The Acne Thread

[Eurasian Mélange]

I don't know if anyone remembers me posting about the spearmint tea a while back, but I ran out and decided to stop for a week or so to see what would happen. My number of spots has definitely stayed at a low level (used to get between 15 and 20 every day and now always between 0 and 8), but I now appear to be getting more cystic spots. The kind that you cannot see, but you feel the bump coming under your skin and it feels like you have a very painful bruise. I really hate those. So I am not sure if the spearmint tea helped to permanently lower the number of spots or if it was only my age (I was 21 when I started taking it to defeat the armies of zits on my face and am now 22), but I am quite sure it did something to lower the number of evil cystic spots.

 

[jscheurl]

I have kind of sensitive skin, which gets dry, especially in the winter / summer [when in the sun] but tends to get oily/combination [hormones - ah, to be a teenager]. Nonetheless, I don't have awful skin, but sometimes I do break out just a tiny bit. I also had a few cystic spots, which are super gross and painful btw.

Anyway, I use La Roche Posay Effaclar face wash, toner, and pore purifying/minimizing moisturizer. Works like a charm for me! No break outs or big spots or anything! Bought it in Munich at an apothecary. In total, it those three things were around €35.

Oh, I also take HRI Clear Complexion pills... Got them in London at Superdrug. They're really helping and aren't expensive.

 

[laurette]

My dermatologist prescribed me a mixture of erythromycin and linola. I've been using it every night for two weeks and I'm finally starting to see some results. In the morning I apply benzoyl peroxide to my problem areas (chin, forehead and the area around my nose) which helps a lot and especially very fast, but is terribly drying.

Keep in mind that erythromycin is an antibiotic, therefore your good results will disappear after some time because you get resistant.

 

[satin chic]

^ I know about that (I've used it before), but that won't happen until in about 6 months.

 

[laurette]

Wow, that's good for you! For me, every antibiotic only lasted up until 3 months
I guess Roaccutan is the best choice for me

 

[satin chic]

Lucky? Not really. My skin never clears up completely, only about 70% or so.
I'm seeing my dermatologist again in a few weeks and I think she will probably prescribe me something else then.

 

[mcflyandgemmafan]

Sorry if this was already posted, but I've been taking doxycycline for a couple of months which has been making me feel nauseous, so my doctor switched me to tetracycline instead. Has anyone here ever used tetracycline before?

 

[Guessgirl96]

I've taken tetracycline and it made me feel nauseous too. Try taking it with food, it helps.

 

[Stasha]

^^
Maybe a AHA like Glycolic Acid would help. Other options could be a rentiod, like Tazorac or Retin-A. Maybe even hydroquinone.

Thanks, i'm using Avene Cleanance K currently it has Glycolic acid, it helped my skin pretty much, i hope it will also help for discoloration, else i will have to try something else.

 

[Eurasian Mélange]

Thanks, i'm using Avene Cleanance K currently it has Glycolic acid, it helped my skin pretty much, i hope it will also help for discoloration, else i will have to try something else.

I'm currently using a 4% glycolic acid face wash and have been using it for over a year now. It has not made a difference in discolouration, but I have heard a cheap microdermabrasion kit will help with that (The Oil of Olay one seems to be popular). I am not bothering trying to get rid of discolouration yet because I still get some spots and they cause the hyperpigmentation. No point in getting rid of hyperpigmentation if the things that cause it keep on coming (even if there are less of them). Maybe it will work for you though, I do not know.

 

[SuperWoman]

Anyone on the regimen @ acne.org?

Facial bar soap
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Cetaphil moisturizer

Twice daily... I started about a week ago and have already noticed dramatic change in my skin.

 

[Virginielle]

Last week I went to get a facial at a day spa I like, but with an esthetician I had never had before. She was by far the best yet---both skilled and informational. She recommended me a few things from the SkinCeuticals line (the spa carries mainly SkinCeuticals and Murad), and I feel I should recommend one of them to you guys. My skin is definitely combination---dry on my cheeks with a tendency to get a little oily in my t-zone. For the most part it's decent---the worst damage has been done by yours truly, scratching at little things that wouldn't worry most people. My biggest complaint is that I get blotchy and could be more even-toned. That said, what my facialist recommended me has helped significantly, and it's been a total of five days. It's SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel, and I love it! The short term effects have been great, and since it contains natural skin lighteners and is supposed to diminish discoloration I look forward to the long term impact, as well. I put it on twice a day after washing my face, beneath tinted moisturizer in the daytime, and night cream at night, although I can wear just the gel to bed and not wake up dry. It was expensive ($48 for 1 oz), but I'm now a believer in the SkinCeuticals line and will look for other stuff bearing the name. The reviews over at MakeupAlley are good for the most part, and I can't believe I hadn't heard of it here. Well. Now we all have.

Also: anyone in the Boston/Cambridge area who would like to experience the most wonderful esthetician in the world, let me know and I will give you the name of the spa and the genius herself (also somewhat expensive, but worth it).

 

[Suburban Snob]

I followed the acne.org thing for a little while, I bought the tube of benzoyl peroxide which smelled like bubbles and did NOTHING for my skin. I'm so happy it works for you. A lot of people seem to like it.

 

[Ghostkeeper]

I used Proacitv for six months and it barley worked. The only thing that
it did help me, however, was getting rid of blackheads.
So, I stopped using it and went to my local clinic. My doctor
perscribed Differen Cream 0.1
And it works great!!
Its just a cream so its alot easier to do then Proactivs "three step program"
And it really helps with scaring. Ive used it about 3 months now
and my skin is almost clear. The doctor did say 8 weeks but, that
was just an estimate and I dont really care what he says I'm just happy it works!!

 

[emailme.]

thats good to hear.

proactiv works on me. i dont use it often b/c benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizer and i dont want old people skin.

 

[Ghostkeeper]

That makes you old?

 

[melfreya]

a lot of people saying that about benzoyl peroxide..i don't believe it though..
in an allure interview a top dermatologist (can't remember which one now..i'll try to find the article)said that young people now will not face the same wrinkles as their parents when they get old because of the acne regimens they use in their teens and twenties.he said that all the acids and peroxides help skin renew its layers making it more youthful and fresh..

 

[Alexandra8715]

wow i really hope that's true. If so thenI will have the face of a 20 yr old when I'm 60 with all the products I've using! My skin has always been rubbish and I was on roaccutane about a year ago which made my skin near perfect except for the scars. Recently its been a bit hit and miss. It was prety much clear up until about a month ago when I started breaking out on my chin, forehead and temples. I'm on the pill (Jasmine) which I think has kept my skin under control. Mostly I think that my bad skin is due to lot of late nghts and a lot of alcohol (in my first year of uni..!). I'm going to try that dermabrasion thing for my scars though.

 

[emailme.]

i honestyl think proactiv is helping in diminishing scars too.

i keep the cleanser on my face for a minute or two then rinse it off.

 

[Guessgirl96]

Sorry if this was already posted, but I've been taking doxycycline for a couple of months which has been making me feel nauseous, so my doctor switched me to tetracycline instead. Has anyone here ever used tetracycline before?

Is it generic? My dermo told me the outside shell of some generic pills can make you feel nauseous.