pilotphase 4 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Hi, I just want to give a bit of background history: I have always had closed comedones/whiteheads on my chin since I was 15, Now I am 22. I have previously been on Benzoyl Peroxide to get rid of them. However they never left. I was't too bothered because you cant see them until i stretch my chin out. Now at 22, these spots have started to cover majority the lower half of my face, I have never had this before. When I squeeze them either a hard clear seed comes out, or a stringy white substance. They look really bad in certain lights. My cheeks have also been relatively clear, around the time of my period i usually get a few spots but thats about it. MY forehead has also been a big problem. I had pretty bad acne on my forehead when i was 16, I used Zineryt and was on a prescription Medicine (Tricycline (I think)) which cleared majority of it. Now at 22 they have returned. I have all these lumps on them, that have erupted to large spots. My forehead is extremely bumpy from the closed comedones. I really want to solve this problem, I don't understand why my skin is so bad now, and is there something I can do to rectify this and make my skin to how it was? I have attached photos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bonsai77 26 Share Posted December 28, 2013 they look like closed comedones to me, i used to have them. they are quite stubborn and dont always have an obvious opening. Bp wont do much good. You have to exfoliate, either manually with a scrub (its tempting to scub really hard, but this may just irritate them) or using a chemical exfolaint like glycolic acid. s/times when you switch to a new facewash they can make you purge, so they may come to the surface. I never purged when i used glycolc acid though. It could be alot worse, you could have painful cysts so count yourself lucky they dont look bad in most lighting anyway. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pilotphase 4 Author Share Posted December 29, 2013 I am currently using Mario Badesco Glycolic Toner. I actually had no whiteheads on my jaw until 2 days ago. Is there a quick way to get rid of them?So this is what my forehead looks like, its the worst it has ever been. I am at my wits end, i have no idea what to do. The texture is extremely lumpy, My face looks oily all the time and i have these hard red spots coming out maybe 1 to 2 a day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
maria199 80 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Comedones.. mine tend to inflame! B.p. helped me though i still get them.. I also use an 18% aha cream. I extract them on my own (there is a risk of inflaming but that's their future anyway) or by doing a facial cleansing or a professional peeling. I believe the next step is a topical retinoid but they tend to purge and inflame so i don't dare use them before they are extracted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pilotphase 4 Author Share Posted December 29, 2013 So you suggest i get BP and topical retinoid? What one would you suggest? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Megan Rina 1 Share Posted December 29, 2013 It seems like you need to exfoliate. Not just with a face scrub but with a product that sits on your skin all day and microscopically exfoliates. For example, the clear cell acne lotion from image skin care or the ormedic antioxidant serum from image skin care. Both of these products stay on your skin all day/night and will turn over skin cells faster to prevent clogging. give it a try! xo Meg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
maria199 80 Share Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) First of all think if you have recently used any new product that could be the cause. I believe that it's best to extract them first because there are concentrated and if they do inflame due to the retinoid that could be a massive breakout. A good professional is the best to do it, ask first about their methods and then decide if it's sufficient, especially when it comes to skin disinfection. B.p. and topical retinoid could be too harsh for the skin and i have no experience on this combination. I plan to use only retinoid because b.p. does nothing to inflamed acne for me. If it works for you i can't say if you should stop it... from my experience, b.p. is the first line treatment and then they try topical retinoids but a derm knows better and can help in case of initial breakout etc. Edited December 29, 2013 by maria199 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pilotphase 4 Author Share Posted December 29, 2013 I have started using glycolic acid, that is the only new thing. I thought it was meant to help and clear whiteheads? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
maria199 80 Share Posted December 30, 2013 It helps but sometimes it's not enough and it depends on the concentration and pH. They are hard to treat, unfortunately.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pilotphase 4 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 I have just bought Paulas Choice AHA, I am hoping this might help. Its weird how it just appeared over night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LeadingForce 96 Share Posted December 30, 2013 retin a works on those Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pilotphase 4 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 What Retin A product would you suggest? I am based in the UK Quote Link to post Share on other sites