| A
female
,
anonymous
writes: Hi, my face has been breaking out lately and I don't know why. I've never had a problem with acne before but it's getting worse now for some reason. I'm a pretty mature 15 year old, though it could still be my age I guess. Also I've used proactive for about 4 years but it just isn't working anymore, so for the last week or so I've been washing my face w/ aveeno soap and using differint at night. This has been easier for me because I hate all the steps to proactive. Still though I'm not sure if this will work either. Would a dermatologist really be able to give me something that would clear up my face? I know you should drink a lot of water also, but I do, especially when I play sports, and I have face wipes that I use after I've been sweating. The lady at proactive told me I should try it again and gave me some tips about sleeping w/ a towel over my pillow and different things, but I don't know what to do. What is the best way to truly clear it up??
View related questions:
acne Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (14 June 2006): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionhey everyone, thanks for the advice. I went to the dermatologist and he got me on some medication and said that i should be really happy with the results. Its already clearing up but im gonna have to stay outta the tanning bed and sun a lot which is hard for me. It'll be easier with a clear face though. I hate wearing makeup so i hope i can control it enough wear i dont have to wear to much. Anyway i just wanted to say thanks and if anyone else is suffering from the dreaded acne no matter what ur age, just go to the dermatologist, you will feel so much better, and wont have to deal w/ all the scars later.
A
female
reader, Phoebe Halliwell  +, writes (11 June 2006):
 Hi,
the best way to clear your face up is to stop using all this junk you get that claims to get rid of it. such as face washes, cleanser, spot removers, face masks etc etc etc. The only true actual proven way is the twice daily normal soap and warm water. Unlike the washes etc, it doesn't have any bad chemicals in that can make it worse!
Hope this helped,
Phoebe
xxx
...............................
A
female
reader, Hopeful +, writes (7 June 2006):
 Hormones, changes in diet, changes in routine, stress....these can all cause changes to skin.
It can be hard to pinpoint the exact reason for it but there are some good rules that may help:
*change your pillowcase every day (your face is lying on it for 6,7,8 hours and germs can build up)
*when you clean your face, dab it dry with a clean towel, if you rub it to hard, germs can spread
*drink lots of water
*avoid high GI or heavilly processed foods like chips
However, this is not going to completely solve the problem all of the time.
I recommend talking to your doctor and this is why,
The people at proactive want you to buy their product. I'm sure their product is ace but they are biased, they are giving you advice based around their product. I'm sure they are well trained and know a lot about acne and skin but they are not doctors.
I would have a chat to your GP because they might be able to prescribe you a stronger cream or medication that might help your acne, the acne could be caused by a medical issue or the acne could be caused by other medication you are taking (ie. some girls can get acne after taking certain types of birth control pills that screw up their hormones).
Also, a GP can refer you to a specialist if he feels that is the way to go.
I recommend talking to your doctor and going from there.
Good luck!
...............................
A
female
reader, Bev Conolly  +, writes (6 June 2006):
 If your cleansing routines have stayed the same, and you're washing (gently but thoroughly) 2 or 3 times a day, then yes, it's likely just your age, and there's nothing you can really do about that, but be patient.
If it's really worse than normal -- and I'm not talking about a dozen pimples at a time; I mean something serious, like red welts -- than talk to your GP, who can perscribe some oral medications (antibiotics, possibly) that will probably help, or who might then refer you to a dermatologist.
Speaking as someone who's suffered some recurrent acne for decades(!), I can tell you that you can "do too much" and actually aggravate the condition if you constantly wash/rub/scrub or dab at your complexion. If it's clean, and you've used an acne rinse, try to leave it alone as much as possible.
Sometimes acne will also be linked to your menstrual cycle, with a peak in spotting around the time you ovulate (approximately a fortnight after your period), so keep track and if you notice that, your doctor might suggest oral contraceptives, for example.
The best I can offer you is that you need to assume that you're likely to have to endure this for a few years yet, but keep up your good cleansing regimen and ask to speak to the doctor if it's really a serious problem, or a cyclical one.
Take care!
...............................
|
