35 replies to this topic

[Lainey321]

I am curious about a few things...

Are you male or female?
What is your age?
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult?
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return?
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)?
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc?

[Lainey321]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 36
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? extremely light case of acne through puberty then much worse after 28 y/o
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Yes. I used Glytone system after I had my first daughter and it made my face nearly completely clear. Tried it again after acne returned and it didnt' do anything.
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? I think mine started when I went off BC pills to get pregnant and then the subsequent hormone fluctuations of pg made it even worse but don't have that excuse now (my youngest is 4 y/o)
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes, somewhat (that and my weight...I need to lose 20-30#)

[betti320]

I am curious about a few things...

Are you male or female?
What is your age?
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult?
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return?
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)?
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc?

I started with acne when I was 13, I'm female
My parents kept telling me I'd grow out of it but by the time I was 18 i was ticked off and went to the derm.
because these things weren't going away no matter what otc products i tried. The derm was wonderful, he gave
me oral meds and a topical gel and put me under a light everytime I went to see him and my acne vanished. Problem was
I was stupid and stopped going to him and of course the acne returned. I then went to another derm when i was 20 and he put me oral meds and gave me cleocin T and benzyamycin which helped clear me up within two weeks and my skin look beautiful. At 24 I moved to PA and and had to switch derm. then I got pregnant and couldn't take any meds at all and my face erupted. The worst breakout was when they induced me my face blew out and I had a couple of cysts, I tore up the picture that my mother in law took of me with my new baby because I looked like something from a horror movie. With my second baby I made sure to pack my oral medications for the hospital stay, i was having a c-section so as soon as they took my baby out and returned me to my room I started popping my pills so my face wouldn't go haywire again.
I'm 36 now and breakout during PMS, my new derm which I travel an hour to because living in PA we only have one derm in town who is horrible. Anyway my new derm took me off my meds and last week I got a cyst, why? cause of PMS! She immediately gave me a shot and put me back on meds and I told her to never again take me off them, I will gladly take them for the rest of my life to help control my acne!

I've spent so many years with my head down, too embarrassed to show my face, I skipped interviews and parties because of huge zits on my face, they make me feel dirty I wouldn't wish them on anyone.

[shorton]

Are you male or female? female

What is your age? 44

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? teenager

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Pregnancy. LOL! That's the ONLY time my skin has ever been clear - just while I'm pregnant. I have noticed that the amount of sleep I am getting plays a huge role in how clear my skin is. If I am working on a project that is keeping me up at nights, I will break out. I think it has something to do with the body being able to heal itself while at rest.

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? Yes, 2 kids and it's about the same. Of course it's better now than it was when I was in high school/ college, but I have had breakouts consistently since I hit puberty. Now that I'm perimenopausal, it seems to be improving. At least it is getting less oily and thinning a bit. I am also having really good success with MD Formulations adult acne system, BP, exfoliating, and aspirin masques. I am clear of active acne at the moment - just trying to maintain it. I wouldn't say I'm "cured" though ... still prone to the monthly cyst or two and still have some congested pores that refuse to clear out. I found this board in January because I had a really bad cystic breakout and was trying to figure out what was happening. I think it could have been the new MMU I was using or perhaps just dry, irritated skin that became infected.

My oldest son has already had to go through Accutane treatments, but we caught it early enough that he has no scarring. His skin is flawless and his pores are tiny now. Thank goodness for Accutane.

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Nope. I have a wonderful DH who also suffered from acne. He went on Accutane about 23 years ago when it was brand new and we were newlyweds. The side effects were HORRIBLE back then because the dose was so high, but it totally cleared him up and he's never had a problem since. They have really improved the Accutane regimen since then. I am in front of people with my job, but I just don't let the acne affect my performance. Concealer and full-coverage makeup are my best friends.

I have tried almost everything short of Accutane for my skin. My dermatologist finally gave up because the traditional treatments weren't working and I didn't want to stay on birth control or do Accutane. I am so blessed in other areas of my life, I just can't let myself get down about the state of my face on any given day. I am going to stay on my current regimen and hope for the best since it seems to be working.
I so wish they could find a cure for acne.

Wow, didn't mean to write a novel here.........

[GuitarPicker]

Are you male or female? Male

What is your age?38

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? hmmm teenager but has gotten worse last few years

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? no, pretty much the same

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc?

Yeah, way too much really. I am a professional musician and have to be in the public eye very often. Being on stage isn't bad, you are far enough away from the audience that they can't see you up close, unless it's a big show and they have the vid camera's and big screen's out. That's scary, zoom in for a great closeup of your face and you have a great big zit on the end of your nose. funny now, not at the time.

I've missed parties, avoided friends and family because of a break out. I never have really severe breakouts, one or two at a time pretty much constantly but a lot of the time they end up right on the end of my nose, right where it's nice and conspicuous. It's ruined my self esteem. Now I have scars and that isn't helping my self image either.

[Foomph]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 30 (just)
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Teenager
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Yup-retin-a, The pill, and accutane
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? Don't have kids. If I wanted kids, I would be petrified to get off the pill
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? YES. I'm good with makeup and my b/f is FANTASTIC but it just is so humiliating. I too, have missed social outings because of acne.

[Monni]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 25
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Adult
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Several cleansers and toners
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes. I never want to go out or see anyone when I have a breakout.

[Dirge]

Are you male or female? Female.
What is your age? 22
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Late teenager, early adult: I was seventeen, almost eighteen.
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? See, there's the cincher. "Cure" implies it goes away and never comes back. I tried Minocycline in the past, and it was awesome, and once again I have horrible acne. I'm on Mino again, hoping that it works.
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? No kids at this time.
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Absolutely. I hate going out. I don't go out unless I have a face full of make-up to hide my face. If it's a "casual" event, I won't go, because I feel silly wearing just jeans and a t-shirt with a ton of make-up on. I hate life. I barely ever socialize anymore.

Whew. Sorry for the abuse of the bolds and italics there. xP

[sheena greena]

Are you male or female? female
What is your age? 23
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? I've had it since I was 11-12 (basically when I started puberty)
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Specific birth control pills that I have used and are no longer on. I am going to switch back to it after I'm done with the one I'm on now. It was never perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than it is now
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? n/a
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? doesn't affect my relationship, but it bothers me when I am out in public, especially when I have a HUGE zit on my nose.

[kenzumuyo]

Are you male or female? Male
What is your age? 30
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? teenager
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Yes. Clindamycin
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? NA
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes, absolutely. It effects every part of my life.

[angelsmomma]

Are you male or female? im female


What is your age? 27

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? had a few spots during teenage yrs but it became a problem when i was 21..


Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? no

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? with my first pregnancy my skin was not too bad ( i was 17)

second pregnancy skin was terrible ( age 24)

third pregnancy skin was terrible again ( age 26)


Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc?
oh yeah, i have no confidance anymore and feel like im too ugly to be around people, im ashamed to look at people and feel like a freak!!
acne is so destructive and im not the same person i was 7 yrs ago...

[cleanandfree]

Steve, 36 have had acne for two years. Came on unexpectedly. Im not the same person i use to be either

[amandakay_6]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 21 (I'm calling myself an adult)
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? I had some skin problems when I was around 13, but I cleared up during most of my teen years. My acne got really bad around 18, and has been a pain since then.
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Not really, nothing seems to work for me totally. Changing my diet cleared me up more than anything else though, but I still have problems.
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? Nope, no kids.
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes, I was just thinking about locking myself away for the day and not seeing anyone. I will go out, but I really have to force myself.

[elfgirl]

In essence I think that we are not at all the same people we once were and acne and skin problmes just make it worse. I work with kids and I do mean kids that have the most gorgeous skin. Then there are the ones that come in at lunch and most of them have beautiful skin. Women my age(in there 40's) have great skin and I deal with this all the time. There is one lady at church in her late 50's she has the most gorgeous skin, barley a wrinkle and I bet she never had acne. I deal with laugh lines that are dry, red, blotchy, things bother my skin now that never used to and now I deal with a puffy eye, just one, that has dry skin under it that no matter what I do just looks bad, and the lines that are under it, I just hate it! I think that you are either born with good skin and great genes or you get problems like all of us have. Just my opinion as I constantly look at peoples skin and think, they must think I look like the bride of frankenstein! I am a female, I am 47, can't wait to see what I look like at 50. I also avoid social things too and I get embarassed when I meet my daughters boyfriend or any of her friends. It makes me wonder what he thinks about my daughter and if she will look like that when she is my age.

[phillygirl]

Are you male or female? female
What is your age? 32
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? adult (22)
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? antibiotics works but acne keeps coming back at inervals
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? one kid..no acne during or after pregnancy. Clear almosta year after child birth.
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? not drastically, but it definitely lowers your confidence. Its always in back of your mind that people are looking at your acne.

[ScoobyDoo]

Are you male or female?
*female*

What is your age?
*39*

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult?
*Occassional pimple as a teen, regular breakouts began around age 20*

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return?
*Constantly on acne meds for 20 years. Nothing made it go away...except for now, I just finished a course of accutane*

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)?
*major flare, after the birth of my second child. That was temporary though...once the hormones settled down, the acne wasn't as bad*

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc?
*It has. There were days that I passed on social obligations because of the condition of my skin. Impacted how I dressed (back acne)*

[A-Shizzle]

Are you male or female? female
What is your age? 30
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? mild as a teen and cystic when I turned 28
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? it hasn't returned yet!
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? While pregant my skin was amazing. Having kids didn't affect it at all. The baby was 1 1/2 when my face broke out. For me it's hormonal.
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? yes, it affected my relationship with my husband and socializing. I felt so ugly I never wanted to go anywhere or do anything. I hid in the house.

[Lorrie]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 38
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? 13
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Proactive and Birth Control. Because of my age and the fact that I smoke, using Birth Control to control the acne is not an option now.
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? Acne got worse during pregnancy and never got better
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Most definitely

My acne is supposedly hereditary. My father had horrible acne that didnt clear up until he was well into his 40's and it left horrible scars and pits all over his face and neck. I read some where that it is hereditary. Of course I couldnt get my mother's beautiful skin. She is 58 and looks 45. Her sister is 66 and looks 50. Acne has never been an issue for either of them with the exception of the occassional small zit on their chin during their menstrual cycle. I tell you its just not fair. Thank God acne is not an issue for either of my sons.

Lorrie

[~ Dee]

Are you male or female? female
What is your age? 33
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? teen
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? antibiotics, accutane
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? n/a
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Bigtime. I'm currently stressing the sweat factor of impending warm weather at my job. Humidity and my skin do not get along. Plus, I cover my acne, redmarks, & scars up with makeup.
I miss appointments, socializing, & much outdoor fun while trying to save myself from more damage so that I can go to work more comfortably...Forever trying to give my skin makeup free healing time.
*sigh* Rather pathetic, I'm afraid.