To go and see a GP about my skin?

[Spookytoast]

For approx the last year my skin has been really bad - mainly my lower cheeks/chin. It’s a combination of clogged pores covering the area, and clusters of red spots, yellow spots and under the skin spots which tend to go from the odd spot to acne ridden teenager with no particular regularity.

I’m getting married early next year and obviously want this to clear up. I’ve done my googling. I’ve stopped wearing foundation at home. I’ve been following a cleanse tone exfoliate moisturise routine for the last few months and I follow it religiously. I drink plenty of water and I’ve focused on eating clean. I’ve reduced my dairy intake: I change the sheets weekly and try and keep my hair up. Basically every skin care tip on the planet I’ve tried and tested and from my nose up my skin looks great, better than ever. But the bottom of my face is just depressing. Covering it with makeup doesn’t really work as it’s just too bumpy.

I do have the contraceptive implant, but I’ve had one for nearly 4 years now and this has only been going one for 1.

I want to go to the GP but I just feel really guilty as I know it’s vanity and I know how over stretched resources are. I thought about a high street skin clinic/dermatologist type place but my friend went and said they just told her to cleanse tone exfoliate etc and couldn’t offer advise on anything hormonal, which I’m starting to conclude it might be.

Is it unreasonable to go to a GP And try and get tests to see if I have a hormone imbalance or something?

But it's not just vanity, is it? I'd go to the GP without any question. It sounds quite nasty, and could have an effect on your MH if you don't get something done.

The only time I got bad spots in those areas was when I was pregnant - I.e. my hormones were all over the place. I’d certainly visit the GP and ask for your hormone levels to be checked.

Thanks, it’s definitley not helping my self confidence at the moment, which isn’t great anyway

There are some excellent precribed treatments available now, but you might need a referral to a dermatologist to access the most effective.

What would everyone say when phoning the doctors? I hate having to explain myself to the receptionist even when I’m really poorly I don’t want them to think I’m wasting the GPs time saying ‘I have acne’

GP here. We see people with acne all the time. Absolutely appropriate to come with this and there are loads of things we can do without you having to go to a dermatologist.

Definitely go to see your gp, it’s not just vanity.
I had terrible acne from about 32-35, tried various antibiotics, topical and systemic. Ended up with a course of roaccutane. No problems for over a decade now.

It's totally normal to go to the GP with acne. I was backwards and forwards during my teens and was eventually prescribed Roacutane which was life changing for me

You don't have to tell the receptionist why you want to see the gp

It’s hormonal and unlikely to clear up before the wedding if you don’t take immediate action. You should be on oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide and possibly retin-a.

I’ve had acne. Doing a cleansing routine does absolutely nothing.

Also, you should be changing your sheets weekly (at least), your towels daily (showering twice a day), and your pillow cases every single night.

Try and get sun on your face every day and get all your vitamin levels checked.

Kidney problems and low iron can cause acne (anecdotal reports not scientific studies).

If you have a wedding coming up you should be seeing a dermatologist. You need an aggressive treatment regime and a good beautician to hide your facial lesions on your wedding day.

I’ve been suffering similarly for years and when it gets bad it covers my neck too. Please try and get it sorted before it gets too bad! Just to confirm (I can say this with confidence after a lot of medical input) spots/acne/cystic acne etc from the lower part of your face downwards like this are usually hormonal. Your GP would be happy to treat you, and it’s best to get started now, as the GP has to try various options before they can refer to a dermatologist. This will give you some time to try GP level treatments such as PP mentioned, oral antibiotics, topical creams etc. If they do not work you can then be referred to a dermatologist for specific treatments than can only be prescribed by them. It’s really unpleasant and can be really sore and painful so it’s not just vanity, please do get help and good luck!

You can self refer to a dermatologist - I did.

This was after many months of the GP’s treatment ladder.

The only thing that worked for me was Roaccutane - which can only be prescribed by a derm.

The clearest skin I have ever had. Not a pimple in sight.