35 replies to this topic

[pbear8]

Hi there,

I am 35 and have been suffering from acne since I can remember. I had accutane when I was 15 or so.

When I am on the pill - Diane 35 - I am okay. My breakouts are minimized greatly. I went off the pill a couple of years ago. Soon after my breakouts - CYSTIC ACNE - returned , usually once a month , around the time of my period. This, I expected. However, my cystic breakouts have gradually become worse.

I ALWAYS have cysts on my face - normally around my chin and jawline. I am now never free of cysts. They just come , one after another after another. At present, I have about 4 cysts and 5 pimples on my face, plus red marks. My face, needless to say, is a mess.

I have been on the Rice diet . My NP put me on it to help with my migraines. All I was eating for over 6 weeks was rice pasta, some veggies and that's it - I'm allergic to most fruits. I was also on a protein shake. Initially it was soy based, but I changed to rice based later when I found out that Soy could be a contributing factor to acne. After that, I had no shakes at all.
I was also on Herring oil and flaxseeds as well as B complex, vit C, E, Beta carotene and a couple of others that I can't think of at this moment.

My face, the parts that were not broken out, looked great!

I have tried Apple cider vinegar - that's a new addition to my regime. Also, Aloe vera, and tea tree oil.

My face is very sensitve and I am allergic to BP.

I don't know what to do anymore. It's making my life miserable. I don't want to go out and I don't want to see anyone.

There is so much out there in terms of natual products - vitamins etc that I'm a bit overwhelmed as to what to try next.

Do you think there could be something wrong with my hormonal imbalance?? How can I check to see if it's my hormones that is doing this to me?

Just a note: I am trying to get pregnant so I need to be careful of what I chose to take - which makes things difficult.

Why is my acne getting worse?? I just don't understand......

Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Thank you very much

pbear

[flim flam]

I'd stop eating rice and pasta for a start...both those foods are pretty much guaranteed to cause acne.

You have a good skincare regime if you're using vinegar, tea tree & aloe vera...internal factors tend to make a bigger difference than anything you put on your skin. The health of your liver and intestine/bowel are hugely related to acne...if they're clogged then your body can't eliminate toxins quickly enough and it comes out as acne. Have a look at curezone.com and you'll find a lot of relevant information.

[pbear8]

Thanks for the site I'll check it out.

So does the fact that I was eating rice based pasta not matter? Is pasta still pasta when it comes to affecting acne?

Thanks!

[OzPower]

Hi there,

I am 35 and have been suffering from acne since I can remember. I had accutane when I was 15 or so.

When I am on the pill - Diane 35 - I am okay. My breakouts are minimized greatly. I went off the pill a couple of years ago. Soon after my breakouts - CYSTIC ACNE - returned , usually once a month , around the time of my period. This, I expected. However, my cystic breakouts have gradually become worse.

I ALWAYS have cysts on my face - normally around my chin and jawline. I am now never free of cysts. They just come , one after another after another. At present, I have about 4 cysts and 5 pimples on my face, plus red marks. My face, needless to say, is a mess.

I have been on the Rice diet . My NP put me on it to help with my migraines. All I was eating for over 6 weeks was rice pasta, some veggies and that's it - I'm allergic to most fruits. I was also on a protein shake. Initially it was soy based, but I changed to rice based later when I found out that Soy could be a contributing factor to acne. After that, I had no shakes at all.
I was also on Herring oil  and flaxseeds as well as B complex, vit C, E, Beta carotene and a couple of others that I can't think of at this moment.

My face, the parts that were not broken out, looked great!

I have tried Apple cider vinegar - that's a new addition to my regime. Also, Aloe vera, and tea tree oil.

My face is very sensitve and I am allergic to BP.

I don't know what to do anymore. It's making my life miserable. I don't want to go out and I don't want to see anyone.

There is so much out there in terms of natual products - vitamins etc that I'm a bit overwhelmed as to what to try next.

Do you think there could be something wrong with my hormonal imbalance?? How can I check to see if it's my hormones that is doing this to me?

Just a note: I am trying to get pregnant so I need to be careful of what I chose to take - which makes things difficult.

Why is my acne getting worse?? I just don't understand......

Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Thank you very much

pbear

I feal your pain man, that's really aweful that acnes effected your way of life. Well for starters your allergies tell me that your body is fairly messed up and you have broken your faces natural barrier if the skin is very sensitive, to much products prehaps on your face? First thing to help your allergies is to stop eating dairly and refined carbohydrates and the second thing you need to do is start cleaning your system out. Bowel cleanse, live and kidney flush will help you greatly but you will have to repeat a few times but your general well being will improve greatly and as you clean your system, your blood will improve, thus effecting your lymphatic system(skin). As far as your face is concerned at the present, look into bentonite clays, don't buy the beuty crap from beauticians, get the powdered stuff and use it on your face 3x a day till your acne clears.

Their are other things you can look into as well, zappers, magnetic pulse generators, blood purifiers, colonics, enzyme supplements, colloidal silver, nebulizers and many more things.

Get the clay, your in the states correct? find pascalite clay and mix with vinegar, will help you greatly, your skin will get worse before it improves as it draws out crap from your skin. Bet you never used a product like that before!

No white flour, no refined sugars, no dairy (eggs excluded), no hydroganted oil (ie canola oil) , if you have any questions, just ask.

[pbear8]

Thank you so much for your detailed info. Actually I'm in Canada if that makes any difference in purchasing the item you described.

My one question is : Are rice based products ( rice bread, rice pasta , rice crackers) are they considered refined carbohydrates?? Or only flour based products?

Thanks again

[Denise2]

Pbear: you've gotten some great advice. I would like to suggest one other site. www.sensiblehealth.com

Many of her tinctures may help you tremendously, particularly the one for female problems. She is based in Canada, too, so you have great access to her products.

As to your question about rice products, I would think you need to consider whether or not the products are made of brown rice flour. But you really should try to stick to lean proteins, fruit, and probably veggies; nuts and seeds and see if that stabilizes your blood sugar. Maybe eat rice products a few times a week, but not the bulk of your diet.

But liverflushing should help you tremendously. Be sure to check out the liverflush forum at Curezone. Do your research...tons of reading, and also read as much at sensiblehealth as possible.

[pbear8]

Thanks for your post Denise. I'll check out that site you gave me.

[flim flam]

So does the fact that I was eating rice based pasta not matter? Is pasta still pasta when it comes to affecting acne?

Sorry I misread your post, I read it as 'rice and pasta' rather than 'rice pasta'. As Denise said, the big issue is whether it's white rice or brown rice...white rice is a highly congesting food & is no better than wheat. Brown rice is better, but you're better off going easy on grains generally.

[BenKweller]

So here's the spin-less truth.

"I'd stop eating rice and pasta for a start...both those foods are pretty much guaranteed to cause acne" is a bullshit statement. Rice and pasta pretty much guaranteed to cause acne? Please.

Acne has little to nothing to do with your liver being "toxic" or your bowel not being able to process food fast enough -- SensibleHealth.com and CureZone.com are stupid non-scientific theory sites backed by nothing more than a desire to convert a cult of health nuts.

I'd try cutting down on the things you put on your skin -- vinegar is pretty harsh on the skin and if you say that you're allergic to BP, I can see vinegar as being only damaging. Have you ever tried a "just wash with face soap" regimen?

[SweetJade1980]

Hi there =)

Everyone has given great advice, but I would like to add that white rice, IS better than eating whole wheat. Not my personal opinion, but there is something in the rice that just makes it better than wheat (higher amylose content, no gluten).

Now, in your case though, it could have been that you were consuming rice (some people have to avoid all grains), or it could have been that you were consuming refined products (corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dairy, trans fats?) with your rice bread, etc. The diet didn't help AT ALL in reducing your acne?


The other thing is that you say you get cysts. I know that corn syrup & high fructose corn syrup contributing to these for myself. I also know that if you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods that cysts can also be a result. However, Androgens are also a BIG contributor when it comes down to hormonal acne. So have you ever checked your:

androgens (testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA, DHEA-S, DHT, total testosterone, Free Testosterone),
estrogens,
progesterone,
luetinizing hormone (LH),
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
prolactin,
sex-hormone binding protein (SHBG)

Also have you ever had your thyroid and cortisol levels checked as these can also cause acne problems for some people. I could give you a whole host of hormonal disorders, but they primarily affect one's gonads (ovaries or testes), adrenal gland, and/or thyroid gland. Also, it would probably be best if you knew what your symptoms were and whether your family has any health or hormonal disorders as your doctor will want this info, in trying to know what tests to run first.

Now, you mentioned that you are trying to get pregnant. Are you trying in the sense that you can't very easily or in the sense that you are just now ready to have kids?

Another factor, especially for women, is something called PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understandin...tions/pcos.html
http://www.infertilityphysician.com/androgen/intro.html

Now you don't have to be have high cholesterol, be overweight, have cystic ovaries, irregular - no menstrual cycle to be considered PCOS. I believe I have one of several PCOS Variants known as Hair-An Syndrome (hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, ancanthosis negricans), where my main problem has to do with my Insulin Resistance (IR) (Metabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X), which gave me higher than normal androgen levels (DHEA & Free Testosterone), which is enough to increase DHT (super androgen) production. Another variant is known as SAHA Syndrome (Seborrhea, Acne, Hirsutism, Alopecia).

Once I treated my IR, mainly through dietary changes as medication wasn't effective enough, most of my symptoms improved or were eliminated (no more menstrual pain, 99% clear skin, slight decrease in hirsutism-Spiro helps more). I know for women they chose some form of a Low-Carb diet (Insulin can boost androgens) and/or take either Vitex, Natural Progesterone or Avandia (insulin sensitizer & anti-androgenic) and are able to get pregnant while doing so. The direct antiandrogen Spironolactone is another option and works better than the Cyproterone Acetate (CPA) found in Diane-35, but not if you want to get pregnant. So, have you ever visited an Endocrinologist to get the above blood work and to get a proper diagnosis?

I'm guessing since you know you are allergic to fruits that you've been to an allergist. Do you only avoid fruits or do you also avoid fruit sugar in foods as well? If so, then that means you should be avoiding fructose, corn syrup, & high fructose corn syrup already. I'm not certain, but would you also have to avoid other components of fruit, like pectin?

The only other thing I can think of is to possibly get tested for Intolerances as they involve different proteins than those that induce allergies. Also, another thought is that you may have a Leaky Gut. This is something that your doctor can test you for, but if you've ever had chronic candida, taken lots of antibiotics, taken lots of NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, advil, etc), or are defficient in Calcium, Zinc and some other nutrient you could possibly be so. There's definately ways to treat this, but I'm going to stop now, as this was way too much info for you, yet it was stuff the others didn't mention. ;-)

I would like to add though that because you've had chronic acne for sooo long (how old when it first started?) that it is probably due to either a Hormonal Imbalance (Diane-35 is an antiandrogen) or some other Allergy or Intolerance. Allergies & Intolerances can induce hormonal imbalance as well, as a form of gluten intolerance has been associated with Type II Diabetes (Insulin resistance is the precursor). If you want the natural approach, this is definately the place to come to as you'll find that most of us have had acne for several decades too (14 years for me) and natural solutions ended up being our biggest, if not only aid.


Take care

P.S. I just found this study and it was published in 1982. Ouch, we work so hard to fight this thing, and the doctors (should) know that "simple" factors like insulin can cause hyperandrogenism, but they don't say a word. This is why you must find a specialist, an Endocrinologist, as he/she will be your best bet at getting a diagnosis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...st_uids=7149493

P.P.S. Here's another study pub. in 1980 invovling acne/androgen-insulin connection, a time when several preventable diseases started to increase, so they were probably just discovering this connection. Yet 22 years later and with a vast multitude of recent clinical studies, you would think that EVERY doctor would know by now. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...st_uids=7364931

P.P.P. S. There are studies dating as far back as 1965 on the acne-androgen connection, but this is the most recent of the oldest studies in 1972: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...st_uids=4269204 Also the furthest relavant & publically available study involving Insulin-glucose & their effect on sex hormones was in 1977 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...ist_uids=193114

[flim flam]

So here's the spin-less truth.

(blah blah)

Lol...funniest thing I read all day.

Look, since you obviously don't have the slightest clue about acne, why don't you leave this forum to people who do instead of going around trying to spread your moronic views, hmm?

[BenKweller]

Don't change my quotes to blah blah, flam. I'm sorry if you believe your "knowledge" is founded in truth, it isn't. In fact, I pity those who seemingly think they are so much smarter than others only because they know if they realize the truth, they'll have little left to live for. Keep propping up liver flushing but would you rather get a coronary bypass or a colonic if you had a heart attack?

mhm.

[modest mouse]

but you wouldnt have a heart attack if you had a healthy bowels/liver

[Shyana]

Hmmm I thought this was the diet/wholistic health forum? Acne is complex and to say that one thing causes or works over another is simplifying what even scientists can't agree on! Is it diet related? For some yes it is. Is it genetic? Maybe. Is it system specific? It seems to be because of where it manifests, but NO it is system interrelated . We do know that P.acnes genomes can produce a disease state in some people. For the first time science is actually looking at acne as a disease, not just a condition. But the only identified disease state is from the genetics of P.acnes not from the genetics of the individual .And not everyone with acne has these strains of p.acnes. How many strains of P.acnes are there ?Last count I heard was in the thousands. What makes anyone think that we all can be treated in the same way? What works for some will not work for another and there is a reason for this. Yes stress (corticocosteroids) is a factor, insulin resistance, eating breads, and grains, sebaceous secretions, hormones, thyroid, and yes the liver is very important. You cleanse your face,an organ, why would you not cleanse other organs in the body? The body is assaluted endlessly with foods, chemicals, toxins, numerous stresses all day and night. The liver and the skin are excretory organs. Hmmm maybe the skin eliminates toxins too when the liver is over loaded? Perhaps this alters the skins balance and hmmm maybe P.acnes a normal bacteria in ths skins flora somehow has a chance to proliferate from just a simple thing, a conjested liver! You see where I am going here. I don't know if this is true but the endless mystery of acne continues. We treat the symptoms of acne that is all. The body is a whole organism, not just an organ here or there. Diet and cleanses may not work for some, but it does work for many. At any rate we are all trying to find what works for us.


SweetJade1980 summed it up very well I say.

Your acne is more neuro/endrocrine induced. The fact that you did better on BC and worse off is an indicator. Migraines too show me your progesterone is most likely low or you have too much estrogen. There is an imbalance. You might check into bio-identical hormones. I know you want to get pregnant but I think you will find these will help you feel better and clear your skin at the same time. This is something to research, all women should research this IMO. Definately after your baby is born use these BI's instead of synthetic hormones. If you are polycystic ovarian then these also will help. For insulin resistance you can try Chromium GTF 200-400mcg. Please check this out if it is ok for pregnancy. I have since forgotten this important tidbit. Macrophages have a difficult time in identifying P.acnes(who wouldn't with so many strains) These are very important in the immune response for keeping balance in the skins normal flora. Taking Beta Glucan 1/3 1/6 will stimulate the macrophages to eat P.acnes. 250mg-500mg/day. B6 will help with hormonal acne also perhaps an extra 100mg/day at first along with your B complex. Take folic acid 800mcg/day. This will help you and prevent neural tube disorders in your baby. Never too early to start folic acid.

My guess your thyroid is low as well. Increased estrogen can put the thyroid in a state of flux and vice versa. Eating soy just messes with the thyroid so don't eat it. I don't know why people keep pushing soy so much. Women like you with an obivious hormone imbalance do not need soy. You have enough estrogen IMO just taken from your symptoms. Soy increases estrogenic effects in the body. Get a complete hormone panel with a full thyroid. If your are low or border line check out T3 therapy.Chances are you will have normal serum levels which mean nothing much IMO, so you should do a temperature testing. Wilsons Thyroid T3 , search the web lots of info.
Saliva testing is another way to test for hormones.

Topicals cleansing or spot treatment with a little Golden Seal Root powder mixed with aloe vera and a few drops of tincture of myrrh is a nice safe antibacterial. No retinoids of course for you. Best wishes.

[apple49]

I had the same experience when I turned 35. It is for you a combo of both quitting the BC and just the natural changes that go along with being in your mid thirties. I could manage most of my breakouts except for the nasty cysts that I would get on my chin and cheeks. Mandelic acid has really helped me with the cysts, and it worked right away.I was a skeptic, but, I like you, have had acne for an awfully long time.33 years is my magic number. I got it at 9 years old, and it never has quite gone away no matter what I've done. My old regime was Differin, mino., and BP. Diet has never been a trigger for me. I did read somewhere that if your vitamins have iodine to get new ones because iodine is the only true aggravator in the diet.Sorry, I'm rambling. You can get mandelic acid products under the brand name of NuCelle at skincarerx.com. They have travel kits if you are worried about a big $ outlay before you sure it will work.I stared with a 10% formulation, and I now alternate between 10 and 15 %. I really hope that helps you out.

PS. I thought this tip was cr@p, but I tried it and it does work.Apply ice wrapped in a paper towel before applying any topical. It helps take down the inflammation which makes the skin more receptive to the topical.

[BenKweller]

"but you wouldnt have a heart attack if you had a healthy bowels/liver"

HAhahahahahahahhaahah. That's a great blunder comment. So you're saying that forget arteries and veins and all that stuff... the main cause of a heart attack is becuase your body can't shit well enough?

Stop joining your online cults that connect cleaning your ears with fixing sexual problems and read a medical book.

[SweetJade1980]

no, but he is saying that if you have a defective liver, and defects have been identified, then it may not be able to properly metabolize cholesterol, which we do know contributes to heart disease.

Not to mention, and this does relate to acne, if your diet is low in fiber, high in refined carbohydrates & added sugar, high in animal saturated fat, high in Trans Fats, then you will also increase your production of LDL (the bad cholesterol that brings serum cholesterol out of the liver so it can clog arteries), instead of your HDL (good cholesterol that brings serum cholesterol back to the liver to be eliminated).

Oh and of course, the dietary fiber helps eliminate additional fats & hormones so that they don't recirculate & build up in the body and cause further hormonal or health disruptions. This is especially a concern for anyone that finds that they have constipation problems. For those unware, if you are eating solid food, you should have bowel movements at least 1-2x a day! If you aren't, then your fiber or water intake may be off, and bacteria will increase fermention (gas) of stuck foods and hormones & toxins will be reabsorped. Plus, constipation can lead to or is associated with other well documented health problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative colitis, Diverticulitis, Hemorrhoids, and even Colon Cancer...

Now, if Colon Cancer is among the top "preventable" diseases, surely there's a reason (lack of Calcium, Zinc, & Folic Acid, Insulin Resistance, Fiber-Fluid imbalance). Therefore, if a colon cleanse (& fiber supplements) can completely clean out your colon, until you naturally "dirty" it again, it could have some sort of positive effect sporadically, especially if you are prone to constipation.

[Denise2]

Not to mention, proper liver functioning is a big key to blood circulation. I've read where women who couldn't get pregnant did a series of liver flushes and then were able to conceive immediately. This is thought to happen because of a lack of blood flow to the uterus, which gets corrected once the liver is free of whatever is impeding the bile ducts.

[BenKweller]

Hahahahaa. And to think, all that time wasted on gene therapy... let's just lower the price of olive oil.

[OzPower]

Not to mention, proper  liver functioning is a big key to blood circulation.  I've read where women who couldn't get pregnant did a series of liver flushes and then were able to conceive immediately.  This is thought to happen because of a lack of blood flow to the uterus, which gets corrected once the liver is free of whatever is impeding the bile ducts.

Thats really interesting Denise.