In the last few months I started getting breakouts on my forehead only which seems odd to me. I have been to 3 dermatologists and still have not found a remedy. I am going back to the dermatologist again today as they have still not cleared up after taking Microcycline(sp?) and Erythamyocine (sp?) I have also tried brewers yeast and nothing is working!!

I think I have bought damn near every face wash and spot clearing serum in CVS. Nothing is working and I’m quite frustrated at this point and not to mention embarrassed.

I have looked at things I might have newly come in contact with - foods all that stuff, I have racked my brain trying to find a solution to no avail!

Anyone have any ideas? I don’t think this is acme but then again what do I know?

HELP!!!!

Benzoyl peroxide. Put it on heavy, every day (definitely at night, also during the day if it doesn't bother you). Be consistent for a couple of weeks and I bet it'll help.

It's been a while since I researched it, but as I recall, benzoyl peroxide has actually been shown in numerous studies to be as effective as (often more effective than) any other treatments. You can use the 2.5%. It's just as effective as 10%, but supposedly less irritating.

Note that it can bleach clothes/sheets, though (which is why I don't use it during the day). Use a moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out.

Benzoyl peroxide. Put it on heavy, every day (definitely at night, also during the day if it doesn't bother you). Be consistent for a couple of weeks and I bet it'll help.

It's been a while since I researched it, but as I recall, benzoyl peroxide has actually been shown in numerous studies to be as effective as (often more effective than) any other treatments. You can use the 2.5%. It's just as effective as 10%, but supposedly less irritating.

Note that it can bleach clothes/sheets, though (which is why I don't use it during the day). Use a moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out.

I forgot to mention that I have been using RetinA and Tazaric, would that be the same as benzoyl peroxide or as effective?

I forgot to mention that I have been using RetinA and Tazaric, would that be the same as benzoyl peroxide or as effective?
Some studies have shown benzoyl peroxide to be as effective as Retin-A. I personally had/have much better luck with benzoyl peroxide than Retin-A, as long as I'm consistent. I'm not sure what Tazaric is.

Definitely don't use Benzoyl Peroxide if you're already using another topical treatment, though.

Well, just got back from the dermatologist and I am now going to try Bactrim haha. I may end up on Accutane before its all over with...YIKES!!!

Any improvement?

From my perspective (training to be a hypnotherapist) I know that some physical conditions can be caused by a mental or emotional issue.

Something to consider if you think this might be relevant..

Any improvement?

From my perspective (training to be a hypnotherapist) I know that some physical conditions can be caused by a mental or emotional issue.

Something to consider if you think this might be relevant..

Well, it has been almost a month since I started the Bactrum and it seems to be working!! Almost all clear thank God!!!:D

Hi Jason, I'm glad to hear your current medication is working well. Hopefully that is the end of the matter and you won't need any more help - but here are my experiences anyway.

I'm 43 and have had problems with acne continuously since my teens. Even at this age if I don't take constant measures, I will get problems very quickly.

To summarise my discoveries to date:

1. Diet has absolutely no noticeable impact on my acne one way or the other.

2. Benzoyl peroxide cream (preferably 5% or less) is useful for treating an area that is out of control. It starts working more quickly than usually stated.

3. To prevent breakouts, I have found the best thing is to wash with plain hot water multiple times per day. Use soap no more than twice per day, and do not use alcohol or cleansers. Do not use abrasive pads, etc. If necessary, you can use cotton wool soaked with hot water for treating existing or developing lesions. Otherwise, just use your (clean) hands to splash hot water repeatedly over the skin. Do it multiple times per day.

4. When cleansing, concentrate on the areas where sebum is produced and the areas where it spreads to. In my case, I've worked out that there are just a few small areas where excessive sebum is produced and from there it seems to spread, e.g. by gravity, or along natural dips and channels in the skin. Therefore I am prone to spots along the diagonal lines running down and outward from the lower part of my nose. I've found the key is to cleanse the "source" and the "course", even if there are no spots in those areas.

5. The key point of my approach is to reduce the sebum (and minor dirt and dust) from the surface of the skin along the path that it follows, but not to do it so aggressively that the deeper layers of skin are affected. I think that if you dry the skin deeper than just the surface, the skin notices this and responds by producing more sebum to restore the balance. (Think of it this way: the skin has just produced a bucket load of a substance and the next moment none of that substance is there - in this situation, the skin will "think" it's not producing enough and will step up production!)

6. I've found it pays to keep my hair short and wash it frequently (even if only in hot water). The scalp might not be a major producer of sebum, but the hairs are very efficient at channeling it directly onto your face, neck and shoulders, as well as causing mechanical irritation.

Does anyone else notice that an add for acne treatment appeared underneath this thread all of a sudden? :blank:

Does anyone else notice that an add for acne treatment appeared underneath this thread all of a sudden? :blank:

Pretty sure that is due to the design of the ads ;)

My 2 cents in all of this is that since I switched to St Ives Apricot Scrub about a year ago, my skin has improved by leaps and bounds. Very rarely do I have any breakouts on my face anymore :) (jeez...at 30 :( )

In the past, when I'd had too much greasy food, I would get a few zits. My skin has been very clear (albeit dry) since my diet has been cleaned up.

Is your skin naturally oily? Try wiping your face off with a damp paper towel a couple times throughout the day each day.

Don't underestimate the power of a swim in the ocean. Why do surfers always have great skin !!!!

hashmonkey said it!!!

the ocean rules for keping your skin clear. seriously. i don't know waht it is, but it works...

and also, as far as diet.. i know it affects me.

if i eat salami or coppa or any of those italian sausage based lunchmeats (soprasotta also) i ALWAYS get a break out the next few days. same thing for cashews.

those are the only foods that do it for me, however.

benzol peroxide = thumbs up.

ocean := even better thumbs up.

I should mention that the Dermatologist said this wasn't acme after all but more a bacterial infection.

I have tried 3 different antibiotics and the bactrum seems to work the best thus far.

We shall see what happens from here!! :confused:

Quit wearing a baseball cap, backwards:D