Acne

[Family Ties Forever!]

Anyone have problems with acne now or in the past? What worked best for you?

Unfortunately I sometimes get acne pimples on my face. I tried using Clean & Clear persagel 10 maximum strength, but it burned and throbed terribly. I had to wipe the medicine off.

[Myles]

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I'm a long time acne sufferer. It's been anywhere from mild to severe. I've seen dermatologists for years and have been on numerous treatments. Topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, BP/salicylic creams/lotions, sulfa washes, and even accutane twice! I've often felt like a guinea pig trying out all these drugs. It really has taken a toll on my confidence. I stopped seeing a dermatologist because I've come to the conclusion that they are not in the business to help only to sell products. Pharmaceutical companies love to send their reps to dermatologist offices. They pad derm pockets for exchange of new customers.
</rant>

Ultimately, your treatment depends on what type of acne you have. Are they just white heads (comedonal) or red bumps (papules) or cystic (large, fluctuate red bumps)? Clean & Clear is just Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a treatment that oxidizing the skin. The bacteria from most acne hates oxygen (anaerobic) so this will effectively kills it. Benzoyl Peroxide is good for comedonal and papules. You can also try salicyclic acid, which is good for most comedonal acne. If you suffer from cystic acne you may have some relief with Benzoyl Peroxide, but it is best to seek out a doctor that can prescribe antibiotics. Application of ice wrapped in a wash rag to the cyst can bring down swelling. Cystic acne can cause severe scarring if not treated.

What worked best for me is the benzoyl peroxide 2.5%. I get that in a bottle from acne.org. It's the perfect strength, won't irritate the skin and is just as effective as the 10%. I apply that first and then apply CeraVe facial lotion after it has dried. I've also had success with acne.org's alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) lotion. I put a small spot of that on a new bump I feel coming in. Usually stops the pimple from forming.

Lately, my acne has been clear to mild. I make an effort to eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Exercise at least 30 mins/day almost every day. This is especially important if you are stressed out. I often get way too stressed out about things and then breakout. I've read that if you shave, it's best to use a two blade razor. I've found this to be true. And supplementation of zinc can calm acne prone skin.

[Zoneboy]

I had a very mild case of acne in 1979, took zinc supplements for 30 days and it went away completely with no recurrence since.

[DJM77]

I had acne really bad when I was a teenager and the only thing that really helped it was a drug called Accutane. It dried out my skin, but it also got rid of my cystic acne. But I'm 37 years old and I still get pimples sometimes.

[MrCleveland]

I had a mild case, nothing extreme.

At times I'll have backne and I'll try to pop them...it's not the best thing to do, but I get bored a lot...there's a device that can remove acne by popping them without touching the acne itself.

[Bonniegirl]

I started breaking out really bad in my late 20's. Over the counter stuff didn't help, so I went to a dermatologist. They had me on Retin A topical cream , and another roll on type liquid I put on once a day. (I can't remember what it was called) . And a low dose doxycycline . Worked really well. Cleared me up and after that I was just able to use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid based over the counter stuff and it stayed in check.

DO NOT squeeze or pick at them at all! That can cause permanent scarring.

[Penny Lane]

I had a mild case of acne in my teen years and up through my 30's. Once I hit my 40's I haven't had any problems. Menopause took care of that I guess!
Anyway, what I did was cleanse the affected areas with alcohol or peroxide. The important thing though AND TAKE THIS ADVICE! is not to touch or pick at it/pimples. You will just infect it all over again. Leave it alone until it heals.
Acne runs in my family on my mother's side. A couple of my siblings had a severe case. I lucked out I guess. It was never more than a pimple or two at a time. My daughter had a problem with it but my son didn't . He takes after his dad who never had a pimple in his life!

Now days they have all of these acne medications like Proactiv. Have any of you tried Proactiv? Does it really work as advertised? I hope so for the sake of those who really have serious acne problems.

I know this will sound trite but you will grow out of it.

[Family Ties Forever!]

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions.