Acne - what now?

[SinkGirl]

Since early this year I’ve had very painful cystic acne. Huge giant lumps under the skin, often with no head, and they take forever to go.

I’ve tried so many different face products and OTC creams. No change.

I’m 10 weeks into a 12 week course of lymecycline and it hasn’t cleared up, plus they are causing me real bowel issues so I want to just stop them, it’s not helping anyway and I’ve given it ages.

I know there are a few prescription skincare websites now - are they worth a try?

Don’t really have the money to see a private dermatologist!

Any other ideas for next steps? Do those light devices actually work?

Thanks so much for all the responses! I didn’t expect anyone to tell me what exactly would work for me, just an idea of where to go next really and whether those subscription services were worth a try.

In my case I suspect it’s a hormone issue (I have endometriosis and was on a treatment for that years ago which seems to have messed something up with my hormones as I have many hormone related symptoms - aside from occasionally low oestrogen nothing has shown up on blood tests). I am scared to go back on the pill as the last time I went on one all of these things got much worse and stayed worse for about a year after coming off them. I do have a prescription for Marvelon since it’s less progesterone dominant but I’m really worried about starting it.

I will ask the GP to refer me to a dermatologist and while I’m waiting will try to save up to see someone privately. It’s not so much the consultation but the cost of meds I’m worried about - can anyone tell me what it cost them?

Thanks so much. Today it’s not so bad because all of them are on their way down but any day now there’ll be a couple of new ones. It wouldn’t be so bad if they came and went but they fact they linger for weeks / months is so depressing

I don’t wear make up very often as it only makes things worse, and spent quite a long time totally dairy free, have also been gluten free in the past.

Most acne’s hormonal though isn’t it? It’s why you don’t get it till puberty when progesterone & small amounts of androgens fly about.

I wouldn’t bother saving for private dermatology as their likely to put you on roaccutane, or isotretonoin as it is now it’s out of patent, & while the drugs not pricey you’d pay for an initial appointment £300+, private blood test every month, monthly private nurse/consultant appt, private pregnancy test, private hospital pharmacy dispensing fee. It all adds up really quickly.

There’s no need to pay.

I found using a stronger salicylic acid helped with deep spots. You put this on with a cotton pad and there’s a neutralising gel you put on after and then wash off.

www.sr-skincare.co.uk/salicylic-acid-peel-152-p.asp

I came off the pill in January which I took in the first place for acne. I have spent so much on creams and skincare but was still covered in acne around my chin and jaw. As a last resort I tried a combination of high strength zinc supplement, spearmint tea everyday and dermatica. I have a subscription for adapalene, niacinamide and clindamycin and can honestly say this has cleared up my skin so much. I’m not sure which of these is doing the most for me as I started the supplements and dermatica at the same time but I suspect the dermatica is helping the most.

@cloud1183 which zinc did you use?

@FaithHowellsYellowCoat I use the zinc gluconate 25mg from Holland and Barrett. I did some research and found that zinc and spearmint tea help with hormonal acne. Those coupled with the dermatica has really made a difference. I started all at the same time so I can’t really pinpoint which has made the most difference. I have one spot now on my jaw but compared to 3 or 4 cystic ones pretty much all the time then I can cope with 1

You can get dermatology on the NHS free. You need to get your GP to refer you. It might take a month or so to get an appointment but they will prescribe roaccutane (it can ONLY be prescribed by a dermatologist which is why you need the referral) it wont cost you anymore than a normal prescription

My whole dermatology and roaccutane treatment cost nothing via the NHS, it can cost a fortune to go private

@SinkGirl I was quoted about £1k for a course of roaccutane privately but it depends on your weight. You need a certain dose per kg of your body weight.

Also worth mentioning that I'd been waiting for an appointment to be prescribed roaccutane for 3 months then covid hit. The consultant has now told me they can only see cancer patients/serious cases at the minute and I'm now unlikely to be seen for "many years"...

Well if their making melanoma patients wait the waiting list will go down naturally because it’s metastasises really efficiently.

My guess is long waiting lists will be tackled with extra clinics on increased pay.

@cloud1183 brill thank you.