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Hello,
I was wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation to me that could help me, please.
I started to get adult acne around 3 years ago, it is adult acne as I was 25 at the time and now 28.
It gradually got worse over time. I never went to the doctors and went to a skincare specialist who helped me organise a specialist routine for my skin, which took a while to work but eventually after about 3 months my skin was clear for a year. I started micro-needling and was on the road to recovery, however, after introducing a retinol serum, stopping using my BHA 2% St Paula's Choice exfoliant and starting university which meant my stress levels and diet has been affected, my acne is now back with a vengeance and worse than before.
I have spent over 1500 on products, consultations and micro-needling for scars (which are still here) and now I have to deal with the acne coming back again. I decided that I had enough, and went the doctors for help. They put me on lymecycline and gave me a benzoyl peroxide. I was advised that acne is not caused by diet or skincare and that this is the only way to help my skin. Which if true, then why did my skincare work for a year?
I have started the antibiotics but they have so far not worked and I have actually got more frequent spots and sore ones too! I havent started benxoyl yet as I am scared that this irritates my skin and makes it horrible and dry, plus I have read that you need to be on it forever? Which is something that I do not want to do.
I have had enough! I am tried and I am drained. I dont want to leave the house or socialise. I have cancelled so many plans. And I cant stop crying everyday when I look in the mirror.
What I am doing now is my usual skincare from before, starting to eat more healthily again, and taking the lymecycline. I am trying to decide if I should stop the retinol serum and go back to st paulas choice 2 x nights a week? Or start benzoyl peroxide 3 x a week? Or start Epiduo cream 3 x a week that I bought myself online?
If anyone could please give me some help or advice, if they have been through a similar situation that would be amazing. I feel so alone and this is having a severe effect on my mental health.
Thanks,
Lauren
I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Acne can be demoralizing and affect mental health.I can 100% empathize with you. I promise you are not alone!
I have a horrible break out this summer that took 4 months to get under control. You need to give the medication time to work its magic.
One thing that helped was completely removing dairy from my diet. My derm actually recommended it. I was drinking a ton of whey based shakes and I am pretty sure that is what started the whole nightmare.
Give yourself some grace and realize the meds take time to work. You may want to ask your derm about going on spirolactone. Going back on it helped get my skin better.
I took Spiro plus doxycycline, used 2% BP in the morning and .05% tretinoin in the evening all of which helped clear my skin. Make sure to use oil-feee moisturizer. Avoid harsh face wash. Be gentle with your skin.
Dont stop the meds once you clear up. My current regime is wash with LaRoche Posey hydrating face wash, 2% BP to face except chin, on chin I use murad deep relief acne treatment, then I moisturize with neutrogena hydro boost moisturizer and use super goop oil-free sunscreen. Evening I use same face wash, use the tretinoin and moisturize with Biafine.
Zitsticka makes great products. I take the skin discipline supplement daily. I also swear by their press refresh mask which I use once weekly.
Wishing you all the best! Hang in there Lauren!
First of all I'd get your hormones checked. Make sure you don't have PCOS or another hormonal problem.
And next, just get on the regimen and get clear. No sense in having acne. And then long-term, yeah, try low-carb and see if that helps.
Oh yeah, and also, antibiotics...they were such a nightmare for me. They didn't work, mess with your system badly, can have long-term side effects, and mess with your microbiome. They are being prescribed less and less thankfully, but never just take antibiotics without really asking questions of your doc, particularly when they prescribe them for acne. They should be used for a max of 3 months btw.