How do I get my life-long acne problem to go away?
The first time I got a pimple was maybe in 2nd or 3rd grade. And ever since I can't remember a single day when I had a pimple free face. Since then, I have tried what I feel like is everything there is to try. I saw a dermatologist. She had me on all kinds of topicals that didn't work, I was on Acutane and that totally screwed my back up and didn't work with my acne. I've been on like 4 different kinds of birth control pills. Most recently Yasmin. I've tried proactive which didn't work. Oh I forgot to mention I am also allergic to benzoyl peroxide. I've had chemical peel treatments, microdermabrasion treatments, all very very expensive. I am now 24 and still don't know what my face looks like with clear skin. I've had depression because of it. I am married and am very luck to have found someone who could care less about my acne. But I know if I had better skin I'd be so much happier with myself which would reflect through everything else in my life. What else should I do?
Thank you to those who are answering and actually being helpful. This is a really sensitive subject FYI.
I am allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide which is in most OTC treatments. So I'll take a look at some of the suggested products but I can't sue it if it has BP in it. My face breaks out in itchy red rashes if I use it. I do exfoliate every night. I also have very fair skin so every little thing is so noticeable. Right now I am able to keep it from getting out of control, but it never completely goes away. I'm using the Clean and Clear acne treatment right now. But like I said, nothing I have found has made it go away.
Thanks everyone for your sincere feedback. :)
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
It never really goes away, but constant pampering can control it. I have pimple-prone skin and I get one or two pimples every two or three months due to my constant night work. You need to know four important concepts: (1) daily skin care regimen; (2) face & body ethics; (3) diet dangers; and (4) extra-curricular acne concerns.
I. DAILY SKIN REGIMEN
If you use make-up regularly, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser (try Cetaphil), a toner (try VMV-tretinoin-based ones to erase scars), and a light moisturizer (try L’Oreal or Obagi).Do this regimen twice a day. Avoid washing your face or touching it for the whole day. For pimples already there, the VMV-Spot Healer may be a bit too mild since it’s only tea-tree-oil-based. A stronger alternative is Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. Try the regimen of Kiehl’s.
II. FACE & BODY ETHICS
Your facial skin is softer and more prone to irritation than your bodily skin. Try using milder soaps or cleansers for the face. If you wash your hands more than 10 times a day, you can’t do that with your face.
Try drinking 8 to 10 glasses of TAP water everyday so that your body has enough fluids to wash the impurities out. Try sleeping at the proper hours in the evening. Sleep heals many diseases.
III. DIET DANGERS
Avoid oily-fatty foods. Do eat more citrus-based fruits and dark-green-colored vegetables. Tomatoes are great for the skin–you can either eat them or apply its juice on your face as a natural mask-wash your face after 15 minutes, though.
IV. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACNE MATTERS
Sometimes, pimples are caused by hormone problems. Try Diane birth control pills. It always works to clear out stubborn pimples.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Call Jessica Simpson.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
proactive
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
get a perscription for tetracyclin – it will work! use mild soap when washing and be gentle with your skin!
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
apparently nothing. theres no cure for acne.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
relax, this to shall pass. nothing stays the same, no matter how long the season they last.
stop using so many things…. use noxema and leave it on for another before going to bed, this way it really absorbs. pat your face dry don’t rub.
you are married because obviously theres a beauty to you that you aren’t noticing, seriously.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
I don’t know what you can do..but exfoliating can help.
Acne can be hormonal too…if this is your condition there is not much you can do but wait for age to help you.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
I have had just as hard a time with my acne, I have found that the only thing that works is a prescription of Minocycline…not sure of the spelling. I still get minor pimples but nothing near as bad as it used to be.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
I had really bad acne all my life. From stress, eating, whatever. I hated it. I found these awesome soap bars called Neutrogena transparent facial bars. They keep my face really clear, and since I’ve been using them it’s been like a miracle. I have maybe one zit on my face, but my face feels so smooth and refreshed. I’m so glad I found these, you should give them a try!
-Sarah
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Have you thought about it be a reaction to allergies? Perhaps food or environmental allergies? I would look into this alternative. Proactive worked for me but, got too expensive. I work best with just plan Neutrogena and water. I am 38 and still have breakouts. Good Luck to you!
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Try looking into alternative medicine. You may have a hormone imbalace that needs to be corrected.
God bless ya and I hope you find a cure.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
In your case, it’s a bacterial infection. There is no cure but you can relieve it and stop the acne through oral antibiotics. Check with your doctor if you can take antibiotics for folliculitis, better if it is monitored. It’s not Acutane and side effects are much safer.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Hey, I understand. I have had acne for most my adult life, and like you, i saw dermatologists, used topicals, oral anti-biotics, green peels, extractions, Dianne, a birth control pill, all creams lotions and potions, even laser treatments, never roaccutane(too many side effects).Oh and isolagen, like thousands and thousands of dollars worth of wasted treatments that left me scared and often worse skin.
Did I mention the agrophobia and depression it causes???
Like you i am lucky I have a man who loves me and my looks, he could see past the flaws. I couldnt.
ANYWAY…exciting news….I have THE ANSWER you seek!!!!
Not a cream or a diet, it isnt cheap, BUT its worth it.
Its called BLUE light therapy. There are a few brands of machines, I used the i-clear.
This works with a light that is directed at killing the bacteria that causes white heads, and then zits.
It kills away the pus production. I think the actual name for the bug that causes zits is called p.coli.(sp?)
This light therapy changed my skin from problem skin, to clear skin.( Now I have some scarring to deal with.) I wake to clearer skin each day, not a depressing pimple skin…
it WILL work, and i dont own shares in the company, like yourself i have spent a fortune on my skin, seeking results.
This light therapy was and will always be the greatest investment i ever made.
Google it, discover it, and enjoy a new life, with clear skin. I believe its the ONLY answer. I now use any cleanser, and moisturiser, no worries about a dreaded breakout.
Google blue light for acne, it WILL change your life.:)
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Fotunately, I have a sure-fire solution for you! I was acne-free until my late thirties, then my skin went nuts! Adult-onset acne! There’s nothing worse! I also tried everything under the sun, including everything the dermatologist recommended. All to no avail.
Finally, I stumbled upon an e-bay ad for a product called Juliet’s Clean and Smooth skin treatment. It’s all natural (gotta love that!). I ordered a sample sized bottle, and within days my skin was clear again! Once I had used all the product, my skin was clear for a short time, then began going nuts again! I will likely have to continue using this indefinitely, but since it’s all natural, I don’t have to worry about skin damage or side effects! People claim this even works when Proactiv has failed.
Order from shanerichins1031. Her e-bay store is Thank You Ashley. I don’t know her personally, but she always sends the product super-fast. I ordered from somebody else once, and it was months and a lot of red tape before I ever received it. I’ll stick with somebody who’s served me well for two years now! My daughter has also started ordering it from her.
It’s $18 +$7 shipping, but that’s for a huge bottle that lasts for months. A bargain compared to what most of those chemicals cost! She’ll take Paypal, money orders, or I think even checks (not sure about that, but I know she takes Paypal and money orders. I’ve paid both ways).
She freely admits that it doesn’t work for about 1% of the people who try it. There’s a good chance you might be one of the 99% it does work for. If it doesn’t she’ll refund your money, less shipping.
Please, I urge you to give it a shot! You could have clear skin by Christmas, and face the New Year with a "new" face!
Sorry so long, but I wanted to share my success story. Let me know how it goes, and good luck!
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Buy some Crest Pro-Health toothpaste and apply to the pimples and leave it on for like 30 mins a day for a week. Mine went away and it’s amazzzing
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:31
Wash your face 3 times a day. Morning mid afternoon and before bedtime, but do not use just any soap because it might be too harsh on your skin. Try the aveno soap designed for acne or best thing yet try the blue CETAPHIL gentle skin cleanser (its cheap and you can get it a longs, or walgreens, target, etc), it’s a miracle worker! Good luck! Don’t forget 3 times a day (at least)