If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
Options
Dianette‏, spots + a wedding
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I hope someone out there can help me...
I'd been on Dianette for 4 years and decided to come of it last Aug (08), so that when I get married next Easter (2010) I could start a family straight away. (by the way im 32yrs old)
The problem... my skin is now worst than it was 4 years ago. Not only is my face as bad, my back, chest, neck and area around my ears have totally broken out in very painful spots (could be described as boils). In addition to this i've got way more blackheads in all these areas than I ever had before and the amount of excess oil that my face produces a day is nothing more than embarrassing.
I've been to the doctors 3 times since last August. Ive was described different tablets and lotions including: Zineryt, Tetralysal and latest Erythromycin. None of these are working at all... in fact my skin is getting worse and worse as the weeks go on. Because of this im totally disheartened to look at wedding dresses for my very special day and even embrassed going to work on occasions, trying to hide as much of my skin with clothes up to my neck and hair worn down every day.
I really hope someone out there could advise me of what my next step should be.
Many thanks Helen
I'd been on Dianette for 4 years and decided to come of it last Aug (08), so that when I get married next Easter (2010) I could start a family straight away. (by the way im 32yrs old)
The problem... my skin is now worst than it was 4 years ago. Not only is my face as bad, my back, chest, neck and area around my ears have totally broken out in very painful spots (could be described as boils). In addition to this i've got way more blackheads in all these areas than I ever had before and the amount of excess oil that my face produces a day is nothing more than embarrassing.
I've been to the doctors 3 times since last August. Ive was described different tablets and lotions including: Zineryt, Tetralysal and latest Erythromycin. None of these are working at all... in fact my skin is getting worse and worse as the weeks go on. Because of this im totally disheartened to look at wedding dresses for my very special day and even embrassed going to work on occasions, trying to hide as much of my skin with clothes up to my neck and hair worn down every day.
I really hope someone out there could advise me of what my next step should be.
Many thanks Helen
0
Comments
I'm not familiar with all of the brand names, but so far it sounds like you've tried antibiotic/antibacterial type treatments. Topical retanoids are another line of attack (UK brand is Differin).
That and the obvious, reasonable amounts of sunshine, no oily moisturisers, cotton pillow cases and clothing, drink plenty of water....
The brand Dermalogica is the BEST skin care line I've ever come across, it's very very good for your skin in the long run, and personally it helped my skin lots.
Not gonna lie, it's not cheap but the products last for ages as the quantities are rather large.
Depending on your skin type there's a variaty of moisturisers, cleansers and exfoliants.
They have a range called MediBac which is for adult acne, and from what I've heard it's extremely efficient without damaging the skin. It treats the problem but also the source of the problem.
Basically using Dermalogica, after around 3 months at the most you should see a major difference but you can't give up if your skin doesn't improve after the first few weeks (which is tempting).
They also have products to help with back acne etc.
Have you seen a dermatologist?
The pills they would recommend you + dermalogica should hopefully mean clear skin for you, but you have to stick to a skincare routine because it's not something that can be cured overnight.
I used a variety of products/pills and Dermalogica was the only thing that helped.
People might frown upon it, but seeing as sun is hard to come by in the UK, an occasional short visit to a sunbed will help too.
PS
MOISTURIZE!
A mistake that a lot of people with oily skin make is that they don't moisturize. Dermalogica has a variety of moisturizers that are good for oily skin.
Visit their site to see what you think will be good for you, then see the listing of salons in the UK that hold Dermalogica. Most of these salons will have someone who has been trained to discuss the products and help you chose =]
Have you tried Lush? I know they have one cream that's really effective on skin conditions such as eczema (called Dream Cream)... not the same as the problem you have I know, but if you go in and ask I'm sure they can recommend something suitable.
Lush for hair/body = okay.
Lush for face = RISKY.
Particularly the Dream Cream, as it contains fragerence. Dream Cream, yes, may serve to sooth the skin, but it equally can irritate it and cause long term damage.
I highly recommend people with problem skin stay away from companies such as Lush (I have nothing against them) as they use fragrance which is bad enough, but worse for skin prone to dryness/breakouts.
Not being mean =]
However, roaccutane won't be suitable for you if you plan to start a family soon as you have to be on birth control during and after the course due to possible effects on the foetus. Retin-a would probably be your best bet and i don't think a GP can prescribe it so try to get a referal to a dermatologist.
Hope everything works out for you and good luck with your wedding
I've also had a good skin care regime, cleanse, tone, moisturise, but to no effect and it's really getting me down now
I'm not saying not to get pills, I'm saying you should get a prescription AND a good skincare regime because you don't want to be on pills forever.
I thought my skin was done, but after 2 months of sticking to Dermalogica I saw a VAST improvements.
Now I rarely ever breakout.
PS
skakitty, what brand do you use?
Also, could you give some more detail on the type of spots/breakouts you suffer from?
Have your doctors done any hormone tests for you to test your levels etc? With being on a strong pill like dianette surely it points to the problem being hormonal? I would also as someone has suggested ask them to refer you to a dermatologist as if you're getting worse then seeing someone more specialised should help?
Good luck, know how disheartening and depressing it can be especially when you can't seem to find a solution x
I have 5-6 cystic acne spots (on my cheeks, forehead, chin) i have many whiteheads (mainly forehead and cheeks but they cover most of my skin
I've been taking cerezette for a year, and am on anti-d's (for 2 years)
I'm also taking evening primrose oil and a multivitimin with zinc
I wouldn't recommend anyone use Avon, Oxy or C&C - they all contain alcohol and other ingredients which dry out your skin and actually spread acne.
As for tea tree oil, I'm pretty sure it's the equivalent of peroxide, but less affective. Spreading it all over your skin = not good.
Firstly, I recommend you go see a good Cosmetologist (spl) who can help clear your skin by extracting blackheads and whiteheads WITHOUT damaging the skin.
Next, I have to repeat that I recommend Dermalogica.
To be honest, I think your skin will get worse before it gets better. Every time you switch from the products you've listed your skin will go through withdrawl. So, when you start using Dermalogica it will first have to clear the damage your skin has suffered from unkind products such as Oxy, next, it'll start to clear your skin by treating the underlying causes of breakouts.
If you live in the UK I recommend you google beautyflash and you'll find decently priced Dermalogica.
PS
A good intake of Fibre and vitamin E (found in almonds, for example) can be very beneficial.
Also, I'd like to say that I don't work for Dermalogica, lol.
Thanks for all the advice, i'll let you know how i get on
Hi everyone that has left me messages. I haven't checked because I didn't receive any emails informing me that users had replied. So many many thanks. Since I posted my problem/concern whatever you want to call it, I did try something new, Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, which I read up about on the internet. I did think all my prayers were answered when I actually started to notice a change after using just a day or two. But then it all started going downhill when I became very red and very itchy (and I bleached ever towel in the house). So I’ve since stopped using it because after the red disappeared it was back to the usual. I’m booking to see a dermatologist next week so it will be interesting to see what they say. I was going to get the dermalogica products but just thought what's the point i've spent lots of money on products in the pass and they never worked why should they be any different. Maybe I should try before throwing the towel in. Anyone else that has anymore advice please post it, promise to check on a weekly basis.
Once again, many thanks.
Ps still haven't had the heart to look at wedding dresses :banghead:
I would def hold off on paying for anything else until you've seen the dermatologist.
Really hope after the visit it they can give you something, sounds as if your confidence has its fair share of knocks.
Hey helen,
Glad you came back, if you select subscribe to thread at in the 'thread tools' section and then select receive instant notification by email (it defaults to no email notification so you do have to select) then it should work.