Skin

[softparody]

I am so fed up with my skin. I tend to get the occasional spot on my chin, but lately [past 3 months] it's been getting worse and worse, and I'm getting them on my forhead too. I've always had bad skin, and the only time it was ever clear what when I was put on Dianette, but you can only take that for a year and then you implode.

I've had all sorts of topical creams prescribed, store bought stuff, pills and nothing seems to work, and of course the whole 'keep hydrated, exercise, eat well' etc thing.

Anyone got any spectacular recommendations they can make?

Sarah xx

[fallen_nemesis]

my skin goes mental when I drink lots of booze and when I eat junk food.

It improved lots by going on the contraceptive pill though

Beyond that I can't think of anything else I'm afraid other than trying to not wear foundation a lot or other make up products on your skin everyday

[alice_in_a_maze]

A dermalogica prescriptive facial, then using the products recommended.
Some of the best money I ever spent.

[Rowsbette]

Originally Posted by fallen_nemesis

It improved lots by going on the contraceptive pill though

Same here, though I'd always heard it made your skin worse.

[fallen_nemesis]

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

Same here, though I'd always heard it made your skin worse.

same haha

my mood swings got worse too not better

[softparody]

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

Same here, though I'd always heard it made your skin worse.

Weelll.... Dianette was a contraceptove pill. Sort of.

I never wanted to go on the pill JUST because of my skin, so when I was 18 and decided I was going to start having sex, I went and asked to go on the pill and said I wanted one that a) stopped me having babies b) cleared up my skin and c) battled my heavy periods [christ, I am a big sexpot, aren't I?] so he gave me Dianette and it really worked, my skin was so nice and clear and spotless.
Then after about a year I had to go to Sandyford to get my refill instead of my doctor and they said they didn't give it because Dianette isn't actually a contraceptive anymore, it's just prescribed for spots etc and has contraceptive properties, and after a year you have to stop because it's really dangerous.

Since then I've been on Cileste and it's not great for my skin but I don't think it's made it any worse.

Sarah xx

[hotblonde]

You might have comedonal acne. Sounds worse than it is; it's a mild acne, but can be aggravated by hormones, so may be worse just before and during your menses. Generally spots, whiteheads, etc on the chin & forehead and the treatment of choice was dianette if I remember rightly. Retinoid creams can work really well or a topical antibiotic or combination therapy with both. You mentioned you've already been prescribed medication and nothing worked..can you remember what you've tried?

Alcohol, stress, smoking, lack of sleep (all the usual suspects) can make skin worse but eating chocolate, fried foods, etc doesn't give you spots; bit of a myth that one. Some people can react to certain foods but that is generally an intolerance (to additives, colourings, flavourings) more so than eating a bad diet. It's an extreme suggestion, but cutting them out, might help.

I can't think of any natural type remedies, but I'm a bit dubious with them as I don't feel they're regulated very well in the UK.

[Adele]

I was prescribed roaccutane when referred to a dermatologist, which worked brilliantly.

[softparody]

Originally Posted by hotblonde

You might have comedonal acne. Sounds worse than it is; it's a mild acne, but can be aggravated by hormones, so may be worse just before and during your menses. Generally spots, whiteheads, etc on the chin & forehead and the treatment of choice was dianette if I remember rightly. Retinoid creams can work really well or a topical antibiotic or combination therapy with both. You mentioned you've already been prescribed medication and nothing worked..can you remember what you've tried? .

Right, I've had Dianette which worked, 2 topical antibiotics [one began with a Z was in a bottle with a sponger bit to apply it like those glue bottles in school, the other was a roll on one. apparently the only things they prescribe as topical for spots] The pills were all yonks ago so I can't remember what they were, I remember taking red pills though.

Originally Posted by hotblonde

Alcohol, stress, smoking, lack of sleep (all the usual suspects) can make skin worse but eating chocolate, fried foods, etc doesn't give you spots; bit of a myth that one. Some people can react to certain foods but that is generally an intolerance (to additives, colourings, flavourings) more so than eating a bad diet. It's an extreme suggestion, but cutting them out, might help.

I can't think of any natural type remedies, but I'm a bit dubious with them as I don't feel they're regulated very well in the UK.

I veeery rarely drink alcohol, and when I do it's never very much, I don't smoke but I am around a lot of second hand smoke, I work in a call centre and when I get a frustrating customer I always end up rubbing my face. Sleep wise I'm ok despite insomnia for the past 2 weeks but that's not made a difference to my skin.

Now that you mention intolerances, I have a sneaking suspicion I might have some sort of lactose intolerance. I got attacked with crazy sinusitus about a year and a half ago, my head swelled up and I was in so much pain it was unbearable, and since then my inuses never really recovered, and I notice that sometimes after I eat or drink some stuff, above my eyebrows gets all swollen and achey, but I've never got round to sorting a food diary to figure out the pattern.

Sarah xx

Originally Posted by Adele

I was prescribed roaccutane when referred to a dermatologist, which worked brilliantly.

Is roaccutane something you've had to continue taking to stop your skin from breaking out? Does your doctor refer you to a dermatologist? I'd quite like that but I imagine it'd be procey if you went yourself.

Sarah xx

[Adele]

Aye, I'd had other stuff from the doctor that didn't work, and I kept on at them so they referred me. It cleared mine up really well, so I don't have to take it anymore, the only thing is that it dries your skin out a bit when you're on it, but that's easily sorted.

[hotblonde]

Food diaries are great ideas. NO so easy to keep up as I've found out many times, but using things like private blogs can make it easier especially if you're online at least once a day. You'd be amazed at just how many people are lactose intolerant btw. You've maybe not had a topical retinoid; your G.P. can advise if they'd work for you (they're worth a go IMO) - can't remember market names, but something with vitamin A (tretinoin) or adapolene. Adele's suggestion ^^^ is a topical retinoid.

[softparody]

Originally Posted by Adele

Aye, I'd had other stuff from the doctor that didn't work, and I kept on at them so they referred me. It cleared mine up really well, so I don't have to take it anymore, the only thing is that it dries your skin out a bit when you're on it, but that's easily sorted.

Lovely, thanks! Think I might make an appointment at the doctor next week.

Sarah xx

Originally Posted by hotblonde

Food diaries are great ideas. NO so easy to keep up as I've found out many times, but using things like private blogs can make it easier especially if you're online at least once a day. You'd be amazed at just how many people are lactose intolerant btw. You've maybe not had a topical retinoid; your G.P. can advise if they'd work for you (they're worth a go IMO) - can't remember market names, but something with vitamin A (tretinoin) or adapolene. Adele's suggestion ^^^ is a topical retinoid.

I think I'm going to have to write all this down....too many big words for my brain haha.

I tend to have most of my food in work, only eat dinner and night time snack at home so I think I might by a wee small diary that's easy to carry arounf so I can log everything I have.

Oh I'm beginning to feel quite positive about it all.

Sarah xx

[hotblonde]

Common side effect from retinoids are dryness (as Adele experienced) and reactions to UV so be careful in the sun if you do end up getting them. A dermatologist will obviously advise all this, but sometimes your G.P. will just give you the prescription is they feel the medication suits. Good luck!

[Fren]

Originally Posted by Adele

I was prescribed roaccutane when referred to a dermatologist, which worked brilliantly.

Same here. I used to have really, really bad acne. After a course of Roaccutane my skin was like new! the dry skin is innevitable, though just your normal E45 moisturiser sorts you out for the day