6 replies to this topic

[MissClara]

Okay - so, here's a low-down of why I'm so darned fed up with my stupid, horrible skin:

- I've had acne since I was 11.
- It has come and gone in severity over the years, from moderate to severe.
- I used to have it all over my back too.
- I have very, very pale skin and my acne has scarred, leaving me with very uneven skin tone.
- I have been on every kind of prescription the doctor could give me - gels, lotions, creams, topical and oral antibiotics, dianette (The Pill), more gels/creams, and finally Roaccutane.
- The clearest my skin has been was on my 18th birthday (bliss!) after i'd finished Roaccutane. It lasted for 3 weeks.
- I've been off Roaccutane for nearly 2 years.
- My acne has recently made a severe comeback after lurking around for 2 years (would come and go). It's now cystic and hurts.

The thing is, I HATED roaccutane and the only good thing was seeing clear skin at the end of 5 months, the rest was nasty - headaches, feeling sick, hair falling out, skin peeling off, bruised and bled really easily, painful periods, decreased concentration...

I went back to the GP and he put me on Zineryt, which is utter rubbish and doesn't work for me, despite me telling him all this. If I go back and demand to see a dermatologist, will I be put back on Roaccutane?

If I have a 2nd course of it, will I get the same or, heaven forbid, worse side effects than before? Also, would a 2nd course be guaranteed to knock the acne out of my system?

I'm feeling really down about it, because I've recently met a guy who is just .... amazing, and I already feel a little inferior to him but my acne coming back worse isn't helping matters. Thing is, if I don't go on roaccutane again, my acne is still there and getting worse, but if I do go on it then my skin will flare up and all the side effects will kick in, making me feel hideous. I know this sounds really petty, but I just want nice skin. I'm on a gap year and I want clearer skin before I go to uni - acne has dominated the majority of my life and just want to have a fresh start away from all the bad memories associated with acne!

What to do?!

I've attached some photos of my skin - without make up or anything. You can't really tell how bad it is, as a lot of the acne is 'under the skin' and hurts a lot more than pimples that you can see. I also have very large pores and a lot of blackheads on my T-zone.

My current regimen is from REN skincare - 'clear calm anti-blemish kit' It's amazing for the condition of my skin but has done very little for the acne.

Yours sincerely,

Upset Girl!

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by MissClara, Yesterday, 10:36 AM.

[CeeBee25]

Hey

First of all, I know how you feel. I also have struggled with acne from a young age. Mine has constantly fluctuated between mild/moderate but I do get the odd big painful cyst about once a month (I'm currently dealing with the big scab of one which I popped on Monday)

I used to get cysts a lot more regularly but Dianette seems to control the majority of them for me. I've never tried Roaccutane but I've heard about the many side effects and to be honest, it doesn't sound great! If you are still unhappy with your skin I definitely think you should ask to see your dermatologist again so you can explore some other options and see what they say about another course of accutane, maybe with a stronger dose.

What is your current skin care routine for morning/night?
And have you ever considered or tried going dairy free?

In the past month I've managed to cut out practically all dairy from my diet (I was doing it for a trial period but have continued) and apart from the one cyst which I had from before I went dairy free, my skin has cleared up considerably! No recent whiteheads or new spots forming. I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but research has suggested that the hormones in dairy can actually make acne worse for some individuals if they are intolerant without knowing so. It might be worth a try for a few weeks just to see if there are any improvements because it has helped for me

My skin is very similar to yours (I'm pale too!) so I know how annoying red marks can be. I used Sudocrem antiseptic healing cream to fade mine and it works wonders Try not to worry too much about university, I'm currently about to finish my final year and it hasn't stopped me from fitting in, there are so many other people with acne too and you still look great anyway

[AnalogHeart]

I would definitely see a dermatologist. That's going to be the best way for you to get advice and find something that will work to clear up your skin. If you had such bad side effects from Accutane the first time, I'm not sure a higher dose is the way to go, but that's for you and your derm to decide. What dosage did you take before? Perhaps starting at a lower dose and then working your way up to a higher dose (if necessary) would be ideal. The important thing is to make sure you meet a cumulative dose based on your weight.

There are plenty of people who, unfortunately, need a second course of Accutane to clear up their skin. Some people even need to take it more than that. You'll never know how your skin will react unless you try.

Either way, you're a gorgeous girl and I don't think your skin looks bad at all. I really believe that will clear up nicely for you. You just need to find the product that will work! Whether it's Accutane or something else...

Until then, try not to let your skin get you down! You don't want acne to hold you back! Just stay strong and be positive!

[MissClara]

Thank you so much for the replies!

As for going dairy-free - I used to drink SO much milk every day and then early on this year I cut that out completely. I now drink almond or oat milk. I still eat cheese but that isnt very often. I've been a vegetarian all my life and have had very low iron counts in the past, so I don't like to cut too much out of my diet. Anyway, I do have a very healthy diet (lots of fruit and veg!). Cutting down my dairy intake didn't really do anything for me though.

My current cleansing routine is:
- REN clear calm clay cleanser with lukewarm water.
- REN clear calm day fluid (anti blemish)
This is twice a day.
At night I use the REN night cream.
Twice a week I use the REN clear calm blemish treatment mask, and sometimes the REN 'invisible pores mask'.

I'm sure it has improved the actual condition of my skin, but it doesn't seem to prevent any more outbreaks.

I have been on Diannette before when I was about 15 and it was horrible. I put on weight and got very depressed, which I couldn't deal with.

I'll definitely try and get referred to the dermatologist. I think I'd like to look at supplements and my diet before I try roaccutane again but at least I know it's there as a last resort!

The last time I took it I started off with a month course of iron supplements, as I couldn't take it until my iron count was high enough. Then I started on 5mg per day and each month it was upped until I was on 40mg per day. This was for a 5 month course.


Thank you for the nice words anyway - I'm usually one of those people who says 'yeah, I have acne so what?' and don't wear make up, but recently it's been getting to me a lot.
I think because I had acne all the way through secondary school and college, I associate my acne with that. I still feel like a little kid with it, which I know is stupid. I also got bullied for my acne and stuff at school, so I just want clear skin for once! So, yep, a trip to the docs will be on the cards ASAP!

[ginanutrition]

MissClara, on 23 May 2012 - 07:25 PM, said:

Thank you so much for the replies!

As for going dairy-free - I used to drink SO much milk every day and then early on this year I cut that out completely. I now drink almond or oat milk. I still eat cheese but that isnt very often. I've been a vegetarian all my life and have had very low iron counts in the past, so I don't like to cut too much out of my diet. Anyway, I do have a very healthy diet (lots of fruit and veg!). Cutting down my dairy intake didn't really do anything for me though.

My current cleansing routine is:
- REN clear calm clay cleanser with lukewarm water.
- REN clear calm day fluid (anti blemish)
This is twice a day.
At night I use the REN night cream.
Twice a week I use the REN clear calm blemish treatment mask, and sometimes the REN 'invisible pores mask'.

I'm sure it has improved the actual condition of my skin, but it doesn't seem to prevent any more outbreaks.

I have been on Diannette before when I was about 15 and it was horrible. I put on weight and got very depressed, which I couldn't deal with.

I'll definitely try and get referred to the dermatologist. I think I'd like to look at supplements and my diet before I try roaccutane again but at least I know it's there as a last resort!

The last time I took it I started off with a month course of iron supplements, as I couldn't take it until my iron count was high enough. Then I started on 5mg per day and each month it was upped until I was on 40mg per day. This was for a 5 month course.


Thank you for the nice words anyway - I'm usually one of those people who says 'yeah, I have acne so what?' and don't wear make up, but recently it's been getting to me a lot.
I think because I had acne all the way through secondary school and college, I associate my acne with that. I still feel like a little kid with it, which I know is stupid. I also got bullied for my acne and stuff at school, so I just want clear skin for once! So, yep, a trip to the docs will be on the cards ASAP!

Hi Miss Clara!

I agree with Rach. I think you are absolutely darling! I know how you feel about trying lots of different things and not having long-term success. After years of seeing dermatologists and trying dietary changes, herbs, supplements, I decided to go on accutane. I agree seeing a dermatologist is the best thing right now if you want to clear up within a year. You can try to see a naturopath, but in my experience, I could not fully clear my skin that way, AND I spent years trying to do it.

I am concerned about your low iron count. I have also had low iron stores and B-12 deficiency, and then a couple of smart naturopaths figured out that I had celiac disease, which caused nutrient malabsorption and vitamin deficiencies. I was tired all the time, and not digesting anything well. Have you looked into seeing if you have a gluten intolerance? This can make it harder for you to absorb nutrients, and has been tied to some people's acne as well.

Also, iron deficiency makes it harder for your body to fight infections, so that could explain why your skin keeps getting infected. Just a thought. If you're set on being a vegetarian, consuming 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses on a piece of bread (gluten-free or regular) with almond butter is a delicious way to boost iron! I would sometimes stir the molasses into oatmeal as well. It is really hard to absorb iron from plant sources, so if all else fails, you can try a supplement if you're not already.

Another idea I had is that the REN line contained too many essential oils that aggravated my skin. I didn't use the Clear line, but I tried the Mayblossom products a while back. It seriously aggravated my acne long-term. Just using Cerave Hydrating Face Wash or Cetaphil and a simple oil-free spf moisturizer calms things down for me, and might be something you want to try. I know it's not natural, but often natural products can be really irritating, unless they are hypoallergenic.

Have you tried taking zinc everyday? That can beneficial. As well as eating leafy greens like kale, spinach, etc. I make my own smoothies with frozen berries, banana, fresh greens or powdered superfood greens and hemp protein. Soooo delicious!

Do you eat any foods high in omega-3's? Hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds are all anti-inflammatory. You can sprinkle them on smoothies, oatmeal, salads. Also eating quinoa instead of rice will balance your blood sugar and give you more protein as a vegetarian.

These are just some ideas if you want to jump-start an anti-inflammatory diet for your skin.

Let me know if you need any other help.

[MissClara]

ginanutrition, on 23 May 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

MissClara, on 23 May 2012 - 07:25 PM, said:

Thank you so much for the replies!

As for going dairy-free - I used to drink SO much milk every day and then early on this year I cut that out completely. I now drink almond or oat milk. I still eat cheese but that isnt very often. I've been a vegetarian all my life and have had very low iron counts in the past, so I don't like to cut too much out of my diet. Anyway, I do have a very healthy diet (lots of fruit and veg!). Cutting down my dairy intake didn't really do anything for me though.

My current cleansing routine is:
- REN clear calm clay cleanser with lukewarm water.
- REN clear calm day fluid (anti blemish)
This is twice a day.
At night I use the REN night cream.
Twice a week I use the REN clear calm blemish treatment mask, and sometimes the REN 'invisible pores mask'.

I'm sure it has improved the actual condition of my skin, but it doesn't seem to prevent any more outbreaks.

I have been on Diannette before when I was about 15 and it was horrible. I put on weight and got very depressed, which I couldn't deal with.

I'll definitely try and get referred to the dermatologist. I think I'd like to look at supplements and my diet before I try roaccutane again but at least I know it's there as a last resort!

The last time I took it I started off with a month course of iron supplements, as I couldn't take it until my iron count was high enough. Then I started on 5mg per day and each month it was upped until I was on 40mg per day. This was for a 5 month course.


Thank you for the nice words anyway - I'm usually one of those people who says 'yeah, I have acne so what?' and don't wear make up, but recently it's been getting to me a lot.
I think because I had acne all the way through secondary school and college, I associate my acne with that. I still feel like a little kid with it, which I know is stupid. I also got bullied for my acne and stuff at school, so I just want clear skin for once! So, yep, a trip to the docs will be on the cards ASAP!

Hi Miss Clara!

I agree with Rach. I think you are absolutely darling! I know how you feel about trying lots of different things and not having long-term success. After years of seeing dermatologists and trying dietary changes, herbs, supplements, I decided to go on accutane. I agree seeing a dermatologist is the best thing right now if you want to clear up within a year. You can try to see a naturopath, but in my experience, I could not fully clear my skin that way, AND I spent years trying to do it.

I am concerned about your low iron count. I have also had low iron stores and B-12 deficiency, and then a couple of smart naturopaths figured out that I had celiac disease, which caused nutrient malabsorption and vitamin deficiencies. I was tired all the time, and not digesting anything well. Have you looked into seeing if you have a gluten intolerance? This can make it harder for you to absorb nutrients, and has been tied to some people's acne as well.

Also, iron deficiency makes it harder for your body to fight infections, so that could explain why your skin keeps getting infected. Just a thought. If you're set on being a vegetarian, consuming 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses on a piece of bread (gluten-free or regular) with almond butter is a delicious way to boost iron! I would sometimes stir the molasses into oatmeal as well. It is really hard to absorb iron from plant sources, so if all else fails, you can try a supplement if you're not already.

Another idea I had is that the REN line contained too many essential oils that aggravated my skin. I didn't use the Clear line, but I tried the Mayblossom products a while back. It seriously aggravated my acne long-term. Just using Cerave Hydrating Face Wash or Cetaphil and a simple oil-free spf moisturizer calms things down for me, and might be something you want to try. I know it's not natural, but often natural products can be really irritating, unless they are hypoallergenic.

Have you tried taking zinc everyday? That can beneficial. As well as eating leafy greens like kale, spinach, etc. I make my own smoothies with frozen berries, banana, fresh greens or powdered superfood greens and hemp protein. Soooo delicious!

Do you eat any foods high in omega-3's? Hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds are all anti-inflammatory. You can sprinkle them on smoothies, oatmeal, salads. Also eating quinoa instead of rice will balance your blood sugar and give you more protein as a vegetarian.

These are just some ideas if you want to jump-start an anti-inflammatory diet for your skin.

Let me know if you need any other help.

Hi!

Thanks so, so much for this - it's a great help.

As much as I want to try and do things naturally, it's obvious that - given I've had acne for like... half my life (gah!) - it's not going to clear up quickly without something nasty!

I don't think I have a specific problem with my iron count these days - I did have a lot of blood tests before when I was passing out a great deal and it was suggested I was anaemic - but I have recently given blood and that seemed to be fine, iron-wise.

The tiredness is very relatable - I am constantly tired, even if I had 12 hours sleep! But given that I am digesting everything well, I don't think coeliac disease is my problem. Possibly just laziness.

It's not just that I'm set on being a vegetarian, it's that I've only ever eaten meat once - last year - and I got really sick. Even if eating meat would help my iron count, I don't think my body would take it. Thank you for your suggestions for boosting my iron! I used to take iron supplements, but I'd rather try and do things without putting pills and tablets through my system.

That's really interesting about the REN skincare. I haven't tried any other products in their line apart from the 'Clear Calm anti-Blemish' range. I think it is working though, in small ways, as I went one day without washing my face with it last week and my skin flared up overnight! Much distress in the morning...

I'm going to look into taking some zinc every day, and your suggestions about the kale, hemp & quinoa etc are really useful. I'll have to stock up on them big-time as no where sells them near me - I live in the back of beyond where even something like miso soup isn't heard of.


Also, I don't know if this is even remotely related, but would losing weight influence my acne in anyway? I'm not 'overly' overweight, but my optimum weight for my height - 5'3" - is less than I am now. I've been trying to lose weight (and run a half-marathon - eek), and now I'm wondering if I really kick start the weight loss, maybe my skin would clear up a bit. Here's hoping.

Aaaannd (I promise this is the last thing) - does sunlight have any effect on acne? I don't go tanning on purpose, and when I am in the sun I burn, but if I had a little more sun exposure on my face would that help with scarring?

Again, thank you so much for the help.

Clara

[ginanutrition]

MissClara, on 24 May 2012 - 06:54 AM, said:

ginanutrition, on 23 May 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

MissClara, on 23 May 2012 - 07:25 PM, said:

Thank you so much for the replies!

As for going dairy-free - I used to drink SO much milk every day and then early on this year I cut that out completely. I now drink almond or oat milk. I still eat cheese but that isnt very often. I've been a vegetarian all my life and have had very low iron counts in the past, so I don't like to cut too much out of my diet. Anyway, I do have a very healthy diet (lots of fruit and veg!). Cutting down my dairy intake didn't really do anything for me though.

My current cleansing routine is:
- REN clear calm clay cleanser with lukewarm water.
- REN clear calm day fluid (anti blemish)
This is twice a day.
At night I use the REN night cream.
Twice a week I use the REN clear calm blemish treatment mask, and sometimes the REN 'invisible pores mask'.

I'm sure it has improved the actual condition of my skin, but it doesn't seem to prevent any more outbreaks.

I have been on Diannette before when I was about 15 and it was horrible. I put on weight and got very depressed, which I couldn't deal with.

I'll definitely try and get referred to the dermatologist. I think I'd like to look at supplements and my diet before I try roaccutane again but at least I know it's there as a last resort!

The last time I took it I started off with a month course of iron supplements, as I couldn't take it until my iron count was high enough. Then I started on 5mg per day and each month it was upped until I was on 40mg per day. This was for a 5 month course.


Thank you for the nice words anyway - I'm usually one of those people who says 'yeah, I have acne so what?' and don't wear make up, but recently it's been getting to me a lot.
I think because I had acne all the way through secondary school and college, I associate my acne with that. I still feel like a little kid with it, which I know is stupid. I also got bullied for my acne and stuff at school, so I just want clear skin for once! So, yep, a trip to the docs will be on the cards ASAP!

Hi Miss Clara!

I agree with Rach. I think you are absolutely darling! I know how you feel about trying lots of different things and not having long-term success. After years of seeing dermatologists and trying dietary changes, herbs, supplements, I decided to go on accutane. I agree seeing a dermatologist is the best thing right now if you want to clear up within a year. You can try to see a naturopath, but in my experience, I could not fully clear my skin that way, AND I spent years trying to do it.

I am concerned about your low iron count. I have also had low iron stores and B-12 deficiency, and then a couple of smart naturopaths figured out that I had celiac disease, which caused nutrient malabsorption and vitamin deficiencies. I was tired all the time, and not digesting anything well. Have you looked into seeing if you have a gluten intolerance? This can make it harder for you to absorb nutrients, and has been tied to some people's acne as well.

Also, iron deficiency makes it harder for your body to fight infections, so that could explain why your skin keeps getting infected. Just a thought. If you're set on being a vegetarian, consuming 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses on a piece of bread (gluten-free or regular) with almond butter is a delicious way to boost iron! I would sometimes stir the molasses into oatmeal as well. It is really hard to absorb iron from plant sources, so if all else fails, you can try a supplement if you're not already.

Another idea I had is that the REN line contained too many essential oils that aggravated my skin. I didn't use the Clear line, but I tried the Mayblossom products a while back. It seriously aggravated my acne long-term. Just using Cerave Hydrating Face Wash or Cetaphil and a simple oil-free spf moisturizer calms things down for me, and might be something you want to try. I know it's not natural, but often natural products can be really irritating, unless they are hypoallergenic.

Have you tried taking zinc everyday? That can beneficial. As well as eating leafy greens like kale, spinach, etc. I make my own smoothies with frozen berries, banana, fresh greens or powdered superfood greens and hemp protein. Soooo delicious!

Do you eat any foods high in omega-3's? Hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds are all anti-inflammatory. You can sprinkle them on smoothies, oatmeal, salads. Also eating quinoa instead of rice will balance your blood sugar and give you more protein as a vegetarian.

These are just some ideas if you want to jump-start an anti-inflammatory diet for your skin.

Let me know if you need any other help.

Hi!

Thanks so, so much for this - it's a great help.

As much as I want to try and do things naturally, it's obvious that - given I've had acne for like... half my life (gah!) - it's not going to clear up quickly without something nasty!

I don't think I have a specific problem with my iron count these days - I did have a lot of blood tests before when I was passing out a great deal and it was suggested I was anaemic - but I have recently given blood and that seemed to be fine, iron-wise.

The tiredness is very relatable - I am constantly tired, even if I had 12 hours sleep! But given that I am digesting everything well, I don't think coeliac disease is my problem. Possibly just laziness.

It's not just that I'm set on being a vegetarian, it's that I've only ever eaten meat once - last year - and I got really sick. Even if eating meat would help my iron count, I don't think my body would take it. Thank you for your suggestions for boosting my iron! I used to take iron supplements, but I'd rather try and do things without putting pills and tablets through my system.

That's really interesting about the REN skincare. I haven't tried any other products in their line apart from the 'Clear Calm anti-Blemish' range. I think it is working though, in small ways, as I went one day without washing my face with it last week and my skin flared up overnight! Much distress in the morning...

I'm going to look into taking some zinc every day, and your suggestions about the kale, hemp & quinoa etc are really useful. I'll have to stock up on them big-time as no where sells them near me - I live in the back of beyond where even something like miso soup isn't heard of.


Also, I don't know if this is even remotely related, but would losing weight influence my acne in anyway? I'm not 'overly' overweight, but my optimum weight for my height - 5'3" - is less than I am now. I've been trying to lose weight (and run a half-marathon - eek), and now I'm wondering if I really kick start the weight loss, maybe my skin would clear up a bit. Here's hoping.

Aaaannd (I promise this is the last thing) - does sunlight have any effect on acne? I don't go tanning on purpose, and when I am in the sun I burn, but if I had a little more sun exposure on my face would that help with scarring?

Again, thank you so much for the help.

Clara

Hi Clara!

No problemo! I like talking on these message boards. I know it's hard to find healthy ingredients sometimes. I hate modern grocery stores...so gross! Farmer's markets are my favorite thing, but I only have access to one once a week. At least it's something.

I don't know if weight loss would help acne. I am on the thin side and have always had acne. In fact, my skin usually improves when I gain weight. You could try controlling your blood sugar by not eating refined carbohydrates like white rice, sugar, as well as not eating lots of high-glycemic foods like dried fruit, baked potato, etc. These foods have been shown to worsen acne, as well as people's waistlines. If anything, exercise is fantastic for improving your blood sugar and helping weight loss. I find it helps my skin, too, but not enough to get rid of acne completely. Just make sure you don't exercise too hard too fast...ease into it. I've done that before and burned out by working out too hard at first. I only exercise at the gym every other day or every 2 days.

Some people say the sun helps acne, and it might, but it also causes skin damage. I grew up in Florida and I did find the combination of going to the beach and swimming in the salty ocean to be very healing for my skin. BUT! I always wore sunscreen on my face. I think the healing came from the salt water, but hard to be sure. I burn really easily, too. Some people say 15 minutes on your face is all you need. You could try that. Honestly, though, I wear spf 15 everyday and people tell me I look very young (I'm 28).

I would be more interested to see if eating an anti-inflammatory diet high in fruits and vegetables, exercising, and getting about 15 minutes of sun a day would help you? It's always worth a shot if you haven't tried it.

Edited by ginanutrition, Today, 01:50 PM.