stubborn acne

Babs · 09-23-2003, 12:41 AM

Just diagnosed with PCOS a little over a month ago, and my doctor started me on Metformin...I'm only up to 1/2 the full dose right now, so I'm still not sure if my acne will eventually be cleared up once my hormones aren't out of whack anymore. I used to have acne problems when I was younger, took Accutane twice, and have used Retin-A ever since, which has worked really well for me. I don't usually have many problems with the skin on my face, but I've recently started having acne in weird places....on my upper back (haven't had that in years!), sometimes on my neck, but the most stubborn is on my upper thighs. They're small red bumps, kinda look like ingrown hairs or infected blemishes (sometimes they hurt), and I've tried everything....antibacterial cream, antibacterial soap (Dial), Benzoyl peroxide wash, exfoliating with a BuffPuff, RetinA, even rubbing alcohol, but I keep getting new ones, and there's still a red spot even once they're gone. ARGH!!! If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it. I still plan on seeing my dermatologist, figured I'd check to see if a Cyster had any insider info first. Thanks a lot

Chrissy · 10-27-2003, 10:19 AM

Yep I had that, it was horrible during pregnancy!!! I use birth control pills to help mine. Mine is especially bad on my neck and upper back. I ever get it on my shoulders at times. My face is also affected but since I use great products it helps that alot. I use cetaphyl in the winter and exfoliate with baking soda mixed in like a little paste a couple times a week. Works wonders for the dead skin stuck around the little pimples. Everyone thinks its a rash but no its acne, confirmed by the dermatologist. I also use benzoil peroxide faithfully to help prevents and clear acne. Watch out it stains your clothes on your back and chest area. The best pills I've used were ones containing desogestrel and demulin. Good luck.

Babs · 10-28-2003, 01:02 AM

Hi Chrissy, Thanks for your reply.....I've seen my dermatologist, and it seems like it might be clearing up. BUt your suggestions are great (and yeah I've definitely bleached some towels with the stupid benzoyl peroxide!), worth a shot.

Shellyb · 10-30-2003, 12:28 AM

Please let me know what you end up trying.

I have tried everything,& still have acne at 31yrs old. It started when I was 10 shortly after menses began. It has changed locations but is now concentrated at my temples, chin and chest area.

I have taken anitbiotics, Tstat pads, differin gel, various BCPs, benzoil Rx gel & creams, Clean & Clear, Lush soap, Neutorgena, tea tree oils, lavendar oils, with Hazel, Rubbing alcohol, toothapaste, salycylic acids topicals, injections from Drs, and Accutane etc. etc.

Nothing has worked long term

I swear I 've spent thousands on various treatments. I mostly have small read bumps with white & black heads. Occasionally, I get the ones that are way down in the skin & get huge ( cystic?)

Most soaps dry out my skin, (it's combination) I'm tired of seeing Drs. who keep pushing various Rx at me & end up switching to the latest thing 2 months later anyway.

Obviously, I have a hormone imbalance, ( I guess due to the possible PCOS?) which is why the topicals & Rxs only work short term.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Chrissy · 10-30-2003, 09:52 AM

I know how horrible acne can be especially as you get older. I am 38 and it can be as bad or worse as when I was younger. The pills that have helped my skin the most were demulin and those containing desogestrel. The drug aldactone also helped me with acne and oil production. I am going to start avandia on a trial basis to treat my pcos and will be leaving my safety net of bc pills and spiro behind for awhile. This is frightening to me since my skin is clear for the first time in my life. I plan to use proactiv during the trial since I've had good luck in the past with it. Maybe there is something to the insulin thing, even though I'm thin and don't test very IR. Well here goes. I'll keep you posted on how it affects my skin. It can't be worse than pregnancy!!! Try to get in with a compasssionate RE and get on the PCOS treatments. If you haven't tried the bc pills I listed above give them a shot! GOod Luck!

Chris