Anything to help w/ the horrible acne from PCOS?!?!

DLChic428 · 09-08-2009, 06:03 PM

Hi everyone!

I'm VERY new to the PCOS world... I just was diagnosed last week actually and I have mild acne that will just NOT go away with anything. I was wondering if there was anything anyone has found to work?! Face wash, vitamins, diet?! Anything?!

Happy Wife · 09-08-2009, 06:38 PM

I too have tried everything. I have more acne at 35 then during puberty! Has your doctor checked your insulin levels? The reason I ask is because that's one of the ways my doctor figured out there was something wrong. Because of my high insulin levels my doctor put me on metaformin and in the last two weeks since I have been on it I seem to have a little less acne and my facial hair growth has slowed and become thinner/lighter. My acne is effected by hormones. I can tell when I am about to get my visit from AF by how broken out my face is. If your acne problem is hormonal you are not going to be able to find a cleanser that will solve the problem. I found this out the hard way after spending way to much money on various cleansers and lotions. Just find what works best to keep your skin clean and do not use heavy make-ups that will clog your pores (use non comudogenic make-ups) I use St. Ives cleansing scrub (night) dove or other mild soap (morning) and Physicians Formula Make-up. Good luck

ivetastedflight · 09-08-2009, 07:57 PM

If you aren't trying to become pregnant, I would recommend trying a BCP. I heard that spiro helps, too.

I went to a dermatologist recently, and he gave me samples of Epiduo, which is a VERY effective (for me anyway) topical cream that I put on my face at night and rinse off in the morning. Between the Epiduo and Yaz, my SEVERE acne is all but gone.

I'd like to mention that seeing a dermatologist is not prohibitively expensive. Usually, the medications aren't too expensive, and most dermas will give PLENTY of samples. Call a derma and ask what an office visit runs and if they are accepting new patients. One of the best things I've done for myself recently.

AngelaGrace · 09-08-2009, 08:08 PM

I don't have much additional advice on this topic, but it's something I struggle with! I tried Proactive and it didn't do a darn thing!

Good Luck!

DLChic428 · 09-08-2009, 09:46 PM

Happy wife- I am actually getting blood work done in a few days. My GYN said I had to wait until C25 to get my insulin/hormone levels checked. Does that sound legit?! Hmm... about the Physician's formula... I will have to buy that because even Neutrogena does absolutely NOTHING for me!

ivetastedflight - We are actually TRYING to get pregnant but I'm not on BC nor using any protection, but who knows if it even matters because I get a regular period but don't ovulate, at least on my own. We aren't in any HUGE rush right now but if I got pregnant we'd be on cloud 9!!!!

AngelaGrace - I KNOW! It's SO frustrating. I haven't tried Proactiv but I've tried an equivalent, has done absolutely NOTHING for me...

Happy Wife · 09-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLChic428

Happy wife- I am actually getting blood work done in a few days. My GYN said I had to wait until C25 to get my insulin/hormone levels checked. Does that sound legit?! Hmm... about the Physician's formula... I will have to buy that because even Neutrogena does absolutely NOTHING for me!

ivetastedflight - We are actually TRYING to get pregnant but I'm not on BC nor using any protection, but who knows if it even matters because I get a regular period but don't ovulate, at least on my own. We aren't in any HUGE rush right now but if I got pregnant we'd be on cloud 9!!!!

AngelaGrace - I KNOW! It's SO frustrating. I haven't tried Proactiv but I've tried an equivalent, has done absolutely NOTHING for me...

I don't know about when they can check insulin levels but my high insulin and low progesterone (indicating no ovulation) were the signs that told my doctor what was wrong. I too get a regular period and have since I was 13 (28-30 days)

DLChic428 · 09-09-2009, 06:05 PM

That's so good to know someone else had regular period also! I see so many that have irregular periods w/ PCOS I kinda feel outta place. Is that a good sign that at least we're getting a regular period? It has to mean our hormones are in SOME type of normal cycle right or wrong?!

runner22 · 09-09-2009, 07:53 PM

I've had terrible acne for so many years, and spent so much money on medicines, facials, fancy soaps. Some have worked for a little while, but none have worked for longer than a few months (even BCPs!) In the past year though, I have cut dairy completely out of my diet for about 6 months (even things that have been cooked with dairy), then gradually started re-introducing it. My skin was NEVER better than when I had no dairy whatsoever--it was amazing, such a difference. It's a tough thing to do though, so I experimented a bit, and now I allow myself foods that have been cooked with dairy and one serving of dairy a day, max. I did a lot of research, and there are so many (even better) ways to get your fill of calcium--rice milk with cereal, vegetables, etc. I do get a couple zits now and then with a little bit of dairy, but it's usually also associated with the fact that I've had a lot of sugary/processed foods recently. I wish a dermatologist had suggested this before I spent hundreds or thousands of dollars trying to get rid of my acne. I use a good organic face wash now, nothing fancy at all. There is information all over the web about dairy and acne--check it out!

Happy Wife · 09-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLChic428

That's so good to know someone else had regular period also! I see so many that have irregular periods w/ PCOS I kinda feel outta place. Is that a good sign that at least we're getting a regular period? It has to mean our hormones are in SOME type of normal cycle right or wrong?!

I am hoping that the fact I do have a regular cycle will help me get my BFP soon now that I'm on clomid!

DLChic428 · 09-09-2009, 08:44 PM

runner22 - I have never heard that?! That is SO interesting... THANKYOU!!! I will do ANYTHING to get rid of this. So pretty much cutting out dairy, processed foods, and sugar I should see a huge result?! Definately worth a try!

Happy Wife - That is SO exciting! I wish you the best of luck... LOTS of baby dust

Jlynn329 · 09-09-2009, 08:58 PM

I too have tried everything for acne...the only thing that helps is the Murad brand for acne. My skin responds better to products with salcylic acid. Things with peroxide really break me out more.

Happy Wife · 09-09-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelbi1971

Well, I don't know yet if I have PCOS but the doc mentioned it and I have done blood work and U/S yesterday so hopefully some results in a few days. As for the acne mine is hormonal too. I do know when I will have a period as my face will flare up and my acne got worse after I had my daughter and the next and has never got better and that was 19 years ago! I did not have acne as a teen!!! It is horrible being 38 and a face like a teen. My doctor put me on an antibiotic and it is basically gone. Now, when done this after 2 months we will see what happens! Never knew that acne was a sign of PCOS and until last week when I went to the doctor I did not even know what PCOS was!! My period is sort of regular as to time usually but to how it is going to be that month is not regular... mystery every month!!

I was in the same boat I did not know what PCOS was until July when my first set of blood tests came back and my doctor told me she didn't think I had PCOS and that was a good thing. I asked her what PCOS was and she explained it to me. She sent me in for more blood work and when those results came back they called and said they wanted to see me asap because they thought that I did have PCOS and wanted to get me on medication right away (she is very proactive). That's when I went home and really looked into what PCOS was and the symptoms. At first I was extremely upset but the more I read the more things began to make sense. There was now a reason for my acne, hair growth, weight gain/difficulty loosing, and no BFP for almost two years! I have been on Metaforin for just over 2 weeks and my face is clearer, my hair growth is slower/lighter, and I have lost 10 pounds.

JoyannaWants2BaMommy · 09-09-2009, 11:27 PM

DLChic, the one thing that works for me is low carb dieting, cut out sugar definately, and most white foods like bread, and fries, and stuff. my skin can handle me eating a little bread and stuff, but sugar just makes it horrible. i had real bad cystic acne and low carbing with metformin helped ALOT. i have been back on the sugar wagon thanks to baby loving OJ and iced oatmeal cookies, so im breaking out again! even being pg, it is my diet!

DLS_RN · 09-14-2009, 10:14 AM

Is the Epiduo something you can use while pregnant? I remember using Retin-A when I was a teenager and was told not to get pg b/c it could harm the baby. Anything like that for this new one, because I'm desperate to clear up my skin.

Cristy0316 · 09-14-2009, 01:50 PM

hi everyone, im a medical esthetician.. in short a skin care specialist. in my experience, over the counter meds for acne just make things worse, your skin has something called a "hydrolipidic barrier" which protects your skin from harmful bacteria but if you scrub all that away your skin is more at risk for breakouts.. what i would recommend is a gentle wash with alpha hydroxy acid such as glycolic. or a beta hydroxy acid such as salicylic. morning and night. it is CRUCIAL to moisturize, to regulate your PH after using an acid for correcting. there are tons of very light weight noncomedogenic creams out there!!! one line in particular that i loooove is CLENZIDERM by OBAGI it works miracles!