Skin question...

Marnles Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:03 AM

Skin question...

Please help!

I'm 32 and I still break out pretty bad! I never got a zit until I was 21, so I guess I was a late bloomer. I hope for the '7 year' body change, but after 28, I gave up...

I have tried every topical solution...but no relief. Do you guys take anything orally? A daily pill(s) that helps, that you didn't need to go to a dermatologist for?

Any help would be great...

eroxgirl Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:06 AM

Re: Skin question...

I used to take Monodox but it was prescribed by my dermatologist. My current dermatologist is giving me topical crap that doesn't work, I'm just waiting for her to listen to me and prescribe an oral medication. Adult acne is just a cruel, cruel joke.

Marnles Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:08 AM

Re: Skin question...

Yes it is....it's very depressing.

I tried going on minocycline (took it years ago), but after 3 weeks, no change, so I stopped. My DH is a physician assistant, so he recommended I stop (cause the changes should have started at that point). I really don't want to take antibiotics anyway...

Sage10.03 Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:12 AM

Re: Skin question...

There is really nothing orally that you can take without a prescription that makes a big difference.....
I could suggest Vitamin E pills, Evening Primrose, and eating well and drinking tons of water...
But I am sure you have heard those before....
Is it worse around your period?

Sassyz75 Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:29 AM

Re: Skin question...

I FEEL YOUR PAIN- a good skin day for me is whey I have 1 zit.. not 5!!!! My skin is like a grease pit- I put make up on in the morning & it is gone by 2.00pm! I break out a lot around my chin area.. I know it's because I'm on the phone a lot- which I'm constantly cleaning with alcohol swabs... I really have no suggestions- but I am going to a new dermotologist today so I'll let you know what he says....

I've been on all sorts of oral pills, retin-a, some sulfer crap, erothromyacin, some other smelly crap- you name it- now I do nothing... and still break out.

I have noticed that when I eat less carbs I break out more- I don't know if that is something or not...but I'll post a report at 4.00 when I get back from this new doctor.

NovemberSue Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:29 AM

Re: Skin question...

I get a zit or two whenever I eat chocalate. Its almost like a guarantee. You should go to a dermatologist and see what they recommend. It may be different for everyone.

Sonicstef Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:33 AM

Re: Skin question...

I get zits all the time now on my back and chest. God knows where that came from. It started right before the wedding and has been happening every since. I went to the derm and he gave me some pills that didnt work.

I know lots of people who have used Accutane and it works wonders...but my case is not so severe that I would want to take such a drastic treatment.

Niecey Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:43 AM

Re: Skin question...

I definitely feel your pain. My didn't really start until around 24/25 and my first dermatologist said probably around 30 it would change again on it's own (or if I get pregnant) ... well 30 was over 6 months ago and so far nor change at all.

I was under derm. care for over 2 years and we have tried everything known to man (I started with the minocyline sp?) and the final one I was on helped a little but not much. The derm.'s only other solutions were to continue with my current pill and 2 different creams and add orthro-tri-cyclin to the mix or go on the accutane. Now my gyno won't recommend ortho for me because with other pills I had bad side effects and she said that ortho would be stronger. So that left accutane (doctor said this should be a last resort unless you are severe). People sing it praises but it is still relatively new and has horrible side effects. You have to have you blood monitored and stuff and as a woman even worse stuff. My pharmacist (a family friend) was like no way. Since I may want to TTC in the next year - this was not an option. Also, after 6 months the acne will come back in most cases!

So now I just abandoned ship and my face is starting to get worse again!!!

Have you tried changing your BC pill? That could make a difference....

eroxgirl Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:46 AM

Re: Skin question...

I used to beg my old dermatologist for accutane but he never gave it to me...my one friend who did use it now has night blindness, and her skin still breaks out.

Sage10.03 Posted: Jun 19, 2003 09:50 AM

Re: Skin question...

I have gone through all the same as all of the above and can vouch for the wonders of accutane (even though I was not sever at all...my doc. just put me on a low dosage and I felt I had found my miracle!)....HOWEVER as Nicey said....it's a year later and I am starting to break out again!

I've done retin-a, minocyclin, accutane, EVERYTHING....I even have had microdermabrasion and chemical peels....nothing helps for the long run....

If you guys get any miracle cures...let me know!

Niecey Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:00 AM

Re: Skin question...

Well at least it is good that I am not alone and in good company!!!!!

Samanthas Mom Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:03 AM

Re: Skin question...

Marni- have you gone to a Dermo yet? when I was in HS I had brief(about four months of that ) they gave me Retna-A

Leelee Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:03 AM

Re: Skin question...

I suffered from adult acne too but I have it because I have PCOS. You might want to (if you haven't already) get tested for this. I take BCP and I use Proactiv--which is the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me.
Good luck with this Marni..it's a really hard obstacle to overcome!

MrsTC Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:07 AM

Re: Skin question...

Ugh......this is my life story. I have had acne since I was 10. It was so bad at one point as a kid my teacher asked if I was burned! It is no where near that bad anymore. I have tried everything except the really strong RX one, I am afraid of that one bc it can cause conception problems. What has helped me is being on the pill (Ortho tri Cyclen). I usually just break out when stressed now. Sometimes I have to get a cortisone injection for the cystic ones. (feels like a pebble under your skin)

Is your skin oily or dry? Mine is slightly oily still so what I do is wash my face with Nivea to clean out dirt and makup, then use a a salicyclic acid astringent, then put on Oxy for sensitive skin lotion (a dot) if needed if I have a pimple. I hate it - I still feel like a teenager. It never goes away.

ETS: I tried Proactiv as well., it worked great but Clean n CLear in the purple bottle cream solution (not the foaming one) has the same EXACT ingredients (10% benzoyl peroxide) and is much cheaper. I don't use it anymore bc it became too strong for me as I got older.

Sonicstef Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:14 AM

Re: Skin question...

Everyone i know who has used Accutane has not had the acne come back. At least for them, it worked wonders but its such a pain. You cant drink, you have to have frequent blood tests, you skin is like the sahara when you are on it, it causes mood swings, etc..

LizD Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:22 AM

Re: Skin question...

I have a question re this too. My slin actually is not too bad, but the last few months I have been getting these major (almost cyst like) pimples on the right side of my chin. They hurt so bad and seem to take forever to go away. Anyone else have this? How can I ger rid of these. (They get so big I have to name them)!!

Leelee Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:23 AM

Re: Skin question...

I read something a while back that breakouts on your chin are Hormonal breakouts.
Those hurt like the ****ens!

Edited...this is funny! I wrote 'hurts like the d i c k e n s! Suppose we want to discuss the author of a Christmas Carol??

MrsTC Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:26 AM

Re: Skin question...

Liz - they are probably cystic acne. You should go to the derm and get a cortisone shot. It will go away in the same day!

Jordan Posted: Jun 19, 2003 10:31 AM

Re: Skin question...

Vitamin E oil is not beneficial to acne - it's oil...

I don't really have acne - I get breakouts - sometimes worse than other times. Daily, I use Clindamycin pledgets and when have a cyst-like breakout (never got those until I started taking otrho-tri-cyclen) I use Brevoxyl-8. It's an aqueous base gel.

I think going to a dermatologist is the best way to go - what works for one of us doesn't always work for another. A derm should be able to create a regimine specifically for you.