Acne scars :(

I have some deep boxcar or rolling? scars on my face from my acne. It's gone now from the various antibiotics but the scars remain. I want to try dermaroller or laser resurfacing but skeptic of anything online. Not to mention the expenses in clinics. I try not to look at my face but sometimes when I catch a glimpse it makes me feel so low. My family doesn't understand, everyone says "they will go" but it won't, not naturally and not 100%. I never squeezed any pimples but I did scratch because I have this compulsive thing of picking at lumps and bumps on my skin, for example scabs.

I know exactly how you feel- I'm on roaccutane atm and the red scarring on my cheeks/jawline is pretty bad. Using oils like rosehip (can be bought in holland and barrett) on your skin every night is meant to help, as it contains retinol, but make sure you don't use it on any active spots. Also, try using a mild chemical exfoliant- brands like REN, clarins, pixi, alpha h make these. I disagree with the above comment about not wearing makeup because it blocks your pores: wear the makeup if it makes you feel more confident, and as long as you remove it thoroughly and gently, you're fine. Please report back and let us know how you get on! I also think it's important to remember that you can always ask your GP to refer you to a dermatologist if the scarring really doesn't shift. x

Hi Lucy, I'm back (during exam season too) and I stopped the antibiotics in an ttempt to control my skin by myself again seeing as the acne cleared up (FULLY). It's april now and I've heavily broken out with cysts and whiteheads. I have only been using tea tree lotion and aloe vera gel (infused with tea tree) from holland & barratts and a tea tree toner (LUSH shop). I've also stopped using make up on my cheeks (especially when I had clear skin)They worked well when my skin was clear with one bump and scars but now I've gone back to acne EVERYWHERE. It's painful and uncomfortable when I have to go out. My last resort is roaccutane which I don't want to go on because of the guidelines ������

I think a lot of people say no to Roaccutane without properly weighing up the advantages. I'm not saying you haven't - but I've come from where you are; pain and embarrassment and not wanting to go out and I'm now nearing the end of my Roaccutane treatment as a much happier person. Which of the side effects are you most worried about?

It sounds like you need to go to your GP and have a chat. Tea tree lotion and aloe vera gel is fine (although i'd find tea tree irritating), but it sounds like you need something a bit more powerful.

I was put on a couple of antibiotics that didn't do anything, and was then given Isotrex gel, which is essentially Retin-a. This pretty much ruined my skin and caused bad boxcar / rolling scars (never scared before i used this). I've been on it properly for about a year and i still break out. Sometimes i think it's over, but then they come back. I'm probably going to try for Roaccutane but i'm a little worried about whether it would make my now delicate skin any worse. But this is all very personal, so the best thing to do is work with a GP that you trust and makes you feel comfortable.

Oh, and by the way, derma rolling / stamping really does work. There is a huge amount of peer reviewed journal work to back it up, not to mention loads of personal testimonies. I used a stamp in a couple of places at the end of last year. I didn't use numbing cream or anything, as i wanted to limit the amount of things i was putting on my skin. I used the 1mm size once every 3 weeks, 3 times. Results take time but areas definitely filled in a little and general surface texture improved. You do need to use an ointment like Infadolan afterwards, and if you want to go full out, a collagen serum before hand for a few weeks. The most important thing is to clean it properly after use. WHEN (because you have to hope) i fully clear up i'm going to get back into using it a lot more.

Good luck!

The dry skin and lips, I'm already trying to control that from the adapalene and epiduo (+benzoyl peroxide). Also, my skin is sensitive as it is and with the creams I'm on it's worse. So the protection from sunlight as month(s)-long aftercare seems so much.
I've been on erythromycin and tetracycline (had to stop from bad internal side effects) and they seemed so GIVE me acne scars because I don't pick at my face so much anymore.
Birth control pills are not even in the question because they'd cause inflammation before getting my hormones in balance. I can't afford to gain weight or mess about with my system!