8 replies to this topic

[evelyne]

I'm in my late teens and I suffer from mild-moderate acne. So I realise that my skin will break out pretty badly, 4-6 big pimples bad, which lasts for about a week and then one day i will suddenly see this rather significant improvement in my skin. It's like I reached a peak in my breakout, or so I'd like to call it, and then after that the clearing up process begins. Sounds epic eh.

This cycle goes on and on so whenever my scars/pimples seem to be clearing well and fading, bam I am hit with another breakout, usually at my cheek area/the sides of my face. That's where I usually get my pimples, unfortunately, since they are so obvious! I have a feeling it's hormonal but my best-skin days are actually days near/during my period. Is that normal?

It's sooo frustrating and I get really upset because my breakouts give me sore pimples that look bumpy and I resemble a potato. No joke. (texture wise I mean, I still keep my limbs)

Is there anything I can do to manage this so I don't keep breaking out regularly, which can allow my skin to heal. It seems to heal pretty fast right after the peak of my breakout but kinda reaches a plateau right before my next breakout.

Any suggestions are really welcome!
Thanks in advance!

Edit: Just some background on me, I've been suffering from moderate acne since I was 13 but it has become much milder in these couple of years. It was really horrible because I would pick at my skin, leaving red/brown marks which remain long after the pimple is gone. As a result, i've become really self conscious and lost most of my confidence. Acne really sucks as a childhood(hopefully not going to adulthood!) friend. Thank goodness I'm glad to say that my marks are not a bad and extensive as before though they are still pretty obvious.

Edited by evelyne, 10 July 2012 - 04:36 AM.

[NYakaBR]

Most girls who experience hormonal acne will breakout the week before their period is set to begin. If you think it's hormonal, try birth control and that should help. Otherwise, you're still young where your hormones are still going to be crazy.

[Green Gables]

Your worst skin will start mid-cycle when you start ovulating. Your estrogen dips, your skin starts creating bumps, and you start breaking out the week before your period. By the time you hit your period the "bad" hormones are on the decline.

Summary: your acne probably is hormonal.

I would also recommend birth control or spironolactone. If you go on birth control, you need to get a moderate-to-high estrogen pill

Levels of estrogen in birth control:


Low-dose pills (Alesse, Aviane, Levlite, Loestrin 1/20, Mircette)
Regular-dose pills (Brevicon, Demulen, Desogen, Levlen, Lo/Ovral, Modicon, Nordette, Levora, Loestrin, Low-Ogestrel, Necon 1/35, Norethin, Norinyl 1+35, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, Ovcon 35, Seasonale, Yasmin, Zovia)
Phasic pills (Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo, Cyclessa, Trivora, Triphasil, Tri-Levlen, Ortho-Novum 10/11, Jenest, Tri-Norinyl, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep Fe)
High-dose pills (Ortho-Novum 1/50, Ovral, Ogestrel, Demulen 1/50, Ovcon 50)

Edited by Green Gables, 10 July 2012 - 09:40 PM.

[evelyne]

Thanks so much for the replies!

But is there any way that I can avoid taking pills? I've heard that peppermint tea does something to our hormonal level, would that work? Basically, I'm hoping for more natural solutions cos my mum would freak out if I told her I wanted birth control.

Also, since my acne is most probably hormonal, what is the likelihood that it will stop when I reach my 20s? Most people I know had acne in their teens but ceased as they grew older, like my mum. My acne has also been getting less severe these couple of years though I still breakout. Is that a good sign at all?

Again, thanks for the response!

[Binga]

Sage tea. Should not be taken in large amounts. Spearmint, thyme ginger tea also helps

[NYakaBR]

I take a low estrogen pill and it's still effective for me.
If you sit down and talk to your mom about why you want the pills, she may understand.

If your acne is hormonal, it may or may not go away as you get older. Your hormones will always fluctuate with the monthly cycle, regardless of age, so it just depends on how you individually calm down.

The only thing besides BCP that I can suggest is supplements. A lot of times with hormonal acne, you are breaking out because you are producing a lot more oil. I've had luck taking Vit. A (in the form of liver cod oil), Vit. B Complex, and Vit. E supplements in the ADVISED amounts.

[evelyne]

Thanks, maybe I'll try some supplements. (: But I'll probably leave birth control pills out for now since it isn't horrible. Waiting a couple of months to see if my acne really is hormonal cos I recently just thought of this connection.

Also, i had a pretty stressful period due to exams and stuff so would that be a reason for my breakouts as well? It seems like after a stressful period, I tend to breakout. Not during though. Strange.

[Green Gables]

My hormonal acne got worse as an adult.

If you want to try the natural route:
- Vitamin D-3, 5000 IU a day (it's a pre-hormone that your body needs to stabilize its own hormones)
- Saw palmetto, maca, or stinging nettle (natural anti-androgens)

But do think about talking to your mom. When I was a teenager I was offered birth control and my mom was leery of it, but when the dermatologist explained how it helps acne, she started pushing me to go on it!

Edited by Green Gables, 12 July 2012 - 01:36 PM.

[evelyne]

I see. Thanks for the advice! I'll see how it goes and if it gets worse, I'll reconsider taking bcp.