Spot cures for 40 somethings?

[takemetoabeach]

I'm early 40s and have more spots now then when I was a teenager. They are very deep and longer for ages; and once gone, leave a dark pigmentation mark.

What over the counter things might work to both prevent the spots and reduce the scars? Don't mind paying a bit.

Have you been to the GP? Generally, over the counter products aren’t as effective as prescription treatments. That being said, there is an online site called Dermatica where you can go through a consultation and get prescription skin treatments.

Over the counter, look for things with salicylic acid to deep clean your pores and glycolic acid to help fade the marks. I like the Paula’s choice 2% BHA lotion and the Pixi peel pads which have 20% glycolic acid. If you didn’t have spots in your teens, it’s likely hormonal and those buggers are hard to control! Good luck xx

Hi OP. Have you ever used light therapy? I have the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Light Therapy 'pen' and it's brilliant. You hold it over the spot for 2 minutes (it's on a timer) 3 times a day and it really sorts those spots out. I use it for the horrible redness that stays for ages afterwards and it helps to lessen those too.

Hi I've not seen the pen - is that more for the spot or the scar?

I'm off to look at that website!

Origins spot remover is really good, it takes the redness away and you can feel the spot shrinking. Be warned, its a tiny little bottle so if you have lots of spots it will get costly.

Maybe look into any salons near you that use a High Frequency machine, that also zaps them away.

I use it for both. I'm currently using it on the nasty red marks in my neck caused by spots and it's really helping.

Watching as I have this problem too - definitely hormone related in my case (PCOS). I'm late 30s and the skin on my chin in particular is the worst it's ever been - red, sore spots that take ages to heal and leave pigment. Also tempted to try the light pen, thank you!

@DonnaHaywood I'd ask the doctor about antibiotics, I took them years ago and dread to think how badly my skin would have scarred without them.

I went a GP years ago for mild but troublesome acne/spots - got a topical antibiotic on prescription ( called Zineryt) which has been brilliant.

I'm 30, and never ever suffered with acne until a few years ago. Always cystic under the skin spots.

Went to GP and I was prescribed topical antibiotics, then when they didn't work I was prescribed oral.

They unfortunately didn't work for me so I am now on my first month of roaccutane. Side effects are the best but my skin is looking the best it has in years!! In the skin texture is soft and smooth. X

Thank you all - I'd been thinking about going to the GP as my skin keeps getting worse. This is an extra nudge to go.

Definitely go to the doctor. I use Duac on my chin area nightly and it sorts out the problem. I'm 46.

Does the Neutrogena light therapy pen work on scars from old spots?

I found coffee scrub amazing.
I also put it on spots as soon as they appear and they go away or don't come out as red and sore.

If a spot leaves a scar/red mark always see the dr. I didn’t and I’ve got scars from last may still visible.

I’m on week 10 of Accutane and they are starting to fade now.

Having tried years and years of GPs, antibiotics, even Roaccutane, my skin only cleared up when I decided to chuck a whole load of money at the best Harley St dermatologist I could find. Acne scars are basically gone and I get compliments on my skin and glow from friends and strangers alike. Well worth it if you're willing to spend.

@sigh81 what sort of stuff did they actually do/prescribe that’s helped so much? I’m on my second round of roaccutane :-(

Morning: vit C serum, prescription azelaic acid, Obagi moisturiser
Evening: prescription retinoid, Obagi moisturiser

Not much but it's really effective!

Plus some subcision and laser for the scarring (subcision has perhaps been the best thing ever for my rolling scars...)

Thank you @Sigh81
I have had prescription azelaic acid 15% in the past (Finacea) and it certainly helps but not enough on its own for me.
I don’t know anything about vit C serum or obagi although heard good things about obagi so off to do some googling!
I’m glad it has worked for you. Much healthier than roaccutane (although perhaps not for the bank balance!)

Troton Have you got enough fat in your diet to absorb the roaccutane? Every time I see the nurse she emphasises the need for fat but I eat quite a bit anyway. My bmi is 18 so I wondered if she thinks I diet.

One American derm recommended a particular brand, I think it was clarivis or similar.

It’s only effective first time in 80% according to some studies.

I'm 42. I had gorgeous skin as a teenager, but suffered with a combo of deep cystic spots and surface whiteheads from my mid 20s onwards. had several rounds of Zineryt and it definitely worked, but only while I was using it. The spots came back as soon as I stopped.

I struggled with it for 15 years before I cracked it. For me, the only thing that has worked is switching my nice, grown up but (I thought!) gentle cleanser for Cetaphil. It's generally derided on MN as it contains alcohol, but it's made a tremendous difference to my skin, so I happily ignore the naysayers. I just wish the ugly bottle was so easy to ignore in the bathroom!

Oh, and I absolutely cannot use hormonal birth control. Absolutely kills me skin.

@QuantumWeatherButterfly I was exactly the same, never suffered with even 1 spot in school but when I hit 21 it all changed. Massive painful cystic spots, that left marks even once they'd gone.

Just updating here in case it helps anyone else.

I've seen a massive improvement in my (PCOS related) hormonal acne since I started using The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1% serum. I've been through a few cycles now since I started using it (post cleansing, pre moisturising) twice daily, and have had only a couple of small spots come out. A huge improvement from the multiple sore and long lasting lumps I'd been getting.

I know the brand gets a lot of flack on here, but as a lazy skincare novice, this has really helped me.

I heard about Effaclar Duo on here a few years ago - La Roche Posay stuff from Boots. Get toner stuff as well as the cream. No spots and lots of skin compliments.