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Thread: Breaking out like crazy!

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    Default Breaking out like crazy!

    I've been breaking out like crazy lately!!!! My dermatologist has me on Solodyne and some yeast pills. SMH. I started using Ambi. I don't really care what cleanser I use because nothing works. I think it has a lot to do with stress. I admit I could cut back on the sweets and drink a little more water. But this breakout came out of nowhere. When I was in high school I used to break out like crazy. I took Accutane (which i'll never take again even tho it worked WONDERS). And ahhh my acne is back!!! Any tips on any products to use?

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    Senior Member tronie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    I can't suggest a product, per say, but taking drugs for this is like putting a band aid on your forehead when you have a headache instead of drinking water (most headaches are caused by dehydration). Your skin is your largest detox organ in your body (along side with your colon, lungs, kidneys, and liver...). Stopping if from breaking out is going to shut down this vital detox organ. Your other detox organs are backed up and as a last result these toxins are dumping out of your skin. While its not immediate what will help cure this problem is to do an extensive cleanse of your detox organs, starting with your colon, then kidneys and bladder, then liver, etc.). Once those are cleaned out they will be able to handle the toxins your body is dumping out through your pores. I highly recommend visiting a far-infrared sauna during this time (you can google the benefits of them) to help speed up the process and get your body cleansing faster. That said I know it seems like your skin is out to get you right now, but I assure you, your body loves you and is trying to survive and be healthy. Its just in a toxic state right now and making a last ditch effort to cleanse. If you shut down this detox channel you could create some very dangerous health consequences.

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    Veteran Member jennsweet's Avatar
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    did u try fixing your diet? ditch soda and sweets... lotsa veggies and low fat good stuff. your skin will totally clear up.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Am going through the same thing I started using this cleanser: Dr Arnaud SEBO cleanser and I noticed that I have much less breakouts...Good Luck!

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Retin-a micro is the only thing that's worked for me. Gets rid of acne and makes my skin smooth and glowing. I stopped using it and it got bad again. Getting a script next week. Can't wait.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    There is a possibility it's hormonal.

    If you want to know more about Spironolactone, let me know, and I'll wax poetic about it alllll day. Minimal side effects + beautiful skin. I've had incredible luck with it. (More information about this exists on this site's acne threads). Spiro reduces the number of androgens in your body (a type of testosterone), which cause acne.

    And when I say it's hormonal, remember that other things affect your hormones, including sugar spikes (eat a low GI diet to help with this), stress, birth control pills, etc. It could be any number of things.

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    Moderator Jessie_tinydancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    ^Ask Charlie about it... she saved my face! Thanks again Charlie!

    I drink 3 litres of water a day, did the sauna crap, did the no sugar thing (as in complete sugar elimination), did chemical peels and expensive dermatologist creams (even retin-a which I noticed someone suggested) and nothing... nothing works like Spiro... why? cause my acne is caused by having too much of the hormone androgen. HORMONAL. Sorry it just really pisses me off when people think acne is automatically caused by your lifestyle.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jessie_tinydancer View Post
    ^Ask Charlie about it... she saved my face! Thanks again Charlie!

    I drink 3 litres of water a day, did the sauna crap, did the no sugar thing (as in complete sugar elimination), did chemical peels and expensive dermatologist creams (even retin-a which I noticed someone suggested) and nothing... nothing works like Spiro... why? cause my acne is caused by having too much of the hormone androgen. HORMONAL. Sorry it just really pisses me off when people think acne is automatically caused by your lifestyle.
    Giiiirl, that's no joke. I did pretty much everything to get rid of my acne. Expensive products, complete diet change (no sugar, no gluten, etc), exercise, oil cleansing. And, yep...turned out to be hormonal. Fuckin' hormones...

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    Senior Member tronie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    For what its worth hormonal issues are caused by improper diet, but the type of diet it takes to eliminate the hormonal issues is more than some people are up for. Which is totally fine if that is where a person is at, but understanding whats causing the health issue in the first place can really help. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    ^ I did no sugar, yeast, wheat, dairy, alcohol, artificial sugars, alcohol, caffeine and it made minimal difference. (although wicked difference to my waist line and general skin, but not acne). Yes diet, exercise, reduction of stress etc. can help, but your endocrine system is extremely sensitive to any change in your environment and other factors such as medications used over your lifetime, pregnancies, genetics, tumors all effect secretion of hormones. Simply changing your diet is not a silver bullet for excess androgen production - the cause of hormonal acne. Yes it will help your health in general, but food alone does not fix hormonal issues. Type 1 diabetes would not exist in this case.

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    Senior Member tronie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Those were all really wonderful changes you made, and difficult I'm sure, but I've known many people who cured their severe acne by taking on a raw vegan diet. I used to have an auto-immune disease I cured in under 6 months by going raw vegan, so while the changes you made were really amazing changes its not exactly what I was referring to.

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    Veteran Member Amareth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Going to a dermatologist on Saturday, glad I found this thread first was just going to ask for Accutane but think I've been persuaded to try Spiro now. Just wondering is it a temporary treatment (i.e. several months like accutane) or do you have to keep taking it?

    Also Jessie - is it called Spironolactone in Australia as well or is that a brand name?

    Thanks

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Quote Originally Posted by Amareth View Post
    Going to a dermatologist on Saturday, glad I found this thread first was just going to ask for Accutane but think I've been persuaded to try Spiro now. Just wondering is it a temporary treatment (i.e. several months like accutane) or do you have to keep taking it?

    Also Jessie - is it called Spironolactone in Australia as well or is that a brand name?

    Thanks
    The generic brand I take is called Aldactone, but they should know what Spironolactone means.

    You do have to keep taking Spiro for it to keep working. I stopped taking it once and my hormones freaked out --> acne!!!

    Many girls continue upping their dosages, but I never have. I just take 50mg a day for clear skin!

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Are you sure that what you are experiencing is acne & not hives? Does it itch? If it itches badly it's more likely hives. Stress often leads to hives... probably more often than acne. Some people are prone to only get it on their face. If treating it like a break-out doesn't work try taking some Pepcid with Benedryl twice a day for about 5 days, the combination releases a level 2 antihistamine. You can also do this in combination with an asprin mask (asprin mixed with water).
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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    i break out when very stressed...my face was horrible this past fall/winter. i stopped wearing make up but only 2 days a week and began using pevonia teen acne exfoliator...no toner or lotion just the cleanser. washing morning and night with it. using walmarts off brand version of oxy pads in the middle of the day bc the summer heat makes me sweat. im down to two pimples barely noticeable and the ones on my forehead are gone. knock on wood

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Quote Originally Posted by Amareth View Post
    Going to a dermatologist on Saturday, glad I found this thread first was just going to ask for Accutane but think I've been persuaded to try Spiro now. Just wondering is it a temporary treatment (i.e. several months like accutane) or do you have to keep taking it?

    Also Jessie - is it called Spironolactone in Australia as well or is that a brand name?

    Thanks
    The dermatologist will know Spironolactone. Ive used two brands Aldactone and Spiractin. I would definitely recommend it over Accutane because Accutane stays in your system whereas Spiro leaves a lot quicker. Hence why Charlie broke out again after stopping. I had to stop for about 3 weeks too and broke out again.

    I believe its only recommended to take it for a few years though. Your Derm can tell you some of the reasons why. I really like Spiro because the hormones were also making me really hairy and cause its a diuretic, I look more defined. I have less than half the body hair I had before. Its awesome. It has not effected my libido either or my emotions.

    Im sure your Derm will give you some better topicals too that you cant get at a chemist or beauty therapist. I was skeptical of the lotions he gave me, but they are also really good.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jessie_tinydancer View Post
    The dermatologist will know Spironolactone. Ive used two brands Aldactone and Spiractin. I would definitely recommend it over Accutane because Accutane stays in your system whereas Spiro leaves a lot quicker. Hence why Charlie broke out again after stopping. I had to stop for about 3 weeks too and broke out again.

    I believe its only recommended to take it for a few years though. Your Derm can tell you some of the reasons why. I really like Spiro because the hormones were also making me really hairy and cause its a diuretic, I look more defined. I have less than half the body hair I had before. Its awesome. It has not effected my libido either or my emotions.

    Im sure your Derm will give you some better topicals too that you cant get at a chemist or beauty therapist. I was skeptical of the lotions he gave me, but they are also really good.
    The "side-effects" of Spiro rock. Less body hair! Lose water weight! Increase breast size! Oh, the horrors!!

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    I'm going to talk to my doctor about Spiro but the side effects when it comes to breasts worries me. I do have breast health issues (I've had two tumors removed, plus I'm at an increased risk for breast cancer due to family history). I already have slightly tender breasts as it is....

    Does Spiro help with acne all over the body as well as the face? I have acne on my chest, upper arms, and back and it drives me nuts

    Also, can I get Spiro from my general physician or will it be more likely that I'll be referred to a dermatologist?

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Quote Originally Posted by Autumn Lily View Post
    I'm going to talk to my doctor about Spiro but the side effects when it comes to breasts worries me. I do have breast health issues (I've had two tumors removed, plus I'm at an increased risk for breast cancer due to family history). I already have slightly tender breasts as it is....

    Does Spiro help with acne all over the body as well as the face? I have acne on my chest, upper arms, and back and it drives me nuts

    Also, can I get Spiro from my general physician or will it be more likely that I'll be referred to a dermatologist?
    My doctor (not a dermatologist) hadn't even heard of Spiro being used this way until I brought it up. She left the room, researched it a little bit, and came back with the prescription. You shouldn't need to do much convincing--acne is a pretty emotional issue, and if you really express a desire to try Spiro, I can't picture a doctor turning you down. I mean, it's like a blood pressure medication or something. You're taking it for the side effect.

    You will have to get your blood tested for elevated Potassium levels, but I've only had to do this once (and I've been on Spiro for about 1.5 years or so).

    Spiro will help the rest of your acne IF it is hormonal. Your body will produce less sebum (so your hair won't accumulate oil as quickly, and your face will be less oily, etc.), so your skin will likely improve all over.

    I personally didn't experience the breast growth thing, so you probably shouldn't worry about that. Spiro is a VERY mild carcinogen, and only when taken in greater doses over long periods of time (I mean seriously, life is full of carcinogens...even living in a city is carcinogenic), so you may hear some stuff about that.

    Check out other peoples' experiences with it: http://www.acne.org/spironolactone-r...305/page1.html

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Well I talked to my doctor and she wants to try a prescription topical cream and an antibiotic first. She said she'd never heard of Spiro being used for acne.

    I'll give these a shot first. She said if they didn't work then we'll try something else.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Rant...

    I've been going through a bunch of crap with a couple doctors just to get spironolactone. A lot of dermatologist visits and they keep adding shit for me to do topically before putting me on it.

    I need a letter from my gynocolgist proving that I have pcos...
    Monitoring of my blood pressure for a while
    Testing my potassium levels
    Being on birth control is required because of birth defects

    I was on birth control from the first day of my period for 2 weeks and the doctor still wouldn't give me spiro (he said come back in 3 weeks and we'll see and then he gave me stuff I've tried before and didn't work). He says he wants to save me from myself and that spiro isn't a miracle cure . (duhh)
    /rant

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    Quote Originally Posted by newbieblue View Post
    Rant...

    I've been going through a bunch of crap with a couple doctors just to get spironolactone. A lot of dermatologist visits and they keep adding shit for me to do topically before putting me on it.

    I need a letter from my gynocolgist proving that I have pcos...
    Monitoring of my blood pressure for a while
    Testing my potassium levels
    Being on birth control is required because of birth defects

    I was on birth control from the first day of my period for 2 weeks and the doctor still wouldn't give me spiro (he said come back in 3 weeks and we'll see and then he gave me stuff I've tried before and didn't work). He says he wants to save me from myself and that spiro isn't a miracle cure . (duhh)
    /rant
    Wow, I'm super surprised by this. Why is he being so cautious?

    When I asked my doctor, I explained to her that I have OCD regarding my face (I used to pick at my face). So I was damaging myself every time I'd get acne from my period--I'd pick at any bump on my face. Yeah, not good. I explained that something like spironolactone could stop me from permanently scarring myself. And...it did.

    Maybe I just got lucky? I'd be interested to hear from the other ladies on this site who have gone on it--did you have any trouble getting the prescription?

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    I've tried pretty much everything--Benzaclin, Differin (sp?), OTC face washes (pretty much all of them), cutting out sugar, cutting out gluten, juice feasting, etc. No matter what, I still got acne. I told my doctor about all of the efforts I'd made, and she didn't really hesitate to write the Rx (and it's not like I go to a sketchy doctor or anything).

    The magazine Elle has mentioned Spironolactone a couple of times as the newest addition to dermatologists' arsenals. It's weird that many doctors haven't heard of this when even a women's magazine has gotten the drift.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    I had no trouble at all. I went to a Dermotologist and brought in bottles of all the creams I'd tried. I told him I did not want to be on the pill because I get severe depression from it and he ruled out Roaccutane because Im 28, married and it would be possible that I may want to have kids in the near future (I dont really, that was his assumption and didnt want to fuck it up for me). He then suggested Spiro I didnt have to ask about it (although I would have had he not brought it up). He gave me a prescription on the spot and sent me for blood work. That was 6 months ago. He gave me a refill about 2 months ago and did not even send me for more blood work. My mom takes a similar medication for a tremor and my dad for blood pressure... It seems very safe. Maybe some doctors are hesitant because its not the drugs intended use and they just haven't taken the time to educate themselves about it being a drug from outside their field.

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    Default Re: Breaking out like crazy!

    There's a huge difference between a woman who hasn't tried anything and is asking for Spiro and a woman who has tried everything and knows that her acne is largely hormonal.

    Like, if I walked in and hadn't tried all of those things (and I was very vocal about it), she might have tried to put me on a topical medication of some sort. But I told her straight up that I only get acne around my period, so there's essentially nothing to be done about it unless Spiro works.

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