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Original poster

Adult acne - anyone been successfully treated?

86 replies

becstarlitsea · 27/08/2009 17:46

Drives me up the flippin' wall... I"m 36 fgs, I've got wrinkles and acne at the same time, it just ain't fair!

I've had it since I was 26 (didn't get acne at all as a teen, it waited for me to graduate uni before setting in...). I have been on long-term antibiotics (which worked while I was on them, but acne came back), Dianette (brilliant, but dr says I can't take it any more due to other health risks), and currently use Duac gel.

I feel unreasonably miserable about it particularly as I'm getting older my skin scars more easily so every time I feel the 'bruise' feeling under my skin I know that I'm likely to have another scar soon...

Whatever anyone has done that worked, whether diet/lifestyle or medical I'd be very happy to hear about it.

OP posts:

mathanxiety · 07/09/2009 02:48

I would steer clear of the 10% and even the 5% benzoyl peroxide. If you can get your hands on 2.5%, it's just as effective and doesn't cause half the irritation. It all bleaches clothes, though .

Sugarmagnolia · 07/09/2009 07:17

Well I've been using the 5% panoxyl for a while now and it does next to nothing. possibly makes the spots go slightly quicker but no irritation, no redness, no peeling! So actually quite tempted to try 10%. Has anyone every tried something called Quinoderm cream - I was doing some searches last night and came across it - 10% benzoyl peroxide +?hydroxyquinoline sulphate??

alypaly · 07/09/2009 09:27

benzoyl peroxide works by peeling the skin in order to open up the sebaceous gland.Most acne treatment work in this way. Differin cream is less harsh and works in some people too.

rupertsabear · 07/09/2009 09:36

I've been using benzoyl peroxide 5% for about 4 days now. I'm a bit red and scaly, though not too bad, but the spots are definitely better. I'll try to get some 2.5% but the chemists here say it doesn't exist. May have to order on internet from UK I suppose.

alypaly · 07/09/2009 09:44

its called panoxyl 2.5% aquagel. they will have to order it from their wholesalers so you might have to wait a day for it to come in. they get twice daily deliveries so any good chemist will get it in within 24 hours. you will still get the peeling as this is its mode of action

rupertsabear · 07/09/2009 09:45

OK thanks, I'm not in UK though so it could be different. I'll take the name to the chemist now and see.

alypaly · 07/09/2009 09:58

its made by stiefel laboratories if that any help

catwalker · 07/09/2009 10:07

I would urge anyone with severe acne to insist that their doctor refers them to a specialist. I put up with awful acne in my late teens and twenties because I moved around a lot and every time I asked a doctor to refer me to a consultant they would say that they needed to treat me themselves for a bit and stuck me on yet another type of antibiotic.

I finally got referred in my late twenties and, while the specialist wasn't able to wave a magic wand (although I do think roaccutane is brilliant)it was wonderful to see someone who knew what he was talking about, someone who was sympathetic, and someone who didn't deliver a load of platitudes.

alypaly · 07/09/2009 10:13

roaccutane only suits some people. it has to have a special licence to be prescribed by consultant and is a last resort.It is on a named patient basis so cannot be prescribed willy nilly.it has lots of awful side effects. myDS1's best friend was on it and he suffered from severe personality change and awful depression with suicidal tendencies when he had been on it a few weeks. it took him ages to recover.

Sugarmagnolia · 07/09/2009 11:01

I tried roaccutane and didn't suffer many side effects but also didn't find it all that helpful. could try a second course but to be honest can't really face the months of hospital visits/blood tests/pregnancy tests again as I'm not that hopeful it would be any better the second time around. It def did seem to help for the first couple of months but my spots came back before I was even finished on it.

mathanxiety · 07/09/2009 17:39

For the peeling and redness, use a light moisturiser over the bp. Some moisturisers to try are on this site www.acne.org

Sugarmagnolia · 07/09/2009 20:06

so what does it say about me that benzoyl peroxide & roaccutane seem to have so little effect??? most people wouldn't even know it's that bad to look at me as it's mostly on my forehead and round the sides not right on the front of my face but at 37 i pretty effing fed up with it!

alypaly · 07/09/2009 23:00

is it acne or acne rosacea

rupertsabear · 08/09/2009 06:59

Someone on here recommended rosex cream (metranidazole, I think) very highly recently.

alypaly · 08/09/2009 10:22

rosex cream is for rosacea not ordinary acne as it its name suggests.It is an antibiotic cream and works for some people with rosacea

catwalker · 08/09/2009 12:32

Anybody tried N-lite? I've heard people say it's very good, but I don't really understand how it can be effective long-term. My acne always used to clear up on hot summer holidays abroad, but, after a week or two out of the sun at home it would kick back in.

alypaly · 08/09/2009 12:49

funny that cos sunlight supposedly makes acne worse initially..i find it always brings me up in spots on my chin and ive never suffered from acne

catwalker · 08/09/2009 14:27

I'd never really appreciated how one person's acne and what it responds well to could differ so much from someone else's! I guess it's because it's not a subject I've ever felt comfortable talking to people about. I always used to find that sunshine in the UK - no matter how hot - didn't make a jot of difference, but a couple of weeks abroad would just make it clear up straight away. Goodness knows why! Also, as I said earlier, when I first became pregnant my face got really bad and then after a few weeks cleared up almost overnight and - touch wood - I've only had a few manageable spots since. Pregnancy seems to make some people's acne worse. Wonder what effect the menopause will have ...

I fear my acne is genetic (my dad and sister both suffered/suffer)as well. My eldest is nearly 15 and getting quite spotty (mainly small spots but the occasional angry, acne style lump). I'm interested to see what people find helpful for his sake. He uses Freederm at the moment (when he remembers ...) and I think that does make a difference. I'm on tenterhooks waiting to see if he's going to develop really nasty acne (mine started at 16) and am steeling myself to stand up to the GP and demand a consultation with a specialist should he need it. I also have to force myself to be really casual amount his teenage spots and not scrutinise his face every morning to see if anything really nasty is developing.

harriett1 · 08/09/2009 17:20

My daughter had acne and when she started beauty therapy at college she was very unhappy. We went to the local skin clinic at the hospital referred by GP. She was started on a course of tablets which were so strong she had to promise not to get pregnant and to start taking contraceptive pills. She had to have a pregnancy test every month (she was 16)so severe would the damage to an unborn child. Another side effect was dry lips which drove her mad but she kept going. After the course so shocked by the results I could have cried with happiness for her not a spot in sight and beautiful skin. There is help but it comes with a price you must exercise extreme caution. All hospitals do this treatment so you must get onto the GP.

catwalker · 08/09/2009 18:40

harriet1 - the drug you are talking about is roaccutane.

raindroprhyme · 08/09/2009 19:57

personality change and depression are one of the side affects of roaccutane. You are very closely monitered not only by pregnancy tests but also mood questionairres etc.
i can't remember wher the research is apoligise for not being able to site it but teenage boys are more at risk of depression on roaccutane than anyother group.

get refered to a specialist it is worth it even if roaccutane is not the right treatment other things are available which you can only be prescribed by a dermotologist.

it was my dermotologist who said abot a hysterectomy so not necessarily the best person to consult on such matters but he is confident i will have lovely skin after menopause.

Helennn · 08/09/2009 20:57

Hi everyone. Fellow sufferer here, (aged 36 and well and truly peed off with it).

I went to see the dermatologist yesterday, she said I could go onto Roaccutane. I've been on it twice before many years ago and it worked a treat, and I really can't remember the side effects being too bad at all.

Because of need to use at least two forms of contraception I need to get a coil fitted, (can't have pill etc). I quite fancied the Mirena due to not having periods whilst on it, but reading someone's comment above, (sorry can't find it now) it seems this may cause them to come back.

Any-body else have the Mirena coil and still got clear skin after having roaccutane? I have GP appointment in morning, so any advice welcome!

alypaly · 09/09/2009 18:41

catwalker yes you are right i think everyones does differ. We have just come back from greece and my sons spots have got much worse on his shoulders, chest and face but the zineryt has started to calm them down. He forgot to take it with him on hols.

I do believe there is a genetic link as his dad had bad acne too.

catwalker · 10/09/2009 11:09

Not heard of Zineryt - is that effective then? Son uses freederm which does seem to make a difference - unlike most of the other "miracle cures" on the market.....

alypaly · 10/09/2009 11:48

catwalker..yes its the only thing that works for DS2,as i work in a pharmacy we have tried everything. It is used once a day.colourless lotion and doesnt cause dryness. Life saver

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