6 replies to this topic

[kpopgirl]

I'm currently in high school and I feel very self cautious about my face. The reason is that I have acne scars surrounding the corners of my mouth and it really makes me sad seeing my face in the mirror. My acne problem is not so bad but its spreading from my forehead to my face! I don't want that to happen. I wash my face twice a day and apply clearasil pimple cream every night although I haven't seen any improvements yet. Can you guys recommend any home treatments for my problems?

[crystal_willow]

If you have acne then it is best not to go with things like clearasil. I have never met a person it has cleared up.
Acne is not caused by dirt so cleaning won't clear you any more than just having 2 showers a day with soap will.

Acne is caused by the following:

1) hormones
2) genetics
3) immune system
4) hyperkeratinisation (blocks your follicles)
5) bacteria etc breeding in blocked follicles
6) producing too much sebum in follicles

treatments that work for you depend on which of these factors are more relevant to you

Main treatments are:

Topical:

Benzoyl Peroxide
Azelaic acid
Retin A
Topical anti-biotics
salicylic acid

oral:
Antibiotics
hormone pills
accutane

Also its important to adjust your lifestyle i.e. ensure you are getting enough sleep (teens need more sleep for their developing brains) and eating loads of veg and fruit and drinking enough water.... some people find that eating a reduced GI diet helps them also...

It is likely that an approach with multiple "parts" will be what works...

i.e. for me, azelaic acid twice a day/ shower with "ure" soap twice a day, minimal/non comodogenic makeup, getting enough sleep and changing my towels and sheets twice a week keeps my clear.

Try things one by one so you know what works and what doesn't so you don;t end up feeling trapped by more "rules" than you need to have.

Good luck!!

If you post a picture it can help us to see what type of acne you have and help us to advise you.

Edited by crystal_willow, 25 April 2012 - 01:47 AM.

[*Can*I*Live*]

.....what she said

[kpopgirl]

If you have acne then it is best not to go with things like clearasil. I have never met a person it has cleared up.
Acne is not caused by dirt so cleaning won't clear you any more than just having 2 showers a day with soap will.

Acne is caused by the following:

1) hormones
2) genetics
3) immune system
4) hyperkeratinisation (blocks your follicles)
5) bacteria etc breeding in blocked follicles
6) producing too much sebum in follicles

treatments that work for you depend on which of these factors are more relevant to you

Main treatments are:

Topical:

Benzoyl Peroxide
Azelaic acid
Retin A
Topical anti-biotics
salicylic acid

oral:
Antibiotics
hormone pills
accutane

Also its important to adjust your lifestyle i.e. ensure you are getting enough sleep (teens need more sleep for their developing brains) and eating loads of veg and fruit and drinking enough water.... some people find that eating a reduced GI diet helps them also...

It is likely that an approach with multiple "parts" will be what works...

i.e. for me, azelaic acid twice a day/ shower with "ure" soap twice a day, minimal/non comodogenic makeup, getting enough sleep and changing my towels and sheets twice a week keeps my clear.

Try things one by one so you know what works and what doesn't so you don;t end up feeling trapped by more "rules" than you need to have.

Good luck!!

If you post a picture it can help us to see what type of acne you have and help us to advise you.

Thanks so much for the good advice! Its nice to know there are people like you to help me. Anyways, what should I do to get rid of the acne scars after clearing my acne? I will surely use your advice.

[asburypark101]

If you have acne then it is best not to go with things like clearasil. I have never met a person it has cleared up.
Acne is not caused by dirt so cleaning won't clear you any more than just having 2 showers a day with soap will.

Acne is caused by the following:

1) hormones
2) genetics
3) immune system
4) hyperkeratinisation (blocks your follicles)
5) bacteria etc breeding in blocked follicles
6) producing too much sebum in follicles

treatments that work for you depend on which of these factors are more relevant to you

Main treatments are:

Topical:

Benzoyl Peroxide
Azelaic acid
Retin A
Topical anti-biotics
salicylic acid

oral:
Antibiotics
hormone pills
accutane

Also its important to adjust your lifestyle i.e. ensure you are getting enough sleep (teens need more sleep for their developing brains) and eating loads of veg and fruit and drinking enough water.... some people find that eating a reduced GI diet helps them also...

It is likely that an approach with multiple "parts" will be what works...

i.e. for me, azelaic acid twice a day/ shower with "ure" soap twice a day, minimal/non comodogenic makeup, getting enough sleep and changing my towels and sheets twice a week keeps my clear.

Try things one by one so you know what works and what doesn't so you don;t end up feeling trapped by more "rules" than you need to have.

Good luck!!

If you post a picture it can help us to see what type of acne you have and help us to advise you.

Thanks so much for the good advice! Its nice to know there are people like you to help me. Anyways, what should I do to get rid of the acne scars after clearing my acne? I will surely use your advice.

Well it depends if your acne scars are truly scars. Sometimes after acne you get persistent red or brown marks called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that can last up to a year or two, but they are not permanent. Typically PIH is flat without any uneven texture on the skin, while true scars have raised edges, small pinpoint holes called icepick scars, depressions in the skin, or any other areas where the texture of the skin is uneven. Now with PIH, retin-a and azleaic acid have been reported as effective. If you do have acne scars, I would go to a dermatologist to see what he/she would recommend because there are a lot of different treatment options for true acne scars, and you need a professional to determine the right treatment for your scar and skin type. Good luck and hope you get clear soon

Edited by asburypark101, 25 April 2012 - 02:24 AM.

[maybemonday]

Don't be sad! Stress can also sometimes aggravate your acne, so try and worry about it as little as you can. I know that sounds impossible, but you're not alone...many, many people including myself have acne and hyper-pigmentation. I know that fact doesn't really help either, but just know that it will get better. Follow the advice of the posters above (to which I can't add much except suggesting you try some light meditation to clear your mind of stress) and hopefully things will start to clear up. Good luck

Edited by Clara Nicolini, 25 April 2012 - 09:53 AM.

[crystal_willow]

meditation and yoga and getting enough sleep really helped me a lot xx