Acne - upper body and face! What causes it?

[Obsessedwithcoffeemugs]

I’ve always suffered with acne but usually it was just a couple of spots near my period. The past 7 years I’ve had it on my back, shoulders, chest and face but nowhere else on the body. Absolutely huge spots that last for ages and leave marks. For some of those years I took the pill which completely stopped all acne it was amazing. I had to stop pills as they were causing too much breakthrough bleeding. I tried the mirena coil and only as I was about to have it inserted did they inform me that it doesn’t even help with acne. They were right, it didn’t. It got stuck and I had to have it surgically removed in the end. For the past 6 months I’ve been taking Lymecycline which is an antibiotic, for skin I take 1 tablet once a day. The acne completely disappeared however, if I stop taking them it appears again after a few days. I can’t have anymore after this course is over. The acne over the past 2 years has even started on my scalp and neck, big painful spots on my hairline and scalp. Sometimes I can’t brush my hair and definitely can’t visit a salon. I know as soon as this course stops they will return. What else can I try? I’m wondering if I should go back on the pill and put up with bleeding every day. I’m married and it just ruins sex if I’m constantly bleeding. I’ve tried many pills over the years. None of them can control the breakthrough bleeding but they have all stopped the acne. All the GP goes on about is the pill but it’s a lose lose situation. I suppose I’ll have no choice because I’m not putting up with acne again. Does this mean it’s bacterial or hormonal?

Usually if the BC pill and/or antibiotics don’t clear acne, the next step is roaccutane

www.nhs.uk/medicines/isotretinoin-capsules/

It is also possible you have an allergy to SLS- a key ingredient in most shampoos. In interim try switching to an SLS free shampoo.

I’ve heard that Roaccutane isn’t good for you. Does anyone know what the main issues are with taking it? If they offer it to me I might not have a choice but would like to be prepared.

It’s true that Roaccutane can and does have side effects (you’re better to google for the comprehensive list) but the biggest most important thing is that it works. You have to weigh this up against the side effects and decide if tolerating the side effects so worth it for you.
My ds had to take it for about 9 months, it wasn’t fun for him, but the long term result has made it worthwhile.
True acne like he had is absolutely brutal, with deep painful nodular cysts, like you it was his face, arms, upper body and back, the Roaccutane wasn’t much fun either, but he’s glad he persisted and got through it(as am I). Having your 19 year old son crying because of the pain in his face is really difficult

@JudgeRindersMinder thats so sad bless him. Is he okay now, did it come back afterwards? My face acne isn’t as bad as the back/chest acne, so thankfully I can at least try to cover it up. Thank you for the advice.