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Original poster

sick of spots... please help!

39 replies

zippyswife · 08/04/2014 15:42

Not sure if this is the right place to post.

I had gorgeous (well maybe not gorgeous, but certainly spot free) skin all my life until I stopped breast feeding DC1 and on the return of my periods came spots. Actually not just spots but acne. This was 3 years ago and it seems to be getting worse. I have spots on spots all around my chin and mouth (I won't go into it anymore- don't want to put you off your food!). I have done nothing about it until now because I just hoped it would improve.

I saw the dr about various things including my skin and I've been sent for blood tests.

Today I didn't leave the house as I got upset about being too ugly and so DH took DCs out to give me a break. I know this sounds incredibly vain (which I really am not), but it's just getting me down so much. Oh- should add I didn't get upset in front of children- would hate them to think it matters how you look.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice. I kind of think they are hormonal as they seem worse when I am ovulating/on my period. Having said that they just appear to have taken up residence these days and never seem to leave.

I also have rosacea although that has improved in recent years (I've probably jinxed that now!). Yes rosacea and acne. I am one real beauty.

OP posts:
DreamPhone · 08/04/2014 17:29

I feel your pain! Acne is awful. My advice would be keep on at your doctor about it - real acne needs to be treated from the inside out with medication, no amount of fancy skincare will help. I went to my doctor about my skin in my mid-twenties (everyone kept telling me it would just clear up as I got older!) and I wish I had gone sooner. The NHS have various medications and treatments that they can prescribe but for me it was a long road to get something strong enough to help - for example, they started by changing my pill (to Dianette if I recall) and told me to come back in 3 months if there was no improvement. Then I was given a topical cream plus antibiotics and told to give it another 3 months and so on. The earlier you can get the ball rolling the better! My advice would be to chase up the doctors and if they're dragging their heels then insist on being referred to a dermatologist. Make sure to say that it's affecting your self-esteem and making you feel bad. The treatment is out there so there's no need to suffer it. In the end I had to have a 6 month course of roaccutane which is the holy grail of acne treatment and pretty vile stuff - fingers crossed you find something else that does the trick and it doesn't come to that, good luck!

Jemster · 08/04/2014 17:52

Hi do the spots itch? I never used to get them either and now all of a sudden I seem to get several at once and they really itch and make my face feel like it's stinging. I've noticed it mid cycle too and around chin, mouth area but also on my cheeks. Will watch this thread for any advice. Sorry can't be of any help op.

RufusTheReindeer · 08/04/2014 17:57

I get some quite disgusting blind spots, huge, red and painful

Never used to and I am now used to wearing a ton of concealer!

Started the hot oil cleanse that I heard about on mumsnet, started at the beginning of April and they have calmed down considerably

Might be worth trying, otherwise the doctor prescribed me lymacycline (I think) and that seemed quite effective as well

Hope you find something that works, it's very depressing and I know that compared to a lot of people my spots aren't bad at all

Purplehonesty · 08/04/2014 18:49

I have a great antibiotic I got from the doc called Dalacin, it's a topical solution and its the one which contains alcohol - it was the only thing that worked for me.
Like you I had great skin whilst breastfeeding but at the start of my pgs and when i was younger it was horrendous!
Before I had the dc I used Yasmin contraceptive pill and has six glorious years of spot free skin. I'm not keen to go back on that now as its so much better so I use the dalacin as and when I get spots, usually a day or so before my period.
I remember calling in sick to work on occasion as my skin was so bad I couldn't cover it up or face leaving the house.
So maybe either or both of these things are worth a try - I would say my doc had never heard of the Yasmin pill and had to look it up.
Good luck OP. Also even now I drink loads of water as that really helps keep them at bay.

Jemster · 08/04/2014 18:54

Purple is the antibiotic a cream or a tablet you take? I like that you can just use that when needed as I don't want to have to take something all the time if poss as already take other meds.

Saurus72 · 08/04/2014 19:05

Can highly recommend La Roche Posay Effaclar face wash, followed by Effaclar duo moisturiser. I use a richer cream under my eyes. This has totally transformed my spotty, hormonal skin.

Fortyisthenewthirty · 08/04/2014 19:11

Have a look at acne.org. I had lifelong acne until I started using this and oil cleansing (I use sanctuary oil cleanser). I now have lovely skin - even the odd spot is very rare (2 or 3 a year) and I don't have to wear foundation at all.

I've been using it about 7 years.

Purplehonesty · 08/04/2014 19:29

Jemster...It's like a spotstick thing with a pad on top that you rub over your face as and when required.
To start with you use it twice a day all over your face and then once its under control you can cut it down and now I only use it when I have a spot.

AdorabeezleWinterpop · 08/04/2014 19:34

Had exactly the same when I cut down BF both DC. I went to the doc yesterday, after wasting ages trying different washes and creams (DC#2 is almost one). I've been given Yasmin and some Differin gel, so I'm hopeful that things will improve soon.

BB01 · 08/04/2014 19:46

If you've not already tried it, I would really recommend trying La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. Also really rate Origins Super Spot Remover for drying out spots

Skullduggeryfizz · 08/04/2014 19:54

Another one to recommend La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. My teenage daughter was on antibiotics from the doctor, but still not much of an improvement. Two weeks after using this plus the face wash, her skin was virtually clear. Six weeks on and still looking great. This follows two years of very spotty skin.

Original poster
zippyswife · 08/04/2014 20:14

Thanks for all the responses. Really great to read some advice on it.

I've kind of assumed that I need help from the 'inside out' as Dreamphone says as I can't understand how anything I can put on it will help.

Having said that I am willing to try things at this stage to see if anything will work.

I'll try the La Roche recommended by a few of you while I am awaiting the dr to prescribe/refer me. However..... my concern is I managed to get my rosacea under wraps by using Avene products (I can't recommend them highly enough) and I fear a change from this will cause that to flare up Confused. Anyone had similar problem at all?

I don't think I'll try the hot oil as just the sound of that makes my rosacea flare up... so will try some of the others first.

What is roaccutane? and why so vile?

OP posts:
reallifegetsintheway · 08/04/2014 20:24

I have dreadful skin too. I look like a spotty teenager (not a good look when you teach them!) My spots are dreadful with PMT and start of periods. I bit the bullet in Boots yesterday and bought La Roche recommended on here above. I can honestly say in one day there is a difference. The MAT moisturizer is very good at absorbing oil. Good luck!

WillowPark · 08/04/2014 20:25

Duac cream really cleared up my hormonally challenged skin :-)

thepurplepenguin · 08/04/2014 20:39

I like quinoderm cream, you can get it otc in Boots. It is 10% benzoyl peroxide.

I used twice a day for about 4 weeks and it seemed to break my spot cycle. I have been spot free for a while now and am maintaining by sticking to a very simple routine of dove soap and eucerin or aveeno moisturiser morning and night.

spookyskeleton · 08/04/2014 20:47

Just to add support to the La Roche Posay Effaclar duo - I use the foaming gel wash and then the moisturiser.

I used to have at least 3 or 4 spots at any one time around my chin/neck/jawline. Started using the above stuff about 7 weeks ago and have only had 1 spot since then Smile It really is miraculous considering I have suffered spots for about 15 years now and the only respite I have had is pregnancies and a 3-month course of antibiotics Sad

Handbagsatdawn · 08/04/2014 20:47

I can also vouch for Effaclar Duo. I had 3 months of chemo last year/early this year which completely destroyed my skin (acne plus rosacea) and was on anti-bs the whole time try try to keep it under control. The spots continued for weeks after chemo finished. Within 2 days of using Effaclar my skin was so much better, and now is back to normal again.

The other moisturiser I'm using is Moogoo blemish cleansing moisturiser - does not upset my skin at all.

Bluebell79 · 08/04/2014 21:22

I use effaclar duo too, can't live without it. I also noticed a big difference in my skin when I started taking the Yasmin pill, I also double cleanse with liz Earle, and mainly use bare mineral makeup.

Sometimes trying to cover spots means they take longer to heal, can you have a few days home makeup free? If none of the suggestions work do see your doctor I know how bad skin really affects your confidence, it has me in the past and recently a friend has suffered and it was horrible seeing her change and feeling so unhappy, doctor sorted her out with creams and I have my happy friend back.

Queencat · 08/04/2014 21:23

I've just started my first course of rocaccutane that i had to jump through hoops at the doctors to get. My skin is starting to shed off but spots still there! Hoping it will start working soon!

No other medication has worked. I've also just started using the Roche gel.

CashmereMouse · 08/04/2014 21:40

I came off Yasmin contraceptive pill three years ago and since then have had the most awful back acne, I've tried no end of things to no avail, definitely hormonal as it always got worse around ovulation.

Horrible lumps under the skin that kept coming back, never came to a head and really hurt. Never mind the fact it looked bloody awful. Also used to get a bad monthly flare up on my face and down the sides of my neck and on hairline.

Over the last six weeks I have been using an application once a week of Bravura Glycolic Acid, following the instructions to the letter (lots of good reviews too and v helpful staff, answer lots of Q's by email), a bravura Dermaflannel every other day and then Salcura Antiac Spray twice a day.

Worth bearing in mind that I have followed all instructions to the t, seems to be the recommendation by all others leaving reviews too.

This seems to have made a huge difference, it's got rid of all the gunk and lumps under my skin, so it feels smooth to touch rather than bumpy, and it's also helping to fade the scars and pigmentation and smooth the skin texture over all.

The glycolic acid and and the dermaflannel work to clear dead skin cells, stimulate collagen and clear your pores. And the Salcura Antiac is an antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal and clears the bacteria etc from your skin and deep in the pores. So works from the outside in, then the inside out.

All v good value for money, whole lot for less than £35, not full of nasty chemicals and Salcura will send you a free sample of the spray to see if it works for you.

I honestly never thought I'd get rid of this without going back on the pill (ttc now, so not really feasible, and I came off it in the first place because I'd had enough of taking artificial hormones)

I'm getting married next month and I'd even had my dress designed to cover my back as I just couldn't risk a flare up, but if it carries on like this I think it will be completely gone, plus most of the scarring. Had same great results on my face too. And confident the scarring will be gone in near future too.

I came across all three products via recommendations on MN, but the product reviews on the websites back everything up.

Good luck, I know how bloody awful it is. Especially because, like you, I had always had fab skin.

cerealqueen · 08/04/2014 23:55

I get awful hormonal spots, cysty type things that last forever. The only thing really working for me is Avene Triacneal.

LaTrucha · 09/04/2014 07:17

Those recommending the Effaclar, do you use the cleanser and the cream? I have awful monthly spots since I had the IUD fitted. Anyone else experience this?

boobashka · 09/04/2014 09:59

The effaclar made no difference to me, but taking Evening Primrose Oil has started working really well on my hormonal acne. I've been taking it for 3 months it's really made a difference. Good luck everyone, it is horrible being spotty.

babySophieRose · 09/04/2014 10:25

Zineryt lotion is the best i have tried - Antibiotic and zink. You use it twice a day for a month and then you are free from acne and hormonal spots. You may have to repeat the course after 1- 1 1/2 year, but its wonderful. Need prescription to buy it, or EBay, Amazon.

AmazingDisgrace · 09/04/2014 14:35

Vichy Normaderm moisturiser and the 3 in 1 face wash/scrub have totally sorted my meno-spotty skin out. The scrubby face wash is ace, you can also use it as a face mask which I do twice a week