Adult Acne

LegacyUser

Hello all!

I am desperate for some advice (non-medical) on how to deal with or reduce adult acne.

I am 28 years old and have recently came off the pill I was using to control my acne, this was for financial reasons mostly as I couldn't afford the GP visits. I have had acne all my life though (since age 12). The pill was the only thing that improved my skin.

I'm around 3 months off the pill and my back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face are basically covered in quite painful spots. I just want to stress that this is not just a few little pimples. The spots develop like lumps under the skin for days and are extremely sensitive, it feels like my skin is stretched. More often than not they open on the surface and leave massive open pores and scars that take weeks to heal.

I'm a very clean person. I make sure these wounds (!) don't get infected. I use a tea-tree face wash and anti-bacterial cream everyday.

What I am after really is what else can I do? Is there a vitamin supplement that can help? Maybe eliminating certain foods would help? I am open to any suggestions and/or lifestyle changes!! I hope someone out there has had the same problem and managed to overcome it.

Please help.

Firetrap

Try taking a look at http://www.acne.org. Some very useful non medical advice there. Twice daily application of a cream with benzoyl peroxide (e.g. Panoxyl, Brevoxyl) helps a lot but it will bleach all your clothes. Be prepared to wear white t-shirts a lot! It is pretty good for treating acne but don't forget to put moisturiser on over it.

I wonder are you irritating your skin more because you're washing it with tea tree and then an anti-bacterial? One thing they stress in the regimen on the site I just linked to is to moisturise afterwards. If you don't, it will drive your skin nuts and make it produce more oil.

Adultacne

Adultacne wrote: »

this was for financial reasons mostly as I couldn't afford the GP visits.

Could you afford one visit?

I'm on medication for acne myself, and it's really just been brilliant. Sounds sad but it does actually improve your quality of life, to not have to feel like people are starting or judging you.

If I were you, I'd save up, I'd find a recommendation for a doctor who you know has dealt well with similar issues, and go get some professional information. Don't be afraid to say "I can't afford to come back, or go on anything expensive, so I'd really like anything that can help me that I can just incorporate into my lifestyle." Don't be afraid to lay down the law and make sure the doctor knows that this is the only time you can visit.

LegacyUser

OP here, thanks for the responses.

Firetrap, I looked at that website, thanks, seems to be a lot of differing opinions, what works for some probably won't work for everyone. The panoxyl etc, do you think they are prescription only? If not I could give that a go. Aside from that some people recommend Vit B5, Zinc, Vit A and D among others, so I think I'll keep researching the vitamin thing and see what I come up with.

Also, I keep my skin moisturised, so dryness isn't really an issue, thanks.

True or false. I really can't afford anything at the minute but maybe in the future. I know how you feel though, the paranoia is starting to kick in with me again. People who don't have the problem as adults don't really understand that it isn't a cleanliness issue.

Maple

OP, I have an underlying hormonal condition that causes me to breakout. I had the same angry red boils that you have. When I was first diagnosed I was put on the pill to regulate my hormones, which really helped with clearing up my skin.

When I came off the pill, I found a low GI diet helped with sorting out my hormones which in turn kept my skin clear, apart from the odd monthly spot.

Panoxyl is available over the counter from pharmacists, it is quite harsh tho so expect your skin to redden and dry out.

A good facial scrub is also helpful, as it will help slough off dead skin.

Steaming your face and then applying a clay mask will also help.

Best of luck OP, I know how horrible it is to experience.

LegacyUser

Hi Maple, thanks so much for your insight. My diet isn't bad but I'd say I'm more medium than low GI at them minute so I'll look into that. I feel a bit more hopeful now seeing your post, thanks.

Firetrap

I'm conscious of the no medical advice thing here in the charter so I don't want to say too much. I'm talking about over the counter remedies here so hopefully that's ok?

A thing that some people find helps is to take evening primrose oil and starflower supplements. You can buy them in most supermarkets.

As Maple said, panoxyl and similar products containing benzoyl peroxide are available over the counter in pharmacies. If you do try it, go for the 5% which is more gentle, and make sure to moisturise your back afterwards. I've heard good things too about La Roche Posay Effaclar which you can buy in Boots I'm told.

I still think though that if you can get the money at all, go talk to your GP again and see if there is anything else that can be done to help with the underlying issues.

LegacyUser

Hey Firetrap,

I like the idea of trying these oils/supplements. I don't like taking drugs or chemicals at all really. I'd prefer the natural route if possible. Also money is a big issue for me so I'm trying to find an online healthstore that might have these products you mentioned plus vitamins (I have recently emigrated and everything is more expensive here than at home).

I find in previous visits to the doctors over the years that the easy option is to write a prescription and get you out the door as quickly as possible. I think that this is mostly my fault though, for not knowing what to say or how to say what I want. When I'm back in Ireland next I will consider another GP visit though.

I read elsewhere on Boards about La Roche Posay... it must be good!

Anyone have any experience with good online health shops?? Any recommendations please?

denhaagenite

Hi OP

I've just reposted on my own thread in Fashion and Appearance, as I have recently (fingers crossed, touch wood etc) cleared up my skin issues using Sudocrem. May be useful advice for you too. Clean with a mix of Rose water and Witchazel (very inexpensive, I buy the bottles separately and mix but I think you can get them pre- mixed) which is a really gentle astringent and then apply the Sudocrem. If it is a very painful breakout maybe morning and evening is best put I find that can be uncomfortable so clean with solution morning and evening and apply the Sudocrem before bed.

Good luck, I know how awful it can be.

dafunk

This advice won't help with the acne itself but for the scar healing I would recommend vitamin E and arnica. They are both great for healing wounds and vitamin E is especially good for treating scar tissue. I would suggest you take them as supplements as opposed to topically if you are already applying tons of lotions.

denhaagenite

dafunk wrote: »

This advice won't help with the acne itself but for the scar healing I would recommend vitamin E and arnica.

NEVER EVER USE ARNICA ON SCARS!!! This is only for bruising. The premise of Homeopathy is that if a substance can cause a reaction then it can also cure it. Arnica can cause blood vessels to dilate ie bruising. Great for a sprain or something like that but ABSOLUTELY not for scars/ wounds- I think the Homeopaths on here will back me up with this. This is how complementary medicines get a bad rep imo, someone prescribes without knowing, an aggravation of symptoms happens and it is tarred with the quack medicine or even dangerous practice brush.

If you would like to use something to reduce scarring try Hypercal (a mix of Homeopathic remedy hypericum which is good for puncture wounds or even if teeth are growing and Calendula flower tincture which is a great healer) or Bio oil.

dafunk

You would never put arnica on a surface wound but when you take it orally it is good for healing. I got prescribed it when I split my lip and chin open and it worked wonders at healing it all up with very little scarring.