Acne - Need Serious Help

[ruchirkc]

My acne started about a year and a half ago, and it's getting worse over time. My forehead looks like it's been dipped in oil.

I've tried usual acne creams but they don't help much - my face just gets clearer 10-20% temporarily. I'm currently trying out homeopathy (just out of curiosity), and it hasn't done much either. Any other alternative medicine that can actually cure acne 100% for good? Any herbal stuff?

I know one thing that I should do but am not doing is drink enough water.

As for the diet part, I'm working on it. I'm already a vegetarian. I'm cutting down on the junk food I take, and I might even go vegan in a couple of months. And if you're wondering, I don't eat spicy food. I would have even considered going raw but I can't currently do that.

I want to get rid of acne badly. I'd really appreciate your help

PS: Also, is there any way to reduce scars (and even get rid of 'em completely) without peals? (as in, any natural way to do it?)

[Restrikted]

I would say to just go to a dermatologist, if youre acne is that bad they can give you some pretty powerful stuff and probably advise you on herbal methods of getting rid of it.

[srujacobs]

I'm not a dermatologist, but it could be hormonal, bacterial, diet related. You should use a salicylic acid facial wash and avoid touching your skin. Proactiv can be useful. For acne scars you can try applying cucumber juice with a little lemon juice on the skin, leave for 10-15 minutes, and wash off. Mild acne scars start to lighten in about a week. Avoid washing too much, picking at the skin, or anything leading to irritation. You may notice certain triggers, dietary or hormonal, and do what you can do reduce them. Seek the help of a dermatologist.

[dice]

go here:
raw food did THIS TO MY SKIN! (pictures!)

if you have trouble going raw, search RawDownUnder on youtube. She'll get you moving.

[edith]

I feel for ya. Adult acne (waves hand!) for a long time - now with wrinkles!

A book I found at the library last summer, The Acne Cure by Terry Dubrow, really helped me like nothing had, ever (it's a few years old but still available on Amazon, too). He explains how it happens and how each product he recommends works. And it's not expensive stuff either, unless you get into Retin-A prescriptions with a dermatologist, I suppose. But I never did that. My skin isn't perfect now - but almost and if a problem crops up, i know exactly how to stop it in its tracks.

He says to use a glycolic acid peel and I couldn't find that around town - you don't need a prescription for it but apparently stores think you need to be a "trained professional" to use it Just be careful and work your way up in concentrations. Anyway, I found it easily online.

Good luck. I know how horrible it can be. You don't even want to be around other people. It's an awful awful thing and many people without the problem just don't get it. I see people when I'm out and about with terrible acne and I've come thisssss close to telling them about this book, I feel so sorry for them. But gah, I wonder how I'd feel if someone did that to (for) me? It would be devastating but acne itself is devastating enough.

I wish you the best.

[Chris Cade]

I have heard that heavily diluted 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide can help. May want to research into that as a possible option.

[ruchirkc]

Originally Posted by Restrikted

I would say to just go to a dermatologist, if youre acne is that bad they can give you some pretty powerful stuff and probably advise you on herbal methods of getting rid of it.

Clinically speaking, my acne is not THAT bad, but it just doesn't go away.

Originally Posted by srujacobs

I'm not a dermatologist, but it could be hormonal, bacterial, diet related. You should use a salicylic acid facial wash and avoid touching your skin. Proactiv can be useful. For acne scars you can try applying cucumber juice with a little lemon juice on the skin, leave for 10-15 minutes, and wash off. Mild acne scars start to lighten in about a week. Avoid washing too much, picking at the skin, or anything leading to irritation. You may notice certain triggers, dietary or hormonal, and do what you can do reduce them. Seek the help of a dermatologist.

Thanks for telling me about lemon and cucumber juice. I'll surely try it. I've tried most acne creams (mostly those with benzoyl peroxide), but I might give the salicylic acid ones a try. The problem with these creams and face washes is that they dry out my skin whenever I use them.

Originally Posted by dice

go here:
raw food did THIS TO MY SKIN! (pictures!)

if you have trouble going raw, search RawDownUnder on youtube. She'll get you moving.

Yeah, I did see your thread (after reading the title, I thought your skin had turned blue from eating raw ), but the raw diet just isn't compatible with me. The #1 reason I won't go raw is because you can have difficulty while traveling, especially when you're going to non-urban areas. The raw diet might cure my acne, but it'll come at a bigger price for me. You know, most of the raw diet proponents either live in the US, Canada, or the better parts of Europe, and they hardly travel (and by travel here, I largely mean REALLY travel, i.e. go outside their country). I've yet to hear of a traveler/adventurer who's Raw.

Originally Posted by edith

I feel for ya. Adult acne (waves hand!) for a long time - now with wrinkles!

A book I found at the library last summer, The Acne Cure by Terry Dubrow, really helped me like nothing had, ever (it's a few years old but still available on Amazon, too). He explains how it happens and how each product he recommends works. And it's not expensive stuff either, unless you get into Retin-A prescriptions with a dermatologist, I suppose. But I never did that. My skin isn't perfect now - but almost and if a problem crops up, i know exactly how to stop it in its tracks.

He says to use a glycolic acid peel and I couldn't find that around town - you don't need a prescription for it but apparently stores think you need to be a "trained professional" to use it Just be careful and work your way up in concentrations. Anyway, I found it easily online.

Good luck. I know how horrible it can be. You don't even want to be around other people. It's an awful awful thing and many people without the problem just don't get it. I see people when I'm out and about with terrible acne and I've come thisssss close to telling them about this book, I feel so sorry for them. But gah, I wonder how I'd feel if someone did that to (for) me? It would be devastating but acne itself is devastating enough.

I wish you the best.

Thanks, I'll be checking out that book. I'll need to research more about glycolic acid before I try it though.

Originally Posted by Chris Cade

I have heard that heavily diluted 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide can help. May want to research into that as a possible option.

I'll look into that

[Scipio]

Please read my advice in this thread:

Acne on my back... not meat, not diary, what else?

Also search "Acne" under the username "Scipio" on these forums.

You follow my advice and you will completely eliminate your acne like I did. I want you to know that I tried everything, including "going to the dermatologist" who gave me medications that kind of worked for the short term, but never in the long term.

Most dermatologists offer symptoms based treatments rather than preventative treatment for acne, and I would say the vast majority, up to 90%, are completely ignorant of the effects that diet has on acne.

Take care and let me know how you look in 30 days after following the diet. 30 days is about the time it will take the lowest layer of keratinocytes to reach the surface. You will begin to see results after that amount of time.

PS: I want to emphasize that I had several new zits per day, and now I have a completely clear face. Not only do I have a clear face, I do not apply creams or other things to treat acne to make it go away. Nothing comes up! It is absolutely eliminated from my life.

[AskMissK]

I've had a lot of difficulties find a natural solution to control my acne, but I've succeeded I think.

I've documented my findings and experience under the "adult acne skincare" on my site.

You'll find the link in my signature. I will also create a video this coming weekend because I think everyone should know about these products.

[Amandaaa]

hmmmmmmmm.

This is all I can think of off the top of my head:



* Use a cream cleanser every night. (Not an abrasive exfoliant.)

* Buy a good toner. (I like: Neutrogena deep clean invigorating dual action toner, and Clinique clarifying lotion for combination skin.) You can also use witch hazel as astringent, because it has an antiseptic/anti-inflammatory quality. Tea tree oil supposedly works as well as benzoyl peroxide, too.

* Salt water. If you have the luxury of living by the beach, then go for a dip in the ocean. If not, then buy some sea salt, mix it with water, and splash your face with it in the morning and at night.

* Eat more fruits & vegetables; avoid dairy, flour products, and hydrogenated oils. (And I would even avoid soy, because it could mess with your hormones.)


* If it gets really bad, then get a prescription for antibiotics. And eat lots of infection-fighting foods. (especially onions and garlic.)

* Try a prescription gel, like Differin or Benzaclin.

Also, is there any way to reduce scars (and even get rid of 'em completely) without peals?

^ I've never tried it, but I read in a magazine that Retin-A lotion works really well. Or Retin-A Micro. I forget what it's called.

[GavinMorrice]

Hi Ruchirkc!

A few points to consider:
Although most treatments for acne (and every other skin ailment) seem to be targeted at your skin (topical treatments), the problem is most likely caused in another part of your body.
Pardon the blunt analogy but covering up molehills will not get rid of the moles.

The first suggestion would be to cut out as much sugar from your diet as you can - ALL sugars. Please don't fall for the idea that 'natural' sugars are better for you, a glass of orange juice has almost just as much sugar as a glass of cola. Sugars can wreak havock on your internal environment, your intestinal flora.
This may sound counter-intuitive but try taking FOS for a while too. FOS fructooligosaccharide is a sugar that your body does not produce enzymes to digest. As such, you will not receive any calories from FOS.

The friendly bacteria in your body can digest FOS though and it causes them to reproduce rapidly. Restoring balance to your GI tract will improve your overall health and should help clear up your skin.

As also mentioned though, this could be hormonal too. Fats are essential to the function of hormones in your body. Try replacing the calories you cut from sugars, with some more fats. GLAs (gamma linoleic acids) are especially important. Get yourself some omega-3 and omega-6 suppliments.
Current-Day Fish Oil Promotion is Mis-Leading

Drink plenty of water, get more fresh air and exercise, cut your carb intake and increase your fats.

I hope some of this helps?

[Ralph]

my acne disappeared when I stopped eating meat and candy in excess amounts. I think acne is just the way your body detoxifies all the poison you put into it. Stop pouring in the poison and there will be NOTHING in your body that has to come out of your face

[AO1]

Benzoyl peroxide - how to make it work for you

Also, get on a 50-100% raw food diet

[hunter]

It took acutane to get my acne under control. It shrinks the oil glads semi permanently. It needs to be repeated for 6 months, every few years. Then I need antibiotics daily and use a COMBINATION of salyclic acid and benzoil peroxide. They work better TOGETHER than alone.

[kayumochi]

Professor Loren Cordain has found that in cultures that eat a Paleolithic diet acne is unknown. He has published a number of books including one on acne. The Paleo Diet | Paleolithic Diet, Paleo Diet, Caveman Diet, Hunter Gatherer Diet, and Ancestral Diet - all are terms that ultimately refer to the science of Paleolithic Nutrition

That being said, I suffered from acne and oily skin for years and began going to a classical homeopathist 3 years ago for chronic bronchitis which had made me very, very sick 3-4 times a year for almost a decade. Allopathy had been of no help - just antibiotics and symptom supressors. Upon hearing I used Proactiv the homeopathist warned me about the dangers of suppressing symptoms and told me to stop using Proactiv. I cut back on my usage but it was painful for me to do as Proactiv DID help with the oily skin and acne.

Then I got a low grade fever (a symptom of the chronic bronchitis in my lungs) that lasted 2 weeks before I went to see the homeopathist for a remedy. (The fever didn't incapacitate me in any way but just made me feel run down and lousy) I took the remedy in her office and drove over to the local farmers market. Within 30 minutes my fever had shot up so high my wife had to drive us home. I took my temperature when I got home and it was 104. I spent the next 4 days in bed. I couldn't eat. Breathing was difficult and I was afraid I would suffocate but I held out. At some point I got up to look at myself in the mirror. My skin had a glow and clarity I hadn't seen in a long, long time. In my misery I hadn't thought to use the Proactiv even once. It was amazing. So much so I got up several times in my misery. to look at my healthy, glowing, absolutely clear complexion.

After 4 days the fever broke. I have never had chronic bronchitis again. Have never been sick again. Have never used Proactiv again because I HAVE NEVER HAD ACNE AGAIN. My skin is still on the oily side but I see that as beneficial as I don't have the lines in my face that many other people my age do (I am in my 40's).

[TheEnthusiast]

simple cahange lifestyle...

[dulaney0330]

I have tried almost everything these posters have said and nothing helped my acne...except Sulfur wash and tretinion cream from the dermatologist.

I tried proactive, glycolic acid, nature's cure, cutting back candy and eating healthy, exercise, drinking more water, benzoil peroxide, salylic acid, countless different facial washes and nothing really worked.

But the sulfur wash and tretinion cream has done wonders. I still get pimples from time to time but its nothing like before. Tretinion cream is Vitamin A and when my dermatologist told me this, I was like how is this going to work? But it helps with scarring and aging.

My face is still oily though but I use powder. I try to see it as a blessing since oiler skin means less wrinkles

Hope my post helps!

[andersonx]

Lots of varied advice from everyone, but I reccomend you google "Clear for Life" by someone called seppo pussa or something like that.

Very clear explanation from someone who has looked at all the different advice, and found the cause of acne and how to cure it.