Massive huge spots on face mid 40's

[nickdrakeslovechild]

Hi I am sat here in tears as I have a night out tomorrow and have come out in the most bloody awful spots all over my chin, eyebrows and forehead, they are sooo big and sore to the touch with a huge head but wont squeeze. I am mid 40's FFS why am I getting spots? They started a few years ago, but getting worse and worse. Have been on cerazette for a couple of years but the spots have never been as bad as this. No other change in skin care since then. Does anyone have any advise please?

Aspirin crushed and mixed with a little water to form a paste will take any swelling and redness down.

Someone posted the other day about using hydrocolloid plasters to help force out cystic spots. Doesn't stop the problem but may help treat it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2393498-Gross-alert-great-tip-for-spots-with-no-head link for you.

Thank you, I had forgotten about asprin. I will try that this morning. I have looked for those plasters and they seem to be sold out everywhere near me! I have a little bit of antibiotic cream so have put that on too. Thanks for your help.

If they really hurt, a dab of ibuprofen gel reduces the pain and you can put make up over it. Doesn't make them go away but stops me touching them during the day. The hydrocolloid plaster tip is great for night time.

Magnesium paste can help draw things from the skin, cheap at Boots (I think you have to ask for it, not sure). Just apply with a clean cotton bud. You can't really leave it on and go out, so it's an 'at home' only treatment.

I feel for you, those big hormonal spots are the worst. I used to get them but haven't for a while.

No advice but I'm early 40s and also getting spots again on my chin when im prememstrual which is reminiscent of my teenage years. It's those pesky hormones I'm afraid.

Thanks for all the help, I was wondering if it was hormonal but as I am on the cerazette pill I didn't think it would be as you don't have periods on it. (my logic thought the 2 would go together) I have a headache from the ones all over my forehead

No, the pill/periods still mess with your general hormone balance. Is that the progesterone only one? I am allergic to that - brings me out in hugh lumps all over my body. Worth seeing the GP if they're really bad as they could change it or give you something for it.

Meanwhile, see what CH suggests:

The Boss

Nobody ever seems to listen but in case you are interested I was plagued by these, awful painful boils, after mostly no spots all my life, on someone else's recommendation I started using Foaming Facial Wash and Three in one Cleanser as a moisturiser they cleared up quite quickly and I have had maybe three or four spots in the last three years, couldn't recommend highly enough.

No7 do a good spot gel.

Could always treat yourself to a new heavy foundation. Estée Lauder double wear is good coverage.

Avene Cleanance gel face-wash & other stuff. Mild yet dynamite

Holland and barrett do a tea tree lotion that is great Its not neat tea tree its pre diluted and you can put a thin layer on at night Has worked for several of my friends HTH

Zineryt (antibiotic lotion) from the GP has kept mine under control where no end of stuff from Boots failed.

Aspirin will take redness down but not actually exfoliate which is what you need. The key is acid exfoliation, right cleanser can help but won't do all of the work, moisturiser can make it a whole lot worse if you pick the wrong one.

Basic program is:

Non-foaming cleanser such as Cetaphil, La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel, Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser

Salicylic acid toner eg Clearasil pads, LRP Effaclar Duo, Paula's Choice 2% BHA

Moisturiser - oil-free, only if you think you need it eg Cetaphil moisturiser, Cerave. Oil-free SPF in the day time like Sunsense.

If not worked completely add in a retinol in the evening like LRP Redermic R, Avene Ystheal or Paula's Choice retinol.

If still not worked then you need a prescription.

Have a look at the Dr Sam Bunting Caroline Hirons video (best on youtube as the product recommendations are below), plus look for the Sam Bunting Q+A on here.

Heavy foundation is tempting but probably making it worse - Sam Bunting makes everyone dump their Doublewear as a first step. If you are a makeup wearer and want to cover up, have a look at Lisa Eldridge's acne video which is work of genius - she uses light foundation (as the rest of your skin is prob fabulous) with Vichy Dermablend on the spots and her model looks amazing, the before and after shots are stunning.