Acne relapse... advice?

Re: Acne relapse... advice?

• nextrightthing member

  

  April 2013

  I'm not a doc but I do have a lot of experience with this battle. Go back to the derm ASAP and see if he or she can prescribe something different.  Since your wedding is so soon, you might want to ask for something that doesn't cause a "purging" effect. I found that after one course of Accutane, the other treatments worked much better than they ever had before. 

  

  Report0 Reply
• winelover123 member

  

  April 2013

  I haven't had acne that bad, but I do get the cysts around my chin occasionally. I have an at-home laser hair removal device so when I get one of those nasty cysts, I put the device on the lowest setting and zap it. They usually go away after a few days. I know there are devices that are light-therapy based designed speficially for the face and acne, but I'm too cheap to get one when what I have works for me. If you have the money, I'd suggest trying it. I have the silk'n' sensepil. I'm not sure if Sephora still sells it, I know for certain that they sell a different one, but if you get it and try it and it doesn't work you can return it for a full refund.
  
  I second talking to your doctor too. Hope that helped! PM me if you want more info on the laser hair removal thingy.

  Report0 Reply
• Belle0720 member

  

  April 2013

  Talk to your dermatoligst ASAP. I'll share my experience but no two people are exactly the same so it's best to leave it to the pros, especially since you are getting so close to your wedding day.
  
  My experience: I've never had cystic acne, but I started getting breakouts in high school. I tried a bunch of different medications(pro activ too), Retin-A worked best but then I started getting a lot of breakouts in college. I did a round of Sotret(generic Accutane) and my skin was extremely clear for a good year after I stopped treatment. I started breaking out again so they had me do another round of Sotret and it worked again, my skin was amazing.  And then I started getting some breakouts again a couple of years later so the derm gave me Retin-A again to try and manage it, and it works okay, but doesn't completely keep my skin clear. Last fall, with our upcoming July wedding as an extra motivator, I decided I want to try new things. In December I started using Murad and my skin is looking amazing. I get a small pimple here and there if I'm not consistent with my regimen or around my period. But I'm realllllly happy with how it looks and feels!

  

  Report0 Reply
• yellowrose314 member

  

  April 2013

  Thanks for the advice all. I think I'll see if I can get in with my derm, I'm a little worried though, she books up way in advance. Cross your fingers for me!

  

  Report0 Reply
• sarag8r

  

  April 2013

  I have on going acne.  Talk to your derm but maybe also your every day, primary care.  They might be willing to write you a script for antibiotics (which I take and helps a TON).  Also, I put cortizone on my cysts and drink more water then normal and, if you can afford it, try an acne facial.  I have been going to a spa school so it's much less expensive.  While it doesn't make the acne go away, it does seem to help calm my skin and reduce the redness.  Worst case?  Ice cubes and hemmoroid creme on the day of. Fingers crossed you have clear skin on your big day (got all mine crosed for myself, too). Good luck!

  Report0 Reply
• araff87 member

  

  April 2013

  I just talked to my health-conscious uncle about this so I can hopefully get rid of my lingering acne by my wedding day. This was the last thing I really wanted to hear, but he recommended changing my diet. I looked it up from several sources, and basically what you want to do is cut way down on simple carbs, but complex carbs are still okay... I know, as someone who loves pretty much everything on the "simple carb" list, it's really not something I want to do, but I think it's worth a shot for me at least. I know you don't have a long time, but even if it starts working by then it might be worth it! Good luck!!

  Report0 Reply
• turktobe

  

  May 2013

  I have struggled with acne for YEARS. I have tried EVERYTHING, including accutane. While on accutane I didn't even want to leave the house. My face broke out so bad, I had such bad cystic acne while on it that I was getting needles put it them on a regular basis to try and suppress them. I have so many scars on my face today it is ridiculous. I recently went to the derm to try something else, but seeing as though we want to start trying for a baby soon he would not give me anything b/c of the effects on a baby if I did get pregnant so I refused to go on birth control. 

  I saw something on Pinterest... and started washing my face with olive oil, yes olive oil. 

  I wash with olive oil at night and press a hotwash on my face about 3 times (just like they do when you get a facial) and just rinse my face off in the morning with cold water. I still get the occassional breakouts around the time of my period, but nothing like it used to be. 

  I have thought about getting my hormone levels checked as well to see if there would be anything there that contributes to the acne

  and I have found a salon with a facial that I really enjoy and helps my face at the same time. 

  Sorry for the novel, but wanted to share my experience! Good luck to you! 

  Report0 Reply
• erinlin25 member

  

  May 2013

  I used to have acne and tried everything--things helped a little bit but nothing made miracles happen.  I have super sensitive skin, so accutane was the worst I ever experienced so I got off it right away.  Like you, I did not want to leave the house and it made me depressed.  Due to my sensitive skins, most prescribed stuff made it worse rather than helped.  The best products that helped I found in store, not over the counter.  Its been awhile that I have used them but the best was ambi face wash and nature's cure (its a pill and creme)-- or I liked cetaphil moisturizer.
   
  But when I went on BC a few years ago, I had to stop the nature's cure and my dermatologist recommended I use Clinique's Acne Line (3 products), and that has worked the BEST.  I have had great skin for the past three years.  Also, I drink a lot more water and I've heard that helps (some dietary connections are linked to bad skin).  I of course will get the random blemish here and there, but nothing that cannot be covered and they go away in a day or two.
  

  
  
  
  

  Report0 Reply