Adult Acne? Happy Update!!

[emer95]

I cannot believe I'm still dealing with this! I'm 37 years old, and I have had on and off acne since I was about 12 years old. I have gone to a dermatologist in the past, with little success. I've also tried many OTC things, like Proactiv, cheap drug store benzoil peroxide cream, gentle all natural stuff, Neutrogena 3-step acne system, and even the Milk of Magnesia trick I read about in the People's Pharmacy. It seems to be worse now as I'm older, tiny pimples all over, almost like a rash, and it's so embarrassing. I went back to the dermatologist in June and said "Please help me!"

She gave me Atralin and Acanya. I think the Atralin is sort of like retina-A, and the Acanya is an anti-biotic. She warned me that it could take up to two months to work. Well, it's been two months, and my face is FAR worse than it was back in June! It is to the point where I am avoiding social situations because I am so embarrassed about how I look, which I know is so superficial but I can't help it.

I'm considering going to an Aesthetic Facial Center near me. I know it will cost a fortune, but at this point I'm willing to do anything. My fear is that they'll talk me into painful peels and I'll look even worse with a burned-looking peely face.

Has anyone had success they'd like to share? I'd LOVE to be confidant about my face, and not ashamed. I'm way too old for this, and I work so hard on the rest of my appearance (exercise, hair, dress fashionably). I know I sound terribly vain, but this really has affected the way I feel about myself. Thanks for any help you can give.



Today:
Ok, I wrote this post back in August. In September I got an ugly, old lady sweater from my MIL for my birthday. It was from JCPenneys. I returned it, got a gift card, and then walked around looking for something to buy. I couldn't find a thing I liked, which was serendipitous. I ended up wandering over to Sephora, figuring I'd buy $35 worth of makeup.
I don't know what lead me to the Philosophy section, but I found the Clear Days Ahead sample kit, and bought it on a whim. I started using it, and before the products were gone I noticed that my skin was clearing up. REALLY clearing up, like never before! I went back and bought full-sized versions of the products, because I loved what was happening to my face. The stuff is expensive, but truly worth every penny when I consider everything I've tried that has failed. The stuff smells citrus-y and amazing, and the best part is it doesn't dry out my face. I'm going to write to the company and tell them how much I love this product. My face looks incredible. I actually have good skin, for the first time in my life!!

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else needs some hope!

 

[Feralpeg]

Are you sure they are pimples? Have you had them biopsied? My daughter developed a condition on her back that looked like tiny little pimples. We had it biopsied. It turned out to be hives. We still haven't figured out how to get rid of them. They get worse around her period. The doctor thinks they may be hormone induced.

 

[disneydee6]

My suggestion is to find a practiced dermatologist who is willing to work with you. My sister had very bad acne, and it took trial and error with different acne treatments (first topical, then pills, until finally she took TWO 6-month treatments of acutane before it finally cleared). Her dermatologist was incredibly knowledgeable and patient with trying to find the right treatment.

While I didn't have bad acne, I realized with my sister that there are MANY cases where topical OTC treatments are NOT the answer, and do not help whatsoever. If it is THAT persistant, get professionals to help you. If your dermatologist isn't helping in the way you want, find another that will.

I know it can be very hard to deal with, and I would suggest also that you may want to invest in some nice makeup to perhaps help with your confidence in the meanwhile. Go to a MAC cosmetics counter and have them help you find the best coverup and tricks to hide it well. My other sister is a makeup artist, and she gave my younger sister the best tips to cover it WHILE treating it. Good luck

 

[lightmoonstone]

I am about to turn 24 and I did not have bad acne during my teens, then I turned 19 and bam! Acne all over face. I tried a variety of medications and creams, but the only thing that really cleared my face were birth control pills. I have been taking them since and my face is clear!

My bff, who is 28, was recommended estrogen pills because the doctor had determined that her estrogen level was low and the pills seemed to remedy that.

I totally sympathize with your situation and I hope I was some help or that someone is able to remedy your condition.

 

[chisnpeke]

Just want to chime in here and say that I feel your pain. I am going to be 24 next month and I am still dealing with acne. I have been since I was 12. Been to two different dermatologists and after going to the first one I got little tiny pimples that I never had before all over my forehead. They would not go away until I went to the second. My acne is not severe, I'd say it's mild but that doesn't make me feel any better about myself when it does appear. Good luck!

 

[maelstrom]

Are you sure it's even acne? My mom thought she had developed adult acne in her late 40s and it turned out that she has rosacea. I'm 26 and I've also just developed rosacea.

 

[sookie]

if you are using the meds consistently it will get worse right before it gets better. go back to the doc and see what she says. keep your chin up.

 

[mnrose]

I was about your age when I tired of battling acne...and, like you, I had tried many things, prescription and non-prescription. Eventually, I went with a 6 month course of accutane, which ended my acne battle for good. Now, I still (but very, very rarely) will get a pimple (and I am in my 50's ....egads!), but I consider it a minor annoyance, not a daily battle. Accutane absolutely worked for me. I know it is controversial, but I am here to say that I am glad I did it.

Edit: I just googled it, and apparently, lawsuits have resulted in it being removed from the US market. I consider that too bad......it definitely worked for me.

 

[lovin'fl]

I am 39 and didn't have an acne problem until I turned 21. I have tried prescriptions and over the counter treatments to no avail. Mine also seems to be getting worse with age. I feel your pain, but have no solution for you. I am interested in this thread to see what has helped others.

Oh and the latest thing I tried (which I read about on the internet) was jojoba oil...that made my acne worse...really really worse, so I would suggest NOT trying that.

 

[corgi_monster]

Are your breakouts topical or under the skin? If they're topical, the pimples are most likely due to too much bacteria in your system. (Chronic bacteria-caused acne is NOT due to poor hygiene.) There's not much you can do but to keep trying different types of medicines, oral and topical.

If your acne is cystic and "underneath" your skin, oral contraceptives work wonders for clearing up your skin. Not all brands are equal and some can cause you to break out even more, though. I had a BAD breakout at 24 and contraceptives were the only thing that worked for me.

You should check out the skin forums on http://www.makeupalley.com/

Asprin masks work wonders for some of the girls there. Also, try smearing an egg yolk all over your face, let it harden, and then wash it off. It provides tons of vitamins without any chemicals. You can also use the egg white as a mask to tighten your skin. I know it sounds gross but I swear it makes your skin look smoother!

 

[emer95]

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. It's definitely topical. Tiny bumps on the surface of my skin, not the hard, hormonal kind. I have also wondered if it might be rosacea. When I Googled the two medications I'm on, I see rave reviews (for the most part). Maybe I just need to stick it out?

Anyway, I appreciate all of the suggestions.

 

[Laura66]

I don't have it - but my son did a and I know a lot of people who are dealing with the same problem you are.
What I know is that there is no one wonder drug for anyone. What works for someone else may not work for you. It's a trial and error process. There are different types of acne and often when trying a new product the acne is going to get worse before it gets better.
My son had cystic acne and I was not willing to go on Acutane until we exhausted all other options. (topical creams and other antibiotics). Well they would start to work right away and then it would get worse. When we finally decided to let him use Acutane it got really bad before it got better. He is 5 months in and the results ate nothing short of amazing. But it took almost a year to get here.
Be patient and give your Dermatologist and the meds to work.

 

[jayrp]

I had the same problem. I tried EVERYTHING. I even tried accutane - a acne medication the doctor prescribed me and that didn't even work. Proactive didn't work either. This is the only thing that has worked for me and kept my acne away: http://usingteatreeoilforacne.blogspot.c… It's worked for my friends and relatives I know also. I didn't find this out until later down the road though, and now I have some minor scarring. If I would of found it out a lot sooner it would've saved me a lot of stress in my life, let me tell you. This should help you get rid of your acne too. Try it first before anything else. It is extremely cheap and can be found in a lot of stores.

 

[Trissy]

My derm gave me a coupon for a free tube (lasted about 6 mos, then $30 after that). I had red bumps that had dry flaky heads and now my skin is perfect. I had to go on a mild antibotic and metrogel along with it for the first couple of months, but now I just apply the Epiduo at night after I wash my face. I guess it's like a replacement for Retinol???

 

[lakelandgal70]

I just hit 42 and finally after many years of horrible skin it seems to have gotten under control. I usually have a break out before that time of month but nothing this month. I have been using Serious Skin Care for acne. It actually has worked so well my skin has dried out. lol. So I also have been using this moisturizing spritzer from H2O which also has made my skin look great. Good luck! It has been quite a journey trying to find something that works.

 

[emer95]

Update in OP!

 

[Piper]

I love the Philosophy products. They definitely work for me, too!

 

[Buckalew11]

I bought these back in August for my daughter and she wasn't thrilled so I decided not to waste them and loved them for myself! I agree with you!