Acne like a flippin' teenager.

[the-short-one]

In October, I went to Belize for 3 weeks. Since I've been back, I've been breaking out ALL OVER. I get hammered on the neck, jaw line, shoulders, lower back and even my stomach and thighs. I broke out when I got back and it lasted for more than a month.

Broke out again same way in February/March and it's just now clearing up after I hit the tanning bed (it took 6 20 minute sessions to start clearing.) I haven't taken any steroids. Only change is that I really started working out consistently (5-6 days a week) after I got back, and diet tightened up start of January.

Things I've taken since Ooctober:

- Thermorexin/Levorex or Vasopro Ephedra + stackers or some other over the counter stimulant. I cycle them.
- Clenbutrx (by VPX) or Redline
- Yohimburn
- Dandilion Root (only recently)
- Glucorell R
- Vitamin C Mega
- Taurine
- Super Omega (1200 mg fish, flax, borage, safflower oil) infrequently - I keep forgetting
- L- Glutamine Powder
- Creatine Powder
- hydrocodone


I'm 32 years old, people!! I didn't have breakouts this bad when I was in high school.

 

[The Shadow]

sounds like an allergy

 

[the-short-one]

sounds like an allergy

This occured to me, but I haven't changed laundry detergent, shampoo, etc. We have had a lot of rain here (it's the desert - we never get any), and it's been humid. I'm wondering if my skin is really sensitive to the moisture in the air. Belize was hella humid.

 

[Firecracker]

In October, I went to Belize for 3 weeks. Since I've been back, I've been breaking out ALL OVER. I get hammered on the neck, jaw line, shoulders, lower back and even my stomach and thighs. I broke out when I got back and it lasted for more than a month.

Broke out again same way in February/March and it's just now clearing up after I hit the tanning bed (it took 6 20 minute sessions to start clearing.) I haven't taken any steroids. Only change is that I really started working out consistently (5-6 days a week) after I got back, and diet tightened up start of January.

Things I've taken since Ooctober:

- Thermorexin/Levorex or Vasopro Ephedra + stackers or some other over the counter stimulant. I cycle them.
- Clenbutrx (by VPX) or Redline
- Yohimburn
- Dandilion Root (only recently)
- Glucorell R
- Vitamin C Mega
- Taurine
- Super Omega (1200 mg fish, flax, borage, safflower oil) infrequently - I keep forgetting
- L- Glutamine Powder
- Creatine Powder
- hydrocodone


I'm 32 years old, people!! I didn't have breakouts this bad when I was in high school.

Are you stressed now more than usual? Stress is a huge factor as well. I suggest visiting a dermatologist. Check into getting an oral antibiotic. Minocycline works great combined with a topical antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide treatment. I've used over the counter stuff, but it wasn't until I saw a dermatologist did I get it under control.

 

[the-short-one]

Are you stressed now more than usual? Stress is a huge factor as well. I suggest visiting a dermatologist. Check into getting an oral antibiotic. Minocycline works great combined with a topical antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide treatment. I've used over the counter stuff, but it wasn't until I saw a dermatologist did I get it under control.

No more stressed than usual . J/K - I'm low on the stress level meter.

I guess I will have to go to the dermatologist if I can't figure this out. I'm going to wait a while longer and see if it comes back again. Maybe my body is experiencing some hormonal changes?

 

[The Shadow]

sounds like an increase in test possibly


OCs?

 

[*MissFit*]

Are you sure it's acne?

 

[Firecracker]

No more stressed than usual . J/K - I'm low on the stress level meter.

I guess I will have to go to the dermatologist if I can't figure this out. I'm going to wait a while longer and see if it comes back again. Maybe my body is experiencing some hormonal changes?

Could be. I had the same problem a couple of months ago. I haven't had acne since I was in my 20's. Then all of a sudden, like you, WAMMO! Our hormomes are always changing. BC helps regulate it too.

After I used the OTC stuff and spending lots of money on stuff that didn't work, I went to the dermatologist. There are many antibiotics to choose from. My body seems to respond best to the Minocycline. But, use both oral and topical.

They'll talk to you about other options too, there are many different combinations that you can try. It's pretty much trial and error. Not one treatment works best for everyone.

Then of course, if all else fails, there's Accutane. But it's pretty harsh with mad side affects. That's the last and final option. I have mine under control now and am super happy!

I feel for you because I know how you feel!!!! Let us know how you do!!

 

[the-short-one]

Are you sure it's acne?

yeah - it's acne. blackheads, pimples, blucky. Been tanning, so it's almost gone.

I've been swabbing myself with Clearasil blackhead astringent and I wash my face with Noxema. Sometims I use the Dove cleansing cloths if my skin feels too dry.

 

[pharmher]

Did this start when you started tanning? Sometimes people are allergic to the cleaner they use for the beds, or possibly the lotion you use when you tan?

 

[Sassy69]

Could be irritation from sweating? I tend to get breakouts anywhere my skin chafes on my clothes when I sweat.

I can't speak to the hormonal part because I've had acne all my life and the stuff *stopped* about 2 yrs ago.

 

[Sassy69]

yeah - it's acne. blackheads, pimples, blucky. Been tanning, so it's almost gone.

I've been swabbing myself with Clearasil blackhead astringent and I wash my face with Noxema. Sometims I use the Dove cleansing cloths if my skin feels too dry.

Load some pantothenic acid (Vit b-5) pills for a while.

 

[deener]

I had it flare up in my early 30s -- hadn't had it since I was a teenager. It may just be hormonal changes. Anyway, I went to a dermatologist. My daughter swears by the ProActive Solution that Vanessa Williams sells on television. You can order it online. I actually did see a huge improvement in my daughter's skin once she started using the stuff.

 

[Firecracker]

Load some pantothenic acid (Vit b-5) pills for a while.

Short-one, Like Sassy said, B5 is great! Forgot to mention I added that to the mix as well!

 

[shugga]

I had something very similar & went to the dermatologist. I had "contact dermatitis". He said to use Ivory soap or Dove for sensitive skin-and switch makeup (currently use Clinique w/ no problems!). He noticed one side of my face and neck were worse and told me to stop sleeping w/ my hand on my face and change the side I talk on the phone. That actually made a huge difference! He said to use astringents sparingly as they can actually make the acne look worse from drying out the area and making it irritated. I know what you mean...I'm 34 and looked like a freak. I'm a picker too...yuck.

 

[annielovesBB]

Maybe the problem lies w/ all those supplements your taking, they could be conflicting w/ one another since you are taking alot. Just a thought...

 

[liftingfreak1983]

do you drink pop or take in a lot of caffeine?

 

[tahoe2003]

I think she said it started before she start tanning and tanning help.

 

[Sassy69]

I've never gotten acne on my thighs before. Are you sure it isn't some sort of rash or irritation?

 

[the-short-one]

OK - back from the lake for a week and I have BUSTED out in acne ALL-THE-FUCK over. Pardon my language, but this calls for some serious swearing.

My neck, face and back are pimplin' up all over. I am so disgusted.

To answer some questions that I missed while gone:

I drink one cup of coffee in the morning, but not every morning.

I'm used to suppliments - haven't swithced to anything new except the Thermorexin - Levorex combo. But I broke out the first time before I started taking it.

I will definitely try B5 - thanks Sassy & Firecracker.

AND....I'm going to have to go to the doctor, I think. This really sucks.

 

[liftingfreak1983]

coffee probably wont give you acne...i was thinkin more like pop because of the high sugar...anyways ya go see the doc, i did accutane for six months and that cleared me all up but it drys the shit out of your lips and gave me a bloody nose every other day..i also heard rumors that they are taking it off the market...?

 

[Jerzey]

I just went to the dermatologist yesterday because all the sudden I broke out on my upper back, chest and face bad... I was really freaking out becaus I just spent 7 hours getting a tattoo on my back and I am afraid it will ruin it. Dr. said it's from sweating. I just started working out seriously again and spend 2-21/2 hours in the gym 5 days a week, then cardio sometimes a 6th day. He gave me antibiotic and something else to put on, but you can't be exposed to the sun. I'm going to try tanning first, this happened before and tanning helped me. I want to be able to tan before summer, if that fails, I'll go to the antibiotics/ointments. I usually breakout from stress but nothing like this.. Try the dermatologist, at least they can give you options!

 

[outset2]

I’ve tried everything and haven’t totally cured myself yet, acne sucks. The only thing that I have found slightly effective for facial breakouts without over dring the skin is a product called Oxzit available at www.oxzit.com. EFA’s help the skin look less red around the zit. Harsh soaps just make body acne worse. Accutane works but the dry skin side effects are terrible. A supplement called Guggulsterones that works like a natural antibiotic cuts my breakouts by about 50%, you have to take massive doses of it though like 300+mg spread out over the day, and it was recommended to me by a wise member of this board. I have also found that taking Zink 25mg 2 times a day helps the skin heal faster. Prescription antibiotics are only a temporary fix; my acne comes back when I stop taking them. I hope this helps and best of luck to you.

 

[Jerzey]

I forgot to mention witch hazel. A woman I know that works at a spa and does all kinds of skin treatment told me to use it after a shower because it helps clean deeper into your pores and seal them, it's really helped me clear up and it's only been one week! Doesn't dry you out either.

 

[Firecracker]

OK - back from the lake for a week and I have BUSTED out in acne ALL-THE-FUCK over. Pardon my language, but this calls for some serious swearing.

My neck, face and back are pimplin' up all over. I am so disgusted.

To answer some questions that I missed while gone:

I drink one cup of coffee in the morning, but not every morning.

I'm used to suppliments - haven't swithced to anything new except the Thermorexin - Levorex combo. But I broke out the first time before I started taking it.

I will definitely try B5 - thanks Sassy & Firecracker.

AND....I'm going to have to go to the doctor, I think. This really sucks.

Definately go to the doc. Doesn't sound like you'd be able to control it with over the counter stuff. The docs will help you quicker than OTC stuff. Hope it gets better! I understand how you feel!! Try to be calm though, it will go away soon!