305 replies to this topic

[Noolan]

Tried this for a while and sadly had little effect on my acne.

[temp123]

What's a 'while'? How long did you try it for?

The rule of thumb with any acne treatment is that if you gave up within 6 weeks, then you're very probably giving up too soon. After 6 weeks on any good treatment you can 'usually' expect your acne to be halved. The problem is that the normal random variation can be almost that big, so even that can be hard to see. Week 12 is usually a good time, by then it can be more like 90% improvement. But one poor sod I saw pictures of didn't improve on one treatment till week 14- and then he cleared. (gack)

[PLONKER]

My skin couldn't tolerate tea tree oil, so I stopped using it as I was starting to break out.

I just use ibuprofen gel with my favourite oil free moisturiser from Boots Botanics, if my skin is looking a little dry.

Perhaps it was the tea tree oil Noolan?

[temp123]

Bummer. I don't think the ibuprofen on its own has such a big effect, you may find your acne will get worse over several weeks. You could try some other kind of antibacterial. Chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub, or freederm wash has it also) isn't too bad but is known to allow resistant bacteria to live sometimes; but push comes to shove you could use TTO to wipe them out occasionally or something.

So um... has anyone except me managed to make the combo of dilute TTO and ibuprofen work consistently?

[kc1T5]

My skin couldn't tolerate tea tree oil, so I stopped using it as I was starting to break out.

I just use ibuprofen gel with my favourite oil free moisturiser from Boots Botanics, if my skin is looking a little dry.

Perhaps it was the tea tree oil Noolan?

You have you take into consideration that TTO when in the form of pure essential oil and used undiluted is kinda detrimental to your skin, and there are generally warnings on the TTO packaging discouraging use without diluting first.

I've currently been trying this method (substituting the ibuprofen for a product containing aloe vera) and have been very pleasantly surprised with the results... only week 4 so it can't be confirmed but it is looking amazingly hopeful in my opinion :]]

[*DQ*]

WOW WOW WOW.

This is the best thing ever!

It really does work, ive been using it for about 3 months now and honestly...what a difference.

I've always suffered from acne but not as bad as the last year and a half. constent bumpy sore bits!!! one would almost go and another would appear....complete nightmare!!!

I can go out drinking and my face doesnt explode the next week (change also from coke to lemonade!) and I can enjoy a take away every now and then without panicking about repercussions. I have been drinkin lots and lots of water too.

But I just know myself that it is this marvellous concoction of ibuprofen and tea tree that has really made the difference.

I used to get nodulocystic acne which is both nodules and cysts (and everything else!) which would completely ruin my face and confidence. Now my face is clear!!! really. and also what you said about the general tone and appearance of my skin looks better. pores look smaller etc etc, could actually go on and on about this for an age.

Ill tell you what i use exactly, first i put on t-zones spot zapping stick (it has heaps and heaps of natural goodies in it including tea tree) and then put some ibuleve 10% (ibuprofen gel) straight after. I do this at least twice a day. the t-zone stuff is about £3 and i have to buy one every few weeks but its so worth it, i wouldnt be without it now.

Dare i say it, but i look in the mirror now and my skin looks plain!!! lol *sigh of relief*

[ntrino]

Has anyone actually checked in with their GP / dermatologist on this?

I'm very cautious about taking advice from forums when it involves using active ingredients on the face, and Ibuprofen is quite strong stuff, so I'm not willing to try it without checking first.

I will check with my GP, and I am almost certain he will not recommend it (there is a list of topical medications your GP can prescribe on the NHS clinical library, your doctor will likely not deviate from this).

If any of you guys are going to the doctor anyway, you should ask about using this gel on the face in short or long term basis. I don't really trust the advice of the chemist on this one either.

Not trying to kill the buzz, I'm just very cautious and concerned for you guys! Be sure to let me know what they say if you ask before I do.

ntrino

[temp123]

I did check with the pharmacist, it's his job to know what you can and can't do with chemicals, and he said it was OK provided I kept it away from my nose, mouth and eyes. I'm not doing anything you're specifically told not to do on the packaging.

When all is said and done, it's only ibuprofen, it's not a very scary chemical. I would suggest to you that it's likely to be safer than topical antibiotics for example.

[TitchyB]

I did check with the pharmacist, it's his job to know what you can and can't do with chemicals, and he said it was OK provided I kept it away from my nose, mouth and eyes. I'm not doing anything you're specifically told not to do on the packaging.

When all is said and done, it's only ibuprofen, it's not a very scary chemical. I would suggest to you that it's likely to be safer than topical antibiotics for example.

I already checked with the doc on this one, she said its fine for use anywhere external but might be a better idea to just use it on the spots instead of all over. Im not sure if its because I have extremely easily upset skin or if it would apply to all though....
I bought some today and Ill just use it on my painful actives as the healing ones are getting a good ole' olive oiling atm
Im allergic to TTO but I have zineryt as a topical anyways. Will let you know how I go

[temp123]

As long as you don't exceed the recommended total amount you can use it wherever you want.

In general, acne treatments mostly prevent spots; you should use them where you get spots, even if you don't have any active spots there when you use them.

[temp123]

I don't know how well zineryt will work with ibuprofen; it might be quite good, as erithromycin has its own anti-inflammatory effect as well.

(I did a quick google and there's no known drug interaction problem with the two either.)

[TitchyB]

As long as you don't exceed the recommended total amount you can use it wherever you want.

In general, acne treatments mostly prevent spots; you should use them where you get spots, even if you don't have any active spots there when you use them.

OH THE RELIEF!!!
I have three realllllyyyyyyy painful actives, zapped them with the Ibuprofen and its BLISS! no throbbing at all! Even if it doesnt take them away for me... Im a happy bunny right now

[TitchyB]

Sorry... feeling pretty dense right now, replied to the wrong post and now I look like a lunatic :')

And thanks for the google check

[temp123]

Sounds great!

I think that inflammation may be the root cause of acne, so doing this isn't just hiding the symptoms either. I find that spots that I haven't got to with ibuprofen tend to grow bigger; whereas with ibuprofen they tend to shrink.

[TitchyB]

Ok... quickie update

Ive been using the ibuprofen for three days, three times a day just on the Three Amigos and OMFG this stuff works well. They are already half the size they were and these kinda things normally take WEEKS to calm down.
Im not using zineryt anymore (useless, smelly, burny crap) just the ibuprofen because Im allergic to TTO. The pain is gone, the swelling is virtually non-existant and I have to admit, Im really quite shocked at the result!
See for yourselves... no bullshit, this was:
Yesterday morning
This morning

I can see a difference

[temp123]

Looks good.

I must admit, the number of people that say they're allergic to TTO is really very high to me; as I understand it, only a few percent of people are, but just about everyone here claims to be(!)

When you say you allergic to TTO, what product did you try, and what happened?

[TitchyB]

Looks good.

I must admit, the number of people that say they're allergic to TTO is really very high to me; as I understand it, only a few percent of people are, but just about everyone here claims to be(!)

When you say you allergic to TTO, what product did you try, and what happened?

I had the pure essential oil diluted in a carrier from an aromatherapist. It was instant itching, swelling and redness followed by watery eyes, sneezing and itchy as crazy nose. Also, I went to visit a friend of mine after, who had it in an oil burner, damn near killed me as soon as I walked in the house!!!
So yeah... I steer clear of it, unfortunate really, Ive read it can do wonders

[temp123]

LOL. OK now that's an intolerance. Fair enough, if it actually causes swelling then you need to stay clear.

It's not that wonderful, but for most people they get much less reaction from it than benzoyl peroxide, and it kills a lot of different bugs; and it's invisible and doesn't bleach.

[TitchyB]

LOL. OK now that's an intolerance. Fair enough, if it actually causes swelling then you need to stay clear.

It's not that wonderful, but for most people they get much less reaction from it than benzoyl peroxide, and it kills a lot of different bugs; and it's invisible and doesn't bleach.

HAHA I do all my allergies with such class, you should see what aerosol propellants can do

Im really liking this ibuprofen though, it really does feel and look like its working

[ben100604]

Just checked your before and after pics, Titch, and it looks like there was definite improvement.

I have hardly any acne at the minute - just a few red marks, but I did find something on my cheek this morning which felt a little painful. I decided to take some oral ibuprofren and that took the pain and redness away of the spot. I topped up with some oral ibuprofren in the afternoon to keep it down. However, I'm not a fan of popping pills excessively, so I'm going to try and treat the spot with some ibuprofen gel. I'll let you know how I get on.