Bad skin

[reddster]

Hi, hope someone can help me. I have terrible skin. I have inherited large pores (it didn't help that I used to smoke- now given up), I can be prone to blackhead, whitehead, small 'pinhead' spots, larger 'crater' spots - just about everything!! I've tried changing skincare routines, I've been to the doctor (treatments only last up to 6 months after taking medication) I've taken supplements for my liver, hoping that might be the cause for my bad skin - but I'm running out of ideas. Has anyone been to a dermatologist? what do they do? I really need a long term solution, I want to prevent this from continuing. By the way I'm over 30, so I don't think it is hormones, but who knows I may have been going through the change for the last 15 years!

[MargeB]

Tried sunlight/UV?

Dermatologists can use a treatment to 'burn away' a section of skin.

I know there are pore reducers in Boots that seem to work, my sis uses them.

[morg_monster]

I think you should go to a dermatologist. You have suffered for long enough, I'm sure you've tried every over the counter solution and exhausted most of your GP's options. (May not be suitable for your situation, but have you tried going on the Dianette contraceptive pill?)

It sounds like you deserve specialist help.  Dermatologists have lots of different ways to help combat spots, some are specialised in one particular method.  Try searching on Google to get some addresses and ideas.  Unfortunately if you go private it may be expensive, but it could be worth it.  If you go NHS then you'll have a bit of a wait.

[magicdice]

i used to see a dermatologist every three months. i think we went private although BUPA or someone paid for it. definitely go and see one, if they can't do anything about it as such they may be able to recommend something that you can do. best of luck with it

[GucciGal]

Hello I soooo know what are going through, I'm 35 and am still troubled by spots. I'm on my second treatment of antobiotics, which do work but as you've said, we'lll see in the 3 moths time when the course finishes. I did see a Dermatologist last year and she prescribed a 6 month course of antibiotics and cream, this worked but then they kinda came back after the treatment finished hence my second round  ( I know it's so upsetting and fustrating but that's as far as I've got so far, good uck with the specialist, hopefully they'll have something that really does work forever! p.s Drink plenty of water every day! Really hope you get sorted.  xx

[Gilli]

Hi .... another one who can empathise with you. I'm 40 (!!!) but have been prone to the sort of bad skin you describe since I was about 14. Every so often I go to the doctor but then "give up" as nothing really seems to work!

Luckily, my face has never been badly affected though I never seem to be without 1 or 2 spots - it's mainly been my back & that's made life a misery especially during the summer or if I want to go swimming.

I do wonder however just how "bad" your skin really is ? Not saying that to be mean , just know that in my own experience you become so self-conscious that you can't help but peer at your skin very closely and therefore probably "see" it far worse than anyone else.

Best things I've found have been a combination of the contraceptive pill Dianette - and sunshine. Trouble is, the UK isn't particularly obliging sunshine wise and we all worry about using sunbeds.

As I have a 19 month baby, I haven't used sunbeds (or been on holiday anywhere hot) or the pill for some 3 years in total (due to trying, pregnancy and nursing). My skin has definitely suffered as a result.

Your post has prompted me ... I must go back to doctors (now I've stopped breastfeeding) and ask for help again ! Hope I'm not "too old" to use Dianette now !

[netibiza]

I was also going to suggest Dianette - it really works.

[MargeB]

what about men? men  can't go on dianette? and how long can you take drugs for? Isnt' there another pill?

[magicdice]

my sister's been on strong antibiotics from the age of about 14 up to now (she's 20) because her acne was so awful that she would've ended up with serious scarring, so if they think it's bad enough they will (reluctantly) give you long-term antibiotic

[Gilli]

Though I've never used it, Marge, a common and apparently effective prescription for acne is Roaccutane (sp?) - suitable for both sexes - though you must ensure (if a woman obviously) not to get pregnant as it can damage the foetus.

However - I think I remember reading that for some people this drug can cause excessively dry skin ... to the point of being very sore and cracked, so like everything, would need to be monitored carefully.

[flaming]

Yes a dermatologist is a first step. But a cosmetic surgeon would probably offer more.  There are face peels for general skin appearance and for certain things, laser peels.  Both procedures would be expensive and fairly painful.  Depends on how much you want improvement. But you should shop around and better still be recommended.  That's where a visit to the dermatologist would come in - advice about whether that would be appropriate, etc. with perhaps a name or two.

[reddster]

I think its about time I went to a dermatologist then!Thanks everyone for your replies. MargB, I am actually in Australia at the moment, and I thought that that the sun may help me, but 7 months later and my skin looks worse! Gilli, it is quite bad, only my mother mentions it, people pointedly don't discuss it. It never stops me going out or anything (I don't have to look at it) but I've realised how it must look to others, that's the reason I want to do something about it.

Lovely to hear all your suggestions. Thanks

[sexyshell]

Hi reddster,

I am a skincare therapist and i have worked with the likes of dermalogica, decleor and elemis and i also have my own salon, so hear me out - iknow you are probably fed up with different skincare routines but sometimes its best to break some habits, firstly i would stop using any soaps, shower gels or wipes on your face. This is because they contain alcohol - alcohol strips the natural oils in you skin leaving it feeling tight and itchy, but then the skin panics and produces even more oil / sebum to compensate for its loss!! great huh!

So i would recommend getting a face wash that doesnt contain any alcohol, (i use decleor foaming cleanser which is brilliant), and an oil free moisturiser like decleor fluid hydra matte, it leaves your skin with like a powder matte finish but it works to balance out the oil supply in your skin. you can either go on ebay to find a good deal or go to your local decleor salon.

I honestly swear by these products and i have nothing to gain from giving you this advice so you know i'm not trying to sell anything to you! good luck!

[Little Lady]

Hi if you never tried this go for a Guinot(name of a product range) Hydradermie facial they are the best thing since sliced bread for any skin type especially your own and they are very relaxing. Being a ex-beauty therapist i have seen the results for myself and you cant get a better treatment than this for problem skin. It uses a very low electronic pulse to pull out all the nasties dont worry you cant feel at thing just feela abit cold then they use a positive pulse to push fresh nutrients into the skin. They then use an antibacterial frequency to get rid of all the bacteira of your skin etc you have a massage in this too and they are absolotuly fantastic, i would recommened this before you go and see your GP again as they only keep feeding you unecessary drugs but the problem wont go away you need to balance your skin type and the only way to do this is treat it and use recommendedproducts from your therapist. Please please please try this, have a look in your yellow pages for a decent salon and ring around to see who offers guinot facials its a french company but really good and is pronounced Gee-Know(not jee but G-ee like you pronouce the G in Gretel) the facials are around �30 which can be expensive for some but if you really want to sort your skin out this can, you will need to have a course of around 6 over an 8 week period but the results are amazing. Hope this helps..........

[Emily Ball]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned diet here. Or am I preaching to the converted? Masses of green vegetables(cabbage, sprouts, green beans , broccoli  and spinach are ace) and fresh fruit (high in vitamins and anti-oxidants) will start the process of a clear skin from within. And of course, sunshine (but only in small doses-getting a tan also means earlier onset of nasty wrinkles!).

[boderectium]

I suffered bad skin throughout my teens and 20's. Forget your GP' s tablets and ask to be referred to a skin specialist immediately.

The first cream amd anti-biotic treatment did not work, so I went onto Roaccutane. This did the trick! It does dry the skin very badly, so put vaseline on your face at night.

My skin is very clear, got a few spots recently after eating supermarket pizza and a beer, so obvioulsly clean up your diet!