I have had it with my skin

[SweetNic_JA]

My skin is good for the 1/2 half of the month. It looks half decent ( according to my standards) and I start to actually think that my regime (what ever it is for the current month) is working. Then all of a sudden mother nature decides throw an awful blow- my period and, my skin goes bazurk. I am soo tired of this. I can't take these little marks all over my skin. The old ones fade only to be succeeded by new ones which are even darker than their predecessors. I have a nice skin tone underneath and I want these marks gone!

I was on tetracyline before and it worked ok but stopped because I didn't want to take medication forever. It seems like that's going to be my only option. I'm 23 and I'm still suffering from breakouts--there doesn't seem to be an end of the road for this condition. I am going to schedule an appt with a deramtologist but I am skeptical of what he/she may actually be able to do for me.

Most women my age has such perfect skin! what is going on with me?

[Tracy]

Are you on birth control SNJA? If you are anyway, you may want to consider orthotricycline. It clears up skin very nicely when breakouts are hormonal or responds primarily to medication and not so much topical help. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[SweetNic_JA]

Tracy I'm not on bcp. I used to be on that a few years back but I never noticed a dramatic difference. I took tetracycline once and I think it is an ingredient in bcp and that worked for me. The only problem is that I had to take it every day- day in day out.

I was looking at accutane but that looks tooo risky. I just don't know what to do. It's time for a new me. I'm now in a professional environment and pimples and clogged pores just aren't cute.

[Poobity]

I feel your pain, SweetNic. I'm twenty-two and I'm still breaking out and getting dark spots too. I wish I knew a solution to end this madness.... http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/perplexed.gif

[Mochalolita]

SNJA, I know exactly how you feel...I'll be 23 in a month, and I'm still fighting with my skin. It's only within the past couple of months that I've seen consistent improvement, and I'm hopeful that I will have clear skin (finally) by my birthday in October. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there. For me, it's just a matter of being consistent with my skin care regimen. Even when it looks like nothing is happening, keep going, things will start to look up. And going to the derm is a good idea. Be open minded about what they tell you, but explore other alternative therapies, too. Everything will work out in the end http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hugs,
Crys

[marla]

I thik someone here started a thread on Proactiv. I've never tried it. I have dry sensitive skin, so oil and breakouts aren't a problem. Good Luck!

[Nyambura]

I love ProActiv! http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/love.gif Prior to that, it was a long line of dermatologists and cracked skin due to super-strong Retin-A gels and/or oral medication (and I still got zits!). In addition, the fade prescriptions the dermatologists gave me didn't work; instead, they made my face itchy. Proactiv cleared my skin up.http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/weird.gif Combined with faithful use of sunscreen, the dark marks are gone! The only thing is, whenever I've gone off of Proactiv (no reason, just lazy or trying to find a cheaper alternative), my skin starts breaking out again. SweetNicJA, please hang in there! If you haven't considered Proactiv, maybe you should try it.

[CaramelKiss]

SweetNic- My dermatologist recommended Zinc tablets to me- 100mgs. a day along with a bcp. Also use a good, face friendly sunscreen- with a uva of at least 30-protects your skin from the sun. The sun wrecks havoc on the skin and can cause hyperpigmentation and bring on break outs.

Accutane is excellent for deep, scarring cystic acne and most folks start with a low dose first to see how their body reacts to it.

[Cindy70]

Since I started using Milk of Magnesia as a mask a few weeks ago, I haven't had a serious breakout (knock on wood). Re: my earlier post "Milk of Magnesia Really Works".

[SweetNic_JA]

Thanks everyone. I'm not going to give up on this battle but I am going to hold off on the proactive. I hear good and bad reviews and I don't want to waste $$.

I'll keep searching for something that works. Part of my problem is my own laziness. I admit that I don't drink ANY water . http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/perplexed.gif I know

[Nyambura]

Proactiv has a money-back guarantee that allows you to try out the products during the trial period and if you're not happy, you can get refunded. HTH!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[LABETT]

I have been using the black opal products with no real results i think i will try proactiv.

[Nyambura]

Good luck, LABETT!

[licutiexx]

[ QUOTE ]
I love ProActiv! http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/love.gif Prior to that, it was a long line of dermatologists and cracked skin due to super-strong Retin-A gels and/or oral medication (and I still got zits!). In addition, the fade prescriptions the dermatologists gave me didn't work; instead, they made my face itchy. Proactiv cleared my skin up.http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/weird.gif Combined with faithful use of sunscreen, the dark marks are gone! The only thing is, whenever I've gone off of Proactiv (no reason, just lazy or trying to find a cheaper alternative), my skin starts breaking out again. SweetNicJA, please hang in there! If you haven't considered Proactiv, maybe you should try it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Just wondering how long until you saw results

[Nyambura]

I started noticing results -and so did my boyfriend (WITHOUT my dropping hints/prompting http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)- within 2 days. My skin was softer, felt less sore, and some of the acne started to disappear. I don't remember how long it took before the acne was completely gone but I remember being surprised at how quickly it happened. Maybe 30 days?

[DatJerseyDyme]

You may want to pick up a copy of Alfred Fornay's "The African American Woman's Guide to Successful Makeup and Skin Care" This book has changed the way I look at and treat my skin. If you post your skin type, I could give you a synopsis of what he says.

[SweetNic_JA]

Thanks so much.

I copied an pasted what I wrote in another threat. Here it is

Skin type : combination - oily t-zone and dry jaw/cheek area
pores: combination of size mostly medium, some small, and I have larger ones near my nose

problems:
1. oil in the t-zone. Mostly my chin

2. Recently last (4-5 months) my pores have
gotten clogged. Nearly 80% of my pores seem
clogged. I thought it was the biotin and I but
stopped about 1 1/2 months ago and I'm still
seeing the same problem!

3. Sometimes I get red, painful, hard, oil
filled monsters on the very corner of my jaw
line - near my ear.


Once again, thanks

[DatJerseyDyme]

He characterises Combination Skin as follows:

In the spring and summer, you see oil befor and after cleanising, you are dry in the fall and winter.
Your T-Zone feels greasy or slick
After washing with a deodorant soap, your face feels slightly dry-looking in appearance and feel; jawline and around eyes in fall/winter
Your pores are enlarged in the T-zone, especially on the nose cheek and chin
Blackheads or whiteheads on the t-zone and cheeks
you peel or crack around the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth lips, and chin Occasionally
You break out occasionally
Your skin looks tight, smooth and ashen sometimes/winter
Your cleanser and moisturizer sometime sit on top of your skin and sometimes disappears immediately into it
You slowly burn especially in the summer.

For Daily Care:
<font color="red">Cleanse
Products to use: a liquid soap with mild detergent and facial shampoo properties. There are some designed for combination skin
Directions: Splash on water and rinse thoroughly with tepid water. </font>

<font color="blue">Tone
Products to use: And astrigent for oily zones in summer, a skin freshener for normal to dry zones in winter
Product Directions: Dampen a cotton ball or pad and wipe until ball or pad is absolutely clean. </font>

<font color="purple">Moisturize
Products to Use: Use a lotion or lightweight souffle-type (has a whipped cream texture, or "foamy") moisturizer
Product Directions: Summer: apply oil-free moisturizer al over. Winter: Apply souffle-type moisturizer cream. </font>

Night Care
<font color="red"> Cleanse according to day care </font>

<font color="blue"> Tone according to day care </font>

<font color="purple"> Moisturize according to day care</font>

Weekly Care:
<font color="green"> Products to use: use a clay mask for oily areas. a creamy mask with soft grains help draw out toxins and heals, firms, and alleviates whiteheads, and blackheads.
Product Directions: Spot mask the oily ares twice a month in the summer and once a month in the winter for six to ten minutes. Avoid applying clay masks to dry areas. </font>

I hope you find this helpful..let me know if you'd like clarification, or if you'd like to know more!

[AJamericanDiva]

SweetNic, I'm a licensed esthetician... let me see if I can help you out.

So far, you say you've got combination skin and that you are breaking out during your period. Sounds to me like that is hormone-related. Any specific areas that you experience these breakout? Is it only in your chin/jawline area?
What is your skincare routine as far as products used to cleanse, tone, moisturize, etc? We'll see if we can't figure out what is causing the clogged pores and how best we can keep them unclogged. Would you say that your skin is sensitive? Alright, we'll see....

[DelightfulFlame]

You are like my skin twin or something. I had begun using Aubrey Organics oily skin line, and it's working well. But from reading this I may need to try the combo skin line during the winter months. DatJerseyDyme's post characterizes my skin to a tee. Thanks Jersey!!!