Adult acne - help I am desperate

[Ithastobepurple]

Can anyone help me?
I am in my late 40s and my skin has been getting steadily worse for the last 5 months. I have been on antibiotics and adapalene but there has been no improvement. I am now waiting for an appointment with a dermatologist.
It is so bad now that I really don't want to leave the house and I am becoming quite depressed- does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can try while waiting for appointment?

[Abitsadmum]

Hi,

You poor thing. I really feel for you. Have a look at the following link. People swear by Caroline Hirons.

Hope that helps and that someone with personal experience can help a bit more. My acne was mild but made worse by harsh products and stress.

www.carolinehirons.com/2012/05/acne-cheat-sheet.html

[Ithastobepurple]

Thank you so much - a really interesting read.
I am probably treating my skin far too harshly in my desperation to find something that works!
I will try using kinder products that don't strip my skin so much as well as look at some changes to my diet.

[Lousylo66]

Hi, I'm in same situation as you - mid 40's and suddenly started getting spots! Aways had good skin with odd spot pre menstrually but never anything major. About 6 months ago started with what looked like lots of white bumps on top lip which then turned red and just didn't seem to go. They eventually seemed to spread to round my jaw , mouth , even odd one on my cheek ! I tried lots of spot creams, face washes etc but they just dried my skin out ! Eventually I went to GP's who prescribed duac cream which is a combined antibiotic and benzyl peroxide cream and its worked wonders. You need to use it for a few months I think apparently. Also think that because its working I'm less self conscious and stressed out so have stopped touching my face as much which can exacerbate the problem. Hope that helps x

[lurkingaround]

Duac is good. But it does sound like you need a consultant's advice.

Have you a Mirena or Implanon in? If you do, this won't help and maybe consider removing it.

Try a low GI diet. Avoid sugars, dairy and nuts. All aggravate acne.

Hopefully your consultant's appt will come around quickly. Maybe ask your GP to hurry up your appt if it's a long wait, esp if you are finding it so difficult. Good luck with it.

[SundaySimmons]

Panoxyl was the best until they stopped making it!

I have had success with using hand hygiene gel on my face after washing.

www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/14524963925242555549?q=hand+hygiene+gel&client=safari&hl=en&num=20&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.52434380,d.ZGU,pv.xjs.s.en_US.RJfod4swqLE.O&biw=1024&bih=672&dpr=2&tch=1&ech=1&psi=1xFBUoSDFYmV7QbhooHgDQ.1379996122050.3&sa=X&ei=2BFBUsHkObKQ7Aan14HIDQ&ved=0CFEQ8gIwAQ

I let it dry then apply moisturiser. It seems to kill off spot forming bacteria.



I am at the moment getting a few lumps and spots in my armpits so am going to buy some turmeric which has glowing reviews on the Internet so maybe is worth a try for you.

You put a pinch of the powder in milk or water or you can buy tablets.

[SundaySimmons]

Panoxyl was the best until they stopped making it!

I have had success with using hand hygiene gel on my face after washing.

www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/14524963925242555549?q=hand+hygiene+gel&client=safari&hl=en&num=20&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.52434380,d.ZGU,pv.xjs.s.en_US.RJfod4swqLE.O&biw=1024&bih=672&dpr=2&tch=1&ech=1&psi=1xFBUoSDFYmV7QbhooHgDQ.1379996122050.3&sa=X&ei=2BFBUsHkObKQ7Aan14HIDQ&ved=0CFEQ8gIwAQ

I let it dry then apply moisturiser. It seems to kill off spot forming bacteria.

I am at the moment getting a few lumps and spots in my armpits so am going to buy some turmeric which has glowing reviews on the Internet so maybe is worth a try for you.

You put a pinch of the powder in milk or water or you can buy tablets.

[beachavendrea]

I had terrible acne at 30. I took vitamin a tablets which kind of helped. I used cetaphil cleasner as well

[PoppyWearer]

Can you afford to see a private dermatologist to speed things up? I think I paid £90 three years ago and then £25 more for products/prescription (Retin-A gel) but the difference in my skin was remarkable. Worth every penny.

I need to make another appointment, come to think of it.

[Sophiedotty]

You could try taking Zinc & 1000mg Vit c. Zinc needs to be just a zinc tablet not in a multivitamin. Both help the skin. But zinc is good for hormonal acne.
I was also going to say the Mirena or Implant can cause bad skin. Yasmin pill is supposed to help the skun as it had a blocking affect on the testosterone which the male hormone Androgen affects the oil production & hair growth if people suffer with PCOS.

[Sophiedotty]

Also try using a Salicylic face wash & an oil free moisturiser. Use a deep cleansing mask once a week.
I work for Proactiv have you tried that? In the UK the wash contains Salicylic acid. In Australia our steps 1 & 3 contain Benzyol peroxide. I've heard you can only get Benzyol peroxide on prescription not sure if that's correct.
You could always speak to a pharmacist & see if they can suggest anything OTC.

[Passthecake30]

I had acne after going on the pill. A course of dalicin T and changing to the mildest clinique products sorted it (I was using harsh products on v sensitive skin)

[FanjolinaJolie]

Is your acne all over your face or just in certain areas?

Reason I ask is that I have what looks like acne/spots but is actually a form of dermatitis (Perioral dermatitis) diagnosed by dermatologist. My spots all fall within the crease from nose corners down/where a mans goatee beard would grow. Charming...I am 40 and had bad skin in my 20's when I took Roaccutane.

I am on doxycycline for eight weeks right now which has knocked it on the head before.

[peanutbuttersarnies]

Have you tried cutting out orange juice and fresh tomatoes? Anything citrus gives me spots.

[Gunznroses]

you can get Benzoyl Peroxide over the counter, its called OXY10 or a lower strength one is OXY5. Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient.

[MrsBungle]

Roaccutane is the only thing that cleared my acne.

[Yonihadtoask]

OP - how far off is your derm appointment? I suffer from acne - since being a teen though. The only sure fire thing to keep mine at bay was Dianette (which I am not allowed to have, as I am 45 and have a blood clotting disorder.. sigh).

However I was referred to a derm at the hospital. Typically my skin was okay(ish) and the most he would do was prescribe me Differin Gel.

He did say that if the acne worsened (which it did) to go to my GP and request prescription for Trimethoprim, which is generally prescribed on a short term basis for cystitis. The GP did prescribe this as he had stated it in his letter back to them following my appointment.

I did take it for about a year - they are quite strict at blood tests to ensure that your liver etc is up to it. And I guess it worked to a point - in conjunction with the differin gel. Still have the oiliness though, which I hate.

Read up on Roaccutane before you go for your appointment. It may be that your acne is 'bad enough' for that. y It is what I wanted really, but at the time my skin was no where near bad enough. At least if you know the ins and outs of it first, they may discuss it with you. I believe it is effective in adult acne - long term, v low dosage.

Also, enough though I scoffed at the idea, diet can play a part. I find that when I am tee total, and avoid sugars my skin can be better. Apparently the alcohol affects testosterone - which can be a cause of the oiliness.

[Yonihadtoask]

Fanjolina I have that on and off too. I was only diagnosed and treated successfully after a number of years of trial and error by the GP. I (touch wood) haven't had it for a couple of years, but when I do a 3month course of Lymecyline gets rid. I have to explain to new GPs what it is, as they have scoffed at me for requesting antibiotics for 'impetigo' (one said!).

Lousylo66 could that be what yours is? Google Perioral Dermatitis. Lots of itchy little fluid filled blisters, which come up quickly, go away, but scab. Leaves the skin very red?

[Ithastobepurple]

Dear All
Thank you so much for your replies.
GP thinks about 9 weeks at least until appointment - she doesn't work tomorrow but I am going to make an appointment for Thursday. I feel so horribly self conscious and it is affecting my work because I just can't relax.
I may ask for DUAC again since the antibiotics orally are not doing any good.
GP thinks that Roaccutane is the answer - I don't know what I will do if dermatologist won't prescribe it because I don't think that I can go on like this for much longer.
I am finding it really difficult to cover with make up. I spent a lot of money on an Estee Lauder primer and Doublewear and it just makes me look absolutely hideous!

[sisterofmercy]

I have had really bad acne all my life and I am now in my 40s. However, the face acne mostly moved down to my shoulders so at least I could cover it up.

The only thing that ever helped me (and I've tried pretty much everything on this thread) was getting my hormone levels tested. I had too much testosterone. This is often due to polycsytic ovaries. I was prescribed one of the progesterone only pills (POP) and it all vanished. As did the hairy bits! It was astonishing.

Then my blood pressure went right up and they took me off it and I am back to the beginning but hey at least I know why now. :D

Make up can make it look worse than just showing it but it's a horrible choice to have to make, I really feel for you. There is specialist make up for covering scars that may be of use to you?

[sisterofmercy]

The hairy bits being on my lip and chin. :D I didn't go bald. I really should have checked before I posted!

[SundaySimmons]

Does your skin clear up in the sun?

I know tanning isn't recommended but if my bad skin in the past got me to the state I didn't want to go out and no amount of make up could disguise it, then I resorted to using a facial tanner.

www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/facial-tanner

[Rainbowshine]

Hi as PP has suggested if you have private health you can see a dermatologist much quicker. I have rosacea, so harsh products are a no no. Look for non cosomogenic (sp?) make up - the Body Shop all in one face make up is good. Less skin care is more, I wash my face with Simple face wash and use an Aloe moisturiser and that's it.

Diet plays a huge part too - hot spicy food and red wine are triggers for me. Also central heating! Have you just put your heating on as this dries the skin, making it react.

Sorry this has become an essay

[chickydoo]

I second SophieDotty.
Had acne for years, in my mid 40's now the only thing that has worked is the proactive system. I was so sceptical, but after about 3 weeks I could see an improvement. Have not had a bad flare up now for 8 months. I am so delighted. At last I feel I can face the world. You can buy the products from boots on line.

[BookFairy]

I'm currently see a dermatologist and take a course of Roaccutane. I have dermatitis as well as acne so need to be careful with what products I use. I had massive pustules on my jaw line and dermatitis on my chin and forehead. My dermatologist recommends Cetaphil cleanser and moisturiser. Before seeing the dermatologist I used Benzyl Peroxide briefly and would not recommend it as it is v harsh on the skin.

GPs only refer to dermatologists when there is nothing else they can do, so you will be prescribed Roaccutane if the dermatologist thinks you will
benefit.

Good luck :)

[Ithastobepurple]

Thank you for all the advice.
I will get some Cetaphil cleanser and moisturiser - I think that I have seen it recommended on here before.
I do think that sometimes I don't help matters because in my desperation I just throw everything at my skin - usually the harsher the better.
I really thought that I would be past all of this by now - feel that at my age acne should be the least of my worries.
I know that many people have much worse things to deal with but I am just finding it so horrible