Help! I have the skin of a much younger person - and not in a good way ...

[procrastinatingparent]

I had horrible horrible acne in my teens which all went almost miraculously away when I started the pill when I was 20. It's now, ahem, a very long time later, and I have finally stopped taking the pill, stopped being pregnant and stopped breastfeeding. And my spots have all come back, most horrifically just before my period . I can't bear feeling like I am 16 again (at least facially - wouldn't mind my body back ). What I need to know is whether there is anything out there that I can zap these spots with or if I should just go straight back to the doctor and ask for more hormones.

It might be worth seeing your GP as it could be rosacea, if so they can prescribe stuff for it. I have rosacea and I also find it flares up just before my period.

Thanks MT - what is rosacea? (Excuse my ignorance!)

Does anyone have teenagers who suffer from acne? Nothing really worked except the pill when I was a teenager but I am hoping that medical science has moved on since then.

I'm on Dianette for my spots. They looked horrendous just for my period, probably worse than what they were when I was a teenager.

Am slowly getting better skin now.

bandgeek - Dianette was the pill I started on at the age of 20 and it worked a treat, so glad to hear it is working for you. Did you try anything else that worked other than hormonal treatments or is everything else basically rubbish and I should go back on Dianette 17 years later. (I was so pleased to be able to stop taking the pill that I feel cross that I should have to go back on it).

It's mainly on my neck, back and arms I get spots. I used a scrub every few days and also used Clearasil wipes and tea tree oil as well. However, it's the pill which seems to be working more now.

Having said that, I stopped drinking alcohol for about 6 weeks (just didn't feel the need!) and my skin was looking great, but last weekend I had far too much to drink both Friday and Sunday and my arms and face have broken out in quite a few spots. Am now wondering at the connection

Hope you find something that works for you

Mine is on my face, neck and shoulders. And unfortunately I don't get to drink nearly as often as I would like, so I can't blame the booze. I've just started trying to lose weight so I'll see if there's a dietary connection, but I fear the pill may be the only reliable stuff. I'll try some tea tree oil though, thanks.

Anybody got any other ideas? TIA

Rosacea is an inflammatory condition of the skin on the face - so I guess if you are getting spots on your neck and shoulders as well it is more likely good old fashioned acne so the pill could be the answer.

I asked about Dianette 5yrs ago before I got married (was almost 37) and was told I was too old I don't smoke & wasn't overweight.

Mine's started to flare up again now that I've finished being pg and breastfeeding. I'm 41 with acne and wrinkles Lovely combination.

So, no idea what to suggest. Hopefully your GP is more helpful than mine...

Amazonianwoman here is my other thread on which I asked the same question, with some more responses. Thanks for the info about Dianette - I'm now 37 so that may not be an option for me.

I'd still love to know if there is anything else over-the-counter that people recommend.

I since having my son am also suffering some kind of acne on my right cheek (on my face!!) - i when was on free prescriptions was prescribed erythromicin topical application stick which was really good - since i have to pay for it now and havent been to the docs of late i have them back - really must go and pay and just get over being tight lol . It was effective.