Any success with hormonal acne and not going on the pill to cure it?

[OchNoAgain]

I've suffered adult hormonal acne for years now and have bouts of it being better and worse. Just now it is awful, very painful cystic lumps all along my jaw and chin. It looks and feels awful and I'm really down about it. It's not just a few pimples in the week before my period.

I've tried various contraceptive pills in the past, some of which have helped my skin but have always left my with unbearable mood swings and very low mood. I have no inclination to go back on the pill but would welcome any ideas for helping with the acne. Supplements maybe?

I don't really want to bother my GP at the moment but don't know what else to try.

In my experience, success in getting rid of acne is incredibly individual and mainly down to trial and error. For every person who's convinced that what worked for them will work for you, there's someone incredibly disappointed because it didn't 😳

Like a pp, my best ever skin was during pregnancy but it's hard to know exactly why - possibly androgen suppression or possibly just because my immune system kicked into high gear and fought off infection better than usual. I also had success years ago with Dianette but I don't think it's prescribed any more.

In recent years, the biggest help for me seems to have been realising that I'm allergic to PPD (in most hair colours/dyes) - I think this was causing a lot of the spots and cysts on my neck and jawline. I had to have the full battery of standard and cosmetic allergy patch tests but it was worth it. My GP was reluctant to refer me to a derm (instead telling me that cutting out dairy had worked for her daughter) so I paid for an appt with a private derm. He wrote to my GP recommending allergy patch testing and lo, she complied 🙄

So I now have grey hair but much clearer skin 😀 Other things that help me are LRP Effaclar Duo and Effaclar serum, Superfacialist Vit C cleansing oil, Nip+Fab skin polisher/exfoliant every few weeks, and Neal's Yard rose facial oil. Also LRP Cicaplast Baume B5, or really any LRP moisturiser.

I've also tried the DIM supplements but it's hard to say whether they made any difference I think they helped but would need to try again consistently.

Things that haven't worked for me are lymecycline (or any antibiotics), DUAC, Differin, benzoyl peroxide, Freederm or anything else topical.

You can still get dianette but I think their cautious about prescribing it long term because it’s an older style pill with high levels of oestrogen.

I wish they could just prescribe cyprotene acetate on its own but they don’t so there must be a reason why.

Another option which has not been mentioned is Spironolactone.

I have suffered with acne since early teens and tried everything bar Roaccutane. So topical washes/lotions/ antibiotics/ Contraceptive Pill - Dianette worked a treat for me. NHS dermatology in my area was quite un supportive so I paid to see a private Dermatologist to discuss Roaccutane to clear it up once and for all. She had a better idea which was to refer me back to another NHS Dermatologist in a different area via my own GP. So I had to travel out of area but it was worth the drive. I saw a very understanding consultant dermatologist who quickly came to the conclusion that my skin could be fixed with Spironolactone. This is used off licence for skin issues. It works on the excess androgens which cause oiliness. I'm still taking it a few years down the line - my GP just does a repeat prescription for me. Not suitable if you're trying to concieve. Amazing result for me, neglible side effects.

Good luck op! The skin accumax have an amazing reputation for helping most people who try them and I’ve found the same as long as I take them absolutely religiously with no break. The active ingredient DIM basically suppresses the production of androgens (same as dianette and other pills like that).

I am also going to try spearmint tea, so thanks to the pp who suggested that. Really useful thread.

Does Dim make your boobs grow like Dianette did?.

Asking for a friend.

Thanks.

Definitely agree that what works is a very individual thing. I've done the no dairy stint. Still had bad skin and I was bloody miserable without cheese

I spent 10+ years going round the houses on contraception trying to sort my acne out. Exactly same as you, painful cyst like lumps all over my jaw line. My husband got a vasectomy and a year or so later went back to the Dr's who then prescribed me antibiotics (lymecycline). Only thing ever to clear it up. I've had them on and off now for about three years and this is the longest I've gone without them (about 9 months) and no sign yet of it returning. I actually cried in the Dr's office when he said he wouldn't prescribe me the pill as it wasn't required given no risk of getting pregnant. I felt I was actually being taken seriously for once. If only they had given me antibiotics earlier. I have awful scarring now which could have been avoided. Go to your Dr's, seriously. If you're acne is anything like mine was then you can resolve the pain, help your mental health and avoid scarring.

@whoamongstus Can I ask which brand Spearmint tea do you use? I want to try it for balancing hormones and have heard ot helps with thinning hair.

For Acne, yes please call your GP, they do telephone consultations at the moment. I did mine for the same reason, my hormonal acne flared up and they asked me to send them pictures on which basis they prescribed Differin. The GPs often prescribe Differin, EpiDuo, Finacea, or Duac. You can also have an online consultation with the Boots Acne clinic for the same medication but it's cheaper to get it from the GP. My skin has cleared up so much with consistent use of Differin, it got worse the first few weeks but after 8 weeks there was marked improvement.

It does feel like one of those women's issues that are very much overlooked, and if it affected men more I assume more would be done. I say women's issue because whilst teenage boys can and do suffer, I assume adult acne is more prevalent in women due to the level of our hormones. It's very disheartening to see how many of you have been ignored, come to think of it it was male GPs all though my 20s that dismissed me and it was a wonderful female GP who finally listened to me and referred me to derm.

Oh my perfect thread.

I have suffered with acne for 20 years since my early 20s. Initially, in between pregnancies, dianette worked a treat and I was 'allowed' to stay on it about 10 years. Didn't really notice any side effects. I was then recommended to go onto lucette (Yasmin) which worked as well as dianette but from early on I developed very strong chloasma on my forehead which I didn't connect to the Yasmin for years! Eventually, about 18 months ago after our last child and my husband's vasectomy I decided I really wanted to be pill free and try to sort the chloasma out.

Came off the pill in September 2019. Clear of spots for 3 months or so. Felt great that I'd finally grown out of it. Then started developing back acne and the odd spot in my face. The back acne was dreadful so I went on lymecycline in March 2020. Worked a treat for about 6 months and since September 2020 it's been creeping back up. The back comes and goes but isn't ever completely clear. The face alternates between a month where I am pickled with small but rock hard white heads along my jaw and neck and months when I get mahoosive under skin rock hard lumps that are sore and actually disfigure my entire, I'm not exaggerating they can be over an inch across. So, I'm still on the lymecyline but it appears the effectiveness is reducing the longer I stay on it. I do have the benoxyl peroxide 5% cream but it bleaches everything, dries my skin right out and I really want to fix it from the inside. I do think my month of too much alcohol over Christmas had an affect on my skin so am currently going dry for a while and think I'm seeing an improvement already. I am very interested in the spearmint success stories... Does anyone know if there are capsules or if it has to be the tea?

Wow sorry for the essay, it really is the bane of my life and I'm gutted the lymecycline appears to be stopping working as well.

Tbh the drs need to advertise the fact they can help. My dr says she does the any other problems spiel at the end thinking please ask me about your skin but they don’t.

Dh lived on Rennies till his dr found out and asked him why he didn’t come to him first but we never thought to because it was just heart burn.

My skin improved a lot when I started using something with salicylic acid. Nip fab or LRP wash and then the ordinarys niacinamide serum. These 2 will cost £15 together. I'm impressed. Marks clear a lot quicker too. Also get some cheap spot plasters off eBay if you are a picker as they really help you leave them to heal

I find certain shampoos increase my cystic chin spots and can only use Child’s Farm unfragranced Baby Wash or, weirdly, Lush montalbano solid shampoo. It has taken me a long time to find those two!

I still get some lumps though and am interested to try DIM suppléments and/or spearmint tea but am breastfeeding and wonder whether any hormonal change would affect that (DD is just 2).

Have you tried Benzoyl Peroxide? That works well for me, when it was discontinued in the UK I started importing it for personal use, and now sell it on eBay. There are loads of different brands you can buy of benzoyl peroxide. I use it twice a day and it keeps my large painful lumpy spots at bay. I also use it on my back. If I don't use it for a couple of days I get an outbreak.

Desmondo If your skin reacts well to the combined pill then Spironolactone may work for you too. You'd need to see a consultant dermatologist in the first instance. My GP now gives me the repeat prescription - I have been taking it for about 5 or 6 years now with no side effects.

@TippledPink

Have you tried Benzoyl Peroxide? That works well for me, when it was discontinued in the UK I started importing it for personal use, and now sell it on eBay. There are loads of different brands you can buy of benzoyl peroxide. I use it twice a day and it keeps my large painful lumpy spots at bay. I also use it on my back. If I don't use it for a couple of days I get an outbreak.

Are you saying you sell it? Like quinoderm? Do you have a link please?

Zineryt has worked well for me in the past although I don't think it's a long term solution. You can but it from the Online Pharmacy if you don't want to bother with getting a prescription from the GP.

I have, at times in my life, felt totally controlled by my skin. It can be so debilitating and stressful. People who haven't experienced just don't quite get it.

I have had acne since age 13. Disappeared with Dianette. Got horrendous when came off it for kids and breastfeeding.

Mine got really bad and like yours cystic round jaw. I tried various potions and lotions - waste of money.

Go see a dermatologist. Many private ones don't need a GP referral. I was prescribed Spironolactone. Its an anti-diuretic, but can be used off licence for acne. Amazing stuff. My skin is lovely now and my hair, which was thinning, as thickened back up.

Contact your GP, I used econsult and added pictures, within a day I had a prescription for antibiotics. I’m on my last month and the difference is amazing, I don’t feel so upset about going out without makeup on now

Long term sufferer here too. Mostly painful cystic chin spots, which have returned in the last year since I stopped taking the pill. I'm always experimenting with diet, and I always end up feeling confused TBH! What seems to have helped lately is switching from my usual 'healthy fat' diet (lots of avocados, nuts, coconut yoghurt, tahini) to a more low fat approach. I even introduced low fat dairy, and I never touched dairy previously. Still early days but in the last fortnight I've been clearer than ever. Has anyone else tried lowering their fat intake?

[quote LightOfAThousandStars]@whoamongstus Can I ask which brand Spearmint tea do you use? I want to try it for balancing hormones and have heard ot helps with thinning hair.

For Acne, yes please call your GP, they do telephone consultations at the moment. I did mine for the same reason, my hormonal acne flared up and they asked me to send them pictures on which basis they prescribed Differin. The GPs often prescribe Differin, EpiDuo, Finacea, or Duac. You can also have an online consultation with the Boots Acne clinic for the same medication but it's cheaper to get it from the GP. My skin has cleared up so much with consistent use of Differin, it got worse the first few weeks but after 8 weeks there was marked improvement.[/quote]
www.asiandukan.co.uk/palanquin-spearmint-tea-bags-40-per-pack.html

This is the one I use! You can get it on Amazon too, for ease, but it's cheaper elsewhere.

But humans need fat.

I can’t think of any other infection on the body where the patients try so many ways around medical treatment.

It’s like cancer patients eschewing chemo and radiotherapy for a vegan diet.

@Fluffycloudland77 absolutely!!

Plenty of people have no success with medical treatments. I had very little with topical and oral antibiotics, differin, azalaic acid, benzyl peroxide. I've spent a fortune with online chemists and months and months in hope because my GP does not see acne as a real problem.
Then you get the things that help for a while but the bacteria get resistant to them after a while and they just stop being effective.

I think I'm going to attempt now to balance the hormones that cause the oil that the bacteria thrives on I feel like that's the only thing I haven't tried. There's no way on earth my GP will help me with that he just thinks I'm vain.

@Fluffycloudland77

But humans need fat.

I can’t think of any other infection on the body where the patients try so many ways around medical treatment.

It’s like cancer patients eschewing chemo and radiotherapy for a vegan diet.

I think the suggestion was a 'low fat' diet not avoiding eating fat completely. Many people have exhausted all the medical options and they haven't worked so are looking to alternatives.