Sick of acne (warning with pics) what to ask for at GP

[DoorsAndWater]

Hi everyone,
I am embarrassed to post this but I don't know what to do anymore, I have spent a fortune on skincare over the years, I have tried everything from clearasil when I was younger (I am now 36) to Clinique 3 step, now to La Roche Posay, oil cleansing to skincare for sensitive skin, then acid toning... I have literally come to a standstill with what to do next. I have decided to finally go my GP but I don't know what to ask for but I am so sad and sick of the state of my skin, I've recently lost a lot of weight, thought It would make eye happy but I am still having to plaster my face in make every.single.day because I am so embarrassed about this acne I've now had for 20 years! I have always tried different routines for at least six weeks but nothing works! Can't anyone suggest anything or at least what I should be asking my GP for before I make an appointment. Please help, and thanks for reading!

Thank you everyone, I'll look into the lamps. It is on my chin and cheeks mainly, that is more recent on my chin though, it's always been on my cheeks? I can't take the contraceptive pill unfortunately, I have tried about six different ones over the years and the side effects in terms of depression are just too much for me, particularly dianette which is a shame as my sister has had great success with it but there may be others I could try so I'll speak to the GP about that

Oral antibiotics. Give it 3months ....
If no better then ask for a dermatologist referral for roaccutane. You don't have to put up with bad skin

Have you been checked for polycystic ovaries?
Do you get excess hair at all?

Some dermatologists recommend laser therapy and I've seen friends achieve noticeable results, my brother had horrendous acne and took roaccutane, but he needed eye drops for dry eyes and constantly had cracked dry lips, he also suffered with emotional outbursts whilst taking it. The roaccutane worked extremely well and he hasn't had any acne since (5 years later). I also suffered with acne but my doctors kept giving me gels and antibiotics which didn't work...

Hope you find a solution, acne is a horrible thing!

I also tried almost everything I could think of. Now 30, started getting bad spots when I was 15. GP tried me on so many different types of contraceptive pill with varying results (must have been on at least 6 different ones over the years!), but am now on Lizinna and it's worked wonders. At one stage I was using some topical lotion (though can't remember what it was called ) but all it did was dry my skin out horrendously and made it red and blotchy - didn't get rid of the acne! Everyone is different of course, so just cos the pill works for me doesn't mean it will for you, but I'd say it's certainly worth mentioning it. Works by balancing the hormone levels. All the best, I know how much bad skin can destroy your confidence but there is a solution out there, I promise

There's loads of treatments for acne so it's totally worth seeing your GP. They'll probably start you off on a topical wash/cream/gel like zineryt or Duac. If that doesn't work, there's several antibiotics you can try, usually given with benzoyl peroxide gel as it makes the antibiotics work better. There's also topical retinoid creams and gels they may try, and contraceptive pills such as dianette that they might offer you.
Each treatment phase usually lasts about 3 months.
If none of that works they'll probably refer you to a dermatologist to consider roaccutaine as it's quite toxic and can only be given by a specialist.
Hope that helps. X

Hi OP, I'm sorry you're still having to deal with acne. I have PCOS which I think is the main cause of my acne. I've finally discovered how to improve my acne but unfortunately my face still isn't clear (I'd say 70% clear but I don't think I'll ever have clear skin).
Some things that helped my skin were taking omega 3 fish oil, reducing sugar, drinking kefir and spearmint tea (spearmint tea lowers free testosterone). What a shame you haven't had much improvement by changing your diet. Personally, I wouldn't recommend taking antibiotics for acne (my GP gave me antibiotics before I discovered what worked for my skin) for some people (including myself) it only temporarily clears your skin but then the acne will come back stronger. Accutane could be something worth considering though!

Just seen your update. Roaccutane can be linked to mental health issues.... So may or may not be a good idea. Antibiotics will be fine though

Hi op, no real advice but wanted to say you're not alone!
I'm also 36 and always had bad skin. Good days and bad days but I'm always so jealous of people who can just get up and go in the mornings!
I won't even go to the shop without a full face of slap!
It is depressing so don't be embarrassed to see your gp.
Hope you get the help you need

Thank you so much everyone, this is all
So helpful, I am busy writing it all down so I know what to speak to the GP about! I have a bit of hope now, thank you for taking the time to reply, i am going to start researching all these suggestions xx

Firstly, ignore people asking you about your diet, it won't be diet related if you've suffered from it for 20 years.

I also had problems with acne for years and found the following helped:
Benzyl peroxide gel as someone else said- did bleach clothes and bedding though
Vitamin a (retinol?) Gel - hard on your skin but does help
Eventually I resorted to roaccutane as the vit a gel stopped working. I was really worried about taking roaccutane because of the reported side effects but it was the best decision I made. It cleared my skin up permanently.

Should mention I did try one of the contraceptive pills that's meant to help but it didn't really.

I would say don't suffer on and don't spend lots on skincare, it doesn't help! I know how tough it is, it really affects your self esteem. I remember being unable to look in the mirror and breaking down one morning as I hated going to work knowing I looked like that.

Good luck, hope you find something that helps.

Think my topical lotion was Duac. But like I said before, we're all different - so don't mean to put you off

Thanks kiwi, yes I feel like everything else in life is great, happy with everything I've got etc just this bloody awful face of mine, it really gets me down and can be so sore, takes me ages to put my face on in the morning just to do the school run!

Sorry just saw your update - if you have a history of depression roaccutane may not be a good idea.

Realised my comment to ignore people asking about diet sounded harsh- I don't mean anyone on this thread- I just found when I had acne people would say things like "oh if you cut out chocolate you'll be fine" which is really not very supportive to someone with severe and chronic acne.

Hope Dr appt goes well.

Ask your GP to refer you to a dermatologist. I suffered for years and years before being referred. I tried all the prescribed medication and was in line for accutane before finally finding my cure, Epiduo. It's a benzyl peroxide, adapalene combination.
Couple of tips:
*Give everything you try 6 weeks. That's how long it takes for your skin to show its reaction to a change in routine.
*Keep a photo diary so you can stay positive about your progress and see the changes
*Sometimes, your skin can get worse before it gets better
*Persistent acne can be genetic. That means it's not the result of anything you're doing. That can be good news and bad news; it's not your fault, but at the same time, you're not in control. Focus on the former!

*Lastly, you are so much more than your skin. Don't let it overwhelm you or take over your life's focus.

Good luck!!!

I had an oral antibiotic. But you do need to come off of those, so in the end I went to a dermatologist. Lot of money to pay to find out I needed Jan Marini products. I don't use all of them cos they're expensive (!) but I do use the biogycolic facial wash and when it was all clearing up, I used a day moisturiser. I've kept to the night one now it's cleared and use a much cheaper one for the day now.

But the antibiotics could help kickstart you. I'd urge some caution against any topical ones as I'm sure using those has weakened my skin and made me prone to hives, which is awful!

Thanks applesauce, appreciate that

By changing diet I meant more radical means. So cutting out dairy or gluten for example.

Your GP will likely want to try topical products first. Then if no joy a course of anti biotics.

It could be that these clear up your skin nicely and are happy with the outcome.

If not though then request a referral to a Dermatologist. I spent years suffering with spotty skin - going through the antibiotics, combined pill (Dianette worked brilliantly for me) - finally getting a referral (the third dermatologist I saw via a private route) and being prescribed Spironolactone which (touch wood) is working just fine for me.

Don't suffer any longer- you don't need to.

I am 48- and have had bad skin since my early teens. My current skin routine is wash face with Cetaphil, or Dove soap. I wear make up rarely so nothing much to scrub off. I take the Spironolactone daily - but have a break now and again as they do have side effects. I'm hoping that in the next few years once on the other side of menopause my skin will produce less oil. That's my issue.

Make your appointment and get to the docs pronto!

Talk to your GP. You've dealt with this OTC long enough, time for the big guns. Try to get a referral to a dermatologist if you can, but let your GP examine and prescribe what they think's best for you.

Congrats on the weight loss btw :)

Thanks lovely, I will make an appointment tomorrow!! Feeling much more positive now

Ah thank you dulcimena, lots of running and cutting out junk food, best thing I've ever done!

oh - I also use Epiduo two or three nights per week.

It contains Benzoyl Peroxide (which acts on the acne bacteria) and Adapalene to help the skin 'shed' and not clog pores.

i would look to do some internal cleans.

I really rate this guy

www.rjwhelan.co.nz/conditions/acne.html

If you've got any fresh young dandelion leaves growing in pots away from animals I would use those.

If not baldwins are excellent.

If it was me and I knew my blood type , I'd definitely put myself on the blood group diet, especially if you are blood group 0 where wheat is a no no.

Just a word of caution as you do the cleanse it might worsen a little. Seeing a naturopath or herbalist could help you with that.

That's the trouble with antibiotics, they can affect your digestion as they wipe out good bacteria.
You should take probiotics as well, away from anti b

Hi doors,
I'm sorry your going through this as I had cystic acne from 18 to 30 and I know how you feel so I won't say the obvious but you need a antibiotic,but which one will work for you only your GP will know.
I had them all and even took dianette the hormonal pill for Acne but mine was so severe especially on my chin that I was referred to a dermatologist.
I was put on Roaccutane which is the strongest drug you can be prescribed and it worked for me but it took about 16 weeks.
However this is not for everybody and it has some very severe side effects in a lot of cases but I was monitored regularly and it worked for me.
By looking at your photos,I would say you do have acne but it's mild and a antibiotic pill and possibly cream will clear it up .
Give it at least 6/8 weeks.
I'm 44 now and clear skin just the odd one pops up around my period.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and book that Gp Appointment.