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 back to your GP. Took a good year for me to find the right treatment. Drs often recommend the pill alongside the antibiotic but the hormones actually made my skin worse. It began to clear up once I stopped all contraception.

I had acne from the age of 18 up until now combined with Rosacea.

The best thing I did was invest in decent quality skincare and develop a good routine. I can't use high street skincare that claim they help with acne as they all contain Salicylic Acid which burns my skin. I can't use cotton wool or face wipes either.

Best thing I ever did was see a beautician who talked me through my skin type, described the problem and how to overcome it.

I was unable to exfoliate my skin for a good 12 months and at points, my whole face felt and looked like I had a year long sunburn.

Once I'd switched the skincare products, I can now exfoliate and my skin is now looking pretty good!

My skin responds well to Dermalogica Ultra Calming. I use the cleanser, active moist moisturiser, barrier repair and the Microfoliant face scrub. I cleanse twice a day, moisturise every morning and use organic rosehip oil every night. I use the barrier repair in winter in place of the moisturiser. I use the scrub once a week.

I'd absolutely avoid anything clay based as well. People turn to it as it removes oil associated with acne, however it dries the skin out, makes it painful and is generally too harsh for acne skin. I have very oily skin but even that is under control now.

Dermalogica is quite pricey. The large pump tube is about £50/£60 but I got mine in January and I'm only down to the last 3cm of the tube now. A 5p size blob does your whole face, you wet it, massage it in then rinse off. Using Luke warm water means the heat from hot isn't aggregating the acne.

I also now (and it's fecking hard) have as many makeup free days as possible to allow my skin to breathe.

I really hope you get it sorted, I know how soul destroying it can be.

Hulder, that's what we did - see my link above and it was worth but then I could afford it (just) and not everyone can. My son also found it really helpful he could email queries to his specialist and get quick replies back even. Also with one son it was not much more than the cost of that one or possibly 2 appointments as they knew exactly what would work. A few of the things we had a private prescription for which was a bit more expensive.

dalacin t lotion worked well for me - you apply it to the skin and it's not too drying. Oral antibiotics never worked for me and just ended up with permanent thrush. Only oral pill that cleared my acne was dianette but you can only be on it for 6 months for acne.

They won't normally put you on roaccutane before trying other routes. I've tried literally everything lol antibiotic topical treatments, was on the oral antibiotic lymcycline for 2 years, various contraceptives including Yasmin. Couple of weeks ago I was put on the strong contraceptive co-cypridiol (this is kind of the 'last resort' bar roaccutane) & my face is almost clear! It's literally been a miracle.

Please go back to the doctors, don't just accept having rubbish skin, there will be something that works for you it's just finding out which one!

Roaccutane is your friend.
I know there are links to suicidal tendencies but frankly if your skin is bad enough that you are being prescribed roaccutane chances are you're in a pretty sad place.
I was given it as a teen and my brother as well. Cleared up nasty acne that nothing else would touch.
I have the clay mask advertised up stream by the way. There's no way that it's as super as they say (though it is rather neat).

Another long term sufferer. I know only too well how dreadful it is to have it. Blue light therapy helps enormously and is clinically proven. You can either have it at a salon or buy a home device. Many dermatologists use it. It worked wonders for me.

www.boots.com/neutrogena-visibly-clear-light-therapy-acne-mask-10229137

GPs are generally woefully under informed and restricted by what treatments they can prescribe in this area.

Yasmin and dianette have hormones that block androgen activity (androgens cause over production of oil which causes acne). They also contain estrogen. These work for me but I hate the idea of putting synthetic hormones into my body which are really just masking the problem. That said I tried for a year through diet modification to balance my hormones but couldn't make it work. Back on dianette temporarily. Although it is definitely working.

Spironolactone is a drug that derms can px that is an androgen blocker. As it's being prescribed for something off label (think it's meant for heart issues) gps won't usually px. I haven't tried this but I know some MNetters have and were really pleased with results.

Roaccutane is last resort. I'm not sure how bad your acne needs to be before a derm will px this though?

I don't believe in antibiotics for long term treatment of hormonal acne. They don't address the root cause. Same for topical meds although if acne isn't too severe it may be managed through topical meds alone.

Interesting article which explains the hormonal imbalances and side effects here if you are interested.
www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/321105-how-do-i-know-if-i-am-high-or-low-in-x-hormone/

I didn't get on with benzoyl peroxide (active ingredient in acnecide) - too drying

My skin was flawless on the pill (PCOS) but off it was very much not. Sugar definitely makes a difference if it's hormonal.

What's made a difference for me :
Skinoren (azelaic acid - a form of alpha hydroxy acid) in the morning
Treclin (tretinoin and clindamycin - a retinoid and topical antibiotic)

These have made a massive difference. Personally I would try different topical treatments before Roaccutane, but it depends on the severity of your acne

Can you ask for a referral to a dermatologist?

I have moved to a skincare range called The Ordinary

It seems to be working ok, but my acne isnt too bad

I still get a period spot but it only lasts a few days

Before i kept getting cystic spots and always had a few 'on the go'

My DS suffers terribly from acne. He has had everything on the market and was eventually put on roaccutane but the side effects were almost instantly pretty bad so he came off it to prepare for his A Levels. A joint decision was made by him and his consultant to try again and he has now been taking it for about 2 months. It was not a light decision, he needs blood tests every month, he has had hair loss issues, his lips are all chapped, he has had nose bleeds, he can't drink alcohol and has deferred Uni ,on his consultants advice, because of the risk of depression BUT the difference is remarkable. His skin looks amazing already. It could perhaps be perceived as being shallow to go through all of those side effects and issues to have improved skin but we felt that 6 months of all the other issues versus a lifetime of no acne was a choice worth making. Roaccutane is brilliant but doctors are cautious with reason. Good luck in finding a cure.

In my thirties, I went to see a very expensive dermatologist: got prescribed treclin, azeliac acid and some fancy obagi stuff. It really really helped and also the retinoid has made me look younger.

If you PM me I am happy to give you the name of the dermatologist - costs hundreds of pounds but so worth it.

My acne was pretty awful btw - cystic and still have rolling scars (though they also seem to be improving!)

azeliac acid

Yeah i use this, but its cheap where i get it

What is your diet like? Have you tried a low carbohydrate diet? Many people find that a side effect of eating a low carb diet is a reduction in acne, and generally much better skin. It might be worth a try.

Watching.

I am 37, have PCOS and am seeing a dermatologist privately for acne.

I am on Dianette, Roaccutane (fairly low dose but been on it for months and months) and Spironolactone.

It's costing a fortune. Skin is much better than it was but not there yet I seem to be one of the few people Roaccutane isn't a miracle for.

I tried the NHS but they wanted me to do 6 months of antibiotics first which I was very unkeen on. However I think it varies depending on who you see.

I suffered with cystic acne from my early teens until my 30s and tried everything going. I was eventually prescribed Roaccutane and it worked but dried my eyes out so much that I ended up with corneal ulcers. It's a very powerful drug.

@Gah81 that's the exact regimen my expensive dermatologist has me on!

:) :) @bananafish81 is it working for you?

Roccuotane is not prescribed easily for many reasons.

I need it, but can't have it because of my MH... Worth bearing in mind.

I read a thread on mumsnet about a poster who had tried everything. They then gave Cidal soap (cheap as chips) a go and had great results.

I'm following the high fat, low carb diet on the bootcamp thread. One of the side effects reported is better skin and improvement to acne and other skin conditions. If you google keto diet and follow it for 2 weeks and then re-assess your skin you might be surprised. I don't have acne, but I was getting compliments on glowing skin after the 1st week. It's basically no sugar, processed food, most carbs and ditch alcohol. Instead lots of veg, salad, good fats, fish, meat and 2-4 litres of water a day.
Very easy to follow, tasty food and you feel full. Lost 6lbs in 2 weeks.

Forgot to say, another happy side effect of this way of eating is a great night's sleep. Getting 7-8 hours straight now instead of insomnia.

I'm in my 30s and I acne. I have a prescription for Dalacin T topical solution which keeps mine under control. It's a topical antibiotic with Zinc. Worth asking your GP for some.

My acne wasn't as bad as you've described yours and I was prescribed roaccutane no problem - it really is a miracle cure