Im 28, I've been treating my acne for years and have seen countless dermatologists and ingested loads of antibiotics. I used benzoyl on and off for a couple of years and it left some faded marks on my left cheek. I read up on things online about how to reduce them so began with the Nib and Fab AHA pads and a vitamin C serum a few months ago. I started to break out again, so I went back to a dermatologist who prescribed me with tetryacycline twice a day. It cleared me up, sort of, but these marks remain and more visible than ever. Now, as of today, my face is worse than it's been. I have more marks, now on both sides of my face and every time I break out, a spot will take months to disappear. I'm completely lost, I broke down in tears in the doctor's office this morning who said all she could do is refer me back to another specialist, in January. Nobody has told me what I have and how to combat it. I feel like I've made things worse by using the AHA pads and occasional use of salicylic acid, (Paula's Choice BHA made me look like a burn's victim).
I occasionally use a microdermabrasion NO7 scrub but again, with no results. The last derm prescribed me with ISOTREX gel but I'm terrified of using it incase it makes me even worse. Will it? I have La Roche Possay Effaclar Duo too but again I'm reluctant. I wish I could go back to how it was before I started playing around with AHA's 
I feel horrible. This is really stressing me out now, I need help and suggestions, fast ;(
For the last week, I've been using just water to wash with and have implemented Cerave PM. I also have a non comedogenic oil free sunscreen that apply during the day. I've added Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% from Acne Org on the odd night as it tends to work well on the odd breakout. I wash this off after a few minutes though to prevent irritation. My red marks are at their worst now though. I have Isotrex Gel which contains 0.05g of isotretinoin but I'm yet to use. What do you think? Should I try substituting BP for it? The red/pink spots are like open wound red. Super bright :/ I'm completely out of ideas
Pics here.
I feel your pain man, I'm in my mid 30's and I can't seem to shake this thing. I stress over my face constantly. Even on days when I'm clear, I stress about when the next breakout is coming. Im on the BP regiment on for the most part it seems to work. I'm mostly clear alot of the time. But i get these large lumps on my chin. That's the only place they appear. it's very weird. I have been on a SUPER healthly diet for many years, and i've lost way too much weight. All in the hopes of beating this.
I'm going to do a hormone blood panel soon to check my levels. I have heard that chin acne can be started by hormone inbalance in the body.
I guess what im saying is..don't give up. Keep trying different things and see what your body responds to. Look out for your stress and diet, and keep yourself calm.
IT IS THE WATER!!!! Weacne prone ppl are allergic to chemicals. STOP using them!!
Our skincan't handle Free Chlorine (Cl-), Combined Chlorine ( Sodium Hypochlorite), Hydrogen Sulfide (rotten egg smell) andIron Oxide (rust water)
Get a filtered shower head!!!! You will be amazed how your water is damaging your skin and hair. A filter will filter chemicals making your hard water softer. Trust me, I have tried everything before I started washing my body with only filtered water. Wash your face with combinations of honey, lemon, and coconut oil and sugar for exfoliation. Thayers Witch Hazel (No Alcohol) as toner. Use aloe Vera gel as moisturizer. Tea tree oil is great too. Best of wishes.
Hi t2487,
I can't see your pictures, but I can certainly empathise with you, I too have been this low and worse -suicidal even. Battling acne has indeed caused me major social anxiety issues along with OCD when it comes to researching and over analyzing my skin and I am trying and slowly making progress to stop it taking over my life any longer!
I couldn't even begin to list so called cures and wonder products that I've tried and to think about the money I've spent just trying to get skin like others around me... makes me physically sick!!
I have and still do suffer with large pores rough skin texture and clogged pores, as well as oily hormonal acnemainly on my chin and cheeks. It really is trial and error to try and find out what is triggering your issues everybody's skin is so different and reacts differently.
I believe after 15 years I have discovered the trigger of my hormonal acne on my chin and cheeks I have been dairy and soya free for around 6 months and (touch wood) I haven't had an angry hormonal spot even during pms for around 3 months. As well as cutting out dairy I also take a multi vitamin and 3000mg of omega 3 per day to help balance my oil production which I believe is the cause of my clogged pores.
I also use Apple Cider Vinegar diluted on my skin ( started with a ratio of 1;8 distilled water) i believe all the years I'vechemically exfoliated my skin with harsh products has wrecked my acid mantle which has led to even more acne redness scars and sensitive skin. Apple Cider Vinegar used as a toner is supposed to restore your skins ph balance and help balance oil production may also help me red marks. I have used this for the past 4 months twice a day and I believe it really has helped me. Healing my skin is going to be a long process but I am heading in the right direction and i sincerely you and everyone else find something that works for them.
Cleansers and moisturizers are still very much in the trial and error stage for me, I have been searching high and low for a cleanser that has a PH of around 5.5 and no higher than 6 that does not contain Sulfates ( Oil Cleansing method was disastrous for me). My two cleansers at the moment are Ren clear calm clay cleanser ( not sure of PH in this but is quite soothing for my skin doesn't make my skin red) and my new cleanser is Sunday Riley ceramic slip cleanser which has a PH level of 5 so in theory shouldn't disrupt my acid mantle.
I am however struggling with moisturizer It seems everything I've tried irritates me and makes me super oily and congested. After trying the exposed skin care regime i found their moisture complex cream doesn't break me out it's oil free. It's not as moisturizing as I would like but I'm happy it doesn't break me out whilst i battle my clogged pores.
Some nights I will sleep with UMF rated Comvita Manuka Honey on my face and wash off in the morning. I find if i cleanse with commercial cleansers in the morning too my skin gets too dry and itchy so I try and avoid this as much as I can. If i don't sleep with honey mask I will sit with it in for a few hours after cleansing. It's been used for healing burns in hospitals so I'm hoping it will help my skin in some way.
I have stripped my routine right back to this only really. my hope is to introduce my anti aging products when my skin is under control but i expect ive got at least another 6 months to go before I can start experimenting.
So i guess my advice/guidance would be to stop everything your currently doing especially manual scrubs and start again and maybe try from scratch and to look at your diet going forward to see if there are any triggers relating to diet to help reduce future breakouts.
I could write so much more I'll leave it there for now, I apologise for the long post but I do hope it does help in some way even if it's just to know you're not alone.
Take care xxx
Hello Handsome,
lets start of with 1 thing don't STRESS out over you skin that just makes more acne appear and it will continue to appear. I know it is easier said then done but I've been dealing with acne since 7th grade so a little over 6years.
HOWEVER !!!It it does get better !
2nd)NO MORE SCRUBS (microdermabrasion) you need to be gentle with you skin !!! That's a must !!
3rd) DONT USE SO MANY DIFFERENT PRODUCTS MADE FOR ACNE .
4th) I recommend if you have sensitive skin buy a SIMPLE Facial wash .. It is extremely gentle !!! if your skin isn't so sensitive buy Panoxyl creamy facial wash start with 4%
5th) LIFESTYLE: do you sweat a lot, touch your face, hydrate your skin (drink water), use sunscreen (even when you don't go outside)? If not, maybe you should start
6) LET YOUR SKIN BREATH ! I know you aren't a girl and you don't have to worry about makeup but some guys do try makeup out to cover their blemishes..
7) skin repairis on a cycle which is VERY slow for individuals like you and me. I recommend spending it up buy a dermaroll set from {LINK REMOVED} DONT GET CRAZY WITH THE DERMAROLLER !!!
8) REMEMBER ! you have people very much like you here ! Don't feel ALONE . if you ever need anyone to talk to you can come to me on acne.org but also you can find me on my gmail as well as YouTube @{REMOVED} . for more TIPS and ADVICE follow my YouTube Channel (: HOPE THIS HELPS