Please please begging for advice about ACNE!!!!

[lailahappy]

Hi all MN.
I am 32 years old,and I have 2 lovely girls.Since i was 13 my story with acne biggen.I was consulting a dermatologue back home "Tunisia",we trayed several creams and soaps and antibiotic,nothing worked.The last solution i had left is the "ACCUTANE" which is very strong drug that can affect the liver,so i took it around the age of 19/20,and it was at that time when i got married.I must admit that was the only time when i really enjoyed looking at the mirror without using any make up or fondation.But unfortunely after 8 month of stoping the drug ,i start having brakout again.I came to live in the UK in 2004 and again i've seen the GP so many times about it trying more cream nothing is working.I have asked him to prescribe this "ACCUTANE",he said that i only should use it once in life.So here I am feeling these lampy redish piples I also have white heads.I am feeling that I am missing out on my youth,Now that i hit my thierties i should be focusing on skincare regim that will delay a bit of wrincles.......Not still just facing this battle with Acne.Please has any one been in same situation?I am so so so so so fed up:(
Many thanks to all of YOU

This is expensive, but totally fixed my skin with no side effects: www.lumie.com/products/clear If you buy it directly from Lumie they give you a 30 day trial period too :).

Don't give up hope.

I was desparate to get rid of my acne and tried everything. I looked at the acne.org website for advice. It sets out a regime of applying very low strength Benzoyl Peroxide gel 1 - 2 times a day, taking your time to rub it all in very thoroughly. The stuff is available over the counter at chemists for about 3 quid a tube. Within a month my acne resolved and has never re-appeared.

I recommend looking at the regime on the website and the guff about why it works.

I used to have an acne support thread on here where a few others had success with this method too.

Wishing you lots of luck.

You can take to roaccutane ( accutane) more than once, it is usually a total cure but in 10% , like you, they may relapse and need a second course. My dd is being treated with it at the moment and I'm a doctor, so I've read about it loads...as well as taking it myself at 40

In this country it can only be prescribed by a consultant so you'd need to get your gp to refer you to the hospital. You're right, it's a strong medication with many side effects but it transformed my life and is doing the same for my daughter.

If your skin is making you unhappy you could ask for a referral to see a dermatologist and take it from there... Good luck!

In the past (though this might have changed) GPs could not actually prescribe RoAccutane. It had to be done by a consultant dermatologist. I would be asking for a referral to see one. I had RoAccutane about 15 years ago and the results have lasted, but i was told at the time that I might need another course in the future. I think that your GP has fobbed you off. Have your had antibiotics (for at least 3 months), oral contraceptive, topical retinoids? Get a 2nd opinion, it sounds like your problem is perhaps cystic and beyond the remit of the average GP. You might also need to see about getting some treatment for scarring.

x post with cathy

I had Oral Contraceptives and also tried Benzol Peroxide for a long time. Both helped but didn't completely clear it.

I did not want to go down the route of antibiotics because at the time I suffered from urine infections often and didn't want to be taking 2 types of antibiotic and also the undesirable side effects.

I was diagnosed with PCOS. Hormonal acne due to excess androgens. The only thing which has worked for me is Spironolactone (used often in the US but rarely here for acne as it's not licensed). As far as I believe it only works for hormonal acne (in my case huge cysts needing drained sometimes , but it should also work for more minor cases, as long as the cause is hormonal in nature). It is not without it's own side effects though (if you google it you will find them).

I have taken RoAccutane, when i was 16.

No DOCTOR in the uk only a dermo can give you this.

I have also tried everything for get rid of my spots, everything a doctor can give you i have had to get rid of the spots.

I would use a simple face wash not all this 'spot miracle' stuff that so many swear by.

I think the reason you get spots you produce to much sweat in your pores therefore get spots. The RoAcc changes your pores(tightens them) so they dont sweat as much.

I use dermol 500, a simple wash. I have used it ever since i was 16 and has helped so much! I would also suggest using 'oil free' products as they dont cluge up pores.

I hope its sorted for you.

I'm also 32 and have had acne for about as long as you. I didn't try roaccutane (probably because I let myself be fobbed off by GPs) but felt that I'd tried everything else prescription and over the counter. Strong antibiotics worked while I was on them but you shouldn't take them for long periods.

You say you've tried lots of creams. Have you tried Duac? It is a prescription benzoyl peroxide cream. I had to ask the doctor for it (they didn't ever suggest it themselves) and, whilst my skin isn't perfect, it is pretty good and a massively improved from before I started using it. It also starting working very quickly. Worth asking your doctor? I know how awful bad skin can be so hope it gets sorted for you.

Another vote for acne.org. 2.5% hydrogen peroxide ointment is what the site recommends . Nothing has worked as well as this for me, and I have tried everything bar Roaccutane. I think Duac is the same thing, but with an added antibiotic.

The key is to use lots of the HP.

I'm currently using Doxycycline (antibiotic) for a different problem, but have noticed that my skin is so much better - I get lots of spots, but not seriously bad acne. Might be worth asking GP about that.

But if you're not happy, ask him to refer you to a dermatologist.

I went through an awful phase in my 20's. In the end I tried Murad Anti blemish cleanser. It really worked for me. It costs around £20, really worth a try!

First Iam so sorry i didnt get back to you.As my DD hasnt been well and she was off school.Thank you so much for all of you charing your experiences with me.I will try to answer all of you at the same time.I am using at the moment "proactive" the mane ingredient is benzoyl peroxide,and it cost me around 50 pound including the face cleanser and the toner,day cream,night cream and the mask.It did work when i first strated using it,but now no change.I also used sasylic acid,and the contraceptif pils,and i do make sure to use oil free moistureser,and still no progress.As you have said i should ask for a referal to a dermathologist.I've never seen one here in the UK,so i must give it a try.Once again thank you ever so much for your support:) I will get back to you with some news hopefully.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I have also had great success with the acne.org regime. I really recommend you have a look at the website. It's cheap too! It uses benzyl peroxide but also gives precise instructions for washing/drying your face and what moisturiser to use. It recommends using oil such as jojoba oil with the moisturiser. This sounds wrong but it really helps keep your skin in nice condition and doesn't give you spots.
Good Luck! I hope you get it sorted

Thanks Lauren.I will defenitely give my GP hard time till he refer me.I need to finish this pack of antibiotic that he gave me,although there is no progress with it.Will up date u :)

Duac has worked wonders for me. My skin looks great, if I do say so myself.
GP has to prescribe.

Another vote for Duac gel, can be used as an ongoing treatment, my skin is about 85% clearer than when I'm not using it so I can live with that. Can take a couple of months from when you start using it until it's working fully though. And no you're not the only one although it often feels like it I know! See a different gp if your current one isn't helpful.

OP (and all other sufferers ) I beg you to try "purity" cleanser by Philosophy.

I suffered from horomonal acne that was really painful caused by PCOS. Tried every medication going, every facial treatment etc and nothing worked.

Anyway by chance I saw loads of people raving about the cleanser on QVC website so thought I would try it. Being using it 5 years now and my skin in 100% clear. It cleared it up the acne pretty much within the month.

No idea why it works, its not marketed as an acne cure- but it does.

It is expensive but lasts ages. Give it a go it was the only thing that did it for me.