28 years old and still get breakouts - anyone conquer the beast?
I thought acne would go away in my 20s and that has not been the case. I've been on a very low dose antibiotic for 2 years now (I know, probably not the best thing) just to keep this under control. My face is pretty clear but my back gets terrible breakouts (the deep, under-the-skin- types). I shower twice a day, wear a clean t shirt to sleep, etc.
Anyone else facing this or cleared up permanently?
Look into tretinoin. It’s a topical cream. You’ll need a dermatologist to prescribe it, and it may get worse before it gets better, but I’ve been using it for four years on my face and back and it’s much much better. Still get occasional pimples, but nothing unusual for my age since I’m in college.
If you’re really over it and wanna go nuclear, you could look into accutane, but do your research first. It works great on acne, and some people have no problems with it, but some people get some pretty bad side effects.
Edit: just noticed you've been on an antibiotic for 2 years. If it's that bad, it might be accutane time.
also a tretinoin user, stuff is insane. I purged bad when I first started though
i second this
Accutane/isotretinoin/iso is a gamechanger. Only side effect I had was dry skin (like really dry all the time), but it was one of the best things I’ve done. It’s unbelievably freeing just not worrying about your skin.
how long were you one it? now that you are off of it, do you still get acne?
How bad was your skin before you went on it? I've always considered it but it just never seems worth the risk since some people get really bad side effects. The last time I saw it come up on this board some guy commented that he's on trt for life because it fucked up his pituitary gland.
Also, did you drink at all while on it? Apparently you're not supposed to but I don't know what happens if you do.
Yep, Accutane worked for my whole family. I haven't had a pimple of note in 15 years and I had horrible acne before I took it. The backne was absolutely repugnant. It's totally worth any moderate risk to be rid of the horror of atrocious acne.
Also make sure you try and rule out any activities, foods, etc. that might be causing it. I have eczema and that's helped me to reduce flareups pretty substantially - just avoiding things that make it flare up, which I've learned over time. Obviously this is somewhat of a different beast - but I've at least been able to avoid having any creams, antibiotics, etc. for it by simply being mindful.
Oh - and don't be afraid to switch dermatologists or try different avenues for it. Multiple opinions and routes generally end up getting the solution you want.
As you mention it's your back that is affected not so much your face anymore, could it be anything to do with the detergent you use to wash your clothes/bedsheets? Seems bizarre that the antibiotic should work fine for your face but not for your back but then I'm no dermatologist obvs.
Anecdotally, you could try 8 to 10 drops of pure Tea tree essential oil in your body wash bottle. Also Epsom salt hot baths to draw out impurities alternated with oats, honey and milk bath (use a sachet of full fat powder milk) to soothe the skin. You can make a back masque of this too with yoghurt instead of milk, leave on for 60 mins.
PS we know your hygienic, acne rarely has anything to do with hygiene. Don't worry too much about it if it's on your back, very few people are going to see it tbh.
Maybe showering twice a day is too much?
Definitely, we are not supposed to be showing that much, it rips all the healthy oils off our skin. Most of what we've defined to be modern hygiene was manufactured by soap companies.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/07/hygiene-is-overrat…
Have you tried acutane? I had kind of bad acne in high school and never got them again (except the rares ones).
On the face or body
Face only
Personally have used BHAs for a bit. They help, but nowhere near to the fullest. It's like sowing up an open wound to the 3/4 point if that makes any sense. Did a lot of research on this in late July, early August - if you get into BHAs, the main difference in goods that you will see is that some goods are 4% betaine salicylate and others are 2% salicylic acid. These apparently are the same thing, but the 4% one with betaine is softer on your face and helps to moisture, the 2% will make your face heat up or even burn if you have some recent scabs. I have also heard that 2% salicyclic acid wipes are good for back acne (and there was a very specific peach physical scrub from St. Ives that people defaulted to for this also, I don't have experience using this though).
I'm trying benzoyl peroxide next as a facewash/scrub (Amazon sells that shit over the counter), but if I was you, instead of doing all this trial-and-error shit, I would go straight to a dermatologist. It helps a bit to know what you've tried, so if you haven't tried anything, they might put you on some very beginner type shit. I would probably lie and say that I've tried at least AHAs because AHAs are used on the skin level and don't go deep down into the pores so they aren't all that impactful for acne.
If you have really bad acne and can't go to a derm in the next month or so, you could consider doing this BHA thing for a bit. For the 4% lean towards CosRX, for the 2% lean towards Paula's Choice. NOTE: You pick 1, not both. I personally use the 4% twice a day, but I suspect using the 2% twice a day can be harsh on your face, even if you moisturize after (as you should cause that 2% will light your face on fire). Get some sort of a face wash before that, personally have used the La Roche-Posay purifying foaming one. Plan on going to a dermatologist myself soon also.
Stay away from St. Ives
Yeah I've heard St Ives can cause longer term damage to skin too. The Ordinary is a cheap and honestly pretty effective skincare company too. I would recommend the AHA/BHA Peeling solution, and Hyaluronic acid. Also bump on the Paula's choice 2%—works great
Sulfur treatments have always worked for me.
Can you elaborate? Like spot treatment vs. everywhere, how often etc.?
Whenever I have skin problems, I leave a thin layer over the general affected area overnight daily, although depending on your skin sensitivity, I would test it out first to see if your skin reacts well to it. It stinks a lot though, so you have to wash thoroughly and even then, sometimes it takes a while for the smell to come off.
Accutaine. Only side effect I had was dry lips. Didn’t go crazy or have any other side effects.
How bad was your skin beforehand? I’m trying to weigh the risk reward since mines not terrible but it’s still really annoying.
I was still pretty young (middle school) but I had bad acne on my face and literally tried everything beforehand. I wish I would’ve done it sooner honestly. Wouldn’t have as many scars on my nose and forehead.
Only thing worth mentioning is that if you want to serve in the military you will have to disclose that you took it so keep that in mind.
Besides the obvious 2:
Gut Cleanse Supplements (MSM/Evening Primrose/Zinc) Increase Water Intake
Maybe try out body washes and lotions with AHA and BHA! These help with bacne. Amlactin and Eucerin is great for AHA lotions. CeraVe and Paula’s Choice has an excellent BHA body lotion. You can find applicators online to help you reach for pretty cheap.
Get a Fraxel or PicoSure laser facial treatment a few times at least 4/5) over the course of about six months and your acne will be gone, I promise. Every single other facial product out there is just a replacement for lasers which takes longer and generally doesn’t work as well. You’re welcome, boys.
Use a good face cleanser twice a day and Clean&Clear acne spot treatment is good. Buy higher end items even though they seem like they are not worth it.
I can’t imagine but I wish you all the best. Hopefully you find something dedicated to your skin before trying everything the world and shitty Ads have to offer. Godspeed!
Have you already tried a back scrubber with a long handle to reach areas of your back? A brush with soft bristles and pressure light enough where your brushing the surface should help clean and exfoliate it. Don't press too hard otherwise you'll irritate the skin further. You could pair that with a gentle cleanser and see how it responds after a couple of days. If your face is pretty clear it sounds like your diet is fine, it might be a lack of a good scrub on your back that's letting it still persist.
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