Aa
Sudden break out please help
So I'm not a person who has ever suffered with spots.
I have a good skincare routine and I have not changed it up and yo my knowledge I'm not using anything different.
I have googled quite a lot and I keep reading about hormonal imbalances. I have had quite a bad few weeks mood wise and just felt generally grim and down in the dumps.
My period does usually make me feel that way.
The spots are on the lower half of my face mainly around the mouth and chin/ lower cheeks.
I usually get one or two spots around my period and even that would be rare for me. I have around 9 currently.
I don't understand why, I have been trying to eat better and drink more water.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
I have a good skincare routine and I have not changed it up and yo my knowledge I'm not using anything different.
I have googled quite a lot and I keep reading about hormonal imbalances. I have had quite a bad few weeks mood wise and just felt generally grim and down in the dumps.
My period does usually make me feel that way.
The spots are on the lower half of my face mainly around the mouth and chin/ lower cheeks.
I usually get one or two spots around my period and even that would be rare for me. I have around 9 currently.
I don't understand why, I have been trying to eat better and drink more water.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
Hi. Apologies for the extensive response in advance but I feel everything that follows is pertinent.
Sounds identical to what I'm suffering with; literally developed relentless cysts on my jawline and chin a few months ago after only having to endure a minor hormonal breakouts beforehand. Have NEVER had hormonal acne in the 24 years I've suffered with breakouts, yet in the last 4 months, it's just been a unwelcome resident on my lower face area that seems to be getting too comfortable for my liking. It worsens about a week before my menstrual cycle and calms down the week after my period ends. Then, I get a few days of no new blemishes only to realise how quickly the time has gone with me facing the onslaught of the next premenstrual breakout. Sound familiar? I also have a number of black hairs which sprout from my chin area and have also noticed that my face is rather hairy in general. My once thick, lustrous hair as also become extremely thin, with my hairline noticeably receding. I believe that these may all be signs of a hormone imbalance. I didn't have my first period until I was 17 (though I am the lucky mother of a beautiful 12 year old son) so it's evident that this (likely) hormonal issue has been a long-term one for me. Even if you’ve only got acne, it could still be as a result of a hormone imbalance; one that CAN be managed if not resolved for good.
I know how upsetting and soul-destroying waking up to face another day with a face that you wish wasn't yours is; I've spent since aged 14 (am now 38) doing that and have no doubt that my personality and life has been detrimentally impacted upon due to having such low self-esteem. I feel like I would've been a totally different person, leading a more rewarding, happier life with a promising future had it not been for my acne.
We are not vain; who doesn't want healthy looking skin that allows you to venture outside of your bedroom on a beautiful summer’s day to enjoy the sunshine? Acne is a sign that you are unwell, yet it is probably one of the most common health issues that has little sympathy from the lucky ones who have never battled with their appearance as a result. It makes you feel emotionally debilitated, ugly AND isolates you from society.
But you can't let your skin control you, else you'll never have control of your skin. Stressing about it makes it worse (increasing cortisol production which increases sebum production) and so the vicious cyclic cysts and inflammation continue. I wish I WASN’T so knowledgeable about this affliction and am not taking this opportunity to "show and tell" the world what I DO know because I am a chronic acne sufferer and so unhappy because of it. I would prefer to be blissfully ignorant where acne is concerned and have nothing to say on the subject. I have had clear skin on my Christmas list for over 2 decades and whilst I know Father Christmas doesn’t exist, the possibility of possessing clear skin does, for you, me and almost everyone that is willing to search for that Holy Grail we all dream of. Therefore, if sharing what I DO know can help just one person (ie you), enduring this endless battle against a seemingly invisible force would've been worth it (and I sincerely mean that).
It is only since having the worst breakout EVER that I've started embracing myself as a whole package, present acne status included. You must start looking in the mirror and accepting what you see, even if you don't like it. If you can't look past your skin issues, why should other people? It doesn't define you and shouldn't confine you. The latter may sound like useless advice but you’d be surprised as to how a positive attitude can at least improve how you perceive your daily acne struggles, as well as actually helping to alleviate it in time. Acne is a sign your body is fighting something internal; be that a hormone imbalance, gut imbalance or nutritional imbalance. I know a quick fix is what you dream of; to wake up with at least no new blemishes would be a blessing. But until you identify the root cause it remain a dream; there will be at least one fundamental reason; either diet, cosmetics/hair products, vitamin/mineral deficiency, food intolerance, hormone imbalance or a number of the aforementioned. I am no professional but it definitely sounds like you've got the latter issue as a cause due to how similar the location and type of breakouts your having is to mine.
Patience and perseverance are the 2 things acne should fear, because when you're armed with both, clear skin CAN be part of your future.
So, I will close this ridiculously long response (which has taken me over 2 hours to complete) by saying this:
Until you’ve established the definitive root cause(s) of your ongoing acne breakouts you should:
1. ask you GP to send you for blood tests as it may be an imbalance in your androgen levels that are causing your acne. I've had mine done and am patiently waiting the for results;
2. start taking supplements that are proven as acne arsenal including Vit D, E, Omega 3, Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium and Niacin which are extremely beneficial for acne sufferers. It will take at least one month before you to notice any benefits from taking them (but you WILL see an improvement it you commit);
3. eat clean and this is what I’ve struggled with as equally as leaving my house with a terrible breakout If you haven’t already, cut out ALL dairy products, gluten, sugary and spicy foods. Sounds cliché but I have noticed that (comfort) eating refined, processed foods, dairy AND gluten exacerbate existing breakouts or cause new ones in other areas of my face almost overnight. Although everyone is unique, acknowledged and accepted medical data from approved human tests and trials now exist supporting the connection between nutrition and acne, therefore it may well benefit you by making dietary changes. It’s hard initially but you should notice a marked improvement after about a week and that will give you the incentive to carry on eating clean;
4. drink lots of pure water (ie no fruit cordials or added sweeteners); I have boiled water with fresh lemon juice, organic apple cider vinegar, nettle tea bags, or any the herbal tea infusions to assist with providing antioxidants and abate carb cravings. Most of these also help keep your insulin level from spiking which is another proven factor which negatively impacts acne sufferers;
5. try not to stress; even after you make the above dietary changes, you may still breakout for a number of days or weeks after you ate any foods which might worsen your acne. This is as there may be a delay in anything you’ve eaten from as long as a month ago still being filtered via your skin so don’t lose hope if this happens. Stressing only increases the production of cortisol which can exacerbate acne for a number of reasons;
6. fear facing the world with how you feel about your face, but do it anyway. I guarantee most people won’t pay you a second glance and those who do will see you’ve got acne and get on with their lives. Our minds are a force to be reckoned with; our perception of ourselves is shaped by our outlook on life and what we see when we look inwards; so behold what you see in the mirror and smile, you’ve got work to do and nothing or nobody (including yourself) should stand in your way of reaching your ultimate goal………….obtaining clear skin and shining from within!
Good Luck and Best Wishes!
N.B. It’s taken me over 2 hours to write this. I hope it helps even just one person perusing who is able to empathise, it'd have made the RSI now present in both of my wrists well worth it!
Sounds identical to what I'm suffering with; literally developed relentless cysts on my jawline and chin a few months ago after only having to endure a minor hormonal breakouts beforehand. Have NEVER had hormonal acne in the 24 years I've suffered with breakouts, yet in the last 4 months, it's just been a unwelcome resident on my lower face area that seems to be getting too comfortable for my liking. It worsens about a week before my menstrual cycle and calms down the week after my period ends. Then, I get a few days of no new blemishes only to realise how quickly the time has gone with me facing the onslaught of the next premenstrual breakout. Sound familiar? I also have a number of black hairs which sprout from my chin area and have also noticed that my face is rather hairy in general. My once thick, lustrous hair as also become extremely thin, with my hairline noticeably receding. I believe that these may all be signs of a hormone imbalance. I didn't have my first period until I was 17 (though I am the lucky mother of a beautiful 12 year old son) so it's evident that this (likely) hormonal issue has been a long-term one for me. Even if you’ve only got acne, it could still be as a result of a hormone imbalance; one that CAN be managed if not resolved for good.
I know how upsetting and soul-destroying waking up to face another day with a face that you wish wasn't yours is; I've spent since aged 14 (am now 38) doing that and have no doubt that my personality and life has been detrimentally impacted upon due to having such low self-esteem. I feel like I would've been a totally different person, leading a more rewarding, happier life with a promising future had it not been for my acne.
We are not vain; who doesn't want healthy looking skin that allows you to venture outside of your bedroom on a beautiful summer’s day to enjoy the sunshine? Acne is a sign that you are unwell, yet it is probably one of the most common health issues that has little sympathy from the lucky ones who have never battled with their appearance as a result. It makes you feel emotionally debilitated, ugly AND isolates you from society.
But you can't let your skin control you, else you'll never have control of your skin. Stressing about it makes it worse (increasing cortisol production which increases sebum production) and so the vicious cyclic cysts and inflammation continue. I wish I WASN’T so knowledgeable about this affliction and am not taking this opportunity to "show and tell" the world what I DO know because I am a chronic acne sufferer and so unhappy because of it. I would prefer to be blissfully ignorant where acne is concerned and have nothing to say on the subject. I have had clear skin on my Christmas list for over 2 decades and whilst I know Father Christmas doesn’t exist, the possibility of possessing clear skin does, for you, me and almost everyone that is willing to search for that Holy Grail we all dream of. Therefore, if sharing what I DO know can help just one person (ie you), enduring this endless battle against a seemingly invisible force would've been worth it (and I sincerely mean that).
It is only since having the worst breakout EVER that I've started embracing myself as a whole package, present acne status included. You must start looking in the mirror and accepting what you see, even if you don't like it. If you can't look past your skin issues, why should other people? It doesn't define you and shouldn't confine you. The latter may sound like useless advice but you’d be surprised as to how a positive attitude can at least improve how you perceive your daily acne struggles, as well as actually helping to alleviate it in time. Acne is a sign your body is fighting something internal; be that a hormone imbalance, gut imbalance or nutritional imbalance. I know a quick fix is what you dream of; to wake up with at least no new blemishes would be a blessing. But until you identify the root cause it remain a dream; there will be at least one fundamental reason; either diet, cosmetics/hair products, vitamin/mineral deficiency, food intolerance, hormone imbalance or a number of the aforementioned. I am no professional but it definitely sounds like you've got the latter issue as a cause due to how similar the location and type of breakouts your having is to mine.
Patience and perseverance are the 2 things acne should fear, because when you're armed with both, clear skin CAN be part of your future.
So, I will close this ridiculously long response (which has taken me over 2 hours to complete) by saying this:
Until you’ve established the definitive root cause(s) of your ongoing acne breakouts you should:
1. ask you GP to send you for blood tests as it may be an imbalance in your androgen levels that are causing your acne. I've had mine done and am patiently waiting the for results;
2. start taking supplements that are proven as acne arsenal including Vit D, E, Omega 3, Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium and Niacin which are extremely beneficial for acne sufferers. It will take at least one month before you to notice any benefits from taking them (but you WILL see an improvement it you commit);
3. eat clean and this is what I’ve struggled with as equally as leaving my house with a terrible breakout If you haven’t already, cut out ALL dairy products, gluten, sugary and spicy foods. Sounds cliché but I have noticed that (comfort) eating refined, processed foods, dairy AND gluten exacerbate existing breakouts or cause new ones in other areas of my face almost overnight. Although everyone is unique, acknowledged and accepted medical data from approved human tests and trials now exist supporting the connection between nutrition and acne, therefore it may well benefit you by making dietary changes. It’s hard initially but you should notice a marked improvement after about a week and that will give you the incentive to carry on eating clean;
4. drink lots of pure water (ie no fruit cordials or added sweeteners); I have boiled water with fresh lemon juice, organic apple cider vinegar, nettle tea bags, or any the herbal tea infusions to assist with providing antioxidants and abate carb cravings. Most of these also help keep your insulin level from spiking which is another proven factor which negatively impacts acne sufferers;
5. try not to stress; even after you make the above dietary changes, you may still breakout for a number of days or weeks after you ate any foods which might worsen your acne. This is as there may be a delay in anything you’ve eaten from as long as a month ago still being filtered via your skin so don’t lose hope if this happens. Stressing only increases the production of cortisol which can exacerbate acne for a number of reasons;
6. fear facing the world with how you feel about your face, but do it anyway. I guarantee most people won’t pay you a second glance and those who do will see you’ve got acne and get on with their lives. Our minds are a force to be reckoned with; our perception of ourselves is shaped by our outlook on life and what we see when we look inwards; so behold what you see in the mirror and smile, you’ve got work to do and nothing or nobody (including yourself) should stand in your way of reaching your ultimate goal………….obtaining clear skin and shining from within!
Good Luck and Best Wishes!
N.B. It’s taken me over 2 hours to write this. I hope it helps even just one person perusing who is able to empathise, it'd have made the RSI now present in both of my wrists well worth it!
Thank you so much for this! I rarely write on these things.
It is a total first world issue and my skin has calmed down.
It's the hormones! Turns me into a moany wreck!
I honestly cannot believe this response it's the nicest thing! Thank you so so much it's really made my whole week a lot better!
I hope you and the family have a lovely weekend❤
It is a total first world issue and my skin has calmed down.
It's the hormones! Turns me into a moany wreck!
I honestly cannot believe this response it's the nicest thing! Thank you so so much it's really made my whole week a lot better!
I hope you and the family have a lovely weekend❤
1 Comments
You're more than welcome. Am just so pleased to hear that your skin has calmed down. You can minimise or totally eradicate future hormonal breakouts by following my advice about diet, supplements and managing stress. Am here if you ever need my support and/or advice in the future. Good Luck fellow warrior!
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