35 replies to this topic

[JR86]

Are you male or female? male
What is your age? 20
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? around 19
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? no, everything i've tried has helped but never clerd me completely, except accutane. i currently have no acne.
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? male
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? no

[klvoe]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 22
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Had your average teenage acne (some times worse than others), persistant mild acne began at 21
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? B5 + duac + Retin A. Not sure if it was the combo, or just one, or two... right now I'm on Retin A Micro and nothing else
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? None yet. I haven't found birth contorl to help or hurt my skin
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes, greatly. I am often cancelling on my friends, I try to avoid having to go into superior's offices at work so they don't have to see my skin, and I prefer to spend my weekends hiding. I don't enjoy my favorite foods anymore, I put myself on a strict diet and drink endless amounts of water. I am constantly afraid to let my boyfriend touch my face, or my pillow to be dirty, or my hair even come close to my face.

[dreamer_22]

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 22
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Adult. Started when I was about 19.
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? I used ProActiv for about 6 months with success, but then my acne returned with a vengeance
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? No kids (not yet anyway!) Also, regarding birth control, i've been on it for 6 months and it has only mildly improved my acne
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes! I'm constantly worrying about my makeup and having to put it on and whether it looks good or is fading off etc. I don't do a lot of things because of it - like going to the beach, camping, traveling etc.

[JBHK]

First off - Wanna say its nice to hear a few older voices here! Read another thread where noone seemed over the age of about 22 and was thinking it was about time to leave ... Anyway

Are you male or female? Female
What is your age? 34
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Teenager, but pretty mild then
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Minocycline, Dianette (Diane 35 for the Americans amongst you)
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? No children
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? At the time I had acne, I didn't think it affected me that much. But when my skin cleared up I because a much more outgoing and confident person. So now I realise that it affected me alot.

[sadinsocal]

Are you male or female? female
What is your age? 22
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? since I was 11.
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? accutane- very temporary, came back both times.
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? yes-- I don't want to go out, date, see my friends, get a job, etc

[acne_battle]

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?

Im an almost 23 year old female. My acne started when I was 13. I guess birthcontrol pills helped cure my acne but of course when Im off it it has returned. No I dont have kids because I am not even dating. It definitely does affect my relationships, job, and socializing but what affects that more is my learning difference

[answerme]

Are you male or female? F
What is your age? 22
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? Y, Accutane and a lot more others
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? Y, affects my confidence

[Sunnygirl]

Are you male or female? Female.
What is your age? 31
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Teenager. 13-14 years old and severe!
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Accutane and minocyclin worked, but the acne always came back. Birth control pills and topicals were usless.
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? No kids...currently single
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes! I have terrible self confidence. I will not go out if my skin is really bad. When I do go out, I'm really self conscious about it and that ends up ruining my night. I don't date because of it. It's like my life is constantly on hold because of acne.

[40hereIcome]

Are you male or female? Female.
What is your age? 39
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? about 16 - 27 and now back at age 39!
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Accutane worked, was acne free for 12 years until last year
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? Skin was fine whilst pregnant.
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Yes! After having clear skin for 12 years after a course of accutane, I realise how self concious I was before having clear skin. Now my mild acne is back some of the insecurities are coming back.

[souvenir]

Are you male or female? Male

What is your age? 26

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Teenager - I started getting spots when I was about 15.

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Yeah - I was on Accutane when I was about 22 and it cleared me up for about 2. Then my acne came back, not as worse as it was when I was 16 or 17 though.

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? It affects me in everyday life. If my skin is bad, I would hardly talk to anyone in work and I always feel anxious because I feel as though people are looking at my skin and they're thinking how bad it is. With regards to relationships - it's had a massive effect on me with in that area. I don't date girls because, if my skin is bad and I've made plans to go out on a date with them, I'd cancel it. I've lost numerous girlfriends in the past because of this and there's no point in dating someone to treat them this way. Socialising is the same - if my skin's bad I don't go out socialising at all. Last year I only went out socialising 3 times and I haven't been out at all this year. Most Saturday nights involve me sitting in the house on the computer and playing guitar.

[tempra]

Are you male or female? Female

What is your age? 46

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Age 10

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Nothing has cured my acne. I have phases where it clears for a while, though never completely. When I was young it started with blackheads, whiteheads and occasional zits, then progressed to periodic cysts which I still get from time to time. Humid summers wreak havoc. I went to a derm maybe 20 years ago and he prescribed topical antibiotic (erythromycin) and worked pretty well. But Rx ran out and started trying more OTC stuff. I've tried so many things. In HS I used Ivory soap and 5% BP which worked fairly well at the time (I can NOT use Ivory now!). Used 10% BP for years and oxywash and this only controlled the breakouts, I was never acne-free. Then tried Nature's Cure which also worked pretty well - I would recommend it for younger persons. But at my age, I was tired of taking the pills and think they affect my rollercoastering hormones. I have been using the regimen since January 1, 2007 and it seems to be working really well. I'm very pleased so far!

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? 2 children, ages 16 (girl) and 19 (boy). When I first got pregnant, I was hoping the hormonal changes would help clear my skin. Alas, both times, it was worse, skin oiler. My kids now have acne as well and I am now the nagging mom trying to get them to use the regimen!

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? For the most part, I try not to let acne affect my life. It doesn't keep me home or less confident at this point in life, although when I was younger I was much more self-conscious than I am now. I have found that most people may look at your zits, but they don't think any less of you as a person (if they do, who cares?). But I do tend to avoid situations where I can't where makeup as I do feel self-conscious especially during breakouts (I don't leave the house without it on). Concealer is my best friend!

Can anyone in a similar situation can recommend what works for them? There's something wrong with having zits AND wrinkles!!

[gknowsit]

Are you male or female? Female

What is your age?
26

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult?
I guess it started at puberty (12), though I didn't get my . until two years later.

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return?
My acne has always been mild to moderate. Pretty easily covered up with meticulous makeup.
At 16, I went on Ortho Tri Cyclen, half the month my skin would be amazingly clear, the other half it would be breaking out or clearing up.
I tried antibiotics and prescription drugs off and on for years (even presently) to no avail. I would never use spiro or accutane because of the fear of an accidental pregnancy (I'm not into abstinence and BC/Condoms aren't 100%.)
When I was 19 I started using Proactiv. It worked for almost two years though it never fully cleared my skin, it just looked better and broke out less often. It stopped working for no apparent reason.
Right before I turned 25, I found this site because I was spending so much money trying to clear my skin with Murad and weekly facials that I got desparate. Murad SUX for me.
Now as long as I use Persagel everyday (usually twice), I rarely break out anymore, but the acne is still there underneath. I've been turned down for scar revision surgery twice because of it.

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)?
N/A (I guess I could have went on spiro/accutane after all:p )

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc?
Oh definitely. NOw that I don't really have acne anymore, the scars still make me very self conscious. I feel uncomfortable without wearing concealer, and well, I feel ugly sometimes (not always) without some kind of makeup. I'm rarely about to just jump in the car and go somewhere, I feel obligated to fix up my hair and at least throw on some blush and lipstick.
I hate being around ppl in direct sunlight. I feel it really puts a spotlight on my scars that I hardly notice anymore in a darker light.

[bookyone]

In response to the questions:

Are you male or female? Female

What is your age? 38 soon to be 39

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? Started around age 11-12

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? It's never really gone away, have tried every OTC in the book along with most antibiotics. Am currently on spironolactone, 100 mgs daily which has helped a great deal except for that time of the month when I get super oily and break out, (I need to find a fix for this)...

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? No SO or kids, single spinster lady here. Am very glad I never had kids, I'd hate to pass my cursed skin on to them.

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? Absolutely. I don't date or socialize at all d/t my horrible skin and scars from years of severe acne - as I am one of those very white, white skinned people every single spot, bump, lump and imperfection shows up on my face like a spotlight, (I wish I had darker skin as I don't think my scars and spots would be as noticeable, but, unfortunately, I have the fair freckled skin of a redhead without the pretty red hair, mine is mousy brown, sigh)... I would LOVE to go out and socialize and maybe even meet a nice guy to date, but I can't imagine any man in his right mind wanting to be seen in a public place in broad daylight with anyone with skin as hideous as mine. Thank goodness I work nights - darkness and super heavy concealer makeup are my best friends.

[Siouxsie]

Are you male or female? female
What is your age? 23
Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? teenager, age 13
Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? no, topicals keep it at bay, but never "cured"
If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? female w/no kids, n/a
Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? It affects how I feel about myself when I am broken out. I feel less confident socially. I avoid socializing when I am badly broken out.

[gimnasta]

Are you male or female? Female

What is your age? 24

Did your acne start when you were a teenager or adult? At 14

Have you used anything that has worked to cure your acne only for it to return? Benzaclin

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? I thank God every day that I don't have any crotchfruit of my own.

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? In the past it did, but I am less self centered now. It was awful, I would cry and isolate and ask people if I looked ok constantly if I did go out. Retouch my makeup constantly, I didn't date for two years because of my self esteem. I don't think that the world revolves around my skin and what people think of it anymore. People don't look that closely at each others skin. (I really used to worry so much that you would have thought I was a celebrity or a model) Nobody pays that much attention to other people, they are too busy thinking about themselves

[b&r]

Are you male or female? female

What is your age? 27

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? the closest i've come was doxycycline, which didn't eliminate it but came damn close. It made me sick, so stopped it a few months ago, and the acne is back.

If you are female have you had kids and if so how did it relate to your skin (better or worse)? no kids.

Do you think your acne affects your relationships, job, socializing, etc? oh, yes. it's funny because mine is relatively mild, but it's the major factor in my utter disbelief that anyone could find me attractive.