14 replies to this topic

[~ Dee]

Hi folks.
My name is Dee. I'm 33. Over the course of the last 18 years, I have tried soooooo many things. Like many in here, I'm sure, I've been a guinea pig.
I even had a plastic surgeon try to cut around some of my icepick scars, & float them..Resulting in larger scars. I then had two very strong TCA chemical peels applied by the same people..It took over a month each time to heal.
I've had three courses of accutane over the years. Mostly, I no longer get cysts, just occasionally.
Retin A, every antibiotic out there, even bactrim..I responed well to sulfacet r, but they wouldn't prescribe it to me anymore. I'm sick to death of dermatologists, & have become virtually a recluse over the years due to these problems.
I do not have time for this. It's held me back almost my whole life.
I pick, though I'm trying to stop.
I recently signed on for alternating dermabrasion & foto facial laser therapy to combat accumulated damage...Then I moved and got a new job, & broke out soo badly that I haven't gone in for treatment in over three months.

My skin is not quite as bad as it used to be. Mostly limited to nose and chin. I'm very pale, & extremely oily. Have humongous pores..

I just ordered a blue/red acnelight lamp, & a lumiport...So that I can spot treat, & start the larger process.

Can anyone share insight on this? After reading my particular story, do you think it may help?
Care to share your experiences in this thread? I would be very grateful for it.

I know I'm new (first post), & there are already threads on these lights. I haven't received them yet. I've been lurking, & reading for awhile.
Perhaps some can help me figure out a new regimen that works while using makeup daily at work.

Thanks so very much!

[A-Shizzle]

Hi Dee and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you've been having a very difficult time over the years. I hope this new light therapy works for you.
I've only had to heal with hormonal chin/jawline/near mouth acne and by coming here I found products that worked woonders for me. I use to get huge cysts on my chin during ovulation/period and they lasted weeks and weeks. Now I no longer get cysts but occasional clogged pores that turn into pimples and whiteheads.

I'll write down what works for me in case you're interested. I don;t like the idea of harsh topicals and chemicals so I did it by taking oils/tea and otc medications. I'm around often if you need someone to talk to.

morning:
wash with alpha hydrox hydrating face wash ///apply alpha hydrox 12% AHA souffle all over face
(take an Aleve tablet if I'm going to ovulate or get my period within a week)
during the day:
drink at least 12 cups of tea. Green tea/Yogi hormone balance tea/honeybush tea
evening:
wash with biore pore unclogging scrub (it's very gentle)
pat face dry, apply paula's choice 2% BHA all over face
drink 1/2 tsp liquid evening primrose oil /// drink 1/2 borage oil ///drink 1 tsp hemp seed oil (all of these oils can be found at whole foods)
drink 1/4 tsp pure fish oil ///(take an Aleve tablet if I'm going to ovulate or get my period within a week)

*I just got Green Cream and Mandalic acid, I'll write an update soon.

[~ Dee]

Wow! That was fast!
Thanks for sharing that with me Ami!

I've been wondering about that green cream, & the mandalic acid too. Will really look forward to that update!
Might be too strong for me. I'm afraid my skin is way sensitive..That's one of the reasons I've strayed away from topicals over the years. Honestly, I've found neosporin cream, & cetaphil lotion to be my best bets for moisturizing and healing.

I've got to get ready for work, but I'll be back on tonight. Thanks again!

[A-Shizzle]

oops, i forgot to actually update on the mandalic and green cream!

okay, mandalic acid i totally love. it has really zapped some of the clogged pores/blackheads i have. I have very dry and very sensitive skin so i only use this 3 times a week. i bought the green cream in level 6 which was WAY too strong for me to start off with. I have ordered a level 3 and i'm sure it will be fine.

another product i love also is the paula's choice 2% BHA.

read this link - tons of useful information.

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=130593

and this one also:

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=83306

[~ Dee]

Those were very helpful!

Though I'm broke for awhile due to buying the lights, I will probably try those products.

I need to ask the people doing the alternating microdermabrasion & foto facial if this newer form of retin A is safe for laser treatment the next time I go.

I will probably try the mandelic acid or the BHA sooner. As some folks (plus you) are saying they really help clear up blackheads which are definetly an issue as well.

I'm really hoping these lights help! ..I'm kinda afraid to hope...pathetic, I know.

[A-Shizzle]

I get microderm monthly and really like it however, if you are like me with sensitve/dry skin it is very important that you do not use green cream for at least a week before getting microderm. I used it and then had micro 2 days later and ended up with scabs on my cheeks!

If there's anything else I can do to try to help you then just let me know.

[~ Dee]

Thanks, you've been very kind!

[~ Dee]

Well, today I ordered some jojoba oil, some kukui nut oil, calendula, & neem oil..I've been reading in here, & doing research too.

Kukui Nut:
Aleurites moluccana

Contains: Very high in linoleic acid, oleic acid

Uses: extremely good penetration to all skin levels, soothes irritation, sunburn, lesions, burns. Protects tissue from drying.

Cosmetic chemists report that Kukui oil has an excellent skin feel. They say the Kukui oil seems to be readily absorbed into the skin (it does not leave a greasy film). It seems to make chapped or rough dry skin feel smooth, silky, and soft.

Kukui Nut Oil seems to prevent scarring when applied to abrasions.

Kukui oil is a good protective oil, protecting from sunburn and windburn. In Hawaii newborne infants were traditionally anointed with kukui nut oil to protect their skin from sun and salt.

Neem: http://www.organix.net/organix/neem.htm

Calendula: http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbCalendulaMed.htm

I'm going to try the jojoba by itself first, then later, experiment with adding small amounts of the other ingredients known for their care of skin, & anti bacterial qualities.

I think I'm going try soaking my face in the morning with sea salt, & warm water, & then applying organic aloe vera gel under makeup before work. Then at night using the jojoba oil.

Anyone ever try Fuller's Earth clay masks? I'm getting that, & bentonite clay.

[A-Shizzle]

good luck with that..my skin doesnt really like jojoba..but it is excellent at taking off eye makeup!

[emperornext]

Have you tried holistic methods to help with your acne? I'm an adult as well so I need to look professional at work. The holistic section has alot of methods that seem far out, but I gave it a shot and things are getting better. I suggest spending some time reading that forum with an open mind and asking questions and formulating a plan to help fight your acne.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

[~ Dee]

good luck with that..my skin doesnt really like jojoba..but it is excellent at taking off eye makeup!

Meh..If I don't like it I'll just use it on my legs!

I noticed one of the major ingredients in Cetaphil lotion is macadamia nut oil, may have to give that a shot too. I found organic aloe vera gel..So, hopefully it won't sting like a couple of well known brands have in the past.

[~ Dee]

Have you tried holistic methods to help with your acne? I'm an adult as well so I need to look professional at work. The holistic section has alot of methods that seem far out, but I gave it a shot and things are getting better. I suggest spending some time reading that forum with an open mind and asking questions and formulating a plan to help fight your acne.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

Hey thanks, may give that a shot.
It seems the more ingredients and chemicals there are in a product the more they break me out. Although, changing my diet has not helped any.
I'm starting to try simple products with organic ingredients.

[~ Dee]

Well, when everything gets here I'm going to make this my new regimen for awhile, & see how it goes. crosses fingers*

Regimen:

Morning:
Soak face in warm water with sea salt
Use Lumiport/Acnelamp
Tone with organic ACV/water mixture
Organic Aloe Vera gel as moisturizer

Night:
Wash with mild cleanser
Use Lumiport/Acnelamp
Apply 10% Mandelic acid (from Garden of Wisdom)- wait 30 minutes
Moisurize with organic Jojoba/Kukui oils before bed

[emperornext]

Have you tried holistic methods to help with your acne? I'm an adult as well so I need to look professional at work. The holistic section has alot of methods that seem far out, but I gave it a shot and things are getting better. I suggest spending some time reading that forum with an open mind and asking questions and formulating a plan to help fight your acne.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

Hey thanks, may give that a shot.
It seems the more ingredients and chemicals there are in a product the more they break me out. Although, changing my diet has not helped any.
I'm starting to try simple products with organic ingredients.

Please forgive me if I am preaching, but dietary changes take months to show any affect. I changed my diet drastically and not only did my acne get better, but I lost weight (fat) without really trying too. I do the same workouts I have all my life, but since I changed my diet I lost body fat and my muscles show more and people compliment people, especially people that I haven't seen in a while.

There are lots of theories about which diets work best to combat acne, so I suggest spending alot of time researching and trying things out. But if you go with this method, remember to let it take time to show results.

[~ Dee]

Thank you. I am attempting to stay away from wheat, bread, & pasta right now. See if that helps. But, I honestly have altered my diet for months at a time before to no avail. I do eat pretty healthy, & I include things like berries just to take advantage of the anti-inflammatory affect.
I have been reading through the holistic fora from time to time.
The (acnelamp, & lumiport) lights already seem to be helping, but I'll need to use them longer to be sure.