To think I will just have acne forever?

[coconutdonut]

I’ve had bad skin since I was a teenager which got slightly better during my early 20’s but now at 30 it’s the worse it’s ever been and so sore. I haven’t had clear skin for at least 7 years now.

I’ve tried lots of different skincare routines from cheap to expensive to just plain old water and nothing seems to help. At best I have the odd week here and there where it’s ‘Ok’ meaning I don’t have red, angry spots and just the scars (which I can just about cover with make up)

I’ve been to the doctors and was prescribed acnecide which I ouldn’t use for very long as it made my skin extremely dry and tight and bleached my pillow

Not sure if it’s worth going back to my GP and asking for something else or just accept going to look like this forever.

Unless any one has any ‘miracle’ cures?

Definitely go and see the docs. I've been on Erythromycin this week and it's clearing up. I get those huge under the skin cysts that start to seep at inappropriate moments.

A word of warning re. Dianette: I had horrible, cystic acne all around my jawline and neck and was prescribed Erythromicin, which did nothing. Was then diagnosed with mild PCOS and prescribed Dianette. It made me a crazy lunatic. I went from being emotionally stable but understandably fed up with my skin to an angry, self conscious mess. I nearly destroyed my marriage and eventually had an accident in my car which could have killed me. I stopped taking the pill and felt better within a month: it was uncanny. I’m sure it works for a lot of people but there are also some terrible side effects which are more common than you might think. It did clear my skin up though.

Acnecide does work amazing but you need to use old pillowcases. Use a tiny amount and build it up, and moisturise after applying it. Tends to dry skin out if you put too much on
It's what I always go back to when my skin flares

Another one for roaccutune - really really hard medication and not to take it lightly but it's a amazing drug!

Would have thought docs would try anti biotica before roaccutane.

Erythromycin made quite a difference for me. Recently fucidin and sunbeds has worked so well I forget acne was ever an issue until I see these threads.

I tried Erythromycin, and many of the cycline drugs but they did nothing. My friends was made worse by some of these, different things will work for different people though!
Your skin is certainly not awful!
What things have you tried?

Mine came back even after Roaccutane. For me it's diet. It's complex and not as simple as chocolate bad, vegetables good, but it's diet related for a huge part. Look into it if you want. Wish I knew that before I got scarring.

The problem with going on the pill is that when you come off it’s possible to explode in very bad acne. I did. It was bloody awful. Being on the pill was a nightmare too because I got very dry to the point my hair became very brittle and fell out badly. Showers were awful

I was very reluctant to do that, but when I banned chocolate and milk (cheese, yoghurts...), I could see a difference within a few days. It will cost nothing to try for a couple weeks.

I really feel for you. I had terrible roscea and hormonal acne for best part of 20 years. I can't even pinpoint what stopped it, but at around aged 35 it calmed down drastically (odd spot before period). I couldn't take the pill and only antibiotics controlled it. I admittedly didn't try roaccutune but have heard many a time it works miracles. I'll be honest, looking at your photo, my skin looked horrendous in comparison and the doctor was still v reluctant to prescribe roaccutune, although it was discussed. I wish I could tell you what worked for me but apart from getting older I don't know what stopped it. Not particularly helpful I guess, but I wanted to say as someone who thought I would have acne for life, I am amazed it's pretty much gone.

Definitely go to the GP. It is curable. Roaccutane sorted mine. However like you say, they will try hormonal stuff and antibiotics before they give you the dermatologist referral for roaccutane.

You need to stress the psychological impact it’s havinf on you so they take it seriously, and that it’s persistent even if not at any point ‘severe’.

I had bad acne in my 20's. GP put me on Dianette but I had an awful reaction to it. Felt very sick a lot of the time. Eventually I was put on strong anti biotics and was given Retin A for my skin. Took six months but it cleared my skin right up.

Another vote for the pill, which really helped with my hormonal acne. By the time I came off it in late 30s, the acne had calmed down a lot. My skin only really totally cleared up during pregnancy though - and it didn't last. But I only get a couple of spots at a time these days. I'm wondering if I ever will grow out of it!!

Diane then Yasmin helped and, now I'm in my forties, all I need is tretinoin (retin A). Dr Sam Bunting's (dermatologist) website and you tube has good information.

You've basically tried nothing effective for your acne. It may feel to you like you have been trying for ages and ages but the sad reality is you have only tried one proper treatment and all the messing about with skin care products was a waste of time.

Like PP, Dr Sam Bunting's website and youtube videos on acne are fantastic, she explains it so well. I managed to solve mine just be following her recommendations everything I thought I knew about skin and skincare was wrong

Plus go back to your GP and ask for another treatment as you've tried one and it didn't work. Ideally check if your GP surgery has a GP with a special interest in dermatology and if so, see that one. One of them may have done the Dip Derm.

Thank you for the replies so far.

It seems like there are a lot of options to explore. I’ve tried quite a few contraceptive pills but am quite limited to what I can try as I suffer with migraines (which I think rules quite a few out?)

I’m also going to try some changes to my diet as well but not really sure where to start with that so will need to do some research.

From what I’ve read on the NHS website Roacutane seems like a last resort.

I am going to ask for a referral to a dermatologist though as apart from the acne on my face (which some have said isn’t severe) I suffer with Keratosis Polaris too and often get hard cyst like lumps in random places such as my neck and behind my ears (particularly in my groin area and upper thighs)

My skin is just horrible all over all over. Not one part of my body is clear or smooth. It really does get me down.

@Hulder I think you’re right. I’ve just got myself in a state because it’s particularly sore at the moment and I want it gone.

I will check out the youtube channel

I think I would persist with acnecide a bit longer.
I moisturise really well first then use a tiny amount of acnecide twice a day, that way it doesn’t dry your skin too much. You definitely need an old pillowcase and towel though.
I am nearly 50 and have had horrible acne since 11. I had resigned myself to a life of terrible skin but 6 months of using acnecide has changed things totally. You have to persist with it and remember it doesn’t really heal existing spots but does help prevent new ones.
Hope you find something that works.

Dianette is going to be out if you have migraines.

Seriously have a look at Sam Bunting before doing radical diet changes, she covers eveerything and is evidence not myth based.

The only real cure is Roaccutane. I waited nearly 3 years before finally seeing a dermatologist (GP said you had to be seen to try all available other options first for a period of time before getting a referral and then when I got the referral the first available appointment in any hospital within 30 miles was over 6 months away!) It is a very harsh treatment not to be taken lightly, you are forced onto the contraceptive pill whilst you take it and forced to do a pregnancy test each time you go to collect more tablets and you sign a form to say you absolutely will not get pregnant. It makes your lips extremely dry, the skin on your face can peel away and you get nose bleeds and all sorts. It's extremely harsh but worked SO well for me.

Oh and it can give suicidal tendencies and depression which is why it is not overly recommended for teenagers who are suffering with mad hormones anyway. I didn't have that issue but I know a few people whose teenage sons and daughters went on Roaccutane had to come off it for those reasons.

Two of my children are entirely clear of it because of www.drsambunting.com/ and www.drsambunting.com/dr-emma/. You have to pay, though...... Absolutely transformational and worth the price. In theory an NHS consultant referral should work as well but ended up just paying as you go privately.

I’ve always had awful skin, got nowhere in teens with GPs who just prescribed antibiotic creams. When I went to Uni the student Dr was so lovely couldn’t believe how bad it was, we talked about roaccutane but tried the combined pill first and it was amazing. Have tried various ones over the years, some better than others. As soon as I came off it to TTC in my 30s my skin went to shit again which makes me think I’ll always have it. After 1 year of breastfeeding I’m now back on the combine pill (gederel) and am starting to see improvements!

Good luck OP!

I'm also 30 & have suffered with acne on & off since I was a teenager, my GP gave me antibiotics. Normally taken over a 6 month period or longer if required, they've worked really well for me over the years.

I also use Clinique liquid facial soap (mild) with a Clinique moisturiser. I have used these for years as anything else is to harsh on my skin.

My last break out I had was about 2 years ago & I was advised by my doctor to use no soap on my face & just wash with cool water rather than warm water & pat dry not rub as this also can irritate the skin.

I would definitely head back to your GP as sometimes you just need to find what is going to work for you & your skin! But definitely recommend antibiotics. Good luck

Depending on what your local derm service is like, waits can be v long.

If you have the cash, there will be lots of Consultant Dermatologists working privately - generally about £200-250 for a first appointment. The issue of course being how many follow up appointments you need to sort the problem.

However you may well have spent that sort of money and more over the years on expensive and useless skincare - which would make private dermatology a bargain to sort it once and for all.