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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU... to cry about my skin?

153 replies

minipilling · 05/07/2020 07:04

I have had acne my whole teen/adult life. Throughout my twenties I had it pretty badly on my face, chest and back. I couldn't wear anything that wasn't high necked.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis a few years ago and put on a low dose combined pill for treatment. It was great for me symptoms wise, but an amazing side effect was also the fact it cleared my acne after a month or so. I had spent years using topical treatments to no avail, and suddenly it was fixed. Not perfect, but the best it had ever been. My confidence skyrocketed, it changed my life.

Fast forward to a few months ago, I was getting migraines with aura, and I was taken off my pill. I had a break for a while and my spots started to return almost immediately. Plus my endometriosis symptoms were worse again. The doctor put me on the mini pill. This has been OK for the endometriosis (up and down) but my acne has increased hugely and is worse than it ever was. I hoped it would settle but it's been over three months. It's all over my face, neck, chest and back, causing scars, deep and cystic. The skin is rough and uneven. I feel like I'm in a nightmare whenever I look into the mirror. Pictures I took during my clear skin phase make me want to be sick, if would give anything to go back on my old pill but I know I can't. I don't know what to do.

I have been trying everything, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree, charcoal. I am terrified I will look like this forever. I know it sounds vain but I have depression and anxiety and the acne makes everything feel so much worse. I have to keep taking the mini pill because my endometriosis is awful if I don't take anything. I am in my mid thirties and I feel so ugly and worthless. When the acne first came back I told my consultant because I wanted to be sure I could not go back on the old pill. He said my health was worth 'a few spots.' It made me so angry, I would kill to only have 'a few spots.'

I don't know if anyone has been in a similar situation or can give advice on what to do... I just feel so wretched now, I have a painful condition and I look a mess.

Thank you for reading if you got this far.

OP posts:
princesseggo · 05/07/2020 07:13

don't have much advice but just wanted to come on and say you're not alone. i'm 25 will full facial acne, as well as on my neck. it's shit ❤️

TwillfitandTattings · 05/07/2020 07:15

Have you had a referral to the dermatologist for any tetra-cyclines?

TwillfitandTattings · 05/07/2020 07:16

I’m 39 and my face is mostly horrendous

Iwonder08 · 05/07/2020 07:17

You need to see a dermatologist. Tell your GP it affects your mental health, they should refer you

mommybear1 · 05/07/2020 07:17

Do you have any private health cover Op? I'd look to get a referral to a dermatologist I think you need specific treatment rather than a side effect bonus from your other medication. I can't say I suffered to the same degree as you but I'd never had "good" skin. My roseaca was particularly as just before I was due to get married so I used my work private health scheme to see a dermatologist she was amazing. Not only did she prescribe an effective treatment for my roseaca she also noted I had cystic acne - I'd never heard of it before and certainly didn't realise it was what I had I thought it was just bad skin. I was also going through ivf at the time so she found a suitable medication for me to use to treat it that was safe to use not only with the ivf medication but also in pregnancy. If you don't have private health cover you can still ask for a referral via your GP it may take longer - I think you can also pay privately for a consultation only if that would work? Good luck!

Divebar · 05/07/2020 07:18

Have you actually spoken to your GP about your acne? You can be treated for it... it doesn’t have to be just as a side effect of another problem. ( My sister was taking medication for her acne and if I knew what she took I’d tell you).

whiteroseredrose · 05/07/2020 07:18

You definitely are not BU. It was a stupid and crass comment from the doctor. Obviously has no idea of the big impact that spots can have on your confidence.

Is it definitely the pill that is causing your migraines?

I had my first migraine at 13 - definitely not on the pill then - and still have them now that I'm post menopausal.

I've found that I get migraines AFTER a stressful time is all over eg after exams or a big presentation. I relax and then get a few migraines over the next few weeks (with aura and sometimes pins and needles).

LazyDoll · 05/07/2020 07:19

I went on a course of Roaccutane at 40 after 24 years of cystic acne. Best thing I ever did.

LazyDoll · 05/07/2020 07:20

And I am so sorry to hear how it’s affecting you Flowers

stressedhousebuyer · 05/07/2020 07:21

What about the private laser treatment, I'm not sure how expensive it is but it might be something to look into

Original poster
minipilling · 05/07/2020 07:35

I had a couple of aura migraines (no pain, they have remained painless) before the combined pill but they got worse over the last few months I have was on it, they were concerned about stroke risk.

I have spoken to a couple of GPs before and they have just kind of shrugged and said the acne is just part of hormone issues and certain pills, and that it should clear up eventually. They have never wanted to prescribe anything or refer me, instead just talk about over the counter treatments.

I have been interested in roaccutane but I am not sure if it would even work - surely if my acne is caused by the mini pill then any treatment will only be temporarily successful? Because I have to keep taking the pill so I imagine a short course of oral meds would only work briefly, iyswim. I think roaccutane might 'cure' me if I wasn't taking the mini pill, but that's not an option health wise.

I am planning to demand a referral to a dermatologist soon though.

OP posts:
eyeoresancerre · 05/07/2020 07:36

Roaccutane - my husband had it once at 22 and once at 33 and his skin has had no acne since he's 45 now. He had to go to a private dermatologist at 30 but after blood tests/medical there was no being fobbed off by a lazy GP.

Missfelipe · 05/07/2020 07:41

I’d have a look into Dermatica if I were you...I’m a member of the Caroline Hirons skin freaks group on Facebook and people post some amazing results.

beargrass · 05/07/2020 07:43

OP, I feel for you. I reached the end with my skin about 10 years ago. The GP referral was ages, and so I paid for a consultation at somewhere in Harley St, thinking I needed laser treatment. I didn't, I just needed much upgraded skincare stuff. So that was an expensive trip in one way, but now I know what to shop around for. It took a bit of time for the new stuff to work but it did and does work.

I sometimes use this website to buy what works for me. They have a clinic which isn't open right now but you can call them for advice. Might be worth a look?

www.dermacaredirect.co.uk/dermacaresalon

Argggghhneedclarity · 05/07/2020 07:49

Keep going back to GP/ dermatologist. Emphasise how unhappy it is making you. Sorry you're going through this. Flowers

TravellingWanabee · 05/07/2020 07:51

Both my husband and I suffered with acne in our late teens/early twenties. I had a course of antibiotics which kind of helped and then went on the pill which was brilliant and my husband had roaccutane.

For him, he took it for a year and the results lasted another year after that. It then came back but nowhere nearly as badly and he took antibiotics for about 6 months and it all just sorted itself out and he's had clear skin for the last 15 years or so. Obviously it will be different for everyone, and there can be some side effects to the roaccutane which you would need to consider.

My skin was on and off during my twenties on a different pill (they discontinued the one I had originally been on that cleared it up), but was nowhere near as bad as it had been. Mostly just around my period I would get a few spots, but I could live with that. After having my children, I had a coil fitted which I have had for the last 8 years (different ones, obviously!) and my skin has been brilliant on the whole.

But your doctors should absolutely not be fobbing you off. Ask for a different doctor if you feel they're not listening to you.

Adult acne is absolutely horrible, I really sympathise.

TravellingWanabee · 05/07/2020 07:53

Just to add, when you have really bad acne, over the counter topical treatments just don't work! I remember using these creams before I went on the pill and they just effectively burnt my skin around the spots so not only did I have huge spots with 3 heads all over my face, but peeling skin around each one :(

Keep pestering them!

readingismycardio · 05/07/2020 07:58

OP, I swear by Paula's choice. If you send them pictures of your skin (no make-up, good light) they even build you a routine, it's helped me a lot!

Also, make sure you stick to an actual routine, it can take up to 2 months to actually start working! Make sure you don't have any alcohol/irritants in your products

Other tips that seem that they won't work with hormonal acne as yours is (basically your hormones are going havoc now)

SPF 50 DAILY
Clean phone daily
Change pillowcase daily
Don't use a normal towel, use a paper towel to dry your skin (just pat, don't be aggresive)
Be patient, it will eventually sort out

Basic routine example
AM
cleanser (I love the cerave one, also costs pennies!)
SPF 50

PM
Micellar water (make up)
Cleanser
Either BHA or Retinol
Toner
Moisturiser
Eye cream (optional)

Good luck!!!Smile

VashtaNerada · 05/07/2020 08:00

That’s shit OP, how frustrating. Another option is to go back on the pill and pursue migraine treatments instead.

Justkeepswimmingdory · 05/07/2020 08:02

Creams etc will not help cystic acne as they are too deep in the skin. The only way is accutane. I've been on it twice and its been amazing. The second time my acne wasn't horrendous, I just constantly had 4 or 5 cysts on my face so not covered but still left scars and affected me. Once you've been referred to a dermatologist they are much quicker than a GP to get it sorted. Good luck and keep pushing for a referral, its the only way

violetbunny · 05/07/2020 08:02

Find a different GP or if you can afford it, see a dermatologist privately. I have also suffered from terrible acne, not all GPs are sympathetic. But I, glad I persisted, Roaccutane helped massively and I really only get occasional breakouts now.

Noloudnoises · 05/07/2020 08:05

Everyone I know has had huge success with Roaccutane.

Treacletoots · 05/07/2020 08:08

Stop with the cosmetic solutions. OP you have a medical condition. Speak to your GP immediately about retinols, roaccutane and please stop using harsh ingredients on your skin, it's making it worse.

I say this from experience. Your new best friends should be retinol, niacinamide and salicyclic acid - this takes persistent use but combiner with the others does work. Use a good quality one. I'd highly recommend The Ordinary or Good Molecules. If you can't get to the GP, I'd highly suggest something like The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid in emulsion. I rarely get spots now but if I do this sorts it out and gives me amazing soft smooth skin.

Get a gentle cleanser - I'd recommend cerave and use a face cloth to clean with. No other exfoliants!

Finally. Don't forget sunscreen. Again I highly recommend cerave or the ordinary.

From someone who had awful skin, and now does not, I want to send you hope, this will work Flowers

Treacletoots · 05/07/2020 08:10

I also highly recommend skincarebyhyram on YouTube. He is a specialist in sensitive skin and talks through solutions for problem skin. Also, he's rather entertaining too.

Sexnotgender · 05/07/2020 08:13

That sounds awful and your GP is a dick.

I’m going back a few years (shh, many) to my school days. I was friends with a girl who had the most painful looking acne I’ve ever seen. Her whole face and neck was covered. After many fruitless visits to the doctor she was advised by someone to give up dairy. It was unbelievable how quickly her skin cleared up.
This is purely anecdotal obviously and a sample size of one but perhaps something in your diet is triggering it?