Skin Problems & Treatments Community

I am a 19 year old male and I have gone through acne stages that ruined me emotionally.

Some things I would advise to try are: 1. minocyclin (min-o-cy-klin) just to make sure you get pronunciation of it correct. Anyway, it kills bacteria which cause acne, I believe. I have been on it for years and i love it.

2. Aczone: its a new topical gel, and I used it and it has been the best topical for my skin. I am in love with it. Depending on skin type, AcZone can cause dryness or redness.

3. I use Dove Soap, unscented. Very healthy for the skin, I feel it helps clean out my pores.

4. I wash my face twice a day, sometimes to much is bad, but I wash with cold water. I rub cold water around my neck, helps refreshen skin and feels great.

I hope this helped* I wish you the best of luck and hope your skin turns out the way you want it*

I heard about some drugs like Skinoren, Curiosin, or Zineryt. They seem to be very popular in Eastern Europe and are used in the treatment of mild and moderate acne.

I think everyone has given very helpful advice. Try some of those things. If that isn't working try running a microscope through your life and see if you can isolate any changes you made leading up to the acne getting worse. You may have started or stopped using a certain product. Maybe you moved and the minerals in the shower water are now irritating your skin. You used to workout outside now you work out inside. Etc. Little things like that can affect your complexion. I think one of the biggest tools against acne that has not yet been mentioned is diet. There are several articles that tell you what food you should avoid. I would definitely try following those guidelines, it may be tough, but you should see a big improvement.

Some foms of birth control can increase/cause acne. I had taken Necon at one time and remember that being the case. It may be worth having your doctor do some routine bloodwork next time you're in for a renewal of the prescription - have your doctor check your hormone levels, progesterone in particular as this can be a big culprit.

I'm 26 yr old female. I also have been suffering with Acne my whole life till recently. I have found that ISOLAZ treatments have helped. It is a laser procedure that helps control acne at the source by providing a unique combination of vacuum and painless broadband light that helps clear existing acne while helping prevent future breakouts. Also at a very reasonable cost too. I received my treatment at Radiant Skin Care Center in Woodbury, NJ. Here is there website address if you are interested in finding out more - www.radiantskincarecenter.com. Hope this helped! Have a great day.

I am 50 and have the same problem. My advice would be to try one product line and stick with it. Don't use Aveeno and Neutrogena, etc all together. The products, and their chemical bases, are designed to work together, not on their own. My personal favorite is the Acne Stress Control, but you will have to find the one that works for you.

I am also a 24 year old female that just finally was able to clear up her adult acne. I started experiencing severe acne when I was in college and trust me that did not make for a great college experience. I tried antibiotics when it first appeared and some topical prescriptions. It worked, but the acne came back within months. I did not want to go back on antibiotics so I tried using all natural products and then all the regimens I could afford. I went back to the dermatologist last year and I reluctantly went back on antibiotics and used more prescription topical medications. It worked and after a year the acne cleared up and has stayed gone (except for the one or two pimples I get during that time of the month). the doctor prescribed benzaclin (for the day) and Differin (at night). I heard that this combination works for most people. The doctor explained the acne is an infection which is why antibiotics is necessary. I only took the antibiotics for about two months. After my follow up visits the doctor said I can now control it with the topical medications.

My suggestion is to go to your dermatologist. I went to two different ones before I found my current one. Make sure that you give your medication or regimen time to work. Severe acne will not go away in weeks...it takes months...but if you don't see improvement in several weeks ask your dermatologist to modify your prescription. Goodluck...I know this is a rough road I have been there!

This is a common problem that needs to be addressed by a Specialist- need to see cause before treatment for results- see what areas are breaking out- around the mouth,cheeks, etc- each area represents what is causing the real problem, example hormones or digestive- or a hair conditioner could be the cause- how often do you wash your pillow cases? is your hair long? bowel movements? dairy intake??? look for a certified Medical Esthetic Specialist(tm) - they have the training to give you the help you desire- regards Doc M

I'm 28 and had the same problem for a year and a half. I tried all sorts of over the counter products and was under the care of a dermatologist for over a year. We tried antibiotics, face washes, topical gels and microderm abrasion for acne. I was devastated I had always had great skin. In high school I'd never had a problem so I didn't understand how I could start having major problems overnight. Nothing really made that big of a difference until my dermatologist asked what kind of makeup I was wearing. I too was using Bare Escentuals brand makeup. According to my doctor the makeup was my problem. My doctor has a skin care line and makeup line and had done major research on his competition. Turns out that some mineral powder makeups just sit on the skin and ever sink in and it makes an eclusion on the skin. (It traps bad things and impurities under the skin that are trying to get out and bacteria grows and multiplies like crazy cause acne and cysts.) I immediately switched makeup and in about 4 weeks I was acne free. I haven't had any blemishes in over 6 months. I went back to wearing Makeup Forever liquid foundation and haven't looked back. Try it and give it a while I hope it works. You can read through the reviews at sephora about pure minerals I found lots of people who were having the same problem.

What type of doctor did you see for treatment of your acne? If you went to your family physician, you need to see a dermatologist. If you went to a dermatologist, find a different one immediately. I have struggled with acne my whole life. I am a 46 y.o. female. One of the most reassuring things I ever heard was, its not my fault. Did you know acne is a very complicated disease? Doctors still don't have the "cure" for it. They have methods to help control it but no cure. Add to that the embarrassment it causes those afflicted with it. People don't want to talk about it so it is brushed under the rug. One good thing about Pro Activ is it has helped make more awareness for acne treatments and maybe it has brought about slightly less stigmatism attached to acne (I have tried Pro Activ but thought is was too expensive, I don't use a toner, and I did not care for the smell plus more cost effective products are out there very similar like Acne Free - which is too harsh for me right now but I have used it in the past). I don't care what anyone says, the dermatologist can recommend prescription strength products they think are specifically suited for you. The problem with self treating with OTC acne products is that there are so many out there, which one is right for you? Save your money up, and if you have a health insurance that will pay or partial pay for a derm office visit, make that dermatologist appointment. If you don't like who you see, go to a different derm until you find one that "clicks" with you. My dermatologist was very aggressive in his approach to treating acne. This worked well for me. I was motivated and wanted great skin so I would do anything my doctor told me to do. Be your own advocate. If you don't have health insurance, sometimes doctors will give you a break on fees or let you pay by installments so you can receive the treatment you need. I am pro Accutane. I have severe oily skin and Accutane helped me a great deal with oil production. I have been on repeated courses of Accutane treatment. I have also used a laser treatment that helped called Aramis Laser, expensive and results didn't last long but it was helpful. Try sulfacmectide for oily skin (prescription only). I also use Retin A Microgel regularly. I hope this helped you a bit. Good luck. Never give up. Take care of yourself. Follow what your doctor prescribes meticulously.

HI ABC1002 I am 37 years old, I first had acne around the age of 11. by the time I graduated from 8th grade (age 13), it dissapeared. I had a few pimples here and there but nothing major. I broke and dislocated my ankle in "98" (age 25) and had to have surgery and the vicodin that was prescribe for pain broke me out terribly. after being away from work for 3 months I was embarrassed to return with all those blemishes, cyst/boils, and sores. so I went to get a make over for foundation which I had never worn. I finally felt most comfortable with clinique cosmetics. even after I fully recovered from the surgery it's like I never stopped breaking out. it would clear, then get worse and clear and so on. I tried all types of over the counter products (proactive, Dr. earls clinique's acne regimens, neutrogena, clean & clear etc..). i finally decided to see a dermatologist who put me on antibiotics (minocycline & now amoxicilin) & also a few gels that made things worst. I've been on antibiotics for over a year. I got tired of taking pills so i stopped my meds around may 09 sometime and started making my own home potions by doing a process of elimination. I evaluated my skin and tried to pay very close attention to what worked (evaluate every week). my last visit to the doctor in november, He said my skin was doing good , about 70% better and that he wanted to switch my meds to amoxicilin. well.., call me hard headed, because i never told the doc i stopped the meds. I currently have NO breakouts. 1st i used clinque's take off your makeup foaming facial cleanser to clean my face, 2nd I found that hot water (hot as you can stand) mixed w/white distilled regular vinegar which killed the bacteria (I noticed a difference in about a day or two). Hot water opens the pores and dries your skin so be real careful & find a moisterizer that works for you. 3rd I closed my pores by NOT using a cold towel but by putting a Ice cube directly on my face and neck all over. 4th I used witchazel and last a moisterizer. There's a lot of other things you can do that will help like diet, exercise, rest and drinking lots of water. but I know I dont do as I should all the time, but this potion of mine helped me out a lot. hope this works for you , Sorry this msg was so long and good luck to you! p.s., the vinegar will work for your other blog as well.

I began getting cystic acne when I was in college. My dermatologist put me on a combination of minocycline and spiranolactone, plus Differin gel. It worked. I haven't had cystic breakouts for years, and with the exception of a few minor cyclical breakouts, my skin is clear. After about a year of the antibiotic, I was able to go off of it and just use the topical and the spiranolactone. This method has also worked for my niece, as she started getting similar breakouts in her early 20s. It might be worth talking to a dermatologist or your doctor about it.

What you are putting on your face certainly does not help. I prefer a more natural approach to treating skin disorders and these over the counter over advertised products only make false promises. I also do not prefer most of what the Doctor recommends. I like organic, and natural.

I will recommend Dead Sea Mineral Products for your face. It is a natural, healthy approach to treating your skin without drying your skin out. Sulper (not sulfates) is a mild, natural disinfectant, mineral muds and acne soaps enriched with Dead Sea Minerals will replensih your skin.

My niece uses Dead Sea Minerals for her face, and it has helped tremendously, she said that her face feels better.

Brands: ahava, masada, premire, lacure but she uses Paloma-Jericho.

I hope this helps.

Jen

I actually had the exact opposite. I had to start using mineral makeup from www.naturalmakeup.net.au to get rid of my acne which was being caused by non natural makeup. Bizarre