4 replies to this topic

[bookyone]

Hi all,

I am in a bit of a dilemma and am hoping someone else who has had a similar experience may be able to offer some insight. I am a 38, soon to be 39 y/o female. I have had severe hormonal acne for years, (since my 20s). 2 years ago, my derm put me on spironolactone 100 mg daily and slowly but surely the hormonal cystic acne is clearing, (unfortunately I still have a lot of icepicks and boxcar scars from years of useless antibiotic treatments that didn't work).

Anyhow, my question is: when I get a pimple these days (not cysts like in the past, just regular pimples), I'm not sure how to treat it. In the past, I used BP, salicylic acid and sulfur OTC spot treatments, all of which aggravated my very sensitive freckled skin (I also have rosacea) to the point where it would peel and burn the underlying skin, thereby causing damage and probably a lot of my old scars. Treating the burned area with Neosporin after this (to try and moisturize/heal the area where the pimple was) only causes the pores to become reclogged and the pimple reappears. Under the circumstances, I have tried doing nothing at all, spot treatment wise, (as I don't wish further scarring), but I've found that if I do nothing, the pimple will take weeks to disappear and may well scar anyhow, (I'm not sure I understand why this is, as I never pop my pimples, but unfortunately I have the kind of sensitive skin that scars very easily).

So, does anyone else have really super sensitive skin and, if so, how do you spot treat your pimples, what products do you use? BP aggravates my skin and so does salicylic acid and sulfur. I tried emu oil a while ago, but it made me break out worse, (or so it seemed at the time - moisturizers really aggravate my skin and I don't really need them as my face is an oil slick as it is, even on spiro). Any and all suggestions would be most gratefully appreciated.

Thanks and best wishes from bookyone

[ziegert]

I have super sensitive skin and have gotten to the point where I just use my Zeno on zits, no topicals whatsoever. If you catch it fast enough, it will get rid of the pimple before it completely forms.

For one that has already emerged that I didn't catch, I use the zeno and put sulphur on it in between treatments. I've never had any issues with sulphur like I did with BP and other harsh cleaners/treatments.

[bookyone]

Hi ziegert,

Thanks for the info.. Unfortunately, I bought a Zeno a while ago and used it for about 6 months, but it didn't do anything for me. Maybe I need to try some of the adult acne OTC topicals, if I can find anything without BP, salicylic acid or sulfur in it. A friend mentioned Retin A, as she uses it as an exfoliant and she has perfect skin, but she has much darker skin than I do and anyways I'm afraid it might be a problem with my rosacea. I'm not sure which is worse, having acne or having rosacea...

Thanks and best wishes from bookyone

[hunterntylersmom]

maybe try something with alpha hydroxy in it? start with a low concentration, alpha hydrox is really good and inexpensive. or maybe tea tree oil? Burt's bees makes a herbal blemish stick as does desert essense. hope this helps some, good luck.

[bookyone]

Hi hunterntylersmom,

Thanks for the tip. I have used the Burt's Bees lip balm for dry cracked lips and I find it works well. I didn't know they made an herbal blemish stick, I think I will check it out.

Thanks and best wishes from bookyone