5 replies to this topic

[ALO1987]

Introduction:

I've battled with acne since 15 but in my teens it wasn't a bad. In the past, it was whiteheads and blackheads here and there and what i'm thinking to be one nodule once or twice a year up until now.

Currently I am 24 years old going to be 25 this March. I recently moved up in my job, which caused stress (3 months ago, in detail below). I've been breaking out almost every week since then (papules,pustules, and what I believe are nodules). I've always had somewhat an on and off diet (fast food and "home cooked" not really healthy) and it has always been that way.

Time frame:
1st week: (Right side) large sized inflammed acne near jaw line, cheek. USED PERSA-GEL 10 ON ANYTHING THAT WAS LARGE.
2nd week: Thinking it was the stress I calmed down and took a few days off and started using Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser for normal to oily skin. I still broke out (right and left) cheeks pustules and papules "average" size and somewhat visible.
3rd week: (Right side) more larged inflammed acne near ears(doesn't hurt soft to touch).
4th week: I changed my diet (spinach, wheat bread, turkey, beef, chicken). Took some vitamin E and Zinc. I was still breaking out, papules and pustules on cheeks (both sides).

1st week: I kinda broke my diet here and ate out (chilly cheese fries are my favorite and i was dying without them). Still breaking out pustules and papules and larger inflammed ones are also on the left side near ear. I stopped using Cetaphil.
2nd week: I went back to forcing my diet and also started to add Vitamin A & D. By now most papules and pustules are fading away during this week. The large inflammed ones were also going away.
3rd week: I'm nearly clear just for some scars and I bought Ambi with hydroquinone for that (used only a couple of times i like to stay natural). I laid off the vitamins because I was worried about the incorrect intake (verying sources said varying things)
4th week: I'm still on my diet and now my skin is really starting to get back to how it normally looked. Maybe one or so Pustules or papules.

1st week: Clear! Diet somewhat maintained every couple of days but I also ate fast food.
2nd week: AHHHH! it starts all over again. Large inflammed Acne on cheek/right side near jaw line.
3rd week: Papules and pustules on cheeks.
4th week: Maybe one new pustules notice directly on cheek near eyes a gaping whole where I forced hard sebum out

this past week:
First few days: I bought dairy products to test out (reactions to skin) along with other foods, stopped eating healthy for three days. And yes I broke out.
Last few days: I'm still breaking out, scars are still there and I'm eating out again. And i'm started using a Cetaphil, Persa- Gel 10 (all over my face for 5 -10 minutes ) and a moisturizer.

Conclusion:
I am having mixed feelings about what to do about my Acne. I'm not even sure if it's mild, moderate, or severe. I'm not even sure of my skin type. In the summer i feel as if it is oily at times (especially after eating), but as of right now the cold weather has my face dried and flaking and not even moisturizer can moisturize this.

Regiment I'm planning on doing:
Exterior:
1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normail to Oily skin. (Daily of course)
2. Baking soda with Cetaphil (Once a week)
3. Egg and Lemon Mask (Once a week)
Diet:
1. Whole wheat breads/pasta
2. One fruit in the morning and at lunch.
3. Green Tea 3 times a day.
4. 6-8 cups of water.
5. NO MORE FAST FOOD and Soda.

I think there is a large inflammed one that hurts near my chin on one of the pictures. can you please Identify if it's a nodule?
Can you please give me any advice or answer some of my questions in my conclusion?

Pictures in order of:
Week 1:
L Cheek
R Cheek
L Cheek
Week 2:
R Cheek Jawline
R Cheek
R Cheek
L Cheek
R Cheek in different lighting

Attached Files

•  CAM00203.jpg   256.85K   6 downloads
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Edited by ALO1987, 05 January 2013 - 01:09 PM.

[Garrettrichard]

Hello!

First off, I'll start by saying that I think you have a pretty clear complexion! Your skin seems to be pretty nice overall. Mostly just looks like you have 1-2 active spots, and for a lot of people thats pretty good. By the sounds of it you have generally mild acne, with combination skin (most common in my opinion) and the spot on your jaw seems like a cystic pimple, with is pretty common to get along the jawline.

It's awesome that you have a good diet, cutting back on things such as pork, and wheats (if you have an allergy or intolerance) are noted to help some. Also taking the daily recommenced does of zinc and B vitamins is good for the skin. Increasing intakes of vitamin rich healthy fresh fruits and veggies are also a good option.

What you could do about your skin in the winter is exfoliate in the shower with your finger tips,and gently buff off any extra skin, this way you can get the exfoliating effect, without all those harsh chemicals. Continue using a nice moisturizer (oil free and non comedogenic) to fight off the dry skin in the winter, and in the summer taper off and see if the skin can do without, to avoid any extra oiliness.

Lastly, If you don't notice an improvement that you're looking for in your breakouts, you could consider using a more constant treatment of BP in your regiment. I know you like to stay as natural as you can, but a lot of people need that little extra kick to get their face under control.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

Hope this helps. (:

[ALO1987]

Thanks for the info!

How much vitamin B should I intake?
I do 400IU of Vitamin E every other day, because there has been some controversial readings about taking too much.
I break my zinc 50mg tablets in half and take them like that daily to stay below what is "bad."
Just had two more breakouts but I guess with time it should all work out.

[Green Gables]

Did you cut out dairy? How dairy and sugar affect acne, research by Dr Hyman

[ALO1987]

I've cut out dairy not too long ago. I don't think eggs are considered dairy, but if it is then I must cut this out also
I'm currently doing Fish Oil (1000mg x3/each meal), Multi-Vitamin (E, B-5, A, D, and Zinc x2 except Fridays, Saturdays), Friday I take Vitamin E 400IU, Zinc 25-30 mg (break 50 mg pill in half lol).

Only thing I really eat now:

Eggs
Fruits
Almonds
Spinach
Red meat (1-2 times a week)
Chicken
Turkey
Salmon/Fish (mainly Salmon)
Whole wheat bread
Hummus

I'm starting to feel like pork products may be one of my triggers. I have minor breakouts but nothing BP spot treatment didn't stop if I caught it early.

Any suggestions on what else I can probably eat?

I'll post update pictures this weekend

Edit: Pictures are up.

Edited by ALO1987, 05 January 2013 - 01:04 PM.

[Green Gables]

I've cut out dairy not too long ago. I don't think eggs are considered dairy, but if it is then I must cut this out also
I'm currently doing Fish Oil (1000mg x3/each meal), Multi-Vitamin (E, B-5, A, D, and Zinc x2 except Fridays, Saturdays), Friday I take Vitamin E 400IU, Zinc 25-30 mg (break 50 mg pill in half lol).

Only thing I really eat now:

Eggs
Fruits
Almonds
Spinach
Red meat (1-2 times a week)
Chicken
Turkey
Salmon/Fish (mainly Salmon)
Whole wheat bread
Hummus

I'm starting to feel like pork products may be one of my triggers. I have minor breakouts but nothing BP spot treatment didn't stop if I caught it early.

Any suggestions on what else I can probably eat?

I'll post update pictures this weekend

Edit: Pictures are up.

It looks to me like your skin is healing.

Some organic or homemade soup? It looks like your diet is pretty much following a Paleo pattern. If you get the Paleo diet book it will have a lot of recommendations of what to eat.