on Yasmin birthcontrol (week into second pack). My face is discusting. I wash my face with a cleanser twice a day and exfoliate a few times a week. I just can't make it better.

 

[Susanne]

Re: People who had acne?

I had really bad acne as well until I started to take the birthcontrol pill. But be patient you will need 6 months or so until it will become better!

That was 12 years ago (I am 29 now) and I still have very oily skin. I have once changed the birthcontrol pill and it was as worse as 10 years ago again.... Now I am back on my old one.

I just use oil-free moisturizers and foundations and have an anti-blemish face cleanser and toner.

What really makes my skin looking better is the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator from MAC. Best exfoliator I ever had.

I know how you feel, but I think with the birthcontrol pill you are on the right way

 

[ThePowderPuff]

Re: People who had acne?

I think Paula Begouns advice on Acne is som of the best around. The combination of a BHA exfoliator and Benzoy peroxide is highly effective.

Acne Treatments and Acne Skin Care from Paula Begoun, Your Cosmetics Cop: Cosmetics Cop: Skin Care & Makeup Tips & Reviews

And if that doesn't work go see a dermatologist. There are many prescription onlye products to consider.

I can also really recommend Paulas own product line, she is taking skin care really serious.

And yes remember patience. It takes many months to see the effect from treatment.