Embarassing...

[shawnathan]

Proactiv worked like magic for me. I used it for almost 4 years, now i don't need it anymore. Acne is gone.

 

[Abstract]

Isn't Proactive identical to stuff you can buy at the pharmacy right now, except 2x more expensive?

It's just some form of cream with benzoyl peroxide, and a gentle facial soap that may also contain an acne bacteria-killing chemical. It's a guess anyway. The benzoyl peroxide is probably a part of it, since ProActive isn't a medication, and almost nothing else that you rub on your face would reduce acne as well as that.

It stains your clothes though. Actually, I think it's supposed to bleach it and ruin your clothes. No collared shirts for you, and don't even think about sweating.

 

[PkennethV]

it was suggested earlier...but if you haven't already, cut ALL chocolate. I never had it too bad I guess, but the dermatologist gave me some topical cream. They helped the pimples go way AFTER they appeared, but I still got them. Then when I stopped eating chocolate, I got absolutely *zero* for at least a month or so. Then I ate a couple of pieces one day and whadaya know, I got pimples again. Give that a try. I also know a friend that says she lives for chocolate and she has pretty bad acne.

I understand that there's more than one factor to this, but I just thought that I'd point out that chocolate can make quite the difference.

best of luck


also, one of my other friends seems to get them from milk.

 

[scotty96LSC]

My son is on Accutane. Has cleared his acne up totally. He has one more month of treatment and he is done. Look into that from your doctor.

 

[MattG]

Eliminate as much fat from your diet as possible, and go hardcore on eliminating sugar/HFCS. You'll feel better and it'll make a huge difference with your skin.

I'm not a doctor, but have enough medical training to know that unless you have a *major* infection (abscess/carbuncle/MRSA) the antibiotics aren't going to do anything besides build up antibiotic resistance, and compound the problem. You should talk to your doctor about Accutane instead. (Retin-A is a topical cream version, but that's not going to work on your back as well). The side effects of Accutane are harsh - your lips will crack and peel, you'll need CONSTANT chapstick/lip balm; your elbows will crack and bleed unless you keep them slathered with Nivea; you will become vampire-like in your sensitivity to the sun (even riding in a car on a sunny day can result in severe sunburn) so you'll need to avoid the outdoors and always wear the strongest sunscreen you can find. It takes about 6 weeks to kick in, then like a miracle the acne pretty much vanishes. You have to take it for about 9 months, and the effects last for about 3 months after you stop taking it, but at the end of that you could be almost 100% acne-free.

I took 40mg once daily when I was 14. Due to travel reasons, I only took 6 months of it so it didn't work completely and I had some degree of acne for the rest of my teens (but FAR less than the hideous sight that I was beforehand). As an adult I still had zits on my chest and back for a long time til I radically changed my diet. Sugar has a huge effect, and eliminating it finally broke the cycle and I haven't been bothered with zits for a long time.

Another vote here for Accutane...it's nasty, nasty stuff and really should be a last resort, and as Baron58 said it wreaks havoc with your skin, but it works. When I was in my mid to late teens, my acne was horrible and it got to the point where it felt as if it was taking over my life. It was on my face, my back, my neck...I have oily skin to begin with, plus I live in Florida which meant constant heat and humidity, which just aggravated it even more. I had tried everything...change in diet, other prescription meds, vitamins, special soaps, etc. Nothing worked. Finally after multiple trips to the doctor, they put me on Accutane. Results can vary person to person, but I started noticing a difference within about 10-14 days. The acne started disappearing, and after staying on the medication for a few months, it never came back. I'll still get the occasional pimple here and there, but that's it.

 

[dotcomlarry]

Two things:

Genetics.

Puberty.

There ya go. Like others have suggested, stop washing your face so often, see a dermatologist, do what the dermatologist recommends, and DON'T WORRY. It will go away, or clear up at least. Also, I've noticed that if my face gets a lot of sun, or a sunburn, that will actually clear up the acne as well.

 

[idyll]

Yeah I would definitely avoid washing your face too much. It's like the less I touched it the less acne I had. Now I just wash it every time I take a shower, but that is it.

 

[idesign245]

I'd recommend trying some LUSH products

I've had issues with pimples on my jaw line and I use their cleanser, toner and moisturizer (I'm a girl so you might just go with the cleanser) and it's really helped. They have a chart on their website so you can look up which products suit your skin type.

They're great because they're all natural and hand made... and fresh!

 

[maxrobertson]

Make sure you don't overwash or do anything too harsh. If you dry out your face too much or irritate it, the acne will get much worse.

You might want to talk to your doctor about getting an antibiotic. I'm using one now that costs like 2.00 a bottle and works great.

 

[Melrose]

I wouldn't call your problem 'embarrassing' - it's natural to have acne through teen years and into the twenties. I was blessed with smooth-skin-genetics, so I don't know what it's like first-hand, but it is common.

I would suggest a better diet - which can take weeks or months to see benefit from - but if you eat relatively healthy already I don't know.

Yeah, don't over-wash your face; It'll only make things worse. At the very least, try to avoid touching your face during the day. The habitual touching, putting hand-on-cheek when at the table, blah blah. Keep your hands off your face.

If it really bugs you, check your doctor or dermatologist. I would suggest your doctor would have a good enough idea of how to help it.

 

[cleanup]

You can try every product out there pumped out by the corporate machine and spend hundreds to thousands of dollars until you find that miracle product that somehow by freak accident works for you, or you can do the following:

1. Wash your face with a normal cleanser, not a bar of soap.
2. Eat better.
3. Exercise.
4. Relax.

And voila, your acne will improve with time. Chances are, you won't lose it for a while. I don't mean to discourage you but it's largely genetics. Kids get pimples. Some don't. Some do. Stop letting your appearance destroy your self-confidence and force you to buy products you don't realistically need.

Now if you're a mature adult (beyond age say 22 or so) and you still develop acne and pimples, then you may be in trouble. But yes, a lot of kids do endure a good 7-10 years of this. It's normal.

 

[eRondeau]

I also had pretty bad acne as a teenager. It totally ruins your self-confidence. It is probably not related to anything you are eating, it is just pubescent hormones doing their thing. So don't stop eating chocolate or pizza or other stuff you like, just keep your skin thoroughly washed with a mild cleanser.

See a doctor. +1

Preferably a dermatologist. Pharmaceutical companies are constantly trying out new things against acne. When one finally hits, it'll be bigger than Viagara (pun intended!)

ProActiv +1. Then Accutane if ProActiv doesn't work.

This has worked wonders for (adult) friends of mine with bad acne.

 

[keysersoze]

So how'd it go, TSE?

 

[Techguy172]

There is pills you can take to get rid of acne, they are called Clarus I think, My Brother used them and they worked.

 

[sushi]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned sodium (salt).

Young people have trouble with using too much salt, i.e. in fast foods, even pop.

Diet can be a major factor in health issues.

High salt in my diet almost knocked me from flight status due to a major hearing loss (minus 60db in some frequencies) in my right ear. At the time, I was new to Japan an not used to the high salt diet they have with soy sauce and other items. The fight surgeon suggested that I avoid all salt for a while (a couple months if memory serves) then get re-tested. Believe it or not, my hearing came back to normal levels.

One thing to remember, what works for one may not work for others. You need to find what works best for you.

I would suggest that exercising until your body really sweats, or the use of a steam room, may help flush/clear up your pores.

Be sure to see a specialist (doctor) who can tailor a program for you.

Last but not least, zits are normal when you are a teenager. Most everyone has gone through it and understands.

 

[Apple Ink]

If no one has really mentioned this till now..... Its called puberty and you'll be fine in an year or so. Try using something non-cosmetic! Wash your face as much as possible, avoid oil in food and never apply any cosmetic (any thing which smells good) cream on face at all costs! And never never try pinching them out! That should help and calm you down. Seriously, there's nothing much embarrassing about it. Its just a sign of your growth

Source - Med School!

 

[TSE]

My face has gotten a lot better! It went from having a bunch of medium sized ones on both sides of my face to only having 2 big ones on my forehead and the right side, once these are gone my face will become much better.

Thank you guys very much! I will take a pic of my face after it is all cleaned up.

 

[rican]

My face has gotten a lot better! It went from having a bunch of medium sized ones on both sides of my face to only having 2 big ones on my forehead and the right side, once these are gone my face will become much better.

Thank you guys very much! I will take a pic of my face after it is all cleaned up.

i used to have acne aswell.. but now my face is perfect, just leave it alone & don't irritate it more by putting chemicals on it... I let my face naturally heal, and it has.. I used to put creams, oils, lotions, all these home remedies, and Even make up too!

Just find some thing that takes away your oils, and stick with it, and leave your face alone...

Also you need to be relieved of your stress... Acne is hormonal and a lot of people don't seem to recognize that, it is a possible factor of your acne.

Hope to see your face clear up

 

[TSE]

guys...

it was getting better but then all of a sudden i got like two on each side of my face and they look grossssssssssssssss

as soon as it seems like it's getting better more come up and then the process just keeps on coming.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Keep a log of what you are eating when these "outbreaks" happen.

Then stop that activity.

 

[TSE]

good idea.

 

[SamIchi]

good idea.

I know I said this before but I've noticed that exercising regularly and regular sleep helps out a lot for me. Weeks I do nothing and get off track on my sleep gives me break outs.

 

[Luis]

Another vote here for Accutane. I went through what you are going, to the point that no cream/lotion would do anything, even if i washed my face twice a day. Accutane worked like a miracle and now, almost 7 months after i finished the dose I don't have pimple problems at all.

 

[TSE]

I know this is kind of a random question, but, I read somewhere that milk makes you get pimples. I drink like 10 glasses a day. Should I stop?

 

[EricNau]

I know this is kind of a random question, but, I read somewhere that milk makes you get pimples. I drink like 10 glasses a day. Should I stop?

I've heard everything from milk to chocolate to mayo to potato chips. In other words, it's different for everybody. ...Studies have found little correlation between diet and acne, but I suppose it's worth a try.

Besides, 10 glasses a day is quite excessive.