adult acne

C

CurlyQ

Cathlete
Can anyone give me some recommendations for acne treatments? I can't use Proactiv or anything with benzoile (sp?) peroxide in it as I'm allergic to it. I was looking at Murad products, which I've heard good things about but I'm skeptical to fork over more money for something that may not work. I'm closing in on 28 yrs old and I've been battling painful acne on my chin for a long time (I don't really get pimples anywhere else). I know I should probably see a dermatologist but I don't want to get into taking prescriptions, going to appointments, etc.

When I was having facials every month my skin was in the best shape ever but at $90 a visit I just can't justify the expense.

TIA
 
Hi,

I have been dealing with adult acne since I turned 30(will be 32 next month). I have tried it all!! I did the whole dermo. thing & have been on medications. They wanted to put me on accutane, but there were too many side affects. Anyway, Murad products are pretty good. I was using them for awhile, but recently I have been using Ahava products. The Ahava seems to be working a little better for me. The main ingredient is dead sea minerals(dead sea ocean/water). I do the mud masks 2-3 times a week & it really cleans out my pores. I also use the cleanser,toner & moisturizer. They are both pretty good IMO(both lines of products). It really depends on your skin. I happen to be oily. Good luck!! I know it can be very frustrating to deal with.

Aila:)
 
I have had adult acne for the last 15 years. It was awful and when I turned 30 I finally went to a dermatologist. He put me on Retin-A and I have had great results with it. I am 45 now and get alot of compliments on my skin. I have always had a very oily complexion and Retin-A never dried me severely like it does to alot of people. I go to my dermatologist once a year and I get a prescription for 4 tubes...I rarely use over 3 tubes and save alot as I don't use any other acne products on my skin. Although after 37 if you have insurance they always require a letter from your dermatologist stating you use Retin-A for adult acne in order to get it covered. It has been worth it for me....:)...Carole
 
I wouls also recommend Retin-A. Actually now there is a generic for it. I think I pay $10 for it. You probably don't have to go to a dermatologist for it. I get mine from my Gyno. Anyway, for adult acne, it is usually covered under most insurances. There used to be a rule that the doctor had to specify a diagnosis of cystic acne or actinic keratosis to be covered but I don't think that's the case anymore since there are several forms of this drug now, including a generic. It takes a couple of weeks but does work.

Also, are you on the phone much? Maybe you need to start cleaning the mouthpiece with alcohol, change makeup sponges, change pillow cases often etc...

Marla
 
Can't you do on your own some of the things that you had done to you when you went for facials? 1) a facial steaming (using "Swiss Kriss" herbs, which you can find in a phramacy: they were originally made for constipation, but work nicely as a facial steam); a clay mask to draw out impurities, for example.

Acne bites! I'm 47, and around TTOM, I always seem to get one big zit somewhere where it's most noticeable.
 
I have had very good success by controlling my formerly very very bad acne with diet. I eat very clean...the actions that caused the best change in my skin was cutting out breakfast cereal and sugar and coffee. The other day I was discussing food issues and skin with my hair stylist....who's son is very sensitive to certain foods (he has ADHD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and she insisted the mouth chin area is the "bowel" area of your face. That if you are breaking out there it is something that you are eating. I forget where she learned that.

Good skin foods are salmon, nuts, berries, veggies.

I would keep a food journal and see if it helps...also I recommend the book "The Acne Presciption" by Perricone...that is where I figured out what I was doing wrong.

I also use a product called Clear.Now that has helped me for those times when I just can't not have chocolate! :) It has salycylic acid (sp?) in it. I am not sure about the benzoyl peroxide.

My skin is clear for the first time in 37 years.

cant emphasize the food thing enough.

HTH
Jen
 
If the chin is the bowel area of the face, and bad digestion can effect acne, then it would be a good idea to not ingest chocolate, soft drinks, coffee (not caffeing in general, but coffee in particular) or alcoholic beverages. At least according to my accupuncturist, and Chinese medicine, because all these products contain something (I can look it up) that interferes with the functioninig of the intestines. I've been taken off all these things (which I didn't use anyway, except chocolate--but I'm only cheating very rarely with chocolate) while going through acupuncture treatments to heal a shoulder injury from years ago.
 
Kathryn: ot, but does acupuncture hurt alot? i have never known anyone who has had it to ask.

jes
 
Several years ago my sister had very noticeable & painful acne on her chin only. After years of going from doctor to doctor, & trying everything recommended by anyone, she went to yet another doctor & he knew what was wrong the minute he looked at her. She was allergic to toothpaste...it was dripping down on her chin when brushing her teeth...& as soon as she switched to Tom's natural toothpaste, the acne very quickly went away. She's never had a problem since.

Not, of course, necessarily your problem, but it's a thought.

Ruth :)
 
Thanks for the replies and advice. I have some questions about the Retin-A:

Is it drying or harsh? I have dry skin with occasional patches of eczema (I have a prescription cream for that), I also have sensitive skin...aren't I lucky?!

The info about the clean eating is interesting since I live for my morning mug of coffee, love quality wine, and eat a little chocolate everyday. I don't know if I can give any of that up - maybe the chocolate :)
 
I have heard Retin-A is harsh on sensitive skin, but that it is only temporary until your skin gets used to it. My breakouts were along my jawline when I started with it. I drink coffee everyday, have very light beer occasionally and hate chocolate!! I am a fairly clean eater as I have been a Vegetarian since May 04...my advice would be just to at least consult with a Dermatologist and have ALOT of questions to ask him...:)...Carole
 
Retin a can be harsh if not used properly many times. Typically the MD will prescibe the lowest percentage, which is .25%. If you tolerate it well then they will increase the strength as needed. However, there are explicit instructions that say, if the dryness is too much, cut back to applying every other day until you can tolerate it. Another thing is, you are instructed to use just a pea size amt on your entire face. I can just imagine how many people say... hmmm... how about I use a little MORE. More is better right?

Marla:)
 
I didn't see your post before I posted about the "harshness" of retin A. In your case with eczema, definitely check to see if its rihjt for you. As I said, there are several such as Differin cream, Renova etc. Maybe one would be more optimal than the other.

Marla
 
Peanut Butter or chocolate guarantees I will waking up with acne, whether I'm using my Renova or not. The more sugar I ingest, the more acne I get.

I agree with everyone here that you need to look at your diet very closely.

My dermatologist told me that when they see acne on the neck or chest or back, the first thing they think is hormonal changes. Don't know about the chin area.
 
I have dealt with acne all of my life. Most times it is pretty clear now. Usually when I get it around the chin area it is because I am sleeping with hand cream on and putting my hands on my face. Once I quit putting the cream on it will clear up. As far as diet I find a whole lot of chocolate or caffeine based products seem to make my skin flare up. Although my daughter is a PA in dermatology, and says food does not affect your skin directly. It may be lack of other nutrients that are being replaced by the offending foods.I get the best results from benzoyl peroxide peroxide products for healing, which I see you cannot use.
Diane Sue
 
The best cure for adult acne tht I ever found was hormonal contraceptives. As soon as I started using the Nuvaring, my skin improved dramatically, and 6 months later, still is.

Clare
 
My friends and family, and sometimes myself, have supplied me with bootleg Retin-A from foreign countries for years. It's great once you get over the initial peeling and sensitive phase. I also give it a rest every summer when the sunlight is brightest. I get very occasional cystic acne blemishes, but it's much better. I dab them with some bootleg erythromycin cream I also get overseas, and they clear right up.
 
I don't know why no one ever mentions oral antibiotics. Not the best option maybe, but if you are concerned about your acne, it sure was the best by far for me! I have cystic acne and the only thing that got rid of it was oral antibiotics. Bactrim DS, to be specific. It comes in generic, so with insurance it costs me $5 a month. You just can't beat that, if you don't have loads of money to spend. And, I don't have any negative side effects. They started me on 2 pills per day (I think 800 mg), but I have lessened it to 1 pill. I am also on Yasmin and I think that helps a bit as well. But, when I went off the oral anti and tried only Yasmin, the cysts came back.


With these pills, I no longer wake up everyday to a new zit. When I get a zit, it is a big deal!!!:) I highly recommend them. Just so you know though, my hubby went on a minocycline anti and they seem to not work as well. Seems like Bactrim DS may be one of the strongest. Dermo told me that the next step would be Accutane, which would never be an option for me since that drug is bad news and my acne is not nearly bad enough.
 
I totally understand the frustrations! I hate it myself and have fought it for years. My skin is finally clearing up and I only had to spend $10!! I only wash my face 2x a day (at most, sometime not in the morning) and with a very gentle cleaner called Cetaphil and use Eucedrin Sensitive Skin lotion with spf 30 daily, morning and night. I used to try everything!!!!!!!!!!!! I spent loads of money and a friend said I was using too harsh a products and recommended these. Seems to help. Plus I increased my water intake and that might be a factor as well! :) Hope this helps!
 
I totally understand the frustrations! I hate it myself and have fought it for years. My skin is finally clearing up and I only had to spend $10!! I only wash my face 2x a day (at most, sometime not in the morning) and with a very gentle cleaner called Cetaphil and use Eucedrin Sensitive Skin lotion with spf 30 daily, morning and night. I used to try everything!!!!!!!!!!!! I spent loads of money and a friend said I was using too harsh a products and recommended these. Seems to help. Plus I increased my water intake and that might be a factor as well! :) Hope this helps!
 
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