File :-(, x, )
acne Anonymous !tr.t4dJfuU
Pic related but definitely not me.

I recently have come to the realization that I may have a serious acne problem. Through adolescence, I just assumed it was a hormonal phase I would pass through, but now that I'm no longer underage b& I'm beginning to wonder if it may be a serious problem. My acne isn't especially thick, but it is pretty recurring.

My facial maintenance generally involves washing my face in the morning and evening with soap and water, and I do have topical cream that I spread on any active sites. But given that this has been something I've been going through for the last five years, I'm not sure whether it's time to see if I should try something oral. (Does oral acne medication even exist?)

Anyway, I'm pretty much clueless on this subject, so any information you can provide would be helpful.
>> Anonymous
go see a doctor. i had terrible acne too, but right now it has calmed down a lot. since i come from a third world country never knew there was a treatment for me, so i got scars.
>> Anonymous
What kind of foods do you eat? They say that junk food brings on acne.
>> Anonymous
for the love of GOD go to a dermatologist NAO


... that being said, I knew someone who tried Proactiv with reasonable success. He wasn't as clear as the people in the commercial, but it definitely helped.
>> Anonymous
>>4148
>Does oral acne medication even exist?
Yes. It will fuck up your liver and possibly kill you.
>> Anonymous
I was told by a crackwhore once to stop drinking soda for a week. I don't know why, but it worked.
>> Anonymous
Dr. Theres actually pills for bad acne. I had REALLY bad acne around 12-15. I went to the Dr the beginning of the summer holidays when I was 15, went back to school and people actually REALLY noticed the difference.

IF you've got a bad problem no matter how much you scrub its not going to help. Get it under control by going to the Dr however THEN get a good cleanliness regime in place.
>> Anonymous
>>4162
Okay, seriously, ARE there any potential side-effects of oral acne medication?
>> Anonymous
A simple strong H2SO4 solution every night should clear it up in about a week
>> Anonymous
>>4153
>>4161

and oral acne treatments (at least the prescription ones) are very risky/harmful
>> Anonymous
Get some acutane.
>> Anonymous
Acutane is the world leading acne drug right now, i took it a couple years ago and within weeks every single pimple you have goes away and stays away. However I live in Canada so our healthcare covers it but be prepared to spend almost 600 dollars a month if you dont have good healthcare. And about all the liver shit, dont worry, i was fine, they do blood tests just to make sure you arent getting fucked up, its the greatest pill you will ever take.
>> ?suomynonA?
See a doctor.

And I'm surprised that you're not using some sort of exfoliant.
>> Anonymous
One of the main things that can cause you to breakout believe it or not is dairy products. You dont have to completely cut them off just moderately have them.

Dont use handsoap(like dial or barsoap), it causes the skin to dry out too much and can leave the acne to scar.

Like the others have said, see a doctor. I have been taking Solodyn by mouth and Ziana for topical and things are looking clearer for me. (btw i had horrible acne).
>> Anonymous
>>4169
YES. My cousin has permanent internal damage from using it. Something's wrong with his stomach or something I think. He's miserable all the time. DONT DO IT.
>> Anonymous
stop with the soap.
Get a washing emulsion that keeps your skin in balance which means ph 5.5.
The less additives the better.
Soap destroys your skins defense and you get acne.

Secondly: sun helps. Don't overdo it, a bit is enough to activate your skin.

Thirdly: Medicine is optional: A BPO (benzoylperoxid) product will help greatly, but has sideeffects.
For one it bleaches clothing (wear white) and secondly, maybe it can cause cancer.
>> Anonymous
>>4169
Yes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotretinoin#Adverse_effects
>> Anonymous
Anyone who is affect negatively from oral acne treatments had a weak body and/or mind in the first place
>> Anonymous
Seriously, op, get accutane, if you dont believe a board of anon go see a dermatologist, they will recommend it to you, seriously, it is the pill that will honestly make you happier
>> Anonymous
>>4162

yeah i was on that mediacation along with other medication that messes up your liver. I went to the doctor the other day in a new city and they said your only supposed to be on it for 6 months max. Id been on for two years, I shat brix. So I stopped.

It did clear up the problem though, ask for minocycline, it really worked for me.
>> Anonymous
don't take the pill.
get the cream. all over your face before you go to bed.

2 weeks later epic win. it's called duac.
>> Anonymous
>>4210
acccutane > minocycline, seriously ive taken like 8 different acne drugs over the years and accutane is the only one that permanately worked
>> Anonymous
>>4169

There are potential side effects to every fucking drug you take.
>> Anonymous
>>4216

Pill > Cream

apart from the liver thing (its very rare I had 2 liver messing up drugs and Im fine) it works a charm. Nothing seemed to work, tried loads of scrubs, cleansing, creams, stuff from doctor. No improvement. tried the pill my self esteem went rocketing up as they cleared up in a month or two.

But it depends on your skintype I guess.
>> Anonymous
Facial scrub is good.
Eating healthy, getting vitamins and exercise is also good, in general as well as for acne.
Sleep is essential as well.
Soap can make your skin dry, which will only make it produce more stuff to compensate. Make sure you use a ph-neutral soap.
>> Anonymous !tr.t4dJfuU
OP here. About the scrubbing with soap, I usually use liquid handsoap, but that's usually with the intent of getting dirt off the face so that it doesn't clog pores, so it's mostly preventative in that sense. (I don't scrub my face with soap if I have an active breakout.)

I don't eat a lot of chocolate or pizza, but I do drink large quantities of milk. However, I've been told by several of my profs that dairy products do not increase risk of acne (haven't done any research myself).
>> Anonymous
>>4171

whilst you're clearly trolling, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) is in most skin creams.
>> Anonymous
>>4222

I guess it depends on your skin, minocycline cleared it up for me.

Best thing to do is go and chat to a doctor, dont be embarassed it happens to loads of people. After a while on medication, you'll feel so much better, its such a relief.
>> Anonymous
I've been on Acutane, it didn't work and it makes you depressed. It is scary stuff.

I've had severe acne for a long time and the only thing that has worked is;

Benzoyal Peroxide 2.5%.

Try it.

Stop killing your skin.
>> Teadrinker
Facewash and little soap bars from Oxy are crazy powerful. Great at drying that stuff out. My acne got kind of bad a few months ago, but antibiotics cleared it up really nice. Personally, I don't really treat my acne outside the shower with those Oxy products, and they keep it under control fine.
>> Anonymous
I've never had problems with facial acne, but I have had problems with acne on my chest and upper back. Although it hasn't been active recently, I'm sort of in the same boat as the OP and wouldn't some help on the subject (or at least some links for independent research).
>> Anonymous
>>4239and it makes you depressed
No, this was because your life is shit in the first place
>> Anonymous
drink a shit load of water each day.
i chug a pint or two a couple of times a day.

good for all of you as well as your face.
>> Anonymous
>>4237
Just because it contains the same elements doesn't mean that it's chemically similar; look at sodium chloride which most of us consume in absolutely vast quantities.
>> Anonymous
>>4239

> I've been on Acutane, it didn't work and it makes you depressed. It is scary stuff.

Oh god, stop generalising, it'll be different for different people. It worked awesomely for me, so don't scare people off it. Only problem is that my back is horribly scarred now anyway :\
>> Anonymous
Its in the Acutane information. Read it.
>> Anonymous
>>4256

no but the skin creams do actually contain hydrogen peroxide. hence the bleaching of clothes/towels and the reason they expire after a month or two. 2 H202 -> 2H20 + 02

even wiki has this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H2o2#Therapeutic_use
>> Anonymous
I feel your pain OP...

I'm on minocycline now but its not a huge help. I think my acne is mainly from stress and I'm too used to acidic creams on active spots, those stopped working long ago. I just use a cream to wash my face every morning/night and several times a day with just water...

Acne really fucked me up, these days I can't even look at people directly when I'm talking and my self esteem really shrank. I used to be a lot more happy and had a lot more friends. I figure it's the wrath of God.
>> Anonymous
Accutane can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.

Do you really want to take such a thing?
I'd prefer not to.
>> Anonymous
>>4237
Are you suggesting that H2O2 is more corrosive than H2SO4?
>> Anonymous
>>4289
>if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.
>mother takes the medication during pregnancy.
>medication during pregnancy.
>during pregnancy.

>pregnancy.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Stop using creams or medications etc until you see a dermotologist.

Cut out greesy foods and soda, replace both with bottled water.

Wash your face in the shower with whatever soap you prefer and wash again in the shower the same way if you shower twice.

The bigger cause of acne is pissing your skin off with aggrivated cleaning and treatment creams (especially switching between them often)

Clean your face regularly. Dont pop any of them. Drink lots of water (eat healthier as in no heavy greasy foods) and your skin will clear up in time.

Dont get discouraged. The idea is to let it get Used to something. Give it time and it'll balance things out on its own.

If you dont get results in a month or two, see a dermatologist to check for something more serious.


BIGGEST MISTAKE I EVER MADE AS A TEEN WAS TRYING DIFFERENT SHIT TO CURE MY ACNE EVERY WEEK!
>> Anonymous
I simply got Proactive..worked great for me. I honestly do think soda can give you acne. Lots of people I know and work with disagree, but when I cut it out of my life, my acne stopped showing up rapidly.
>> Anonymous
If you get rid of them and are left some with red marks or even some scars then get some aqua glycolic.
>> Anonymous
i used a weak % of Benzoyal Peroxide dont remember the exact % but it works really well for me. The first week i used it my skin became irritated and i actually got more spots but the following week my skin was pretty clear. Im cba to use it now but if i ever get a spot i just put that shit on my face and it clears up overnight. Get the weakest % Benzoyal Peroxide and use only once a day, make sure you moisturize about 10 mins after use or you will look like a snake sheding its skin.

ps. drink water and do some exercise you pizza face
>> Anonymous
>I'm not sure whether it's time to see if I should try something oral.
>I'm not sure whether it's time to see if I should try something oral.
>I'm not sure whether it's time to see if I should try something oral.

Proactiv didn't work at all for me and was a waste of money also it' s a racket they just keep sending stuff after you asked them to stop and charge you for it. I called and got belligerent and they just turned the bill over to a collection agency.
They can fuck themselves.
>> Anonymous
TCP on cotton wool on your face.
every night before you go to bed.
stings a bit but works a treat.
>> Anonymous
I used to be pretty pimpley, but after cutting my sugar intake drastically my face is doing much much better. Pigging out on sugar still makes me break out. So if you eat a lot of sweets, especially chocolate and cookies with insane caloric content, I'd try cutting back and seeing what happens.
>> Anonymous
Seriously, isotretinoin (AKA Accutane/Sotret/etc.) is not ALL THAT bad. True, long list of side effects, but some of them are rare. I was kind of like OP (acne never too bad, but it never went away). I'm on my third month of Accutane now, and I barely have any acne. Biggest complaint: my skin is pretty dry.

Also, you have to get monthly blood tests (dude to side effects), and that's kind of a pain. Go see a dermatologist.
>> Anonymous
>>4376
Ditto. I've had some success using a 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream once daily, but I still have some bad backne, and still get the occasional outbreak on the face. Unfortunately, I've come to accept that without seeing a doctor, I will always suffer from acne.

Too bad I don't have the benefit of being underaged B& like everybody else here and being on mommy and daddies health care plan ;_;
>> Anonymous
This thread has convinced me to set up an appointment and push for accutine. Thanks anon.
>> Anonymous
I remember a couple guys I went to school with got some kind of shot from their doctor and it pretty much cleared up all the acne.

That being said I'm no doctor and you should probably see yours to get a proper advice on what to do.
>> Anonymous
i took accutane, it sucks, but it works, and looking back on it im glad i took it.

just promise yourself you wont kill yourself till after you are off it, cuz it can fuck with you

the dry skin during it sucks too but just get chapstick


i repeat, it is worth it.
>> Anonymous
I took roacutan (isotretinoin) and didn't have blood tests on a monthly basis! It's way more important to check how you are BEFORE the drug - if healthy, u can certainly take it for 3 months or more. Dry skin wasn't my main issue; i complained of xerophtalmia instead - dry eyes, and a bit of light intolerance.
Diet suggestions are oftenly heard, however they are not scientifilly supported. However, considering how so many of them likely culprits aren't exactly fat-free (chocolate and chips is what i hear most often), and my dermatologist did recomend a diet switch (cut on fats. period!), it's not a bad idea. Don't confuse acne with infected blisters from food alergy - you can get that from all sorts of foods, even vegetable. It's different.
Remember, can't go without an excelent facial hygiene - it's caused by bacteria, so get rid of the nasty buggers. Equilibrium must be reached in order to avoid offending the skin, but in this situation you should be able to tell a difference (unlike with the fats vs alergy back there): scaly skin? overzealousness. Oily skin? Needs better cleasing.
I have no personal experience with antibiotics, but it's no big deal having to take them as pills at all.
Final word: THE SUN. Beware!!! Attention!!! Warning!!! Be extremely careful as the sun can help your acne indeed, but greatly damage the skin IF you're taking medication... from antibiotics like minocycline to accutane itself!!!
>> Anonymous
>>4277

*Sigh* You should not put acid on your face.
(Good) Creams for acne contain Benzoyl Peroxide, there has been no recorded case of bacterial resistence to BP, ever.
Use Duac as someone said, it is brilliant if you stick with it.
The key is persistance.
Anyway, i wont go on a big rant about skincare as it looks like everything has been covered already.
>> Anonymous
I once had severe acne so I was proscribed minocyclin which is an oral pill.
Also duac and differin which were creams
>> Anonymous
>>4313
pH is not a measure of corrosiveness.
>> Anonymous
yea
i have the same problem
i mean, it's not extremely bad but you know..I wash my face every day and i've been through several different kinds of prescriptions.

including 3 different kinds of creams, and one sort of pill.

ooooooh well. it's probably my diet. i don't eat very healthfully, so i think that's it. i think i'll try to cut down on soda..and everything else. lulz.
>> Anonymous
>>4148
One word man, Doxicyclene. I started taking this for back acne, and it wound up clearing my face off completely. Only problem is, if you don't do EXACTLY what the doctor tells you, you can wind up with an ulcer on your esophagus. I didn't eat for almost a week, and drank water in sips. Totally worth it though.
>> Anonymous
Ok OP my face used to look like the one in the pic a year ago.

What worked for me is giving up on junk and oily foods and drinking 4 liters of water a day, trust me when you work out you'll end up drinking that much water easily.

Also wash your face a bunch of times a day.
>> Anonymous
I am a fatass... Yet I manage to avoid acne...

You all fail(with skin) >_<
>> Anonymous
>>5231
you're a faggot

>>5212
you speak truth, same story for me
>> Anonymous
Wow, so much bad advise in this thread...
My acne several years WAS EXACTLY like the OP's pic, and it boils down to routine. I also took about six different meds for it (acutane being the clincher that worked), but I think it was less the acutane, and more the fact that I started washing my sheets every week, showering every morning, and washing my face thoroughly, not often as is usually recommended. My back took about 3 weeks to completely clear up after this began, and my face was a week later.

I already had scarring before the acne, so couldn't tell you about stopping that, but what I can say is that over-the-counter products are a waste of money. Get a pill AND stop being dirty.
>> Anonymous
Okay kid here's the deal
Accutaine is fine (and as for the pregnancy shit, for heavens sake, if you're female they force you to get a test to make sure you're not pregnant before giving the shit to you), my sister went through 2 courses and it cleared her up. One course should do you for life, 2 if your acne is really bad.

As for you OP, I can't see your specific acne, but some people actually get it from drying out their skin TOO Much. You also should NOT use hand soap. USE FACE SOAP FOR HEAVENS SAKE. Its gentler.

Best thing: go to a clinique counter (yes they sell stuff for men) and ask if you can get your skin analyzed. They'll try to sell you this whole system or whatever, but all you need is the soap. once you figure out your type of skin you can keep using their soap (I love it and never have problems) or buy soap for a similar skin type at a drugstore. I've found that most adults who have zits are either really oily and unclean or dry out their face too much. Anyway, what it boils down to is use good soap, use it at least once a day, wash your hair and body once a day (yes this helps) and rinse your face a few times daily. Soap more often if you have greasy skin. Use *FACIAL* moisturizer if you have dry skin after you soap it up to prevent more ick. Avoid sugar and too much dairy. Don't pop, or if you pop, pop ONLy when the zit looks like its about to explode anyway or you'll get big ol' cysts that make more zits and are really painful. Clean your sheets weekly. Never wear the same shirt twice. Clean your towels. And if that don't work, get the pills.

Your self confidence is worth it.

GOOD LUCK.
>> Anonymous
>>5385
Oh also, if you have back zits, wash your pjs often.
my boyfriend wonders why he has 'em, and he doesn't get it when I point to his favorite (and very unwashed) sleepshirt.
>> Hammerknife !7ITukp3Pj2
I just realized that clear skin is a wonderful thing. I looked at the bathroom in the co-op I'm in and realized how many facial soaps and blackhead strips there are for my housemates, while I don't use anything.

I just squeeze out blackheads once a week and pop the occasional zit.
>> Anonymous
This should be obvious, but are you washing your face with skin care pads twice a day?
>> Anonymous
ITT: Genetic failures.
>> Anonymous
If you're a chick, birth control helps out.

Use lye soap, best thing pilgrims ever invented.

Wash your pillow covers oftern, the oils get trapped in and just go back on your face.
>> Anonymous
Im a chick, and an old trick I use is to put toothpaste (Not gel, original toothpaste) on your blemishes before you sleep and then wash it off in the morning.
>> Anonymous
>>4148
bacon is not a pillow.
>> U_CB
>>5668
Heh same here. It really helps.
>> Anonymous
I use neutrogena face wash 2 times a day, keeps that shit at bay.

I hear acnefree works wonders (and is only 20+ bucks) but leaves you dry.

oh and PROTIP: a bit of hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of water and dabbed on freshly popped zits will shrink the suckers (stings though)
>> Anonymous
I can't believe nobody in this thread has suggested taking zinc supplements.

No health risks, very inexpensive and it works.
>> Anonymous
Proactive didn't work for me, neither did minocycline or doxycycline, doctor says next step is seeing a dermatologist, but I'm seriously starting to think I'm never going to get rid of them.

I shower twice a day, don't eat shit food, and exercise reguarly. Shit sux.
>> Anonymous
Clearasil exfoliating wash. Good for acne and ingrown hairs.
>> Anonymous
>>5168
Holy fuck, exactly what happened to me.

I first time I took the stuff, whenever I would eat, there would be immense amounts of pain in my chest. Strangely enough I didn't link the two, my doctor never warned me. Eventually my acne went away and I stopped taking it. It came back the following year so I decided to start taking them again, and that same pain for about a week. It is really terrible. Makes eating miserable.
>> Anonymous
>>5815
>The first time

I really need to proof read what I type
>> Anonymous
Some good ways to get rid of Acne are...

Take Omega 3 Fish Oil Pills- This is very good for you, you need to keep a balanced omega-3 omega-6 ratio.

High doses of Vitamin B5 aka Pantothentic acid, around 5-10grams a day.- This will make you body produce more coenzyme-A, which digests fats. Dor many acne and greasy faces are caused by excess fat being pushed up through your pores, which clogs them.

Water- THE ABSOLUTE BEST antioxidant for your body

CUT THE SUGAR- sugar, and other simple carbs spike insulin and cause hormonal imbalances, which is a common cause for acne.

Acne Free 'Severe' face wash has worked well for me, and it's only $20 at walmart.

Just make sure to use a face specific cleanser. Regular soap causes your face to become really dry, then you will produce excess oil to compensate for the dryness, not good.

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>> Anonymous
Wash your face every night before you go to bed with facial soap. Use an astringent afterwards. Apply it on the cotton ball then just wipe your face down with it. Then you can use any kind of acne creams etc. Make sure that you change the towel you dry your face with every two or three days. And change your bedsheets ever 2 or so weeks. Clean pillowcase = epic win.


You'll be rollin' in the pussy in no time.