Toni_no12002 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Hi wll ive had acne for 10 years now.Im 22 now and even though i havent got it nearly as bad its still there.Im qualified in hair and beauty so i know how to look after my skin and what products to use etc.The best thing that has helped is having a tan!it helps clear it up alot. My main problem is ive become so obbsessed with the way i look.I get upset and hate going out if i have some spots that you can see.I always keep my head down.People have said before that they find me attractive but if i have a bad case of spots i darent go out because im scared what people will think.Many people think people with spots dont wash etc which is so not true actually totally the opposite. At school when i had acne really bad i became really shy and never had any boyfriends.I guess it destroyed my confidence totally.Being a qualified beauty therapist people expect them to be emaculate. Im ashamed to think that people will only think about my looks but in todays world looks get you very far.If anyone compliments me i think there lying.I get upset if theres someone whos hasnt got any spots at all because i wish i could be like that! How can i build my confidence up when i still have acne?any ideas? thanks Link to post Share on other sites
RecordProducer Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I am pretty sure you can get rid of the acne to a great extent. You're not doing the right things obviously. You actually have too much self-confidence in your beauty expert skills . How about trying a few products at once (facial wash, lotions, cream, etc.) plus going to the best cosmetician (get references, the price is not indicative of quality), visit a dermatologist. Antibiotics can cure acne from the outside. Some people say that they get acne from certain foods (e.g. chocolate). And finally, provide yourself with the best fondation to cover the remainder of your acne. Link to post Share on other sites
oppath Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 When I was 20, my back broke out into cystic acne overnight! 100's of zits. I was already depressed from a break up, and this drove me into a huge depression. I tried every other the counter medicine and wash and nothing helped. I had no sense of self esteem and was convinced I was ugly. I was on the college track and field team and stopped running because I was too embarrassed someone would see my back. A weeked at the lake with friends saw me never getting in the water. Finally, I went to a dermatologist, and he prescribed accutane. It worked! Unfortunately, since I was already depressed, it caused panic attacks! Retinae or other medications may have been better. The acne went away and I was left with pockmarks scars, and I've never had an outbreak. Tanning makes the scars look better, and I still struggle with them. I get self conscious at the beach. I worry when I first become intimate with a woman if she'll examine me and be turned off. 7 years later I have an aversion to taking my shirt off in front of a group of friends if I need to switch shirts, for example, because I don't want them looking at my back. My best advice is to visit a dermatologist and to seek therapy to deal with your self esteem issues. This is the only thing that worked for me. Link to post Share on other sites
erika2610 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Have you tried ProActive? My stepdad used that, and loved it. And he had baaaad acne. I used to have acne, and tanning did make me feel better. I finally didn't even have to wear make up. I see RP suggested foundation.. be careful though. Too much will make it worse. It'll clog up your pores. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Toni_no12002 Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 Ive been to my doctors loads.I as prescribed creams and the pill none of these worked.I foun that food doesnt set off my acne.Because ive tried eating different things and nothing changes.I thinks it to do with my hormones.Not that i can do anything about them.I cleanse tone and moisturise everydau which helps.Also once or twice a week i usk a face mask specifically for my skin type but this doesnt really help.I found that products with sailcylic acid in helps but nothing drastic. Even when there all totally gone ill still be left with the scars.Its upsetting especially when my sister doesnt get any.My doctor doesnt know what else to give me.Even if i went now he probably wouldnt give me anything as it isnt really bad acne.Its just annoying after 10 years.Im not a teenager anymore.Im a mum.I would of thought they would have dissapeared by now. Now everytime i look in the mirror i obsess about it.Worrying what people will think. Link to post Share on other sites
ash519 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 My acne was pretty bad and I finally at 24 decided to see a dermatoligist. He put me on an antibiotic which cures you from the INSIDE and also gave me 3 topicals, a face wash, a gel for breakout spots and retin-a for night. It took a good 3 months but my skin is better than it has ever been!!! I went recently and he lowered my antibiotic intake to one pill a day (doxcycline) and upped the strength on my retin-a basically to start weening me off the pills by the end of March. I have never been so happy with my skin. Proactive and over the counter didnt work for me and i had tried many methods. Some people just have it genetically and i think it needs to be cured from the inside. Everyone is different, but i would recommend seeing a dermatologist! Works wonders. I read online from many sources that accutane is a bit dangerous or atleast has many possible side effects by the way. Link to post Share on other sites
princessa Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Go to http://acne.org and follow the steps. Dermatologists might be qualified to prescribe one treatment or another.. but I've come to find out that it is your job to experiement with different products and find out what works for you. It takes time and lots of reading, but the site above is a real goldmine when it comes to information about acne. Try a few things that are suggested there and speak with the people in the forum, you just might find something that works for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Blue Phoenix Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I've also delt with acne bouth when I was younger and now later in life. Its nothing to be ashamed of it happends to alot of people. I personaly find that stress seams to trigger it for me. I use the clinique line of acne prouducts and cleansers there a little more expensive but seam to work well. I agree with what the other poster said tho its realy a personal choise you have to find out exactly what can work for you. I had a friend that had it REALLY bad and she went to the dermatologist and was put on antibiotics she also used clinique she was the one who told me about it and her skin went from a mine field to almost perfectly clear in a few monthes. But now far as scars you may have to get some type of removel procedure done to get rid of them. If you squeeze the acne alot it will leave scars I learned that when I was younger thank god so I stoped doing it alltogher. I would say go to a new doc and see if he can get you on some meds for it and then use a good over the counter product as well. Hope it clears up for you... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Toni_no12002 Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 Hi thanks for all your replies Does going to see a dermatologist cost alot?I know quite a few people on here are from the us and im from the uk so im not sure about prices.I dont really have much money.My boyfriend works and at the miute im looking for part time work because of our child.We have a mortgage and a child to bring up and we dont exactly get very much at al left over for anything else. Link to post Share on other sites
ash519 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I dont know about in the Uk but in the US to see a dermatologist you need health insurance (unless you have lots of money.) It's expensive. Something over the counter i got was a generic Proactive called "Acne Free". It helped, but never cleared me up as much as i wanted, but it only cost $19.99 US dollars and lasted a good 3 months, it has all the same ingrediants as proactive minus the fragrances. I wish you luck. Acne is stressful in itself!!! Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I've had acne my entire adult life. I've tried everything as well, even seeing a dermatologist. I was on antibiotics for 2 years straight. My skin looked great, but the antibiotics permanently messed up my digestive tract. I've tried Proactive, as well as the regimine on acne.org. Link to post Share on other sites
Ripples Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Toni, ask your GP for a referral. Explain how it's affecting your state of mind and mental health as a result. If he doesn't deem it essential enough for a referral to a dermatologist ask for a second opinion. Going privately could be expensive although the initial consultation should be free. Your GP, even if he won't refer you on the NHS will be able to provide you details of a dermatologist who'll be able to see you. Link to post Share on other sites
GoldPenny Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 When I was in middle school and in high school, a few hot guys would look past the acne (which were usually just on my temples and sides of my face, thank god!) and see me as attractive (and yes, they blatantly stated and showed to me that they were crushing on me) even when I did not cover them up when they were mild. I had covered them up with my long bangs and foundation and it would work, but I got sick and tired of doing so because I was facially attractive apart from some of the skin issues, so I did not lose my virginity or date like other girls and I'm 20 now, pushing 21 and I still am suffering from spots. How could I focus on the pleasure of sex and dating if I was constantly worried that my hair would fall back too far to expose the acne or the foundation would melt? See a dermatologist, cosmetician, and as a last resort invest some of your skin care savings in expensive procedures. Link to post Share on other sites
princessa Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Oh yeah, and if you use foundation, switch to Mineral Makeup. Link to post Share on other sites
Severed_Wasp Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I am with you Toni on the adult acne and self-esteem issues. I have severe cystic acne--the break-outs are painful and I have a lot of scarring on my cheeks. It's very frustrating because I feel like I've tried every single at-home remedy and NOTHING works! I am trying to save up so that I can finally get in to see a dermatologist to at least get the scars smoothed over. In the mean time, I apply a first aid ointment to my zits at night. If I catch them right before they surface, the ointment helps minimize the redness and the resulting scar. It is the best thing I have found. I also switched off my heavy liquid foundation and use Bare Minerals. It is expensive, but you only use a pinch. Then, every morning before I leave, I tell myself "scars add character..." Link to post Share on other sites
Author Toni_no12002 Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 i think i qualify for prescriptions free well i hope so as the creams and such can be expensive.I would of thought if acne is mainy to do with hormones that they would of given people a tablet to help balance them out or something.I found that some creams i was prescribed driedout my skin alot and made it really flaky,it looked awful! Ill go to my doctors and ask about a dermatologist.Hopefully i will get it sorted.Then my only poblem is the scars.I also have large open pores.Is there anythingi could use to make them appear smaller?I found that ive got them after having a blackhead or something and when the blackhead has gon the porehasnt shrunk to its original size Link to post Share on other sites
princessa Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Look if you're not going to go out and read on your own, and expect somebody to just spit out all the answers at you on LS, then I don't think you deserve any sympathy. If you actually went on that site I posted and read up some of the info there, you wouldn't be asking "what can I do about my dry skin" and "what do I use on my scars". Did you actually quit the prescribed treatment because it was giving you dry, flaky skin?? Do you seriously expect a miracle pill to just erase all the acne without the least bit of effort on your part???? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Toni_no12002 Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 your talking about effort! what do you think ive been doing for the last 10 years! I dont want yours or anyone elses sympahy.I never came here for everyone to say ooh poor toni she has acne.I came on here to ask for advice on what people have used and what has worked for them. I went on that site but its stuff ive heard before and still nothing has worked.Ive been on hundreds of websites about acne reading up about it.Ive been to my doctors loads had alsorts of creams,lotions and pills.I just wanted to see if anyone else has used anything that worked for them. Also i havent got alot of money so i cant afford expensive items. Of course i stopped the treatment because it was giving me flaky skin.I stopped after 3 months because that is about the usual time for things to start to take effect.I didnt see any improvements so i stopped using it. If your going to be bitchy id rather you didnt post,theres no need for it. Link to post Share on other sites
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