Spots coming up on one side of my jaw only

[margaretofsavoy]

My skin is generally in fairly good nick, but recently I have been coming up with quite bad spots but just on my right jawline, none on the left. They have been quite deep/sore and taken ages to fade. I have been applying diluted hibiscrub which does help fade them but woke up today with 2 new ones.

My skincare regime is pretty simple - Avene cleanser and Nivea day and night moisturisers. I tried Liz Earle but it broke me out and that's when these spots started.

The only other thing I can think of is that sometimes at work I rest my head on my left hand while I'm reading something and maybe it is putting bacteria into the pores there?

Any suggestions?

Yes, that is probably the cause, although sometimes jawline spots are hormonal.

If you search YouTube for Lymphatic Drainage, there are some really tutorials which can help clear skin, and of course you can always go to the GP and ask for Duac Gel- tis miraculous stuff!

Which side do you sleep on? This could also be a cause.

Could they be cold sores? I have the same pattern of spots you describe and I treat with Zovirax

I tend to sleep on the other side mainly. I don't think they're coldsores as they act like normal spots (although some are a bit deep and cysty).

Also - any advice for getting rid of the marks of them? My skn doesn't seem to be very good at healing and they linger...

I get these too. Hands on face, also phone on that side of my face too

Phone side? give phone a wipe with an antiseptic wipe

The marks will stay for ages - it takes 6-8 weeks for your skin to turnover.

You don't have anything exfoliating in your regime which might help prevent the spot and get rid of the marks quicker. Maybe some Effaclar Duo on your jawline? Hibiscrub is cleaning rather than exfoliating so doesn't get into the pores and will be stripping your skin. Also check your moisturiser is oil free - do you totally need moisturiser on the oily bits at all?

Agree with another pp, govtobthe GP and see if smthng like Duac would help. You really want to stop these because they will leave scars. Look at LRP Efaclar range too, but def visit GP, cystic spots can leave scars.

I have exactly the same problem in the same place. They're not cystic but they do extend onto my neck. I did ask the GP about it a while back. She tested my hormone levels and found them to be normal so didn't investigate further. It's odd it's just on one side isn't it?

I do need to wipe my office phone I think, and keep anti-bac gel on my desk... The just on one side thing seems to indicate it's something I'm doing to it rather than wrong cleanser etc. but I don't know :S

I am confused about exfoliators etc. I have read Caroline Hirons' and Sam Bunting's blogs and they seem anti anything that strips your skin too much. Do all exfoliators do this?

It depends what you mean by exfoliate.

Cleanser should just make you clean, not strip anything - which is why Dr Sam recommends non foamy cleansers like Cetaphil.

Exfoliating should be removing dead skin and plugs of oil in the pore - srubs, particles etc may feel like they are exfoliating but they aren't really doing much. For exfoliating you need acids - glycolic, lactic or if you have blackheads salicylic. They aren't stripping your natural oil away, just unclogging pores, preventing acne and as an added bonus reducing the appears of lines and wrinkles.

Dr Sam Bunting is my hero Caroline Hirons not so much When they disagree, I'd take the advice of a dermatologist over a beautician everytime.

I definitely agree with your last line, Kundry. I find Dr Bunting's blog quite hard to read because it's in quite a basic format. I've never been able to track down any actual products she recommends. What pharmacy products have these acids in? I am quite clueless...

Hi, her Q&A on here are much easier and she recommends a lot of products - you quickly see a theme of Cetaphil/Avene gentle cleanser and LRP Effaclar though.

Vichy Normaderm, Avene Cleanance and LRP Effaclar you can't really go wrong with.

Paula's Choice Beautypedia is another great source of info and the skincare products are spot on too. I use and love the Paula's Choice 2% BHA.

Once you get started you can see them everywhere though. Alpha H, Bravura London are other brands built on acids. Noticeably they are also all massively cheaper than a lot of Carline Hirons recommendations which makes me about how much skincare really costs to make.

Thanks so much Kundry - I already cleanse with Avene as it is gentle around my eyes and have just started using an Avene moisturiser at night. I shall look up the others :)