acne cleared up everywhere but on chin

EmilyE · 06-23-2004, 11:40 AM

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I was diagnosed with PCOS in February of this year, but I've had some of the symptoms, especially weight problems and acne since I was 11 or 12 (I'm 22 now).

Over the past 8-10 months I've managed to take off about 25 pounds through low-carbing (i was doing this even before i learned about PCOS). So the weight is mostly under control.

The main problem i have is with acne. Treatment with amoxicillin and Klaron lotions has cleared up a lot of my acne. My forehead is almost always clear now, just a few stray pimples each month. My chin, though, is still an absolute mess... Even on antibiotics it didn't clear up much. My dermatologist took me off the amoxicillin a few weeks ago (yay! Finally, a doc who doesn't like long-term antibiotics). Since then, my chin has just exploded even more. I have had huge whiteheads, plus the really super-painful, swollen red zits constantly.

The skin on my chin is always bad, but I've noticed that it tends to get worse at certain times of the month. I've been charting my cycles with NFP for a while now, and although most have been anovulatory, I have noticed that my acne usually explodes around the time of the month when ovulation should occur (the acne is there whether I ovulate or not, though).

What sorts of treatments could help clear up my poor painful chin?

Thanks
Emily

PUGGUMS · 06-23-2004, 07:40 PM

I have a similar problem. The rest of my face is pretty clear, except for my chin since going off the pill. The chin is the hormonal area for breakouts, and when I was on the pill I got one pimple the week before my period, but that was it. So, maybe BCP, and spriolactone, which is a prescription is also helpful with hormonal breakouts. Some other cysters have found success with the supplement Saw Palmetto.

kwannabee · 06-24-2004, 04:25 PM

Quote:

I have noticed that my acne usually explodes around the time of the month when ovulation should occur

I used to have this problem and my doctor always told me it was hormonal. At the time of ovulation (if it doesnt happen)...that little eggie that was supposed to explode but didnt (annovulation) starts instead pumping out more androgens...which affect the pimples. I'm not sure how...just a total systemic reaction...when i was on bcps they made sure it was low or no dose estrogen cant remember...so that my body would detect more progesterone which is supposed to happen after ovulation, but doesnt. Does that make sense?

Anyway, my face cleared up ( i tried everything even accutane ugh...and now i get them still only when i should be ovulating...i lead right up to it then the old bod just shuts down...and i get a pimple everytime!

Anyway i dont know if i helped any...but i sure do sympathize!

*Shellie_Star* · 06-26-2004, 10:56 AM

I have the same problem just on my chin & around my mouth sometimes

I'm sure the spots from the rest of my face have ended up there coz it's far worse on my chin now than my whole face was before!!

dearheart · 06-26-2004, 06:32 PM

My story is similar.... the one product that I did see a difference is sold in a , what's the term, pyramid marketing thing.... it's over $100 US a month for the pills, but it worked! Darn it! I couldn't afford the supplements anymore so now I am trying Saw Palmetto and EstroSense (similar to DIM). I've only been on it for 2 days now so I can't say if it's gonna work for me or not. I'm not sure how to tell you about the expensive products. I don't want it to look like I'm selling it. E-mail me and I can tell you the name if you're interested.

When I was anovulatory my acne on my jawline would get worse and worse the longer I went w/o AF. Since losing 20 lbs and starting Metformin I have been ovulating and the acne has improved some... but I still would like to get tothe point of no more cysts!

Take care!

natTHErat · 06-29-2004, 03:08 AM

I have that problem also. Before, I would get one or two pimples a month but ever since my dad died a year ago I started breaking out all over the place. I also noted that my facial hair was growing faster and slightly thicker. I guess it was the stress. Then I realized that the pimples were mainly in the areas where the hair was and that they usually occurred when I plucked. Well, I came to the conclusion that if guys have to use aftershave then I should you something too after plucking, to close the pore. I started cleaning my face with Neutrogena and then wiping it with rubbing alcohol. It stings a little but not that bad. Then I put on a moisturizer so that the alcohol won't dry out my face. Well, my face has improved dramatically. This is just my case and what has helped me but it's worth a try.

Roses · 08-06-2004, 10:20 AM

Hi there,
I too have acne on my chin...I think I could maybe have 2 days a month when I am acne free.
I have bad blackheads, your average zits plus the big red raging angry ones too. Not to mention the scarring that goes with it.

My beauty therapist does 'face mapping' - she told me that the chin area is your reproductive system and the sides of your chin are your ovaries. I think dermalogica have info on this if you are interested.

Just interesting info for you...not that it will help much!

Good luck

Annrie · 08-16-2004, 04:33 AM

Hi

I used to have terrible problems with acne on my chin. I tried everything and it was becoming embarrasing to go in public. When the acne spots were clearing up I would have the dark spots all over from scarring. As soon as I would think it was clearing up, another month would start and so would the next outbreak. Last year I started taking a supplement that my cousin recommended called Juice Plus. I started taking it, not really expecting any results, but I felt better almost immediately. ( I had been really run down) I had more energy and felt better. About 2 1/2 months after I started taking them, I realized I had not had an outbreak in a while. Since then I have only had one spot, one time! They are considered a whole food and contain no herbs or such. I have my whole family and most of my friends taking them. I'm not trying to sound like a comercial, but it's the only thing I've ever taken that has worked. I can't say enough good things about it! If anyone is interested, you can go to:
http://www.juiceplus.com/+ab68136

Also, I have found if you are prone to breakouts in the chin area, do not apply moisturizer there. If you are dry in that area, The Body Shop makes a tea tree moisture gel, that will moisturize, but not break you out. I found out a long time ago, that moisturizers in that area don't work.

Hope this helps!

Rosie1028 · 08-16-2004, 11:57 AM

I use Differin gel during the night and Benzacline during the day. I got it from the dermatologist and my face looks great! Good luck to you

notcrazy · 08-25-2004, 07:26 PM

I use to have all over horrible acne. It had finally started clearing up and I started using Burt's Bees products for it. Everything but my chin is clear now. I'll have the occasional stray one elsewhere but my chin is just not getting any better. I keep getting the huge red deep cysts and once they start to heal they just flare up again. I started using the burt's bee's blemish stick as soon as I get out of the shower and then following that up with some topical benyle peroxide. So far so good, they're clearing up and do not look like they are going to flare up again but who knows if it's the combination or my hormones just took another swing to the other side of the scale. I do highly recommend the Burt's Bees products.