help with ACNE???

[mad4mybaby]

Ive not had great skin since a teenager, however i was on the combined pill before having my ds 16 months ago and it was giving me migraine and was told i can no longer be on it so was put on cerazette (POP) and it has given me bad acne, especially on my chin. My doc gave me every type of anti biotic and none of them worked. I decided to come off the pill over 2 weeks ago but my skin hasnt improved yet.

I use all the stuff, clerasil, avene, witch hazel etc but not helping breakouts. I excercise plenty of water etc but i am getting so down about it and REALLY self consious, can anyone PPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLEASE help?!

I really wouldn't use anything like clearisil, witch hazel etc. Far too strong on your skin. Use something milder preferably that doesn't contain loads of chemicals. Try Green people or Liz Earle products if you can afford it. If too expensive for your budget even something like botanics at Boots would be better than clearisil. Try to avoid greasy foods, drink plenty of water, eat healthily etc, hopefully you will see an improvement. HTH

Oh I sympathise!

I've never had great skin but before ttc I took a COCP and it was fine. Conceived really quickly and skin ok throughout pregnancy then started to take Cerazette after dd was born. Skin was still ok whilst breastfeeding but now dd is 18 months old and I've really struggled with my skin for the past 3-4 months and I stopped taking Cerazette just over a week ago and started to take diannette which is a COCP with an anti-testosterone ingredient in it too. It is meant to be used only if you have acne and need contraception rather than just as a COCP as it has a slightly higher risk of thrombosis associated with it. I was happy to take the risk as it's very small for me personally and I get nasty thrush if I take oral antibiotics. I took it in my early twenties too and it worked then so fingers crossed for this time.

I totally understand how demoralising spots are. I feel like I wake-up and when I look in the mirror all I can think about is how to hide them. I also somehow feel unprofessional at work and just really pissed off that I'm 29 and I've skin that is as bad or worse as when I was 15.

Hope things get better for both of us.

I heard a programme on the radio about this a while ago. I can't remember the name of the stuff but the presenter said it's readily available over the counter at any Chemist, BUT most people don't persevere with it as it makes your skin red and flaky at first, so it looks even worse for 2-3 months. I bet if you gave that description to your chemist they'd know what you meant.

I've been using Dalacin T (antibiotic lotion) from the doctor the last few weeks and its helped.

in the past I've used low dose antibiotics for a few months, and one of the most successful things I've used is some stuff from the USA called Pro-Active. Its fantastic.

Google it

mad4mybaby

You need to find the underlying cause; it may well be hormonal. Adult onset acne can be caused by a condition called polycystic ovaries and I note you've had problematic skin since you were a teen.

Would not use Roaccutane except as a last resort. I would ask for a referral to an endocrinologist or gynae (to see if PCO is the underlying cause of this problem).

Also a lot of women who are prescribed Dianette are often given this because of its anti androgen properties. Many of these women as well have PCO.

im almost 100% that it is cerazette that has caused it as this is proper acne whereas before i was on it i had spots. Im so glad other people understand though.

vvvq, is that pro active stuff seriously worth it? Ive seen it before but always thought yeah right as so many products have promised me great skin!!

I use a benzoyl peroxide ointment (2.5% or 5%) if I get skin problems and find that very effective - I had spots at the beginning of my pregnancy and the benzoyl peroxide ointment really helped.

ive just been put on Dionette for my spots. Only been taking it for a week but ive already noticed that my skin is slightly less oily. Been told i should see a difference after a month regarding spots. my back and shoulders are the worst but my forehead and chin is pretty bad too

Yes - absolutely mad4. I tested some of it first when my brothers 'then' gf had some. You do have to be careful with it as it can bleach your clothes but its fantastic stuff.

AS an aside, my using it also cleared up the huge wart I had on my hand. I'd had it burnt off at the gp's 3 times previously and had given up hope of it ever going. The process of rubbing the stuff on my face rubbed it into the wart too.

how long roughly before you saw results?

skyn iceland anti-blemish gel, pure t skin balancing gel, kapow by benefit, skin doctors overnight zit zapper have been mentioned before on here but I don't know if they work cos i haven't tried them.

also lavender oil might work?