[Anonymous]

im a girl aged 22 and i have had really bad acne since i was 11.

it gradually gets better every year- my arms and back now have barely any.

but my face is still pretty awful. they dont just stop on my face but all on my neck as well.

i did take tablets for 3 years but found that as soon as i came off them my spots came back- so it just seemed pointless.

its even more awful because i know guys get complexes and stuff too- but its so much worse for a girl, cos very few girls have acne- let alone at 22 years old

ive been bullied ever since i can remember for my spots and it just really gets me down, because it feels like its all down to luck, its not like i dont wash or anything

[Obadetona]

Keep taking your tablets?

[M4LLY]

Just let it slide off of your back, thats whatvi did when i had bad acne at 14/15

[EatRainbows]

What kind of cleansing routine do you do? Have you been to the doctors recently?

[MQ003C]

(Original post by Obadetona)
Keep taking your tablets?

Tablets in some cases stop working altogether after extended use, or gaps in taking them. Though it is a point OP are you regularly taking them? Hormone tabs supress this kind of activity, some have pretty strong side effects though.

Also don't worry you have acne and I know its difficult for a woman to have to go through it, I used to be in a relationship with someone who had problems with spots but that doesn't mean I didn't like her any less. Keep positive, you may have acne but you're in good health right? Things could be a lot worse.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by EatRainbows)
What kind of cleansing routine do you do? Have you been to the doctors recently?

i havent recently.
i just dont want to rely on tablets because they only work to an extent. and also i have to pay for prescriptions and to be honest i cant afford it.

i 100% dont think its to do with my cleansing. theyre not ''dirty'' spots they are acne spots/scars.

im going to the doctors this week, will just mention it again doesnt half get me down though

[DanLorenzo]

Do everything you can to clear your skin. Taking tablets is all very well, but you need to be completely dedicated. Eat healthy, drink LOTS of water, use fragrance free skin products, remember to mousturise, don't wear too much make up, get lots of exercise, fresh air and sunshine. Also as well as eating healthy, look up foods that help clear skin and incorporate them into your diet. I hardly have any acne but I always seem to get it when I let my regime slip (on those lazy weekends). Trust me when I say what you put into your body will definitely affect your skin. Also be happy, and understand that you will have bad days, but persevere and you'll be fine. I'm no expert but I do all of the above and my skin has improved a lot.

ALSO - get lots of sleep. This is the one thing I struggle with (as you can probably tell since its after midnight) and it definitely affects your skin. Early nights as often as possible. Change your bed sheets regularly (especially the pillow case) and always wash your face in the morning and before bed. Sleep with your head facing up so you don't bury your face into the pillow and absorb any dirt into your skin that may be on there.

Wow that was an essay, but do all that and you'll 100% see significant improvement.

[tomzitt910]

The first thing is to not worry too much; stress will only make it worse. What is actually getting you down is your perception of your spots ; you probably have some characteristics that other people would be very jealous of ( if not physical, then perhaps spiritually : )) . Try not to worry - life is too short to worry about a few blemishes.

[nicatre]

You just have to do all of the medication, diet and exercise things which may help keep it down and learn to be strong in yourself about it. When it comes to things you have little or no control over the quicker you accept it's just you and that it doesn't make you an inferior the better. Other people can say what the **** they want that's there problem, it doesn't change who you are.

[Formerly Helpful_C]

Drop the medication and assess your diet. People always postulate that there is no link, but I'd prefer to have a healthy diet and acne than a bad diet and acne. Also, if you drink/eat a lot of dairy, I would stop.

http://www.acnemilk.com/the_no_milk_acne_diet

https://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&gs_n...w=1366&bih=667

Edit: The spots that emerged after you stopped taking the tablets were always going to emerge. The development of spots isn't something that occurs overnight. If anything, you expedited their development.

In addition, if these tablets were effective, I'd be questioning what effect they're having on my body. Do you really want something so potent inside your body?

[GeneralOJB]

What's your diet like? Quit the junk/processed foods, grains, and dairy. Eat mostly green leafy vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, fruit etc.

Also don't use chemicals or soaps on your face, it dries it out, you don't need it. Acne is a western disease, mainly stemming from our poor diets, chemicals aren't the answer. The main problem is definitely the diet, which is probably just as crap as most peoples.

[MrsDexterMorgan]

If you've done everything, cleansing and diet wise, maybe you should consider Ultraviolet therapy? It probably costs a bit but having acne can be stressful so it's worth looking into for the long term. Ask your doctor about it? Not sure if it always works but my mum had really bad acne when she was younger and was treated with UV and it got better. Hope you find the solution you're looking for

[kristol90]

Paleo diet. Everything you know about food and diet is wrong and bad for you.

[yozzo]

(Original post by Anonymous)
im a girl aged 22 and i have had really bad acne since i was 11.

it gradually gets better every year- my arms and back now have barely any.

but my face is still pretty awful. they dont just stop on my face but all on my neck as well.

i did take tablets for 3 years but found that as soon as i came off them my spots came back- so it just seemed pointless.

its even more awful because i know guys get complexes and stuff too- but its so much worse for a girl, cos very few girls have acne- let alone at 22 years old

ive been bullied ever since i can remember for my spots and it just really gets me down, because it feels like its all down to luck, its not like i dont wash or anything

Have you searched the web for information on removing this? I am quite confident it is possible to get rid of acne. You should study it. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there so you should take it slow and stick to facts. Write notes. Just facts.

Also, in my opinion do not rely on fancy pills or creams. Here are my tips:

1) Get 8 hours of sleep every night.
2) What are you eating? Do you eat crap? If you eat crap you will look like crap. My diet is usually ok but yesterday I had a really bad day. Processed foods and takeaways. I also had only a few hours sleep. I woke up today looking so different. My skin was terrible.
3) Water. Drink as much as you can. Just always be drinking. Drink at least two 1.5 litre bottles a day. Get used to the taste of water. Enjoy it. It will make a difference to your appearance.
4) Exercise. At least three times a week. Nothing fancy. Walk instead of taking the bus or car. Go for a run. Take your bike. Go swimming. Take up an aerobics/zumba/boxercise class. Exercise is great for the skin and how you look and also how you feel.


These four are the most important in how you look, not fancy pills or creams.


6) Use a face wash daily. Nothing fancy. Use Morning and night. Do not just rub it over your face. Using your two fingers, go round in circles, really cleaning it. Get the right one for your skin type. You will find this information on google.
5) Get an exfoliator and use 2-3 times per week. This is great for acne skin. Get one for your body too.
6) If you can afford, maybe try a face mask too once per week.
7) This is also very important. You must stop stressing. Stressing is no good for the body. Those first four things can help with stress. Find out what is stressing you out also and just focus on that for a short while.
8) Read the Power of Now. Learn to live for the moment.
9) Enjoy life. Go out with your friends. Speak to them regularly. Keep up with the gossip.


Good luck.

[Freak Out]

Even if you have a healthy diet you could still be breaking out from some foods you consume that you wouldn't dream would give you acne (i.e. bananas, citrus fruits, nuts, potatoes, meat... it varies. Try an elimination diet).

Assess your cleansing products as well, for all areas of skin and hair. Use non-comedogenic hypoallergenic products only. Use water only or a gentle cleanser to wash, don't use several things. Wash your pillowcases and bedding regularly with a fragrance-free detergent. Also, if you're taking medication or vitamins and supplements check to see if they are the culprit. Avoid touching your face and be sure to exercise regularly to rid yourself of toxins.

Try taking evening primrose oil or other supplements to balance out your hormones and aid acne treatment (milk thistle, chlorella, spirulina and an anti-oxidant combo containing Selenium + vitamins A,C,E... if you take a multivitamin avoid iodine, biotin and high levels of other B vitamins).

Random tips

- Avoid dairy or high GI foods

- Make a homemade toner using green tea and sea salt (info)

- Buy organic apple cider vinegar and put a teaspoon or two in your water daily. I was told that a shot of crushed ginger, garlic and cider vinegar also helps, it sounds revolting but worth a try.

- Take a zinc supplement daily (Holland and Barrett do a good deal of zinc gluconate 15mg, 100 capsules)

- Probiotic supplement - Antibiotics wipe out your body's good bacteria, they cause diarrhea and yeast infections, and they generally weaken the immune system. Probiotics, in contrast, restore your body's natural flora and strengthen the immune system. Taking probiotics with antibiotics helps ensure that you prevent unpleasant side effects at the same time that you fight your infection (source)

- Rid yourself of stress where possible

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Freak Out)
Even if you have a healthy diet you could still be breaking out from some foods you consume that you wouldn't dream would give you acne (i.e. bananas, citrus fruits, nuts, potatoes, meat... it varies. Try an elimination diet).

Assess your cleansing products as well, for all areas of skin and hair. Use non-comedogenic hypoallergenic products only. Use water only or a gentle cleanser to wash, don't use several things. Wash your pillowcases and bedding regularly with a fragrance-free detergent. Also, if you're taking medication or vitamins and supplements check to see if they are the culprit. Avoid touching your face and be sure to exercise regularly to rid yourself of toxins.

Try taking evening primrose oil or other supplements to balance out your hormones and aid acne treatment (milk thistle, chlorella, spirulina and an anti-oxidant combo containing Selenium + vitamins A,C,E... if you take a multivitamin avoid iodine, biotin and high levels of other B vitamins).

Random tips

- Avoid dairy or high GI foods

- Make a homemade toner using green tea and sea salt (info)

- Buy organic apple cider vinegar and put a teaspoon or two in your water daily. I was told that a shot of crushed ginger, garlic and cider vinegar also helps, it sounds revolting but worth a try.

- Take a zinc supplement daily (Holland and Barrett do a good deal of zinc gluconate 15mg, 100 capsules)

- Probiotic supplement - Antibiotics wipe out your body's good bacteria, they cause diarrhea and yeast infections, and they generally weaken the immune system. Probiotics, in contrast, restore your body's natural flora and strengthen the immune system. Taking probiotics with antibiotics helps ensure that you prevent unpleasant side effects at the same time that you fight your infection (source)

- Rid yourself of stress where possible

Good luck!

when you say dairy does this include cheese? and what about eggs?

[SnoochToTheBooch]

this probably flies in the face of conventional wisdom, but I stopped getting spots when I stopped anything touching my face at all, whether that's dirt from my hands or soap. As far as washing my face goes, I get my face wet in the shower and that's it, no soaps or anything. Hardly ever get spots since I stopped putting any chemicals on my face. Clearasil in particular made things worse.

[brunettegirl92]

i am 20 and i get acne - there is a family history of it.

what i do is use face wipes and washes designed for oily skin - i find the 'simple' brand works well. i also use real olive soap - it is really good for the skin.
To keep black heads away, exfoliate regularly - maybe every day, and you could try using a mud pack once a week to keep the skin smooth and healthy, drink loads of water to keep it moisturised, and use oil-free make up/one designed for oily skin.
also when you are at your doctors, ask to be put on Retin-A (a type of prescription face cream)- i have been put on it and it works really well. this helps dry up the skin and can even help remove scars left by the acne.
if they don't buy a retin-a containing face clenser

[Stasiaxx]

(Original post by Anonymous)
im a girl aged 22 and i have had really bad acne since i was 11.

it gradually gets better every year- my arms and back now have barely any.

but my face is still pretty awful. they dont just stop on my face but all on my neck as well.

i did take tablets for 3 years but found that as soon as i came off them my spots came back- so it just seemed pointless.

its even more awful because i know guys get complexes and stuff too- but its so much worse for a girl, cos very few girls have acne- let alone at 22 years old

ive been bullied ever since i can remember for my spots and it just really gets me down, because it feels like its all down to luck, its not like i dont wash or anything

Girls can wear make up to cover their acne, i don't think fewer have it.

[katyness]

I sympathise OP.

I just got a facial sauna and I started to add tea tree oil (£3 from Superdrug) to my bio-oil and it's working wonders. This is all on top of my normal facial wash routine, by the way!