3 replies to this topic

[Rip8]

Hello all,

This is my very first post because my acne has finally made me go insane and join a forum for some help. So I have had acne since I was about 14, and I am now almost 26. Over the past 10 years I've been in and out of doctors offices, and been on many over the counter treatments. these include:

Retin-A
Epiduo
Antibiotics
Proactiv
Acne Free
Clean and Clear system
Benzaclin

There are others as well, but the story is always the same. When I start a new regime, my skin responds great and I clear up within a few weeks. It stays clear or with the occasional pimple here and there. But then after about 2-6 months my skin will just flare up again, and I will not change my regime. It just like builds up an immunity or something.

The other thing is, I only get acne around my mouth, which is not very flattering, below the corners of my mouth and on my upper lip are particularly bad right now. Skin on my cheeks and forehead and nose are completely clear.

My diet consists of pretty much everything, not excessive in sugar. I don't drink coffee and I only drink fat free milk, which i've tried to cut down on recently. I workout almost everyday, but shower afterwards.

As far as cleanliness goes, I wash my face every night before bed with cetaphil bar soap, and I put on a 10% benzoyl peroxide cream from walgreens as well. (this is one of the things that worked beautifully, but now does not work very well anymore)

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to try or how to change my lifestyle in order to obtain clear skin? I just want the answer to this so bad, and I feel like i'm close. any advice helps. Thank you~!!!

Brian

[cvd]

Yes --- I think you may have perioral acne. It is a very specific kind of acne that occurs mainly around the mouth. I found that avoiding all conventional toothpastes and mouthwashes (flouride, sodium laurel sulfate, peppermint) and instead using a health food toothpaste (Walleda Calendula toothpaste) helped tremendously. Also avoid all dairy, even low-fat. Then go back to using either 2.5% BP or retin-a. I'd recommend avoiding the higher dose of BP as it is too irritating, especially if you have perioral acne. Dan's BP is specially formulated to be mild. Personally I can't tolerate BP but for some reason tretinoin cream works just fine. I have found that it takes years for tretinoin cream to really work...I mean it works sooner than that but to get the best results you basically have to use it forever. That said...one of the main things it does is restructure the pores so you have to be prepared for times in the first year where deep-seated plugs are being pushed out and that may cause inflammation. You may think it isn't working but it is. Research has shown this over and over --- it is the "gold standard" for acne.

Another thing that will help your kind of acne is avoiding all spicy food and sugary foods...both of these cause inflammation and the area around the mouth is very sensitive to anything you eat or drink. Same with alcohol...best to avoid it. This kind of restricted diet feels awful to start but then you get used to it and overall health improves tremendously. At least for me, it is now very easy to follow because I have had such good results.

The way I see it, perioral acne and rosacea are both skin diseases that are trying to tell us to change our habits! The diet resembles the normal diets of common people living 100 years ago...which was lots of fresh food, no dairy (adults did not eat dairy usually), alcohol and sugary foods on special occasion, etc. And people drank lots of herbal teas, especially spearmint which is now shown to be an anti-androgen. Also chamomile which lowers inflammation.

Try to eat, drink and live as our ancestors did...a calmer lifestyle overall. Less technology and processed food. The skin will respond favorably!

[gloria7r]

You need to try Accutane (Roacutan).

[PowderedPeach]

Sounds like either perioral dermatitis or folliculitis. This area is more sensitive than the rest of the face, and because it's exposed to dental products, overcleansing, overdrying, and overmedicating happen frequently. Be really careful about skin care and shaving products with alcohol and menthol in them, as this can mess up the healing process. Also brush your teeth before washing your face and avoid layering too many products. The BP cream may be too high of a strength or in too thick of a vehicle, and if inflammation is the root issue here, then you will need to calm down your skin before you can disinfect efficiently. Also if you're using tartar control toothpaste, bar cleansers, and shaving creams, you may be leaving a residue on the skin that is causing irritation. Try switching to a liquid cleanser and check your shaving creams for any detergents or drying agents that might make you overcleanse.