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They keep coming and coming and....
Maybe some of gals can advice me on this problem which I hear is not uncommon. I am 27 years old and my skin has starting breaking out again like I am 14. I am on oral contraceptives and I use Pro-Activ. I have also tried Acne-Free. I mostly break out on the lower chin, on my nose and between my eye brows, basically the T-zone area. Any advice on how can solve this besides going to a dermatologist. I use Lancome make-up as well which hasn't been a problem before as it is hypo-allergenic and dermatologist tested.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Proactiv actually made it worse for me. Go with gentle cleansers like Basis or Purpose. I alternate between salicylic acid cream and benzoyl peroxide cream (2.5% only, Neutrogena On-the-Spot or this stuff, which is much more bang for your buck).
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
For real results go to a dermatologist! They can prescribe tetracycline, it is cheap at less than 20 bucks a bottle. It's an antibiotic and it works, I'm on it myself.
And acne on the lower chin is often hormonal, so if it is new since your birth control you may want to try a different kind of oral contraceptive.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Yeah, I think I need to start washing my face with Basis again. The clear skin is more of a spot remover right, not a preventative? I have clearasil with 10% benz. peroxide in it. It helps dry up the zit itself but not prevent new ones from returning. The Pro-Activ worked at first but it doesn't seem to work anymore. I am allergic to Tetracycline and I have been on this pill for five years and just recently started breaking out. I guess I probably should go to a dermatologist anyway if it keeps getting worse. Geez, we are coming up on Heritage week golf tournament next week and I just getting over being sick with bronchitis and sinusitis plus my face is breaking out now and I desparately need to hit the tanning bed. When it rains is pours.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Yes you have to go to a Dermatologist. Once upon a time many years ago, I had some cystic acne that wouldn't go away and was placed on the strongest anti acne medication ever...ACCUTANE. So powerful that once you finish the five month oral doses, I once never got a blemish again of ANY kind, not even after 15 years.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlluringAva
Yes you have to go to a Dermatologist. Once upon a time many years ago, I had some cystic acne that wouldn't go away and was placed on the strongest anti acne medication ever...ACCUTANE. So powerful that once you finish the five month oral doses, I once never got a blemish again of ANY kind, not even after 15 years.
Wow!! I loved hearing that. I start accutane next month. Did it help make your skin any less oily?
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zabrina
Wow!! I loved hearing that. I start accutane next month. Did it help make your skin any less oily?
FYI: Accutane can cause serious depression. It makes it about 1000 times worse if you are already mildly depressed. My friend was on it for a while and he had a lot of suicidal thoughts and he didn't want to leave his house. If you have depression, it's not a good treatment for you.
I'm not saying anything about your current mental state and I'm not a doctor, but that's just something to consider.
Also, there is no such thing as "hypoallergenic". It actually has no scientific definition. Advertising companies are still somehow allowed to use it, even though it really doesn't mean anything.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Yes, I have heard of the myriad of side effects of Accutane and I absolutely agree its not for everyone. I think it is for me, the most depressed I've been over the last few months was when I got the hugest zit ever on the first day of my vacation and could not get to my derm for a cortizone shot the whole time! So if the once every few months mega-zits are my source of depression, then I need the stuff. The suckiest thing I found with the accutane is that I have to delay all plastic surgery for at least a year after my cycle is over. I was planning a boob job this year but not anymore. :( Plus, I'll miss my collagen injections for a whole year! But if it can cure me of zits forever, then I'm willing to give it a shot.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Zabrina, just make sure you use at least two or three forms of birth control or abstain from heterosexual sex. Accutane causes some extremely nasty birth defects.
Greenidlady1... as Zabrina pointed out, acne on the chin is generally hormonal. Is there any chance you might be pregnant? If you've had a late or unusually light period, it might be worth testing for.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
I was thrilled to be on Accutane and had very few side effects, luckily, either because I was in good health, or because the chemistry works differently on everyone. You have to get the blood tests and I remember my trigycleride level never went above what it should have on that drug. Accutane is really just an extremely powerful derivative of vitamin A, and the way it works is by preventing cellular material from clogging pores that led to cystic, painful acne. It just makes the cells slip right off the pore inside.
My side effects included
very dry chapped lips
dry, fragile skin that scarred easily
sore lower back
fatigue
nosebleeds ( WATCH out as these can last for a few minutes)
But I would tell you in all honesty that it was worth it, Zabrina. In all the years since I took it I have NEVER gotten cystic acne again. Mine was not severe, but I;'d get two or three that required cortisone shots, and they stand out so badly on a face that is normally smooth. Plus, they're painful.
Accutane took care of my oilier skin which is now just right...not too oily or dry. And I haven't even gotten blackheads after that treatment which was over 15 years ago.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krazyjane
benzoyl peroxide cream
I've ruined every towel and most pillow cases I've ever owned with that. be careful with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zabrina
For real results go to a dermatologist! They can prescribe tetracycline, it is cheap at less than 20 bucks a bottle. It's an antibiotic and it works, I'm on it myself.
That can stain your teeth.
I suggest washing your hands frequently, carrying around some antibacterial hand gel, and avoide touching your face as much as possible.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
OMG! I TOTALLY understand! I'm going through the EXACT same thing! I doubt it's your bcp's. Bcp's tend to clear your skin, and since you haven't changed them, it's unlikely it's that.
It's age. I'm 29 and this started when I was about 28. Get ready for some serious hornyness too! lol (and bitchyness for that matter, I've been a bear lately! haha) My hormones are all out whack right now. I think I may have a cyst on my right ovary, which seems to be increasing the estrogen in my system, which is giving me acne on my chin, hornyness, bitchyness and more migraines than normal. (estrogen causes my migraines)
As far as taking antibiotics profilactically, I wouldn't do it. Antibiotics can REALLY mess us your digestive system if taken too long. Accutane should be reserved for severe acne. Because of the high risk of liver damage (you have to get frequent blood tests), you are not allowed to be on accutane for more than a couple of years (or at least you SHOULDN'T if your dr allows).
Here's some things I'm doing that seems to be helping my chin...
asprin..mixing it with water to make a paste, then after it dries, adding a little water and gently exfoliating. I do this about 1-2 times a week.
neutregena pore refining cleanser. this has a very mild exfoliant and mild aha's, so it doesn't even make my skin red! I have noticed the MOST difference with this cleanser as far as over the counter goes. Within one week, the area has softened up and all the little bumps on my chin are almost all flat.
As far as prescription, I also use (once every day or two) a cleaner called Clenia (sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%), this is actually extremally gentle to my suprise. My husband is also using it on his face for another condition ans his skin is WAY sensitive. Here's a link about it.. http://www.upsher-smith.com/news/new...ia_launch.html
There is also a few lasers that work WONDERS for this!
Omnilux Acne Phototherapy
Laser Genesis
ClearLight™ Acne PhotoClearing System
HTH!
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Same here. I was on Accutane twice during my teen years. Never been depressed. Clinically or otherwise. Have amazingly clear smooth skin now. No pimples and have gotten many compliments on how nice my skin is.
Don't believe everything you read or hear about Accutane in the media. Check with your doctor.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
From the thread title, I TOTALLY thought this thread was going to be about something else ....
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Try switching to salicylic acid instead of using products like ProActive that have benzoyl peroxide in them. I tried using Proactive and broke out even worse, which is when I found out that benzoyl peroxide dries your skin out, which can cause your skin to produce more oil, which then can cause even more breakouts. I started using salicylic acid products instead, and my skin cleared up almost right away, and was no longer so dry and irritated. Now I use Acne Free Acne and Blackhead clearing gel (which is sold on its own at walmart- it isn't part of the 3 piece system) and this has both salicylic acid and a low amount of benzoyl peroxide, and my skin looks almost perfect.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
I didn't read all the posts, so I apologize if I say something already covered. I understand Accutane can be great for acne, but please please please think twice before using it. I had a boyfriend that used it, and within 4 months he went from being the happy care free guy everyone loved to committing suicide. I don't wish taht upon anyone, and it was extremely difficult to deal with. His parents have a law suit against the company currently. Please please please please please just weigh all options and try other things before going this route.
EDIT: also, a good friend of mine lost all his hair while on accutane, just another nasty side effect.
Also, I know accutane doesn't affect everyone the same, but I just freak out everytime I hear about someone using it, because I get scared. :(
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Quote:
Originally Posted by lunchbox
I've ruined every towel and most pillow cases I've ever owned with that. be careful with it.
That can stain your teeth.
I suggest washing your hands frequently, carrying around some antibacterial hand gel, and avoide touching your face as much as possible.
Not to get off subject but tetracycline can only stain your teeth when you take as a child, when your teeth are still developing under your gum. Once your tooth has erupted "come in" then it can't stain your teeth. If you are pregnant and you take it, it can stain your babies teeth when their teeth come in.
I have to say Acne Face wash with salicylic acid 2% and Benzoyl Peroxide 10% is what cures my acne. I use it daily and apply the Benzoyl Peroxide to any acne prone area, even if there's no acne present. I find that prevents the acne from returning.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
sxy, I am sorry to hear that :'(
I've heard about 1/2 and 1/2 of a success rate with Accutane. For some people it seems to work miracles (like my next door neighbor who now has FLAWLESS skin), for others well...
On a side note, I wouldn't write off Proactiv. For me, its one of the only things that works. My skin looks as good as it will probably ever get, without going on Accutane (which I won't dare cause I tend to get depression/anxiety and it's in my family and all that)
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
huh. How expensive is it to go to a dermatologist and do the accutane for five months? I don't get depressed really-- but it does run in my family, so hopefully I think I'd be smart to drop the accutane after the first dose if the depression got too bad.
Also-- is this stuff okay for clearing up just regular zits and blackheads? My skin is pretty clear compared to people with acne, but I get small zits under my skin that I hate to see when it's daytime...so if I could clear up that small stuff and the occasional eruption on my nose and chin-- I'd think that'd be a stellar use of money.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Quote:
Originally Posted by NaughtyAngel
Same here. I was on Accutane twice during my teen years. Never been depressed. Clinically or otherwise. Have amazingly clear smooth skin now. No pimples and have gotten many compliments on how nice my skin is.
Don't believe everything you read or hear about Accutane in the media. Check with your doctor.
If a person does start to feel some depression or mood changes then of course you should get off the Accutane. I've been on every single acne thing you can think of, from tetracycline, doxycyline and erthyromcin, and I can tell you I hated taking antibiotics. They're not good for you in the long run and they messed up my digestion.
My problem was never a lot of acne...what the problem was a few very painful cysts that would never go away with something that deals with acne on a different less severe level, such as ProActive or the other TOPICAL ones. My skin could not handle Retin A...in fact I got a severe allergic reaction from that stuff.
The dermatologist and I came to the conclusion that Accutane was right for me as long as it was the lowest dose.
You don't stay on Accutane for more than 4-5 months at a time. occasionally in severe cystic acne cases, another set of treatment might be given for another 5 months, but that's pretty rare. It was the best damn thing I ever did for my skin, ever.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Thanks for all the advice guys :)
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Quote:
Originally Posted by fancygirl
huh. How expensive is it to go to a dermatologist and do the accutane for five months? I don't get depressed really-- but it does run in my family, so hopefully I think I'd be smart to drop the accutane after the first dose if the depression got too bad.
Also-- is this stuff okay for clearing up just regular zits and blackheads? My skin is pretty clear compared to people with acne, but I get small zits under my skin that I hate to see when it's daytime...so if I could clear up that small stuff and the occasional eruption on my nose and chin-- I'd think that'd be a stellar use of money.
If I remember correctly (I used to be a pharmacy technician), accutane is HORRIBLY expensive and there isn't a generic for it.
It'd be cheaper to get your face lasered
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Are you under more stress than usual lately???That can do a number on your skin too.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Accutane now has alot of regulations and it's a big pain in the ass to get it. I went to the derm for it a month ago, and it will be another month before they let me start it. You have to take 2 pregnancy tests pre-prescription, get b/c counseling from a ob/gyn and stay on two forms of birth control over your entire course. They will be taking blood monthly to check and monitor for liver side effects, pregnancy, etc before i can refill the prescription from one month to the next. I had to sign a form promising my 2 forms of b/c and saying that if I were to get preg I would have an abortion. Taking just one pill during a pregnancy can cause major deformities. So, for anyone wanting to try accutane prepare yourself for a huge pain in the ass and losts of expenses.
-Visit to Dermatologist: $70-150 (You might also have to pay for monthly visits over your 5 month course)
-Blood work $10-25 monthly
-Visit to ob/gyn for b/c counseling $35-150 (I went to Planned parenthood and got it for only $35)
-2 forms of birth control $$Depending on what forms you use
-Then the accutane itself $$$
I don't know exactly how much it will be since they haven't given it to me yet but i've heard to expect about $100 to $200 monthly.
So yes, accutane is expensive.
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Re: They keep coming and coming and....
Expensive but worth it in my opinion. I remember reading all the stuff on the inserts of the package, the warnings and stuff about side effects, and even 15 years ago there was a warning about possible depression along with about 100 or more other symptoms. Maybe more like 500 symptoms!
I considered myself lucky that I only got the real dry skin/chapped lips, a little sore lower back, and some exhaustion...in all it cost me about 1700 bucks.