What can I do about my spots and scars?

[Mum2Ela]

I get spots. All the time. Wouldn't call it full blown acne but at any one time I have at least one but usually many spots.

It really really gets me down

I am 25 and it just seems so unfair. I have scarring now on my face, its not really pitted but I can see it and sometimes I feel self conscious. Like last night we went out and I was mortifed that I had dressed up, but make up on but it was still light when we went out so the people we were meeting would see my horrible face, couldn't even hide behind dim lighting

I am back on dianette now as I have recently stopped b/f, and this does make them better but theynever go totally.

I am considering laser surgery, but I don't really know enough about this and am worried they would do something horrid to me and I would never be able to leave the house again

Sorry to ramble, have been in floods of tears this morning as its all getting a bit much atm.

[steph1974]

hi,sorry to hear about your spots!I was exactly the same as you,i am 31 and i still had at least two or three spots at any one time,it really gets you down doesnt it,like when its sunny and you know the sunlight is showing the bumps on your face so you try to stand in the shade!well i do anyway!i have just been to my doctor about it and he has put me on oxytetracycline and now i dont have any at all,its brilliant,no more having to spend at least half an hour trying to cover up each spot!i have also started to go to the sunbeds and now i have a tan i dont need to wear foundation which helps alot,i have heard about dianette but i try to stay away from the pill,doesnt agree with me.If the dianette dont seem to be working then do what i did and ask your doctor for antibiotics to treat it and jump on a sunbed to dry your skin out abit,good luck with it all,i know exactly how you feel,it affects everything you do,like kissing my son or a boyfriend,it used to rub my makeup off and uncover my spots so i used to have to carry round a concealer with me or if i was at home leg it upstairs to sort it out again!I am so much happier now that i have seen the doctor about it!

[suedonim]

Mum2ela, I developed spots in my 30's and it was horrid. I gathered enough courage to visit the dr and she was soooo nice about it! She was v sympathetic and explained that they are caused by a bacteria living on your skin. No amount of cleansing will get rid of the bugs so, like Steph, she put me on a course of oxytetracycline for 3mths. It did the trick, happily. Do go and see your dr, they really can help you.

[Mum2Ela]

Thanks guys.

Do the antibiotics clear your skin up for good? Or just temporarily?

[steph1974]

only temporary i'm afraid,we should be so lucky!they put you on them for a few months and then change you to another type of antibiotic so you dont get immune to the first ones,then they make you have a 3/4week break from all of them so your skin goes back to normal for that amount of time and then they start you on them again,but its well worth it,having a 3/4week break every 6months or so is not too bad is it,definately think about giving them a go,they take about 2/3weeks to work but after that you're skin clears up completely!!!good luck!

[Mum2Ela]

Thanks but I'm sceptical. I want a cure, tho I know I probably will neve find one I am not sure if I want to be on antibiotics for the rest of my life!

I am going to look ito laser surgery.

Anyone have any experience of it?

[Mum2Ela]

Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound harsh, if it did.

Not in the best of moods today

[steph1974]

no i know what you mean,its not a cure but i was soooo miserable with my skin before that i was just happy that i could have clear skin at least most of the time,but everyones different,am just offering my experience of it,it obviously isnt enough for you which is fair enough,unfortunately i dont know anything about the laser side of it,my friend has worse skin than me in the way that her face is permanently scarred from spots,and she was looking into some kind of acid peel or something,think it costs about £400 if i remember right and they burn off the top layer of your skin i think?not too sure,anyway only going by what my mate said but she said that its supposed to remove all the scarring and give you like a fresh layer of skin(unmarked) but yet again i dont know if that would stop you getting more spots after the treatment,it only says it gets rid of pock marks,doesnt say it stops you having spots,hope this helps you somewhat,i understand what you're saying cos i have 3months worth of antibiotics and then i have got to take a break from them for 3/4weeks so needless to say i am not looking forward to my spots temporarily returning but at least to me anyway its better than it was before,for 5 out of 6months i have perfect skin. Before you think cheeky cow,shes saying its not good enough for me,i am not saying it in any kind of 'oh not good enough for you is it?'way,just want to make that clear!!

[suedonim]

Mum2ela, my 3mth course of antibiotics was all I needed to cure my spots and (so far!!) I haven't had a recurrence at all. That's not to say I don't still get the occasional zit but they are few and far between. You've nothing to lose by seeing your GP and trying a course of a/b's. If you find they don't work then you could move on and consider laser treatment. Good luck.