What should I do about my skin?

Zascar

My skin has been bad for the last while, I don't have bad acne but I'm 26 and I still get spots and have recently been getting them on my forehead for the first time ever! I'd like to sort it out and I have been meaning to go to the doctor/dermatologist, however my sister who is very much into her health etc says that I should not go to a doctor as they will just put me on antibiotics and these are very bad for me, and that I should use more natural alternatives.

She says I should get things like this and generally eat better, drink more water etc. My diet is ok and I drink lots of water, however plenty of dermatolagists say skin has little to do with diet. I use a soap and moistureiser (from a chinese medicine company) that is specifically for ance and contains tea tree and green tea oil. It did make a difference but it is still not great.

Can anyone here that has dealt with skin problems advise what worked with them? I'm not opposed to going on strong medication if it works, but some say to stay away as they are bad for you if not dangerous...

What sort of doctor/specialist should I go to and can anyone recommend one in Dublin? What non-medical options are known to be good?

Any advise appreciated.
Thanks

Call Me Jimmy

Zascar wrote:

My skin has been bad for the last while, I don't have bad acne but I'm 26 and I still get spots and have recently been getting them on my forehead for the first time ever! I'd like to sort it out and I have been meaning to go to the doctor/dermatologist, however my sister who is very much into her health etc says that I should not go to a doctor as they will just put me on antibiotics and these are very bad for me, and that I should use more natural alternatives.

She says I should get things like this and generally eat better, drink more water etc. My diet is ok and I drink lots of water, however plenty of dermatolagists say skin has little to do with diet. I use a soap and moistureiser (from a chinese medicine company) that is specifically for ance and contains tea tree and green tea oil. It did make a difference but it is still not great.

Can anyone here that has dealt with skin problems advise what worked with them? I'm not opposed to going on strong medication if it works, but some say to stay away as they are bad for you if not dangerous...

What sort of doctor/specialist should I go to and can anyone recommend one in Dublin? What non-medical options are known to be good?

Any advise appreciated.
Thanks

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=541639 give this a try, there are 20 pages of people saying how well it worked for them. I just realised you said you only get spots, not bad acne, so I'm not sure how much it will benefit you. I think it's worth a shot.

dulpit

Speaking as somebody who had(has) excema and bad acne before, you should definitely head to a doctor, whatever anybody says, it's a doctor who knows best... Even if he refers you onto a dermatologist (which could cost money) it's 100% worth it... Trust me on this one, like 4-5 years ago i had dodgy skin, with acne & esp. excema flaring up... Went to a doctor, put on a prescription for a few months, and problem's solved for ever...

TBH (and this is just my point of view) I think these "natural remedies" are a joke... If you've a health problem you go to a doctor, end of story...

Good luck by the way!

Pet

If you've got oily/greasy skin, get Ketsugo. Get it in Hamilton Long pharmacy on O'Connell street, or ebay. Takes about 4-6 weeks to work, and it really, really works. I had pretty bad acne as a teenager, and it has all but cleared up thanks to this stuff, but you do have to use it religiously.

fits

I agree with some others about going to the doctor. This is a hormonal issue. Basically your body produces too much androgens, stimulating sebum production providing a great breeding ground for bacteria and that results in spots. You may have greasy hair as well. The only thing that has worked for me and my sister are yasmin (for me) and roaccutatane. Not everyone can take roaccutane however. Something as simple as a topical antibiotic may make a difference in your case. But do go to the doctor and listen to what they say.

meanpeoplesuck

fits, I came off Roaccutane just over 12 months ago, and I'm still suffering from very dry eye-balls and lips. I'm starting to think it's some permanent damage thats been done (and I wouldn't be the only one its happened too), I wondering have you felt any long term side effects like this?

Pythia

The antibiotics for acne aren't like the antibiotics you get for something like a sinus infection. So there isn't as much damage as you think.
Of course, only your doctor can say whether they are right for you.
Generally natural remedies will only go so far I'm afraid.

Stark

Roaccutane is usually the last resort for acne treatment. If you're just getting the odd spot here and there, there are plenty of non-drastic treatments. Your dermatologist could suggest something as simple as an oil-control moisturiser.

bragan

I suffered from those kind of spots too. I got cream's from the doctor, but i found them very harsh on the skin. I also found the same with tea-tree oil. Do you have sensitive skin?

Personally I found the virgin vie stay calm range very good. I was invited to one of those parties in my sister in laws house. I saw the skin stuff and decided to give it a go. I use the stay calm cleaning lotion morning and evening, and the facial mist at night. in the mornings as a moisturiser i use the perfect balance Shine Manager Mattifying Day Cream. The stay calm stuff is for sensitive skin, and the perfect balance stuff is for oily skin. That moisturizer is a mattifier, which means that instead of leaving your skin oily, it kind of obsorbs the excess oil. I'm not sure of the specifics, but I'm sure if you look it up, you will understand!

http://www.myvirginvieathome.co.uk/virgin/templates/template2/index.jsp?main=category&curr_category=VIRGIN_UK_skin-care&parent_category=VIRGIN_UK_LeftNavCats&displayname=Skin+Investment

I also drink a cup of hot water + lemon first thing in the morning, which seem to have really helped my skin.

fits

meanpeoplesuck wrote:

fits, I came off Roaccutane just over 12 months ago, and I'm still suffering from very dry eye-balls and lips. I'm starting to think it's some permanent damage thats been done (and I wouldn't be the only one its happened too), I wondering have you felt any long term side effects like this?

My skin was never bad enough that I felt the need to visit a dermatologist. Less drastic measures seemed to work. Stress is a major trigger for me (I am quite stressed atm, and the skin isnt great). My sister was on roaccutane and had horrible side effects as well, but she is absolutely fine now. It is a very serious medication and the decision to take it shouldnt be made lightly. Some people seem to get away with few side effects, but a lot dont.

Zascar

Thanks for the replies. I only have a few occaisional spots, no bad acne so i doubt I would need roaccutane, perhaps there are some less drastic measures... When I was baout 16 I was put on Oxytetracycline, perhaps somehting like that?

Stark

I use Quinoderm cream for occasional spots. I find it works great. Although lately I've just been avoiding it altogether and using Nivea oil-control face wash.

olaola

You might even have a skin infection. So before you start lashing on potions and lotions, I would head to the doctor.

Siogfinsceal

Pet wrote:

If you've got oily/greasy skin, get Ketsugo. Get it in Hamilton Long pharmacy on O'Connell street, or ebay. Takes about 4-6 weeks to work, and it really, really works. I had pretty bad acne as a teenager, and it has all but cleared up thanks to this stuff, but you do have to use it religiously.

Agreed - this product is fantastic its the only thing I have ever tried that worked without drying and redning my skin. Its also clear in color so I wear it under my make up every day - in fact I find that if I stop using it every day my spots come back! I got some on ebay at a great price so try there. Drinking green tea will also help. I also use Clinique step 2 clarifying liquid (the purple one) its fantastic as is there moisturoiser and clear spot gel. I am allergic to alot of other brands out there but clinique is great

Zascar

Thanks, Is this it? http://search.stores.ebay.ie/Mad4Beauty_Ketsugo_W0QQfciZQ2d1QQfclZ4QQfsnZMad4BeautyQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftsZ2QQsaselZ82650827QQsofpZ0 Which ones should I buy?

Pet

Gel formula, the one with the green top.

You have to use it religiously for about a month to see results, mind. But it really does work, it's great stuff.

hotlips_h

It doesn't sound like your skin is that bad really. You may want to consider stopping using soap for cleansing and try something gentle like Cetaphil which you can get from any pharmacy instead. In my experience, soap certainly just clogs up the skin. Also, if your skin is oily, you might not need to use a moisturizer at all, just a sunscreen during the day.

You might read this article here - "Battle Plan for flighting blemishes"
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/art.asp?ID=138

fits

hotlips_h wrote:

Also, if your skin is oily, you might not need to use a moisturizer at all, just a sunscreen during the day.

Some lucky people like me.. manage to have both dry patches and spots (recently excema patches as well after using Johnsons holiday skin for face).
I hate going without moisturiser and use a dermalogica one which I find excellent.

Villaricos

It doesnt sound like your skin is too bad but you'd probably be best heading to a doc even just for your own piece of mind.
Ive tried a lot over the years to help my skin, I could set up shop with all the potions and lotions I have but as soon as my doc gave me a topical treatment it worked like a treat. It was isotrexin gel, has the same active ingredient as roaccutane but in a much much much smaller dose. Beware there will be a dreaded initial breakout on some acne meds, its just purging your skin but can be very disheartening.

If you've already been on acne meds then you'll know the drill with new products over the counter or prescribed, you have to give it at least a month before expecting results, thats the length of the skin cycle.

if you want to lots on info on skincare, www.acne.org is great. go into the message boards there, everything is discussed not just the regimen the site owner uses. Its been great help for me.