Extremely Stubborn Acne

[allygal2]

I am at an absolute, complete loss! I have battled stubborn acne on my chin for years and cannot get rid of it, although now it is spreading and getting way worse! I have currently taken back my health and am eating healthier than I have ever eaten in my life! My diet consists mainly of vegetables, healthy fats, meat and fruit and I have cut out dairy, processed grains, sugar (mostly-still treat myself every once and a while) and have started taking probiotics, daily vitamins, drinking more tea & water and am utilizing superfoods as well (acai, camu, ultra cleanse, cacao, etc). I use natural facial products and gentle soaps (cetaphil) and try to do a mask every once and a while. I am now breaking out on my forehead (lots of smaller, red bumps) and now my lower acne (usually restricted to my chin is spreading more along my jawline). I have even stopped picking at my acne (used to be a bad habit) and am super cautious about my hair and hands touch my face. I even work out a lot more too-cardio and weights. In the past I've tried proactiv and prescription creams and they have not worked. I feel like I'm past the initial detox phase of my healthy eating (been about 2 months), so I don't know what it is. I typically have very dry and sensitive skin.

All this to say, I have no clue what to do. PLEASE HELP! I'm desperate and it has become a HUGE insecurity. I would so greatly appreciate any thorough advice.

[Swelter_]

Hi,

What kind of prescription preparations have you tried? preparations containing benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, adapalene etc. are what work best for me. Your eating habits should not have a direct effect on acne, since acne is caused by bacteria and hormonal fluctuations affect it. Yes, some foods MAY trigger an attack in some people, but I'm yet to see this in my case.

Sometimes our skin gets used to certain topical medicines. If that's the case, the doctor will change it for you or combine it with other meds.

I have suffered from acne thoroughout my teens and since my skin is acne-prone, i do break out even now once in a while in my mid 30s. However, i am able to control it by thorough cleaning, and applying a preparation containing clindamycin and Nicotinamide. This one works every time. I make sure to use it only in the night or indoors in the day. Thing is, i know that I will need to keep applying it on a regular basis or else my acne prone skin breaks out sooner or later. The key is to find a regimen that works for you to keep acne at bay, instead of treating it when it appears and then letting it go and then breaking out again-only to repeat the cycle.

Drinking lots of water does help a lot too. I also go for steam cleansing once in a while to clean my pores. Another thing that works beautifully for me are chemical peels. Ive tried dermabrasion, glycolic acid peels, aha peels and salicylic acid peels- theyve helped greatly in reducing scars.

I hope this helps!