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Original poster

What kind of acne is this

63 replies

whatkind · 19/01/2022 07:10

So I think it's cystic but also could be nodular. I say this because I get huge under the skin spots with no head, they don't go for months and months and eventually turn into these hard lumps under my skin that scar me. I'm so down about it. Sometimes one of them will come to a head but it's mainly bloody that comes out and then a lump is left, it never fully goes.
I'm getting married this year and dreading having a breakout before the day, and also covering up the lumps I'm left with.
I'm 32, diagnosed pcos a few years ago. Can't have the pill or anything due to ongoing ivf. I will try and find some pics.

Any help?

OP posts:
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6
BakeOffRewatch · 19/01/2022 12:13

With roaccutane you have to wait six months after you’re off it to start trying to conceive. I wanted to take it again as it didn’t quite reach all my body acne, but the doctor said if I wanted to have a baby I should do that (was 30 at the time).

Dubgirl1212 · 19/01/2022 12:18

I got adult acne at 24,never had a blemish before. My doctor prescribed Dianette (contraceptive pill), it cleared it up really quickly. Probably not an option though if you are pursuing ivf.

traintraveller · 19/01/2022 12:40

@BakeOffRewatch

With roaccutane you have to wait six months after you’re off it to start trying to conceive. I wanted to take it again as it didn’t quite reach all my body acne, but the doctor said if I wanted to have a baby I should do that (was 30 at the time).
This is not true, in the UK you must avoid pregnancy for 4 weeks after stopping treatment. You should avoid waxing, dermabrasion and laser therapy for 6 months.
BakeOffRewatch · 19/01/2022 13:08

That’s what I was advised by my doctor at the time as best - OP’s practitioners might say different. I was just sharing my experience with severe acne and managing that with other life stages. For me, I also had perinatal anxiety so not waiting 6 months probably would have added to it.

2022HereWeCome · 19/01/2022 14:58

I had real problems with my skin a few years ago and it actually turned out that I needed to cut back on the products I was using - now I use a murad face wash and a moisturiser and that's it, apart from occasional glycolic wipe to exfoliate a bit deeper. Products with SPF are dreadful for my acne and a lot of skincare has built in SPF, likewise I was using products to treat the acne but it was too harsh for my skin, and this caused dryness and more spots.
The only skin care products that massively helped my skin are Murad and Elizabeth Arden professional (which I could only buy from the salon)

TameDucksAtChatsworth · 19/01/2022 18:41

@IvorCutler

Just to add, Vichy dermablend compact foundation gives excellent coverage for acne and is really gentle on skin.
Yes, I don't know if you want to cover it but for days when you might, Dermablend do make up for acne and even for birthmarks.
Henlie · 19/01/2022 18:52

Another one here coming on to say definitely push for a course of Roaccutane. You’ll need to get your Gp to refer you to a dermatologist at your local hospital who can prescribe the medication.

It’s a game changer op and you’ll be glad you did it 😊.

Original poster
whatkind · 19/01/2022 18:53

Thanks everyone honestly so much good advice on here !
I will definitely have a look at dermablend make up, trying to keep my face make up free as much as possible leading upto the wedding but for them days I need it might be worth investing.
I'll also take a look at my diet. I'm actually on a health kick atm so that might help, I don't think sugar helps anyone let alone someone with pcos !

The doctor prescribed me azealic acid today. He said if that doesn't work he will try metronidazole gel. Anyone used these ?
I'm not feeling too optimistic to be honest but think he needs to give me stuff before referring me on

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 19/01/2022 18:57

Can you use duac gel 5% whilst doing IVF? Honestly, only accutane will cure this. Have to wait till you've had your baby x

Original poster
whatkind · 19/01/2022 19:08

@ErickBroch not too sure ? I did have it before though and it didn't touch it !
I'm so limited with options atm be use of the ivf but that does take priority. I'm only having a break while I have bloods etc done so it's not like I'd have chosen it if it wasn't for that.

OP posts:
Isabelle70 · 19/01/2022 19:14

@whatkind I have the metronidazole in a cream for my Rosacea, after suffering for about 30 years a trip to a different doctor and she prescribed it for me. After about 2 weeks it was already making a difference. My skin was generally red with spots and lumps under the skin in the chin area. It feels really strange not to have the pressure and lumps as I have been so used to them.
I did have Roaccutane about 20 years ago, it didn't work and never again as I was a completely different person.

LazyDoll · 19/01/2022 19:14

Hi,
I had to come on to add another vote for Roaccutane. If you’re having a break from the IVF I’d massively recommend asking your GO for a dermatologist referral. I suffered for about 30 years with cystic acne and roaccutane literally changed my life. I now wear no make up and my skin is clear. It’s a miracle drug. Not to be taken lightly but truly amazing. I’d take it again in a flash. Good Luck x

TwilightSkies · 19/01/2022 19:18

Yeah if you can cut right down on sugar and white carbs that would probably really help. Maybe dairy too.
Do you drink plenty of water?
How are your stress levels?

kittykat33 · 19/01/2022 19:48

Looks like mine. I'm sorry to say that absolutely nothing worked except roaccutane.

Obviously it's an absolute no to any chance of pregnancy & for atleast 12 months after.

Once you've finished with children though it changed my life. 9 months of treatment removed all acne & 99% of scars and it's now almost 10 yrs later and it's never come back.

It was a pretty brutal treatment though but worth it.

kittykat33 · 19/01/2022 19:48

Sorry meant cystic like mine...

Original poster
whatkind · 19/01/2022 19:58

@kittykat33 I think I know deep down that's going to be the only option for me in the future that works. Can I ask what's brutal about it ? It sounds like a Miricle drug

@TwilightSkies stress levels aren't too bad, I do get anxiety but isn't as bad as it has been. Could probably drink more water but I am working on it

OP posts:
kittykat33 · 19/01/2022 21:18

Oh it’s a miracle alright, BUT it was very painful. It made my skin dry and sensitive to quite an extreme degree. My lips were so dry they cracked and bled constantly. I would sunburn on my face in winter if I didn’t wear SPF (in the UK). My hair fell out, not to the extent others would have notified but I found it distressing. If I drank alcohol I’d get a migraine (I was at uni).

However I did find products that made it not work even though it was unpleasant.

My acne was probably a similar level or a bit worse than yours and now I often don’t wear make up and if I do I go for a light natural coverage. I generally don’t blemish at all apart from a small occasional hormonal spot that clears in a couple of day. I remember the first time someone (who didn’t know my past) said I have lovely skin. It was amazing. I was covered forehead to chest in acne and huge red scars and it’s gone.

Angelina1972 · 19/01/2022 21:24

4thing Roaccutane.

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/01/2022 21:27

Looks like me when I was cystic. Topicals won’t get far enough down for that you need antibiotics.

ALL ACNE IS HORMONAL ITS WHY KIDS DONT HAVE IT AND KIDS ARE LITTLE FILTH HOUNDS COMPARED TO ADULTS. Hormonal doesn’t equal idiopathic or incurable we just produce oil as adults. Woo diets, face washes, stress etc don’t make that much difference when bacterias munching on the all you can eat buffet your face pumps put each day. If you get sepsis your dr doesn’t tell you to cut sugar and dairy out they give you antibiotics.

It’s just a bacterial skin infection in the twilight zone of being too superficial for antiobiotcs to reach it easily internally and too deep for topical antibiotics to reach it internally.

They won’t give accutane until antibiotics have failed or dermatology can knock the ref back and they’ve paid a ref fee by then.

I have pcos and accutane gave me 3 years relief but it came back, quite mild but I’m on antibiotics and back on the waiting list for derm 🤷🏻‍♀️ They don’t take any chances with you if you’ve taken it once it’s like having a direct line to the hospital. Quite looking forward to not needing to wash my hair every other day while I’m on it 😎

getsanta · 19/01/2022 21:32

I think this calls for roaccutane.

todaysdilemma · 19/01/2022 21:41

I had a random cystic acne breakout years ago for the first and only time and was given antibiotics- lymecycline and azaleic acid. Worked a treat! I had to take it for 8 weeks. But it cured it and never returned. Could even drink alcohol on it.

Hellenbach · 19/01/2022 21:52

If you have an IVF window go for Roaccutane. I took it before my wedding, best thing ever.
If you can't take it go to a dermatologist rather than a GP.
I've used Dermatica (online dermatology) and the prescription cream has been fantastic. Much better than anything a doctor can prescribe.
GP can't prescribe tretinoin which is what I use, mixed with other ingredients.
Good luck.

Rachie20 · 19/01/2022 21:59

Whilst roaccutane worked for me, it made my daughter’s skin even worse (both have PCOS). Spironalactone has cleared her skin.

Halfabag · 20/01/2022 05:39

Metronidazole and Azaleic acid sounds like the doctor thinks you have a type of rosacea. In that case it wouldn’t hurt to try Soolantra. Or at least look into trying it. Years of terrible acne I had fixed by this. It was rosacea after all!

Oblomov22 · 20/01/2022 06:09

If you weren't trying to conceive I would recommend Roaccutane, but teen ds has just finished it and it is brutal!