help. I am sick and tired of my skin. It does well for awhile and then boom, it breaks out and in the funky areas like my upper neck around the jaw line and chin. I use to be on medicine and it helped but I went off of it and it still stayed clear for several months and now for some reason this time of the year really sparks flare ups. even my shoulders break out,mostly on one side which again is funky but I also hate just the appearance of my skin, enlarged pores,uneven color,I wish I could go somewhere and have my skin peeled off and have a new smooth surface again. any suggestions would be appreciated.
skin issues
- Thread starter laura35
- Start date
Jacque1038
Cathlete
Retin A has been a lifesaver for me. I tried everything, even proactive and Retin A is the only thing that worked.
seeking_guns
Cathlete
Laura,
I would say go back to your dermatologist.
In my late 20s, I developed mild adult acne (had had clear skin throughout my teens and early 20s). Last fall, it became what I consider to be severe, mostly along the chin, jawline, and sometimes neck area, so I went to the derm, who tried several treatments before finally suggesting the heavy hitter: Accutane. It was not a decision I took lightly because of the serious side effects, but I've been on it since January and have seen a 180 turn-around in the appearance of my skin. My side effects have been minimal: mostly dry lips, and depending on the dosage level: some fatigue and/or muscle/joint pain.
You may not need to go that route, but I think if you have tried your own methods and nothing's working, it's time to consult the professionals. I spent so much money trying products - some discovered on my own, some recommended by others - desperately trying to find the fix. I just think when it comes to adult acne treatments, it's like makeup or running shoes or jeans or bra recommendations, what works for one may not work for another.
That being said, for breakouts elsewhere on the body not caused by hormones (I sometimes get them on my back near where the sports bra is), I have had good results with Neutrogena Body Clear scrub.
~Cathy
I would say go back to your dermatologist.
In my late 20s, I developed mild adult acne (had had clear skin throughout my teens and early 20s). Last fall, it became what I consider to be severe, mostly along the chin, jawline, and sometimes neck area, so I went to the derm, who tried several treatments before finally suggesting the heavy hitter: Accutane. It was not a decision I took lightly because of the serious side effects, but I've been on it since January and have seen a 180 turn-around in the appearance of my skin. My side effects have been minimal: mostly dry lips, and depending on the dosage level: some fatigue and/or muscle/joint pain.
You may not need to go that route, but I think if you have tried your own methods and nothing's working, it's time to consult the professionals. I spent so much money trying products - some discovered on my own, some recommended by others - desperately trying to find the fix. I just think when it comes to adult acne treatments, it's like makeup or running shoes or jeans or bra recommendations, what works for one may not work for another.
That being said, for breakouts elsewhere on the body not caused by hormones (I sometimes get them on my back near where the sports bra is), I have had good results with Neutrogena Body Clear scrub.
~Cathy
Imafitnessfreak
Cathlete
I rarely get body breakouts but use Neutrogena Body Clear also...put it on my shower puff. I use it because I sweat so much and use sunscreen so often...keeps the pores clean.
For my face, I kept getting painful breakouts...just a few, but I constantly had one or two I was trying to get rid of. Proactiv helped but didn't cure it.
The only thing that has cured the face breakouts is cutting eggs out of my diet. I'm convinced the animal hormones were screwing up my hormones and causing the breakouts. I use to eat egg whites everyday (love them). I cut it from my diet and clearer skin!
As for the skin tone and color, eating as clean as possible has made a huge difference! I use to consume cereal (whole grain but still...). Cutting that highly processed and fortified item has made a big difference.
It is weird...I am more driven to eat as healthy as possible for the sake of my complexion than I am for my waist line!!
For my face, I kept getting painful breakouts...just a few, but I constantly had one or two I was trying to get rid of. Proactiv helped but didn't cure it.
The only thing that has cured the face breakouts is cutting eggs out of my diet. I'm convinced the animal hormones were screwing up my hormones and causing the breakouts. I use to eat egg whites everyday (love them). I cut it from my diet and clearer skin!
As for the skin tone and color, eating as clean as possible has made a huge difference! I use to consume cereal (whole grain but still...). Cutting that highly processed and fortified item has made a big difference.
It is weird...I am more driven to eat as healthy as possible for the sake of my complexion than I am for my waist line!!
thanks everyone for the suggestions. I did go out and buy acnefree severe acne formula to try. It is compared to proactiv. I dont have severe acne but I would like to get what I have under control because it makes you feel ugly and insecure and I dont want to feel that way and I was insecure as akid growing up and want to be done with those days. as an adult I am way more secure with myself but who likes to have their skin broke out.YUCK!! I might have to get put back on minocyne but my dermatologist no longer comes to my town so I will see if my regular doctor will call it in for me. thanks again!
Ugh, I can relate to hormonally caused jawline acne. I had clear skin through my twenties and most of my thirties, so when this hit, I experienced it as rather disfiguring. To top it off, it's only on one side of my jaw. I have not treated it because I have been trying to get pregnant for two years. A late miscarriage last year really caused the zits to flare up. I am five months pregnant now, but as soon as I finish nursing, if I still have this problem, I am going to try aldactone which is supposed to do wonders for perimenopausal acne. I feel for you though. How I long for my clear skin back. I have tried all sorts of soaps, lotions, masks, topicals etc., but I have had no luck with any. Also, my diet is exceptionally clean. This leads me to think I'll need something heavy duty.
Manmohini
Manmohini
I am so sorry to here of your skin problems. I can relate. I never had acne until my middle 20's. I am 34 no and I am fed up with it. I finally made an appointment with a medispa for next week to see if I would benefit from laser treatments or blue light therapy. I refuse to take anything orally, as we are hoping to add to the family. I have been trying everything. When I cleaned up my diet I thought that would help, in fact it made it worse. I thought giving up meat or dairy would help, nothing. I have given up. I hate my skin. If its not breaking out then its spotted or freckled. I would laser every inch if I could.
I would love it if laser treatments would take care of it. I use to watch that extreme makeover and when people on there had bad skin they did those treatments on them and it made a huge difference in there skin. I dont have what you would classify as severe acne but enough to make you self conscious about yourself. anyway goodluck on adding to your family!
tneah
Cathlete
If your budget allows, think about getting a series of laser facials, I just got done with a series for uneven skin tone (I have melasma on my forehead) and sun damage.
I know there are specific lasers targeted at those with troubled skin, and in skilled hands, they work like a dream! My own skin is practically poreless and I really do not have any fine lines or wrinkles to speak of--a few under my eyes it you look real close
Good luck to you, I understand how frustrating it can be when your skin acts up!
I know there are specific lasers targeted at those with troubled skin, and in skilled hands, they work like a dream!
My own skin is practically poreless and I really do not have any fine lines or wrinkles to speak of--a few under my eyes it you look real close Good luck to you, I understand how frustrating it can be when your skin acts up!
seeking_guns
Cathlete
Laura,
If you try the laser treatments, let us know how it works out. I am holding off on getting a regular facial until I am done with the meds, which I hope is soon. I absolutely know what you mean - my acne was not truly severe (like you see in Proactiv commercials) but it was bad enough that, as you say, I was beginning to feel very self-conscious and even a little down about it. I would rather have dealt with it (and outgrown it!) as a teen than be dealing it with it now as an adult. Fingers are crossed that I am one of the lucky 'tane users who squashes this for good!
Sara,
I think you could be onto something about the animal hormones. My sister and I both encountered this while in our early 30s, but our mom never had problems like this nor does it run in the family.
~Cathy
If you try the laser treatments, let us know how it works out. I am holding off on getting a regular facial until I am done with the meds, which I hope is soon. I absolutely know what you mean - my acne was not truly severe (like you see in Proactiv commercials) but it was bad enough that, as you say, I was beginning to feel very self-conscious and even a little down about it. I would rather have dealt with it (and outgrown it!) as a teen than be dealing it with it now as an adult. Fingers are crossed that I am one of the lucky 'tane users who squashes this for good!
Sara,
I think you could be onto something about the animal hormones. My sister and I both encountered this while in our early 30s, but our mom never had problems like this nor does it run in the family.
~Cathy
want2Bfitnessinstructor
Cathlete
I have had skin issues for about 15 years. I am almost 30!
I have done Accutane 2 different times (hard core!!!) and I will not do it again.
I drink tons of water and this really does the job!
I find that stress brings out my acne. Exercise saves this.
Good luck!!!!
"Life is too short - Be the best you can be every single day of your life!"
I have done Accutane 2 different times (hard core!!!) and I will not do it again.
I drink tons of water and this really does the job!
I find that stress brings out my acne. Exercise saves this.
Good luck!!!!
"Life is too short - Be the best you can be every single day of your life!"