My acne just wont go away, no matter what I do, any help please?

Question

Im now 18 years old, Ive had acne since I was roughly 13. Ive tried Proactiv for over a year and did nothing. Ive tried benzoyl peroxide treatments for several months and did nothing. Ive tried Murad for several months and did nothing. Ive tried Retin-A and did nothing (positive) for me. Ive tried doxycycline and did nothing. Im so desperate for a clear face, it just seems to get worse with each passing day. Every few hours I look in the mirror and I have a few new whiteheads. Its ridiculous and I would do anything for it to disappear. I am in the Navy and am forbidden to take Accutane due to my rating, so Im SOL there. Im just looking for something, anything to help me out. If anyone has any advice or remedies of any sort, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

Answer 1

I am a Registered Nurse and I specialize in skin care and teen acne.

After 12 years in this profession I find that most of my patients who deal with acne or brekout problems DO NOT SEE RESULTS from commercial products sold at drung stores or the mall. They usually contain too much benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur which tends to OVER DRY the skin and cause itching or irritations.

Also, home remedies such as lemon juice or alcohol or toothpaste SHOULD NEVER BE USED because they cause small tears in the skin and leave the skin more susceptible to bacteria that causes pimples or acne.

Your question is very broad and you need to get professional advice. I will explain why it's a broad question!

Your age plays a role! Do you always have breakouts?

However, acne can result from several factors such an increase in hormone levels. In males testosterone or androgens. In females, androgens respectively. The increase in androgen levels can stimulate the oil glands to become enlarged and thus more oil production is produced. An increased oil production can clog the pores with oil or sebum ( white thick substance) which cause the cell walls of the pores in the skin to breakdown. This process allows bacteria to form and thus breakouts develop.

Genetics may also be a cause. It is a myth that greasy food or chocolate causes breakouts.

However, using make-up sponges that are not changed or washed often can contaminate the pores with bacteria which may develop into acneic breakouts.

Teenagers going through hormonal and growth changes are prone to acne.

If you have severe breakouts than you might need medication. There are many factors.

The most important thing is that you need products that are AGE APPROPRIATE! Every age group has different products appropriate for them. If you are young than you need milder products as to not dry out your beautiful young skin.

The problem with commercial skin products is that they are manufactured for MASSES OF PEOPLE and are not specifically made for different peoples' needs.

Your skin type is different than mine and your age differs from mine so how is it logical that we both use the same skin product for breakouts. We need different strengths of cleansers and toners. Do you kind of understand what I am getting at?

Here is my STRONG SUGGESTION for you. I refer all my students and patients to this website:

www.aboutyourskincare.com

You need to consult with professionals and on this website YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS FOR FREE AND A SKIN EXPERT/PHYSICIAN WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. It would be a shame if you dont take advantage of this free service.

Lastly, they have incredible products for breakouts and they make them specifically for every kind of skin type. That means that if your breakouts are more severe than mine, than while we both will buy the same product yours will have stronger ingredients than mine will.

They have a mild glycolic acid cleanser that's great for your type of skin and also a DRYING LOTION ( I have 3 bottles) that you put directly on your breakouts and the next day it's gone. It's truely magic in a bottle.

A basic guideline for properly taking care of your skin is this ( now if you're a young girl you will need fewer products than this):

Night time:

1. Exfoliate the skin

2. Mild Glycolic Acid Cleanser

3. Mild Glycolic Acid Toner ( cleans off the excess debris and balances the PH level of the skin).

4. Drying Lotion used only on breakouts

5. Moisturizer

Morning:

1. Mild Glycolic Acid Cleanser

2. Moisturizing cream

The above is a standard you may need to only use one or two products. Visit: www.aboutyourskincare.com

As I suggested and click on the ASK FOR FREE section send them an email and you will get free expert skin care advice.

Good Luck to you,

Michelle

Answer 2

Just dont touch your face when you eat greasy food.  

Answer 3

hi, i was just reading some questions, then i saw yours and i decided to login to aswer you. I am very good on skin stuff!!First of all try to cute chocolate and fry food, second drink a lot of water, people can think that is bull s* but is not!!!Wash ur face 3 times a day, and always before go to bed!!do stay on the sun, cause the sun make ur skin much oily!!i tryed all the brands that u can imagine, clinique, lancome, perricone and a lot more, for me the better ones that can control the oil of my skin is the toner for oily skin from Lancome!!Is reslly good, i put a lot of on a cotton, and i let get dry on my face, u should use the soup too, the same brand, both have a green color!!For my acne i use something that i never found a better one, the name is Panoxil 10, everybody that i recomend uses and loves!!!This neutrogena and other ones doesnt work at all!!!!!Try all this u not gonna regret!!My skin is very oily and i get acne when i stop to use this stuff or whe i eat chocolate or fry food!!!My hobby is spend time on internet and ready about cosmetics and new stuff, thank good i have momey to buy, so i tryed everythink that u can imagine, and this r the best!!!!!!!Good luck!!

Answer 4

If you're in the navy, you can see a dermatologist you have health benefits paid for by the government. There are other medications and topical treatments besides benzoyl peroxide and accutane. I use rubbing alcohol on each zit when I actually break out now but it wasn't effective overall when I was younger because I had too much acne. The only other over the counter acne treatment is Salicylic acid, so you could try products with that, it usually says it has it right on the front. You really need to see the dermatologist.  

Answer 5

It seems the only thing is more intensive treatments from the dermatologist. Some of this might not be covered by insurance but my mom had the money. I got injections and I think nitrogen sprayed on my face every two weeks. You can also get a chemical peel done by the dermatologist. Tell them your situation.It helped speed up the effect of the Retin-A Micro and Benzaclin I used. I dont know what it would cost you, but since Im from nyc, everything is expensive. i paid $3000 for my acne. You might be lucky though. and what are you eating. Try eating healthier. Your skin will react accordingly.I stopped eating fried foods and never ate at fast food restaurants ever again. Now I dont need my prescriptions anymore.

Answer 6

if you can, go to a dermoalogist