just for curiosity sake, let's see where everyone is.
I'm 36.

I saw a thread in the Research forum recently about naproxen sodium (Aleve) ... said it was supposed to be very effective against premenstrual acne. link here

I tried it out this month, and it worked very well for me. I took two Aleve tablets each day, one with breakfast and one right after dinner -- and I only got two tiny, tiny pimples the whole week.

Normally during PMS week I would get a number of these little ones popping up on my nose and chin each day.

I stopped taking a regular dose of the Aleve as soon my period started, although I have taken one at night a couple of times since. From what I understand, you really have to be careful not to take too much ... it can cause stomach bleeding and other unpleasant side effects.

Has anyone else tried this?

Hello I am new here, just signed up because everyone on Yahoo answeres just laughed at me and were really immature.

Ok this may sound a bit odd, or normal I am not sure. I am 26 and ever since puberty I have had "white heads" on the shaft of my penis, some are quite deep and I cannot extract them but others are not as deep and can be extracted but they always come back in the same spot no matter what I do. I wash regularly so it is not a hygiene issue.

I also get bad acne (mostly black heads) all over my nose and chin, I have ever since puberty and no matter what I try on my face it seems to stick around too! Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide and so on. It always comes back!

also what causes some people to get acne more than others?

I drink water every day too

Thanks! sorry it is a bit of a personal question but I really need to know how to remove this embarrassing issue.

Also I have never had sexual intercourse or any type of sexual play with another in my life so it cannot likely be STD.

I feel like I have just broken out of prison to find the sky blue and the birds singing. My face is finally clear, six months before I turn 40. I have had acne since 1982, and it just got worse as I got older. In the last two years, it had really become horrible. I had cystic acne on my cheeks and nose, with some of the individual blemishes lasting for six months each. I also had hair follicles below the surface of my skin that would become encased with cysts, particularly when I ate fast food. I am very sympathetic to all the posts of people who understand how depressing it is go have to go to work, let alone any social event, with a bad complexion. I have felt that way for decades.

I have learned through experience that doctors have no idea what they are talking about, so I never bothered with a dermatologist. What I have tried includes the following: a low vegetable oil diet, antibiotics, AcnEase, Acnezine, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, the 3-day apple diet, lots of other pills and of course all the soaps and creams you can think of. I also got my own prescription online for Differin gel, and have been using that every night for the past 6 months. To be fair, the AcnEase, Acnezine, and Differin were somewhat effective at reducing my acne, and the other stuff helped too, but up until last week I could never make it go away 100%.

8 days ago, in my usual desperate attempt to search the internet for a solution to my acne, I read that NIACIN "may be helpful at reducing acne." Continuing on my desperate and endless quest to find a natural solution, I strolled down to the store and bought a bottle of niacin. I took the first dose at 3 pm that day. In the middle of that same night I woke up and I could tell that my skin felt different, like it was somehow much less sensitive than usual. It felt like normal skin. I have been taking niacin all week, and you are simply not going to believe the results. I am telling you the 'acne' was gone in less than 24 hours, and the following 7 days was just a matter of the existing blemishes I had healing faster than I have ever seen before. To make sure it wasn't a fluke, I have been eating fast food most of the week with no outbreaks. Now I love going to work and even have enough ambition to go to the gym. It has been a miracle! And it was all in a niacin bottle that you can get at Wal-Mart on the vitamin isle for $5. Tell that to your dermatologist! (but it will cost you $300 to do it) How much? Get the largest amount available and take the dosage recommended on the bottle. I did it with 400mg/day.

I really do not care if anyone believes me. This is my one and only post to this site. Maybe niacin only works for some kinds of acne. I don't know. I am still taking all the ingredients of Acnezine just in case. I nearly start to cry when I see others with a bad complexion because I know how awful they feel. Sometimes I just wanted my life to be over. That is what has driven me to post this, so that someone else might stumble upon it and finally get the results that I did after trying for so many years. Take Care.

Hi guys.

I've had severe blackheads for as long as I can remember and could never get rid of them and have tried alot of things. probably due to my severe oily skin which is as oily as humanly possible. I also started getting moderate to severe acne which is why I went on accutane for 9months last year. However my acne did come back eventually but was only averaging one pimple a fortnight which isnt too bad. Oily skin came back and the blackheads were still around.

I experiment alot throughout years by reading this site amongst other things and have learnt some things that helped alot, have kept me clear:

- I use only cetaphil cleanser in the morning and a Body Shop seaweed exfoiliater (great for blackheads) at night followed by lemon juice - the lemon juice is the key, its fantastic and has kept me clear - I also moisturise with cetaphil with a little bit of water - my advice is to keep things simple, use less products as you can and keep them natural - I used to use all sorts of stuff and they just made me breakout more

- Keep sex/masturbation to a minimum, I reduce this to once every a few days and it actually stopped me from breaking out! it sounds silly but it worked for me no joke - must be something to do with zinc in semen

- Take your Zinc - doesn't have to be much

- Do not touch your face - Do not sleep on your face - Change your pillow sheets frequently

I know this sounds obvious and has been mentioned alot but I vouch for everything said above, they may sound trivial because I have been looking for miracle solution just like everyone else but those things have helped me unexpectly and I was cursed with some very bad skin.

As a nearly 40-year-old father, despair and frustration are REALLY setting in. My acne would be considered mild on this board, but to me it's much worse, and it's a source of stress that is preventing me from 100% enjoying the gifts I've been given in life (including a wonderful wife and three great kids).

Two months ago I stopped taking minocycline (took it on and off for 6 years). I also began a 28-day yeast-free diet (along with yeast-killing Nystatin and pro-biotics) to kill off candida which had accumulated in my body during my years of antibiotics. I have not had dairy in over 2 months. The only bread I've had is organic whole wheat (Rudi's), and I don't eat much of it. I've had VERY little processed sugar of any kind for 2 months. For the past 2 months I've probably eaten more fruits and vegetables than I did in the entire prior two years combined. I use natural soap (Cleopatra's Choice) once a day. I use SA occasionally. I jog 4-5 days a week which also helps me get 20-30 minutes of sun each day.

Things seemed to be improving. Last Wednesday I actually felt confident that I had gotten over the hump. I could see very few under-the-skin bumps and my skin felt smoother/cleaner. And then boom. Over the weekend I was bombarded with a bunch of new "friends". This latest breakout has opened the door for confusion, doubt, and despair.

The pimples are now all the same. While few in number (3 or 4 at a time), they are deeper and bigger than they used to be before I began taking minocyline in 2002. They rarely come to a head. They are also painful. They always appear in the same general area. It's as if the years of antibiotics gave birth to a new super-breed of acne.

I am to the point where I no longer think diet plays a significant role (for me at least).

I am to the point where I feel like I have absolutely no control over the cause.

I am to the point where I feel like my local dermatologists have no clue (all they want to do is prescribe antiobiotics).

I am to the point where I feel like the only thing I can do is pray to God that I'm going to outgrow this soon.

I've read a lot about hormonal acne (androgens, etc), but it always seems to pertain to women. Can men also have hormonal acne at this age? If so, what can be done?

I feel like I am a statistical anomoly. I don't see a single other man in my neighborhood with acne. There are a few women with mild acne and of course teenagers with normal teenage acne, but no men. I am the one.

If there are any other men my age with this problem, I would really like to hear your story.

Thanks...

Hey guys,

I just went to this laser specialist dermatologist for sebaceous hyperplasia and they were so amazing. The staff is extremely friendly and the doctor is a straight shooter. He told me what is the best way of getting rid of my problem. The offer free consultations so its worth a shot!

His name is Dr. Karlov: *Moderator edit, URL removed - read the board rules. *


This is the treatment I received: *Moderator edit, URL removed - read the board rules. *


My sebaceous hyperplasia is 85% gone after 1 day and will be 100% gone bye the third day. The treatment was $300 but well worth it.

my skin always looks like HELL after a drinking binge (and my urine is dark yellow/orange). it never occured to me that dehydration would be a factor; i just assumed it was toxins leaving my skin. anyway, 2 days ago i was bored, and i wondered if there was a correlation between the dark urine (more specifically, dehydration) and acne. so i did a yahoo search "dehydration acne".

http://www.joseibi.com/store/view_article.asp?idArticle=55

in short, this article says that dehydration is the cause of *adult* acne. it said that's why adults keep getting acne, even though they use meds/topicals. hey, sounds just like me!
that was me paraphrasing. but if you're interested, read the full thing!

says it also affects the overall redness, that makes you look irritated. makes sense. dry skin...exposure to the elements...fast skin cell turnover...

How long should one wait to take lymecycline again after completing a course of roaccutane? Thanks

I've been seeing a derm for my acne. I have dry, sensitive skin. He put me on Doryx and Finacea. He told me that it was OK for me to use oil based moisturizers and foundations b/c that wouldn't affect the type of acne I have. He also said NOT to use Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide or Sulfur products b/c my skin is too sensitive for that.

The Doryx has been working but I had to stop taking it b/c we are trying to have a baby. The Finacea on it's own it's working. My face is broken out and I tried using some Salicylic Acid and I'm so flaky now that my makeup looks horrid.

What else can I try? Any advice for me at all?

I've been getting pimples behind the lower part of my ear and along the neck and jaw line since late October 2008 (I've always had acne but usually not there). It never goes away completely, there's always more. Sometimes it's just some whiteheads, sometimes it becomes a large red spot (behind my ear lobe, not on the ear itself) that is hard, like almost the size of a dime.

It's like, you could draw a line that goes from behind my earlobe down along my jaw line where it connects to the neck. It happens on both sides, it's very consistent.

It sucks, it looks like I don't wash but I do (two showers a day, wash my face with products for it, etc.). So why does this persist? I thought it might be my razor blade since the pimples are where it's difficult to shave, but it doesn't explain why I would have them higher behind my ears and such.

I have quite oily skin, and it seems more oily around that area so that could be it, but I never wear big headphones or sleep on that part of my head or put any pressure there (I actually have the habit of sleeping with the top part of my head on the pillow, and that part where I have these pimples isn't in contact with anything).

Not sure what to do. It sucks cause other than that my acne has gotten less severe. Still there but it's worst at the neck now.

Hiya,

I just came upon the acnebalm site and wondered if anyone's tried the glycobalm for adult acne? Didn't read everything (it's kinda comprehensive and I don't have the time right now) but it even has a link to a scientific paper from the Uni of Madrid (again, not read it yet) which makes it seem more credible at 1st glance!

The product is expensive and the only reason I came upon this is cos I was doing a search for snail gel, this is the principal ingredient in Glycobalm. Well, here in the UK, I can buy snail gel for £10 (dunno wot that is in $s) a jar so I may as well try it. It seems to be good for all sorts, not just acne and scarring. It contains collagen and glycolic acid, amongst other stuff.

Has anyone tried snail gel? This seems way more cost effective than getting a product where it's just one of many ingredients.

It appears I am fast becoming a product junkie! Gonna have to reign it in, me thinks!! LOL.

To make a long story short, I finally started accutane about two weeks ago and my skin is clear. It's amazing because I've had stubborn moderate acne all over my face for 6 years and I was always pretty sure that it wasn't hormonal. Anyway I'm stopping accutane because although I'm happy with the results it has given so far, I'm scared like crap over the side effects it can produce. I knew what some of the side effects were, but I had no idea that side effects could present themselves months after stopping accutane. I also didn't know that side effects could be long term or permanent. I love my thick hair too much to even risk anything happening to it. Anyway I don't know where I go from here. I have a dermatologist appt coming up. I will inform her that I've stopped the drug. Life is full of compromises. Accutane is a miracle at clearing skin, but it's also a gamble with other health problems. I'm not sure how many people have bad side effects with Accutane and how many people don't have bad side effects with Accutane. If anyone has anyone knowledge on this, I'd like to know. Also does birth control work on acne that isn't hormonal?

Seriously, I don't know what to do.

I've been dealing with acne since around 12 years old and I'm 27 now. I've tried the Oxy, Clearasil, and Stridex stuff all through High School. Now I'm using the Proactiv 3 step kit, which I've been using for about 2.5 - 3 years. At first it worked, but as time passed it didn't seem to work anymore. Now I'm on the verge of finding something else because I stopped using the other Proactiv products outside of the Repairing Lotion.

Outside of the constant acne, my face has a red (from the BP used over the years along with sun exposure and non-usage of moisturizer or SPF-15) and very oily look to it. I've started to use Witch Hazel to do something about the overly oily complexion (cause I heard that it helps rid the excess oils), but I don't know if its working or just making things worse.

I've started using my Proactiv BP like it was suggested in Dan's Regime. I don't think I've ever used a moisturizer till just these last few days when I got my Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer, so I have no freaking idea what that will do to my skin.

I'm thinking about trying Dan's Regime, but I have a question:

Will I have to deal with dry and flaky skin from Dan's BP or would the years I've been using the Proactiv BP make it so that my skin had adapted to BP being put on it, and I won't have to put up with the effects like a first timer would?

Here's two factors I can't change about me at the moment: I'm outside in the sun most of the day and I don't have enough time in the morning to apply a regime outside of a quick washing of the face from the previous night's regime usage.

Please, just give me some advice here, or recommend something that a 27 year old man can do to clear away some of the acne (cause I've come to terms with having smaller, trace amounts of acne), and get rid of the redness and oily complexion which I have. Please give me ideas fora new regime containing cleaners, moisturizers (regular ones for indoors and ones with SPF-15 for my job outdoors), and BP.

I think I need a change and I need some help, cause I'm just lost as to what to do now.

I am a 32 year old single female.

I've suffered from acne pretty much all my life. Whiteheads and blackheads when I was a teen and then around 29, started suffering from deep cystic adult acne. They would occur on my neck, scalp & face and it would take forever to go away and i would get terrible purple scars.
I was scared to try Accutane b/c my sister tried it and she suffered from some really severe depression.

So instead, I tried oral antibiotics- Minocycline paired up with YAZ birth control pills.
The combo has worked unbelievably well.
I haven't had a major blemish in 6 months, out of the 7 months I've been taking. Amazing.
I even started taking Minocycline (100mg) only every other day around the 3rd month (in an attempt to be kind to my gut flora). It still worked beautifully. I don't know which is working better - the minocycline or the YAZ.
The problem is...now I'm so scared to stop taking it! I know it's no long term solution.

I know that I may have a better long term shot with Accutane but I am so scared.
In particular, I've heard that it will make you break out worse before you get better...now that I've been spoiled with no blemishes, I don't want to breakout again...and to start finding deep zits where I never ever had them before? Is this true?

Also, I already have all sorts of bladder issues, I can't imagine having more problems with the drying out of the kidneys and guzzling more water. And the increased risk of blood clots? There is already an increase with the pill! Does that mean double the risk? My doctor said we could try a low dose of accutane, but I just don't know. I feel like all I'm doing is delaying the inevitable Accutane.

Has anybody out there done the transition from oral antibiotics to accutane? Please help.
It's my first time on this site, any advice would be appreciated.

I've just been watching the Wimbledon tennis tournament in the UK. A guy called Stanilaus Wawrinka (approx seeded 15 in the world) was playing Andy Murray. He has got what I had (I still have it, but it seems to have improved by changing my diet - reducing carbohydrates).

If anyone has seen him, or I guess you can google him or see him on youtube, what has he got? Acne on his nose or rosacea? And what would you recommend for him?

I am a 37 year old male that has just been diagnosed with SH.

I have just recieved electrocautery for my existing lesions and these are currently healing. I have also been presribed Retin A to help reduce new lesions.

Can anyone please help

1) Does electrocautery work and removed the lesions?
2) Does Retin-A actually work and reduce the number of new lesions?
3) How long does a patient usually suffer from SH?

Thanks so much

I'm a 34 year old male with persistent acne that started when I was 19. At its worst, some months the acne was shallow and surface-level, some months it was painful and cystic. I've spent thousands of dollars, consulted with every derm in 4 different states and tried everything from Accutane to Mino to Doxy to Retin-A.

In 2003, at my lowest point emotionally and acne-wise, I visited a new doctor. He recommended Bactrim. The results were immediate. It cleared my skin completely from 2003-2008. The results almost made me cry with happiness.

But last year, the acne slowly came back. Then suddenly quicker with a vengeance. This spring, I broke out every single day, mostly painful red cysts and exploding whiteheads. It threw my personal life in shambles. I had flashbacks to those very very bad days of 1996-2003.

In April 2009, after much internet research I stumbled on Dr. Perricone's "Clear Skin Prescription" book. Every day I began eating lots of Alaskan salmon, unsalted almonds, blueberries, cantaloupe and romaine lettuce. I also took Vitamin A, B-Complex and Zinc supplements. I saw tiny improvement after 3 weeks, but not much. I also felt fairly weak from lack of calories, but I did like the idea of a very healthy diet, regardless.

About 8 weeks ago, I did some research on candida. I asked my Dad, a respected MD, what he thought: "Total BS". Admittedly, some websites seem to attribute candida overgrowth to nearly every malady, and I'm hugely skeptical of non-Western herbal treatments as they've always had zero effect. Thus, the placebo effect has never been an issue or tricked my problems into improving.

But I took the plunge and did a two-week candida cleanse (Pau D'Arco, Oregano Oil, Black Walnut and Caprylic Acid). My skin cleared up in mid-May, and continues to improve. My rosacea has also decreased. I continue playing soccer 3 times a week, sweating a lot and experiencing testosterone spikes, yet the acne has really leveled off. I continue eating "non-inflammatory" foods with probiotic drinks (kefir + blueberry).

So....it's only been a couple months, but I'm happy. I'm not sure whether the change in diet or the candida treatment did the trick, or maybe a combination of both. I'm the last person I know who I thought would respond to a more 'holistic' regimen like this. I've always put my eggs in the antibiotics/topicals basket, but that's clearly a temporary treatment. Maybe this is too. But I wanted to report in to you guys and let you know that the change recently has been dramatic and positive, and hopefully the regimen will help you too, if you choose to try it.

Thanks for letting me ramble :D Let me know if you have questions.

Hi, guys.

I'm getting married in 10 days. Is there anything that I can do to prevent my skin from getting worse?

Do you think that if I stop eating sugar and fat it will help?

tks for your help.

Aline.

What make-up does anyone suggest for good coverage but does not break out the skin?

Has anyone been on spironlactone? How did it work?

Hello! I popped a whitehead under my nose yesterday, and only a tiny bit of pus came out, and then it started bleeding. I put an ice cube up to it for a couple of minutes and slept with nothing on it. Today, it's a lot more swollen, red, and painful. Every time I talk, it just throbs. I woke up and tried to extract some more pus, but nothing came out. I'm using the ice cube again right now, but it's not helping. Can someone please tell me how to get rid of this popped, and probably now infected, pimple or what's left of it?

I was supposed to go out w/ someone tonight but I developed a HUUUGE cyst on my nose. I took a very high dose of e-mycin and sulfur lotion and topical steroid and NSAID gel... to no avail. So I called her and made up some dumb excuse why I was not able to go out. I think the cyst is from the accutane IB.

Even after 15+ years, I'm still in acne prison. What excuse do you guys use when you have to suddenly cancel a social event due to acne? let's hear your creative ones

Hey everyone!

Just started a 50mg zinc picolinate supplement regime over a week ago. I had relatively clear skin pre-zinc, but w/n the past few days, I have had huge lesions around the hormonal (jawline) area. Has anyone had an initial break out with zinc?

Hello, this is my first post. I have read a lot of stories on the boards here of many that suffer terribly by the effects of their skin issues. I wanted to just share with you what is working great for me. I hope it helps you.

A little background. I am a 31 year old male that had I would say moderate acne in my teen years to college. I now tend to have an occasional breakout and get oily skin at times. I did though do tons of research on ways to improve my skin. I never wanted to use prescribed drugs and have always looked for natural ways to remedy my skin. This is what I have been following and it has worked wonders for my skin.

The first thing I have to say is that diet definitely has played a role in improving my skin. Our bodies, work a lot harder to break down and fight certain ingredients in foods.

If you take these items out of your diet you will see an improvement in your skin.

#1 Vegatable Oil - this is in so many foods like (chips, cookies, cakes, etc.) Look at the ingredients when you buy foods and stay away from anything with vegatable oil, or hydrogenated vegetable oil etc. Your liver works harder to break this down and it causes havoc like a poison.

#Fried Food- no need for explaination. Also remove skin from meat.

#3 Dairy- I will drink 1% milk with cereal, but without question CHEESE is the number 2 thing to cut. This is not necessary and more of a luxury. Cheese is another GI issue that causes problematic skin. I've noticed that FETA cheese with Greek Salads are ok. Avoid american cheese.

#3 Processed Foods- TV dinners, hot dogs, hamburger meat (in excess), chicken nuggets.

#4 Alcohol - it's hard but limit consumption


Side note- found that Green Tea caused my skin to get oily.


What you should eat.

Fruits, Chicken, TURKEY! Substitute for hamburger but get ground turkey breast, Veggies, RAW Nuts (walnuts, brazilian nuts, sunflower seeds) , Yogurt.



Drink

WATER, Juices 100% pure, Odwalla drinks, heard good things about Peppermint tea.


Cleaning Theory

This is where everyone focuses, and I seriously think this is where the problem lies. SOAP, Scrubbing, lotions, ointments, cleaning pads, gels, etc.

The fact is I think soaps and such help cause the problems. I had a theory once, that the soap companies were working together to cause this money making epidemic of ACNE.

I've tried a lot of things but without question have found that less is more.

My Regimen

This has by far done wonders for the tone, quality, and complection of my skin. I've noticed dramatic improvements and believe that this could be so helpful to many of you that have oily skin.

First- Throw out your soap. It's too harsh strips needed oils from our face.

Buy some wash cloths. I wash my face once in the morning and once at night. I use a hot wash cloth without soap, I only use the water and I pat my face with it, no scrubbing! Just keep laying the cloth on your face for about a minute or so. I then splash my face with cold water. This would be for a normal day.

If you are around smoke or get soiled, I have found two things that are good. Johnson Head to Toe Baby wash. It's unscented and not soap. Be very gentle with cleaning and use it as you are dabbing your face, not scrubbing. Don't let it stay on too long or you will dry out your skin.

Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub is also great. I use this maybe once a week to exfoliate, but be very gentle and remove quickly.

After you have washed your skin, preferably the wash cloth, the next step is the most important. ALOE. Get yourself a some 100 % Aloe Vera. I have Fruit of the Earth. It's very cheap and is the do all miracle ingredient. It acts as a moisterizer, healer, and toner in one!

After cleansing, shower or sink, lather your face with the aloe. I usually use two squirts, one for each side, but I don't think you can use to much, it's great stuff! Any excess I use and wipe the backs of my arms or dry areas of my back.

I put the aloe on in the morning after washing with my shower and at night, washing up before bed.

If I do have an imperfection that is a developing or there, I will use the BP that Dave sells on this site. That is the only thing I use on here, and I usually put the BP on first then some Aloe.

If you get home an your face is feeling a little oily, just go to the sink and splash some cool water on your face. It will dry right up. No need for harsh asstringents.

Also, when i'm in the shower I use a cotton exfoliating glove you can get at the dollar store or anywhere and use a normal body wash, or J&J body wash. This takes away the dead skin on your body and makes it smooth, which prevents body breakouts.

Other uses for the Aloe!

I use the aloe not only as my daily moisturizer, but I use it for my styling gel! My old hair products had chemicals that would sometimes break my forehead out or dry out my hair. Aloe is great!

Shaving... I use a Mach 3 to shave and I have to shave every day b/c of my sales profession.
I was using Aveeno Ultra Calming Shave Gel, but just recently started using the Aloe gel. I wet my face real well with warm water and liberally put on the aloe. I found it to be a great shave, and i'm taking out the soap.

Finishing thoughts

I think soap is the enemy. I believe that diet plays a big role in the quality of ones skin. I also believe that Aloe Vera is a miracle remedy and has so many useful qualities.

I am 31 years old, but I look like i'm 25 with youthful clear skin.

I hope this helps some of you, and let me know if any of you try my regimin and have any success.

Good luck and God bless to all.

Do not be discouraged by the length of this post. I've come to realize that we seem to know more about acne and hormones than the doc's, so someone PLEASE drop some knowledge on my issue. Since 2001 I have experienced acne and discoloration that has increasingly become worse with each year, product, esthetician, and doctor. Since the end of last year my skin has become very, very oily. As of last month I started breaking out with really huge, under the skin pimples on my chin. My forehead hasn't been continously for 2 years now, and since last summer I aslo have huge, painful under the skin pimples along the sides of my cheeks (near my cheek bones).

Last month my PCP determined that I have hyperthyroidism. He has yet to start me on any kind of treatment b/c he would like for me to undergo another blood test to see some sort of a trend. I am currently using tretinoin cream nightly and clindamycin gel (seems to contribute to my oilness, so i don't use it often). There is no part of my face that is immune to acne. The only clear spot are my lips and eyelids, and I hope that I'm not speaking to soon.

Based on what I've learned about hyperthyroidism acne may or may not be related. Could someone please enlighten me on this matter. Nothing works on my skin, so I'm convinced that there is something internally wrong with me that is causing my skin to become worse and worse with every dollar that I spend, every tear that shed, and so on. If anyone has experienced this or knows something about this please help me.

if it matters i'll be 26 next month.

I suffered from acne all over my face and body for 15 years. Antibiotics made my legs and teeth turn purple. Topical creams and lotions made my skin turn red and peel and I couldn't take accutane because I have kidney problems. And I'm glad I didn't because everyone I know who has taken it, has acne again now and has prematurely aging skin or some other long term complication. If you combine a very healthy diet full of lots of fruits and veggies with supplements like Fish Oils, Vitamin D, Iron and natural topical remedies like sea salt, you will be much better off. Your skin does not want to be attacked by all those harsh creams and lotions and pills. Try Clarisea salts. They're the best. -Anita

I got the Mirena IUD about two months ago and since then my skin has been terrible. I had acne in the past and took accutane for it and was fine for years until now. I would like to take accutane again but I am afraid that it will make my IUD less effective. Does anyone have any ideas for me to try? I have already used over the counter meds and creams, Differin Gel doesn't even begin to help these zits, and now I just don't know what to do. I have an appointment with my derm. on the 15th but I don't know if I can wait that long. I am 26 I should be finished with acne.

I had mild acne through my teenage years and until about 19 or 20 and then it slowed down when I was on Orth tri cyclen. After I had my son, I was 22 and had the Mirena put in because it seemed like a good bc. I really did not want to be pregnant again. Now 2.5 years later I just had the mirena removed. I tried everything before and again with the Mirena to clear my face. Minocycline, differin, proactiv, murad, thomas roth, retina, peels, micros, vitamins, only drink water, no cheese, acids, sulfurs you name it!!! Now a month later i'm on yaz... my face is still broken out like crazy a horrible mix of cyst white heads black heads and small red ones.... I'm going to give it some more time to relax but I would never tell anyone to use MIRENA. This is miserable. My skin is getting more and more scared by the day and will take almost a year of micros to help it after I do get it cleared up!!! I will always research everything now before I try it!!!!