1 reply to this topic

[JayPee]

Hi fellow troopers,

So I thought after my 10 year battle with acne I would share my story to maybe give others some hope. I often read these posts for advice and read individuals stories to gain some hope I would eventually have a clear face. Now its my turn to give back...finally!

My acne started when I was about 16 and it came on strong, it was a daily battle for me and being a teenager it killed alot of confidence. I had alot of small pimples on my face but I would also get very deep cyctic pimples which were painful and extremely uncomfortable. I have very fair and sensitive skin so every blemish, scar, mark and pimple was red and visible. In my teens I tried every facial cleanser and cream including benzoyl peroxide, I went to see a naturalpath and changed my diet and a dermatologist who tested me for allergies and gave me some advice. Nothing worked however I believe it controlled it somewhat. Into my early 20s I went ot the doctor and got oral antibiotics, I started on ProActiv and took fish oil and zinc supplements. This once again did not stop it however it did keep it under control. Please also know that through these periods I also had very bad breakouts where is was to embarressed to even leave the house, go to school or work.
Into my mid 20s the breakouts started to become more frequent. I soon realised that ProActiv was to harsh for the sensitive skin on my face and my body was becoming imune to the oral antiboitics. I changed to a neutrogena face wash and an oil free moisterisor. I also went back to the doctor for a different antibiotic. The doctor also gave me Stieva-A cream which I recomend everyone use sparingly because it burns your skin very quickly. At this stage I had also cut all acidic foods out of my diet including chicken because of all the hormones that are in them these days.

By this stage I believe I had tried everything possible and I was still battling with my skin on a daily basis. I was emotionally exhausted from thinking about it and having to deal with looking in the mirror every morning. I was completely overwhelmed by the issue and it was effecting my life dramatically. I had no confidence therefore I was holding back socially and professionally. No one understood why it was such a big deal to me and family and friends tried to be supportive and said they didnt even notice it. This didnt help.

Last year the my body started to become imune to the antibiotics again and my face started to break out and the cystic pimples were becoming more frequent. I went on 2 amazing holidays that were completely ruined by my bad skin and lack of self confidence, I avoided cameras and just couldnt relax and enjoy myself. After my 26th birthday I decided I was compeletely sick of being miserable and went to see another dermatologist. After doing alot of research the only thing I hadent tried was Roaccutane. I spoke to the dermatologist about it and she put me on 20mg every 2-3 days depending on how I reacted. I have very sensitive skin so I was put on a low dose and the course would take a year.

I read that majority of people got worse in the first 3 months before they got better, this was true! My face broke out incredibly bad with multiple cystic pimples, I was completely devastated and embarressed. However I was persistant and had hope there was light at the end of the tunnel. My skin was extremely dry and flaky, my lips were constantly dry and the pimples wouldnt stop. I also found that I got cystic lumps that were just full of blood. As hard as it was I reframed from picking at my face to much to avoid scarring and let it all naturally come out. It was painful, uncomfortable and I was completely miserable. Then after 3 months the pimples started to stop! At about 5 months they had stopped completely, however the Roaccutane kept my skin very red and I had alot of scarring from all the breakouts I had in the last couple of months. I kept on taking the Roaccutane as the dermotologist told me its best to see out the course even after it clears up. I kept at it, happy that I wasnt getting pimples only the occasional blemish but unhappy because I still looked like a had a face full of pimples from all the red scarring that wouldnt heal. I got to 9 months and I couldnt notice the scars healing so spoke to the dermotologist again. Apparently whilst on Roaccutane your skin will stay red and inflamed and healing is very slow. I decided I would try stopping the course and let my skin heal and if it comes back I would finish the course. Keeping in mind I have heard all the bad reviews about this medication and would prefer not to be on it.

I have now been off it for 2 months, apparently it takes about 1 month for the Roacutane to get out of your system completely and my scars are starting to heal and my face almost looks completely clear! I dont remember the last time I sqeezed a white head, I do get the occasional blemish but I am finally starting to actually feel like myself and dont dread waking up and looking in the mirror in the morning.

I believe most people dont understand the phycological stress and detriment thats comes with having bad skin. It completely kills your comfidence which effects every aspect of your life. After a 10 year battle I am finally starting to feel like myself, like I have the chance to discover who I actually am. Im not the ugly and miserable person that stared back at me every morning in the mirror and its exciting but unfortunate that me along with alot of people out there dont get to experience this until later in life or ever.

So fingers crossed my skin stays clear. I hope my story can help someone or at least give you some hope, know that your not the only one and that everyone is different and its just a matter of finding whats works best for you.

All the best:)

[ommghii]

Hi! I just wanted to say I'm glad you found something that worked for you! I also took accutane and it really worked. I hope you stay clear and enjoy life with confidence. It's been four years since I've taken my course and I'm still pretty clear. Good luck and thanks sharing your story