Acne, treatments Cysters have tried!! - Page 4

tracylyn · 12-21-2005, 07:13 PM

actually,i am covered for some meds..i'll ask doctor about what you suggested..thanks for the info.

Phira · 03-27-2006, 06:59 AM

I started having terrible acne when I was in third grade (I was the little nine-year-old with the breakouts), and it only got worse and worse. I tried several standard acne medications, including different strengths of benzoil peroxide, Retin-A, Differin, doxycycline, and minocycline, as well as several recommended face washes. Since my acne is inherited as well as hormonal, and since I was ten when we started trying different medications, PCOS wasn't considered as a possible cause. Finally, when I was thirteen, I went on Accutane, and it was a miracle. For a while, I had no acne. Then I had a little bit, but it was never as unmanageable as it had been before.

By the time I was sixteen, the acne had gotten worse again, and this time, we knew about my PCOS. I started on birth control, and my acne improved for about two months, but it got worse again (which happened with every med except Accutane). Finally, during my junior year, my dermatologist suggested I do another round of Accutane, and so we did. Now, so long as I'm on birth control, I get very little acne. And when I do get any acne at all, it's never EVER as bad as it used to be. People ask me how I got such clear skin, and sometimes I can't believe they're talking to me.

The side effects I experienced on Accutane were dry eyes, dry lips, and the ability to be sunburned so easily that it could have been a super power. Of course, I wasn't wearing sun screen all those times, which was irresponsible of me. Many people are concerned about depression as a side effect, but if you actually talk to your doctors about Accutane, they will clarify things for you. There have been no suicides as a result of depression caused by Accutane, and depression is very, very rare.

Both times I went on Accutane, my doctors made it very clear to me that I NOT get pregnant. The first time I went on it, I was 13, so no big deal, but now most women must be on the pill to be on Accutane, since some women are getting pregnant and then blaming doctors for not warning them. Accutane causes serious birth defects, so do not get pregnant on it. You have to sign forms that say you understand this. That's the biggest deal, I've found, with Accutane. They ask that you use two forms of birth control during intercourse. Lucky for me, I was already on the pill, so I didn't have to wait to go on Accutane that time.

I know several people who have been on Accutane, and all of them are happy with their results. I definitely am. On days where I have a breakout, I remind myself that I used to dream of having that little acne.

So, severe acne from age 9 to age 13 and age 16 to age 18, and mild to no acne otherwise. Accutane is a big deal, but if nothing else works, it does.

Aaaah, now I feel like an ad.

elr3345 · 05-15-2006, 06:16 PM

I also had success with Mary Kay products. I use the time wise cleanser, day and night solution, and moisturizer. I also use the acne treatment when it's necessary, which now is pretty rare.

klw208 · 05-23-2006, 11:45 AM

I too love the Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel... It has 5% Benzoyl Peroxide... Granted I don't use it like I should... but when I do my skin looks great. They also have a microderabrasion set that I absolutly LOVE! My skin feel so soft when I use it... When I remember to use it on a regular basis I notice that my pores appear smaller. To find an independent beauty consultant near you just go to www.marykay.com and at the top of the page it will have a link that says... click here to find an independent beauty consultant near you... Then you just enter your zip code and it will take you to the page of a consultant near you... Then you can shop till your heart's content.

mjj · 07-20-2006, 12:09 AM

I never had acne as an adolescent (not noticeably anyway) and with the PCOS I have terrible breakouts, red swollen zits that hurt TERRIBLE and tend to be mostly around my mouth and on my jawline just below my ears. It's like they spring up ON TOP of each other!? DRIVES ME CRAZY! The best way to control it that I have found.... a very strict regime of Aveeno "clear complexion" products.

I have very dry skin and eczema in the winter, and I find that I have sensitive skin when it comes to my face, even with all this breaking out. I always use Almay make-up (I have had terrible experiences with Mary Kay and other foundations, even before I knew I had PCOS going on) and Almay helps...it's hypoallergenic and doesn't clog pores.

But the real deal is the Aveeno Clear Complexion.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Facial Cleanser morning and night with a facial buff/scrubby (like a bath pouf but silkier and smaller- so it is only mildly abrasive.) Followed by Aveeno Clear Complexion Toner (I apply it with a swisspers lint free cotton pad, found at Wal-mart.) Followed (generously) by Aveeno Clear Complexion Moisturizer.

At night only, I Follow that aveeno routine with by application of Clean and Clear's Acne Spot Treatment (Salicytic Acid) from a tube, and I apply it with a q-tip to keep my fingers out of the mix, only to red or broken out areas. I would be using the aveeno spot treatment but I already had some clean and clear and it worked fine for me, it's all just salicytic acid anyway, so I don't think there is much difference)

This really seems to help, it doesn't stop the breakouts, but they aren't swollen and painful, and they clear up very very quickly. I have been very pleased.

alacarter · 08-22-2006, 11:18 PM

I tried Proactive and it did nothing. I took acutane (for the second time) and it cleared my skin up wonderfully. Now I cleanse daily with Neutrogena Oil Free cleanser and i haven't had break outs for 1 year now!

lovemydog · 09-02-2006, 02:19 AM

I use Brevoxyl wash, Tazorac at night, and Duac Topical Gel in the morning. I'm also on an antibiotic - Solodyn. I have only been on it about a month so I haven't seen any great improvements yet. I am SO SICK of having acne. I'm 30 years old!! I should've been done with acne 15 years ago. UGH!

Maddux · 10-02-2006, 03:27 AM

Hi All,
as many have mentioned before PROACTIVE is the best. You see the results right away, I would definitely recommend it.

nettaboola · 10-09-2006, 06:24 PM

I've tried pretty much everything (from IPL to medications) and what I found most helpful was prayer and the recommendations from acne.org. I wish I would have tried it earlier...I would have saves thousands of dollars. Its quick, simple, and cheap. A lil patience is needed, but after 2 weeks it's all worth it. I also increased my water intake, but that is recommended for every treatment.

GlamGal512 · 01-03-2007, 12:41 PM

This is some good info!! thanksss

christyc82 · 01-03-2007, 06:25 PM

Proactive never worked for me..in fact nothing ever really has. I have very bad cystic acne, worse than anyone I know. My face just stays broken out around my chin, and hurts until they drain. They never really ever went away, just drained, stayed down a week maybe then flared back up. Same spots all the time. My face when Im cleared up looks like I have chickenpox because of all the red scars from this. My sister uses Mary Kay (she also has PCOS), but her breakouts have never been as bad as mine. For a while the natures cure pill was working, but i became immune to it. My doctor put me on benamycian...(spellin may be off), and that didnt work. My new doctor has me on spironolactone and solodyn with differin at night, and so far its great. My skin has been clearer than ever. Granted, its still a little broken out, but its only been 3 weeks. Im hoping this is the cure. This guy Im seeing knew I had PCOS just by looking at how I break out, I didnt have to mention it to him. So Im keeping my fingures crossed. And thank god for insurance because Id be forking out over $700 a month for these 3 prescriptions if not!

swissgirl · 01-13-2007, 01:58 PM

i've had some luck with proactive, but it really dried out my skin.
now i've found murad acne products and LOVE them. it's expensive, but my skin has not felt or looked this nice in a long time. granted, i do not have terrible acne, but rather stubborn acne that was always in the same spot and would start from nothing in to a whole area of acne- chin, cheeks, forehead.
the murad prodcuts smell nice (i don't have complaints from my guy about them "stinking"), feel nice (a sweet little tingle when using), and have given me quick results.
i would highly recommend.
-d

montana_in_la · 02-07-2007, 05:46 PM

swissgirl, I've been very happy with Murad too. I started using his Acne set in November, and now I'm using that (although I don't always use the moisturizer, my skin is oily enough I don't need too much), one of the eye creams and the pigment gel. I swear the hyperpigmentation is decreasing!

A couple weeks ago I started using St. Ives apricot scrub (day and night), and that helps with the exfoliation a lot.

Now, for the first time in my life, I only have a couple pimples to worry about, and the rest of my skin is clear! I can't wait until I see what my face looks like without pimples and red spots!

jenevieve92 · 03-06-2007, 11:05 AM

I'm not here to bash proactive or anything like that. But as far as I'm concerned you have about a 50 50 chance of it working. It either works really well for you or does nothing at all. I know a good twenty people who have tried it (including myself) and it has only worked for about two of them.

So don't get your hopes up and by it on sale. lol.

phoebe_33 · 04-03-2007, 08:51 AM

This will sound crazy but I've found aspirin the best skin treatment ever, and it's soooo cheap to buy. Aspirin is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, so that's why it works. It's what is in lots of those acne products we buy for so much $. I've had terrible skin for years and I've been using a couple aspirin dissolved in a tiny bit of water as a scrub (and/or as a mask for about 20mins) for nearly 3 weeks and my skin is starting to feel and look like real skin again. If you haven't had bad skin, then you just can't know how amazing that is!!! I got the tip from this site called makeupalley.com, where beauty products are reviewed by consumers. The aspirin mask is in the Most Popular section, and of nearly 900 reviews, 87% of people said they'd use it again. Yes it sounds crazy but it works really well!!!!

12-21-2005, 07:13 PM	#46 (permalink)
tracylyn tracylyn Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: windsor ontario canada Posts: 19 Points: 307.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 307.00 Donate	medical coverage actually,i am covered for some meds..i'll ask doctor about what you suggested..thanks for the info. __________________ tracylyn 32,mom of 1 underactive thyroid, 175mgs of levothroxine 15mgs temazapan(sleep disorder) Effexor,given only bcp for pcos need a REAL doc help!

03-27-2006, 06:59 AM	#47 (permalink)
Phira Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boston, MA. Posts: 85 My Mood: Points: 760.49 Bank: 1,566.44 Total Points: 2,326.93 Donate	I started having terrible acne when I was in third grade (I was the little nine-year-old with the breakouts), and it only got worse and worse. I tried several standard acne medications, including different strengths of benzoil peroxide, Retin-A, Differin, doxycycline, and minocycline, as well as several recommended face washes. Since my acne is inherited as well as hormonal, and since I was ten when we started trying different medications, PCOS wasn't considered as a possible cause. Finally, when I was thirteen, I went on Accutane, and it was a miracle. For a while, I had no acne. Then I had a little bit, but it was never as unmanageable as it had been before. By the time I was sixteen, the acne had gotten worse again, and this time, we knew about my PCOS. I started on birth control, and my acne improved for about two months, but it got worse again (which happened with every med except Accutane). Finally, during my junior year, my dermatologist suggested I do another round of Accutane, and so we did. Now, so long as I'm on birth control, I get very little acne. And when I do get any acne at all, it's never EVER as bad as it used to be. People ask me how I got such clear skin, and sometimes I can't believe they're talking to me. The side effects I experienced on Accutane were dry eyes, dry lips, and the ability to be sunburned so easily that it could have been a super power. Of course, I wasn't wearing sun screen all those times, which was irresponsible of me. Many people are concerned about depression as a side effect, but if you actually talk to your doctors about Accutane, they will clarify things for you. There have been no suicides as a result of depression caused by Accutane, and depression is very, very rare. Both times I went on Accutane, my doctors made it very clear to me that I NOT get pregnant. The first time I went on it, I was 13, so no big deal, but now most women must be on the pill to be on Accutane, since some women are getting pregnant and then blaming doctors for not warning them. Accutane causes serious birth defects, so do not get pregnant on it. You have to sign forms that say you understand this. That's the biggest deal, I've found, with Accutane. They ask that you use two forms of birth control during intercourse. Lucky for me, I was already on the pill, so I didn't have to wait to go on Accutane that time. I know several people who have been on Accutane, and all of them are happy with their results. I definitely am. On days where I have a breakout, I remind myself that I used to dream of having that little acne. So, severe acne from age 9 to age 13 and age 16 to age 18, and mild to no acne otherwise. Accutane is a big deal, but if nothing else works, it does. Aaaah, now I feel like an ad. __________________ @};- Stephanie (21) PCOS since 2002. Yasmin since 2003. Metformin since March 2006. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

07-20-2006, 12:09 AM	#50 (permalink)
mjj Feelin' Better on Met! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 19 Points: 713.02 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 713.02 Donate	Aveeno Active Naturals- Clear Complexion Line I never had acne as an adolescent (not noticeably anyway) and with the PCOS I have terrible breakouts, red swollen zits that hurt TERRIBLE and tend to be mostly around my mouth and on my jawline just below my ears. It's like they spring up ON TOP of each other!? DRIVES ME CRAZY! The best way to control it that I have found.... a very strict regime of Aveeno "clear complexion" products. I have very dry skin and eczema in the winter, and I find that I have sensitive skin when it comes to my face, even with all this breaking out. I always use Almay make-up (I have had terrible experiences with Mary Kay and other foundations, even before I knew I had PCOS going on) and Almay helps...it's hypoallergenic and doesn't clog pores. But the real deal is the Aveeno Clear Complexion. Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Facial Cleanser morning and night with a facial buff/scrubby (like a bath pouf but silkier and smaller- so it is only mildly abrasive.) Followed by Aveeno Clear Complexion Toner (I apply it with a swisspers lint free cotton pad, found at Wal-mart.) Followed (generously) by Aveeno Clear Complexion Moisturizer. At night only, I Follow that aveeno routine with by application of Clean and Clear's Acne Spot Treatment (Salicytic Acid) from a tube, and I apply it with a q-tip to keep my fingers out of the mix, only to red or broken out areas. I would be using the aveeno spot treatment but I already had some clean and clear and it worked fine for me, it's all just salicytic acid anyway, so I don't think there is much difference) This really seems to help, it doesn't stop the breakouts, but they aren't swollen and painful, and they clear up very very quickly. I have been very pleased.

10-02-2006, 03:27 AM	#53 (permalink)
Maddux Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: GTA, Ontario Posts: 2 Points: 132.82 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 132.82 Donate	Hi All, as many have mentioned before PROACTIVE is the best. You see the results right away, I would definitely recommend it. __________________ *Natalie* *Married to my wonderful husband Chris April 28 2004* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *2 Furkids Jake (5) and Maddux (3)* *Currently not on meds, trying to conceive 2 months* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-03-2007, 12:41 PM	#55 (permalink)
GlamGal512 Special User :) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 19 My Mood: Points: 1,040.08 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,040.08 Donate	This is some good info!! thanksss __________________ Neg HPT On 1/17 5 Days Before Missed Per. Neg HPT On 1/20 2 Days Before Missed Per. 2 BFP HPT On 1/29 Confirmed Blood Test 1/30 Just to let you ladies know, the "you can take this pregnancy test 5 days before your missed period" is bullsh. LOL Cuz it didn't work for me. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* * To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I am soo excited to see my little miracle!! Me-19 DH-21

05-15-2006, 06:16 PM	#48 (permalink)
elr3345 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 20 Points: 777.53 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 777.53 Donate	I also had success with Mary Kay products. I use the time wise cleanser, day and night solution, and moisturizer. I also use the acne treatment when it's necessary, which now is pretty rare.

05-23-2006, 11:45 AM	#49 (permalink)
klw208 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5 Points: 136.63 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 136.63 Donate	I too love the Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel... It has 5% Benzoyl Peroxide... Granted I don't use it like I should... but when I do my skin looks great. They also have a microderabrasion set that I absolutly LOVE! My skin feel so soft when I use it... When I remember to use it on a regular basis I notice that my pores appear smaller. To find an independent beauty consultant near you just go to www.marykay.com and at the top of the page it will have a link that says... click here to find an independent beauty consultant near you... Then you just enter your zip code and it will take you to the page of a consultant near you... Then you can shop till your heart's content.

08-22-2006, 11:18 PM	#51 (permalink)
alacarter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Conroe, TEXAS Posts: 12 Points: 776.50 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 776.50 Donate	I tried Proactive and it did nothing. I took acutane (for the second time) and it cleared my skin up wonderfully. Now I cleanse daily with Neutrogena Oil Free cleanser and i haven't had break outs for 1 year now!

09-02-2006, 02:19 AM	#52 (permalink)
lovemydog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5 Points: 284.45 Bank: 164.54 Total Points: 448.99 Donate	I use Brevoxyl wash, Tazorac at night, and Duac Topical Gel in the morning. I'm also on an antibiotic - Solodyn. I have only been on it about a month so I haven't seen any great improvements yet. I am SO SICK of having acne. I'm 30 years old!! I should've been done with acne 15 years ago. UGH!

10-09-2006, 06:24 PM	#54 (permalink)
nettaboola Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 12 Points: 967.94 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 967.94 Donate	I've tried pretty much everything (from IPL to medications) and what I found most helpful was prayer and the recommendations from acne.org. I wish I would have tried it earlier...I would have saves thousands of dollars. Its quick, simple, and cheap. A lil patience is needed, but after 2 weeks it's all worth it. I also increased my water intake, but that is recommended for every treatment.

01-03-2007, 06:25 PM	#56 (permalink)
christyc82 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 52 Points: 1,104.75 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,104.75 Donate	Proactive never worked for me..in fact nothing ever really has. I have very bad cystic acne, worse than anyone I know. My face just stays broken out around my chin, and hurts until they drain. They never really ever went away, just drained, stayed down a week maybe then flared back up. Same spots all the time. My face when Im cleared up looks like I have chickenpox because of all the red scars from this. My sister uses Mary Kay (she also has PCOS), but her breakouts have never been as bad as mine. For a while the natures cure pill was working, but i became immune to it. My doctor put me on benamycian...(spellin may be off), and that didnt work. My new doctor has me on spironolactone and solodyn with differin at night, and so far its great. My skin has been clearer than ever. Granted, its still a little broken out, but its only been 3 weeks. Im hoping this is the cure. This guy Im seeing knew I had PCOS just by looking at how I break out, I didnt have to mention it to him. So Im keeping my fingures crossed. And thank god for insurance because Id be forking out over $700 a month for these 3 prescriptions if not!

01-13-2007, 01:58 PM	#57 (permalink)
swissgirl 100% swiss Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 8 My Mood: Points: 357.40 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 357.40 Donate	Murad i've had some luck with proactive, but it really dried out my skin. now i've found murad acne products and LOVE them. it's expensive, but my skin has not felt or looked this nice in a long time. granted, i do not have terrible acne, but rather stubborn acne that was always in the same spot and would start from nothing in to a whole area of acne- chin, cheeks, forehead. the murad prodcuts smell nice (i don't have complaints from my guy about them "stinking"), feel nice (a sweet little tingle when using), and have given me quick results. i would highly recommend. -d

02-07-2007, 05:46 PM	#58 (permalink)
montana_in_la Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 190 My Mood: Points: 1,629.37 Bank: 23,976.88 Total Points: 25,606.25 Donate	swissgirl, I've been very happy with Murad too. I started using his Acne set in November, and now I'm using that (although I don't always use the moisturizer, my skin is oily enough I don't need too much), one of the eye creams and the pigment gel. I swear the hyperpigmentation is decreasing! A couple weeks ago I started using St. Ives apricot scrub (day and night), and that helps with the exfoliation a lot. Now, for the first time in my life, I only have a couple pimples to worry about, and the rest of my skin is clear! I can't wait until I see what my face looks like without pimples and red spots!

03-06-2007, 11:05 AM	#59 (permalink)
jenevieve92 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: At home. Posts: 5 My Mood: Points: 357.13 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 357.13 Donate	I'm not here to bash proactive or anything like that. But as far as I'm concerned you have about a 50 50 chance of it working. It either works really well for you or does nothing at all. I know a good twenty people who have tried it (including myself) and it has only worked for about two of them. So don't get your hopes up and by it on sale. lol.

04-03-2007, 08:51 AM	#60 (permalink)
phoebe_33 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lovely New Zealand, Down Under in the South Pacific Posts: 54 My Mood: Points: 369.34 Bank: 585.09 Total Points: 954.43 Donate	This will sound crazy but I've found aspirin the best skin treatment ever, and it's soooo cheap to buy. Aspirin is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, so that's why it works. It's what is in lots of those acne products we buy for so much $. I've had terrible skin for years and I've been using a couple aspirin dissolved in a tiny bit of water as a scrub (and/or as a mask for about 20mins) for nearly 3 weeks and my skin is starting to feel and look like real skin again. If you haven't had bad skin, then you just can't know how amazing that is!!! I got the tip from this site called makeupalley.com, where beauty products are reviewed by consumers. The aspirin mask is in the Most Popular section, and of nearly 900 reviews, 87% of people said they'd use it again. Yes it sounds crazy but it works really well!!!!

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