I hate being a Teen (stupid Acne!) **Updated**
Hey guys :)
Well i should say i'm not newbie on Vegweb but i seldom log in to here.
I've got a nodular acne on my cheek this week and i went to see the doctor this morning because of how huge, itchy and painful it was. My face has gone from fair porcelain baby skin to many whiteheads,blackhead,blemishes-marks-over-the-forehead skin over the past years. Ugh.
Been feeling troubled over my skin problem as i realized that my freakin' hormones is causing the breakout ( i'm 18 ). So today my doctor prescribed me a bottle of topical lotion for my acne and 1 month dosage of DOXYMYCIN 100mg, to be taken twice a day, 1 capsule each. I supposed it is similar to doxycycline. I understand that this antibiotic is not available in USA anyway, i live in Singapore.
I hate to take medications and i know that those capsules are most likely not vegan but i'll be too depressed if i don't see a doctor for my skin problems.
I have took one capsule at 11:00 am just now.
And again, now i'm struggling with the decision of whether i should continue to take the medications after doing my research on the internet about the side effects of the antibiotic and possible recurrent breakout if i continue to take the medications ( I swear I want to stop once i finish the dosage, really.)
I had done everything i could to prevent those nasty monster from popping:
- I wash my face twice daily.
- I don't pick on or touch my face
- Sleep for maximum 7 hours a day
- I try my best to drink more water, maybe at least 2-4 glasses a day ( sometimes i tend to forget about it)
- Ever applied Aloe Vera sap for as part of my regimen but i realized that my skin is sensitive to it and makes it hard for me to sleep at night.
- Used Burt's Bee Herbal Blemish Stick and it didn't work , in worst case, it make my zits more inflamed the next day.
- Tried apple cider vinegar as a toner but somehow useless after a while
And it just persistently appear anytime they want to. :'(
So could anyone share with me what are your experience with these antibiotics ? Should i stop taking them because :
- I don't want to rely on medications forever, i don't want my condition to aggravate again once i withdraw from the antibiotics.
My acne problems is not scattered all over my face but only mostly the area around the cheek and forehead, Nodular acne comes once a while with no warning, usually take painstakingly LONG to heal.
Do you know what kind of vitamins and nutrient ( or food, to be specific) should i increase in my diet to relieve skin inflammation and prevent hormonal problems causing overactive sebum production? Any good remedies to share to help with acne problems?
Your advice and thoughts is appreciated!
Almost one week of my antibiotic course. I have to say i've been feeling depressed these few days. I am suffering from bad side effects everyday. All the nauseousness and stomach discomfort is making me sick. My friends told me that i looked pale and lethargic recently. AND the worst thing is, more pimples is popping out every other days. :'(
I don't know if i should stop my antibiotic now. I feel like my body isn't reacting well to it. I may consider visiting the TCM for my skin problems.
I took doxycycline two times (6 months each time...). It only helped while I was taking it, once I stopped the acne came back--so I do not recommend it as a long term solution. I had very bad acne (cystic), I've taken accutane, tried tons of prescriptions, etc. without much luck until recently. I am using Finacea and it is AMAZING for my skin. I realize you might not have access to it though...
I've tried all sorts of dietary changes and natural remedies with no luck. The best combo for treatment I have had is mixing coconut oil and tea tree oil together and slathering it on my face morning and night (It absorbs in my skin nicely so I am not greasy). It isn't perfect, but it is ok. It didn't help with the cysts but I used a charcoal face mask, steam, and heated cloth for those and it worked. It is time consuming and if I didn't follow a strict regime my skin would turn terrible again. I also (and still use) rose water as a toner. It helps a lot with the redness and the general acne itchiness.
Zinc is supposed to help with acne (I tried it with no help, but others say it does so it might help you)
You should at least double your water intake. Maybe change your cleanser? I dont know what you use but it may be too harsh or too gentle. Exfoliate once or twice a week.
And this probably doesn't sound good, but I find my skin looks its best when I do not eat. So if you tend to eat too much it might be worth cutting back a little.
ive been on sooo many medications for acne, i don't even know if i took that medication. but the ONLY thing that has ever improved my skin is not washing it with any soap. just rinsing it with water. and i've also taken apple cider vinegar tablets and those helped, too. good luck to you!
ive been on sooo many medications for acne, i don't even know if i took that medication. but the ONLY thing that has ever improved my skin is not washing it with any soap. just rinsing it with water. and i've also taken apple cider vinegar tablets and those helped, too. good luck to you!
My acne as a teen does not sound like it was as bad as is being discussed but I can vouch for the no soap. The worst thing I tried was a scrub that was supposed to clean out my pours. I ended up with an even worse break out! The hormones tell the oil glands to keep your skin oily. If you wash the oil away with soap, the glands work even harder to replace it. Avoid make up that could clog pours, being arround a lot of grease (mine was affected by how many hours I worked fast food in the greasy air) or anythig you find triggers yours.
My nephew used toothpaste on his acne when he was in juvie and said it worked but I don't know what brand (they were not allowed acne creams).
On the possitive side, at least in my family, those of us who had extra oily skin as teens aged well. My mom was mistaken for a new retiree (60's) when she was in her 70's. My oldest sister (59) and I (mid 40's) are often called liars when it comes to our ages. Most people think we are at least 10 yrs younger than we are.
I've said it 4000 times, and I'll say it again! I had at least moderate acne up until a couple years ago when I started washing my face with baking soda. I understand it won't work for everyone, but it's the only thing that ever cleared up my face (I tried everything)! I don't even have to do it religiously..just wash whenever, and I only have small breakouts at some points in my cycle. It's worth a try.
I just keep a small container of baking soda in the cabinet, wet my face, rub it in, and rinse off.
yeah i us baking soda once in a while, too, when i feel i need a good scrubbing
I've said it 4000 times, and I'll say it again! I had at least moderate acne up until a couple years ago when I started washing my face with baking soda. I understand it won't work for everyone, but it's the only thing that ever cleared up my face (I tried everything)! I don't even have to do it religiously..just wash whenever, and I only have small breakouts at some points in my cycle. It's worth a try.
I just keep a small container of baking soda in the cabinet, wet my face, rub it in, and rinse off.
Thanks i'll try that , can it be used as a scrub, like what veganhippie has mentioned ?
I've said it 4000 times, and I'll say it again! I had at least moderate acne up until a couple years ago when I started washing my face with baking soda. I understand it won't work for everyone, but it's the only thing that ever cleared up my face (I tried everything)! I don't even have to do it religiously..just wash whenever, and I only have small breakouts at some points in my cycle. It's worth a try.
I just keep a small container of baking soda in the cabinet, wet my face, rub it in, and rinse off.
Thanks i'll try that , can it be used as a scrub, like what veganhippie has mentioned ?
Yeah, it's kind of a scrub. I don't know if she does anything differently..but you just...scrub it on your face! I also have a squeeze bottle in the shower that's baking soda and water.
I'm going to agree with Allychristine here, baking soda is my go-to facial cleanser. And to add to that, I use the Benzoyl Peroxide treatment from Acne.org after I wash my face. I started doing this about 2-3 years ago and it's what finally cleared up my acne problem.
My acne went away when I stopped washing my face. There was a period of it getting worse while my skin adjusted to the change, but my skin is usually pretty decent now.
I got this stuff from e.l.f. Its a cover up makeup but its actually just for blemishes.Its a loose powder and I put that on my monthly hormonal breakouts and it gets rid of those pretty darn quick.
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/minerals/face/concealer/blemish_kit
I got it for like 4 dollars at Target, but I know it was a seasonal thing here and they already stopped carrying it in my store at least.
I'm going to agree with Allychristine here, baking soda is my go-to facial cleanser. And to add to that, I use the Benzoyl Peroxide treatment from Acne.org after I wash my face. I started doing this about 2-3 years ago and it's what finally cleared up my acne problem.
I'm going to try that out tonight, thanks!
I don't know if this is any help, but the only time my skin has been blemish free since I was 12 (am 33 now) was during my 3 pregnancies. I know many people say their breakouts got worse, but my pregnancy skin was awesome! No make up, had a great "glow". OH, I miss those days.
I am actually considering seeing a doc again about my skin, it is getting really bad breakouts.
And skin oil production is related to collagen production, so if you have oilly skin, you make more collagen, and as skin tends to get drier as we age, those of us with oilly skin usually have fewer wrinkles.
I'm still a student , haha :) Probably when i'm married one day and got pregnant i hope i have no more acne issues then! ;)b
i would suggest lowering your fat intake significantly and eating gluten free at least, if not grain free.
I can totally understand. I've had acne issues since I was 12 and it's just now going away because my dermotoligist prescribed me 4 different medications. I can bet my butt none of them are vegan but I have tried every single product, natural face wash and natural remedies to get rid of it.
Right now I'm taking Doryx 150mg per day, Acanya for spot treatment, Differin for at night and some other crap because my nose has blackheads, or did. I'm just happy in 2 months I get to get off all this stuff.
Almost one week of my antibiotic course. I have to say i've been feeling depressed these few days. I am suffering from bad side effects everyday. All the nauseousness and stomach discomfort is making me sick. My friends told me that i looked pale and lethargic recently. AND the worst thing is, more pimples is popping out every other days.
I don't know if i should stop my antibiotic now. I feel like my body isn't reacting well to it. I may consider visiting the TCM for my skin problems.
I'm not advocating either taking it or not, but it takes days for antibiotics to start working. If you're taking a low dose and it's been a week, they may have only just built up enough to do something and the breakout isn't related to it.