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Original poster

Boil-like spots on my cheeks and jaw in my mid-40s

16 replies

hippospot · 13/08/2021 17:29

I've always had oily skin and spots but these are different and in a different place (not the usual T-zone). They seem deep and don't always come to a head/burst. Can be painful.

Any words of wisdom? I am post-hysterectomy (one year ago) and on the same dose of HRT as the last 12 months so no hormonal changes as far as I'm aware.

Thanks for any tips.

OP posts:
Theimpossiblegirl · 13/08/2021 17:30

I've found mask wearing has caused breakouts. Could it be this?

StarDrawers · 13/08/2021 17:31

See the GP, they might give you a course of antibiotics

torchh · 13/08/2021 17:33

Have you tried niacinamide and/or azelaic acid?

Original poster
hippospot · 13/08/2021 17:34

@Theimpossiblegirl of course, it's probably that!

@StarDrawers I really don't want antibiotics, I've had three courses in the last year for various quite serious infections and I don't know if I've got any gut flora left! (desperately trying to repopulate it by following ultra varied diet, kombucha, yoghurt, BioKult, you name it!)

OP posts:
Original poster
hippospot · 13/08/2021 17:35

@torchh thanks I'll take a look at that. Have been using Pixi Glow twice a week.

OP posts:
StarDrawers · 13/08/2021 17:37

[quote hippospot]@Theimpossiblegirl of course, it's probably that!

@StarDrawers I really don't want antibiotics, I've had three courses in the last year for various quite serious infections and I don't know if I've got any gut flora left! (desperately trying to repopulate it by following ultra varied diet, kombucha, yoghurt, BioKult, you name it!)[/quote]
Fair enough. Good luck, I know how painful it can be.

TheFoundations · 13/08/2021 17:45

When my friend gave up bread to lose weight, I did the same, out of support, and also because I'd been having some digestive issues.

After a few days, she gave up, but I thought I'd stick with it to see if my skin improvement was just a coincidence; it wasn't.

Within a week, I woke up for the first morning in over 30 years without any spots.

Now I eat bread again but not much, and I can choose when I get spots, so if I've got a few empty days, I might have a bread binge, but if I'm going out to dinner on Thursday, I'll have no bread all week.

It was life changing, and I say it to everybody who has an unresolved skin issue. Not eating flour is a bit of a challenge, but it only took 4 days for me to notice the difference, and then the motivation went through the roof.

Might be worth a try.

LookdeepintotheParka · 13/08/2021 18:23

Very interesting about the link with bread @TheFoundations

I wondered OP whether you'd changed your makeup or skincare? I hadn't had any of those sore, cystic type spots for ages but recently started using a new concealer and have a sudden crop of them again. I think it's either that or the hormonal weirdness I've had after the Covid jab!

Agree azelaic acid and niacinamide really help with them.

JonSnowedUnder · 13/08/2021 20:24

Are you taking any supplements, biotin gives me similar chin spots.

MudPit · 13/08/2021 21:10

@hippospot Sounds like cystic acne - I found a silk pillow case really helped, along with acid exfoliators and a good facial oil.

Terriergrrrrrrrr · 13/08/2021 21:14

Paula's choice 2% BHA lotion in the turquoise bottle will help a lot.

Cuddlemuffin · 13/08/2021 22:04

Anti bac your phone, change pillow cases, wash mask - all common culprits for me x

Original poster
hippospot · 13/08/2021 22:20

Thanks I will try all of the above!
Typical - I am seeing old friends soon for a weekend away and I want to look good. Haven't seen some of them for 6 years.....

OP posts:
Fontaine33 · 14/08/2021 08:12

Salicylic acid put directly on the spot every few hours can help take them down. Revolution do a good one, not too spendy.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/08/2021 14:26

@StarDrawers is correct. If they hurt the infection is deep and pressing on the nerves. It’s also deep enough to scar and we don’t bounce back from that in our 40’s.

It happened to me at 41. I went on roaccutane in the end but I’ve got a red scar on my cheekbone that stubbornly refuses to fuck off despite acids, retinol, and Tret with hydro quinine. I honestly think I’ll die with the little bastard, it was spot zero.

mamaison · 14/08/2021 15:21

Agree with answers above. Sounds like cystic acne. Diet does help somewhat for me and I also tried the silk pillowcase and silk masks and increased hygiene. I have PCOS so I wonder if that doesn’t make mine worse.

Mine are just around sides of chin/jaw and occasionally temples. Very sore and take ages to heal.

My miracle cure has been Skin + Me with the niacinamide and azaelic acid mentioned above. Plus has retinol. It was recommend on here and it’s been amazing for me. You sign up for it monthly. I’m only two months in but great results already. Zero of these cystic spots now. I have still felt them in my scalp around the hairline so I feel sure I would still be getting them and it hasn’t been lifestyle change etc

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