I, unfortunately like so many others, have been dealing with acne for the better part of my life. My acne has gotten much worse over the past three years after starting a job which is more stressful than my last. I can't even remember what it's like to have clear skin anymore, at all times it seems like I have multiple pimples, most of them cystic around my mouth, chin and nose area. Some of them are strange too with no pain and unresponsive to cortisone shorts. I'm hoping that someone out there can help shed some light on how to see some improvement!
A little history on things I have tried:
- Accutane three times over six years (the last time three months in I was still breaking out, but with dime size welts everywhere so my doctor pulled me off)
- Clindamycin, Differin and Retin A
- Antibiotics (mino among others which I took for two straight years about three years ago, seems like it's made things worse long term)
- The Regimen (did for about 7 years with good success but not as effective now)
- Every topical out there...from drugstore to online to Paula's Choice to Face Reality Clinic
- Multipe estheticians and even accupuncture
- Diet including green tea, fish oil, zinc, vitamin D, probiotics
- Exercise (I regularly do mutliple times every week)
All of this hasn't helped a bit lately and things are worse than ever. It's depressing to say the least as everyone I know my age (or see) doesn't have to deal with acne, at least not to the degree I do.
I'm wondering, are there any other males that still deal/have dealt with this or does anyone have suggestions? I feel like I've tried everything under the sun but nothing works.
The one thing I do believe is the stress of my job is aggrivating if not causing the situation as I have noticed brief periods of time clearing up when things calm down at work. Short of quitting my job (which I have considered) I'm hoping there is another solution and that someone out there has some experience with this or has some advice. I'm beginning to think that maybe vitamin B (my lips are constantly chapped which I read could be a sign of deficiency) or supplements that help with cortisol/androgens may be helpful?
Guy or girl, if anyone that deals with adult acne has any advice on something new that may help I would happily welcome your advice.
Thanks!
- watch for high glicemic meals (no big bread/sweets/look for a table of gi content)
- no major activity late in the day, and i mean food also, no big meal in the evening, and especially nothing sweet (or bread/pasta) (the worst u can do is go to gym, in the evening, that's pure stupidity)
- take good care of the liver. silybum marianum is one of ur best friends.
- eat more meals, that means also a bit smaller ones, but eat a lot. don't lose any weight
- don't lift weights. everybody noticed that acne comes after gym. stick with stretches and moderate exercices. do stretches in the morning (brings blood to extremities and also skin)
- for sebum quality, some vit B complex(make sure it has enough b2)+ vit A
-no alcohol.(it "guaranties" acne for me)
(and generally anything bad for the liver)
Thanks Dan, I appreciate the feedback and suggestions!!
I think the hardest thing will be to not lift weights but it's worth giving it a try for a bit to see how my body reacts. I tend to eat a lot of small meals low in glycimic content so that's something I won't have to adjust (which will be nice).
I'm wondering, are you taking b complex right now? It seems so confusing with what I've read saying vitamin B is crucial for good skin but that too much can break you out. I'm curious if that would help wth cortisol levels (again, mine seems to be aggrivated by stress). I haven't heard B2 specifically being singled out before. Do you think it's more important than B6?
Thanks!
i've read in a doctor's article vit B2+A are needed for sebum quality. but also for hormones, especially if why have a sort this hormonal "unknowness". if that wasn't enough, heavy workout further deplets this vit. combo. and practically i notice a notabile difference.(but it may just be the vit A, not sure).
but the biggest acne trigger is high physical effort. again, personally i noticed that after a full day of mild workout (like cleaning the house, constructing things, etc) acne gets better. so it's all about exchanging intencity to duration.
have you ever had a full set of acne specific tests?
If you know the specific tests that can be performed, please, list them. Also, what specialist(s) typically perform these tests?
I've had some doctors tell me that they no longer perform blood work to look for hormone imbalance because the levels constantly fluctuate. It gets so confusing.... 
Thank you,
PI
If you know the specific tests that can be performed, please, list them. Also, what specialist(s) typically perform these tests?
Ok so this is what I gathered from briefly speaking to a dermatologist (I've been "treated" by a lot of them in the past, but none of them asked me to get tested) and what I've read here and there:
The standard blood tests don't reveal much about acne and you should get specific endocrine tests, free and total testosterone, DHEAS, estradiol, prolactine, LH/FSH ratio, bacteria, fungus, Demodex, parasites, food and respiratory allergies, food intolerances, VISIA helps a lot too. I didn't took all these tests but I will once I have all the money, a little bit more than 1000 euro here.
Ok so this is what I gathered from briefly speaking to a dermatologist (I've been "treated" by a lot of them in the past, but none of them asked me to get tested) and what I've read here and there:
The standard blood tests don't reveal much about acne and you should get specific endocrine tests, free and total testosterone, DHEAS, estradiol, prolactine, LH/FSH ratio, bacteria, fungus, Demodex, parasites, food and respiratory allergies, food intolerances, VISIA helps a lot too. I didn't took all these tests but I will once I have all the money, a little bit more than 1000 euro here.
Thank you for this information.
A few dermatologists and one gynecologist I've spoken with pooh-poohed the usefulness of testing hormone levels. Of course, I need to find out what my insurance company would pay for such tests, so I suppose that just an initial visit with an endocrinologist--to discuss what tests s/he recommends--is in order.
One last question, though: endocrinologists don't typically test for bacteria, fungus, parasites, allergies, and food intolerances, do they? I thought that they only look at the hormonal aspect of the body. Am I mistaken?
One last question, though: endocrinologists don't typically test for bacteria, fungus, parasites, allergies, and food intolerances, do they? I thought that they only look at the hormonal aspect of the body. Am I mistaken?
Yeah, I guess they don't. Don't know how it's like in other countries, here per example, you have private clinics where you can take all these tests and I think you only need a dermatologist recommandation(?) to take those tests, but you have to pay them. Also I forgot to add protein tests. Best of luck
All you need is to eat raw white cabbage twice a day!! you can make a mask which significantly improves your skin after the first treatment by blending some cabbage with a bit of apple cider vinegar. moisten some cosmetic cotton pads and apply to your face for 20mins. Rinse and repeat this twice a day!!!!! you can also use baking soda as a mild exfoliant! Stop USING OTC MEDICINE SAVE YOUR MONEY!! trust me by day three you will see significant improvement!!! Bon chance!