STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Tati · Chanel

okay...i need to vent! about my face!

Kelly · Hermes

FWIW I don't think that Friday-Sunday is long enough for any product to make visible changes. If your skin is white and flaky it sounds like maybe it's just dry? I wonder if adding a non-comedogenic (sp?) moisturizer to your routine would help that? Maybe you could go see a derm - the dr will know if you *really* need to have your liver checked (which I kind of doubt is true, but what do I know?) and will also be able to give you some solid suggestions or medicines.

Sorry you and your skin are having a fight! I hate that there aren't any "quick fixes" for skin problems, it's hard to know when things are working when you have to use them for weeks to see a difference!

joy0302 · Kate Spade

A couple of years ago, still well past teenage acne phase, I started breaking out all over my face really bad. A friend of mine suggested Mario Badescu products and I was shocked by how quickly they cleared my face. I swear by them now and rarely have breakouts since using them. If you were interested you could call them or fill out an online survey and that send out free samples to try.

I hope you find a solution. I know when I have those problems everyone else probably doesn't even notice but it brings me down and makes me more introverted.

Suasoria · Chanel

I agree that it hasn't been long enough to see much difference, but if you're drying out in places it sounds like it could be too harsh for your skin. Tea tree oil can also dry it out.

Are you on any birth control pills? If so is it time for a change to a different strength? If not is it worth getting on one to deal with the hormonal issues?

Tati · Chanel

Nope no birth control for a very, very long time. One time, a long time ago actually, I tried to get back on it but I would start to spot if I was one minute late on taking it! So I gave up.

I feel that my face is dry and itchy on some areas with using this product. I feel like its gotten worse, not stayed the same or better.
I'm going tomorrow. We will see what the doc says and see if he needs to recommend me to a derm.

Thank you All for your advice

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

There could be many issues at hand. One of which, could be sensitive skin. If that's the case, tea tree oil isn't going to be helpful.

The skincare articles on Paula Begoun's website are extremely helpful for (at least) understanding what your skin is doing and how it works.
http://www.beautypedia.com/Articles.aspx
She also provides advice on how to handle the problem, when to visit a derm, and product recommendations. She does sell her own line, but she will recommend another product that works well - - even if it is not hers.

Give it more time. But, if you are having itchiness and redness, you may need to stop use. To me, that is just plain irritation/sensitization. I look at sensitive skin as if it were a wound. Think about how gently we treat wounds. We wouldn't scrub them, dump heavy fragrances on them, etc.

Lil Red · Nine West

What about your diet? I really notice a difference when I eat well vs. eating a lot of processed junk. Lots and lots of water too. Product wise, are you using a lot of stuff on your face? Be carful not to try too many new things at one time.

Elle · Hermes

I agree with Kelly that Friday-Sunday isn't long enough to see results from any treatment, and I think you may actually be making it worse by using all of these new products. Jumping into a new set of products 2x per day everyday can be really harsh on the skin, most especially if they are intended for treatment of oily skin or acne. You can try backing off to once a day and using something else gentle to cleanse (Cetaphil) and moisturize once a day as well, and see how that works. Tea Tree Oil, no matter how much I want to like it or how natural it is, breaks me out like none other - could it be contributing?

However, if your acne consists mostly of just those fleshy whiteheads, that should be something a derm can take care of pretty easily. A gentle cleansing routine and a prescription cream to put on once a day and you'll probably be mostly cleared up in a few weeks! If that isn't the case, don't give up - different products work for some and not others, and there are many more treatments now then there used to be!

Boots · Gucci

A derm will give you better advice about treating medical skin conditions than somebody working at a spa. It does sound like your skin is reacting badly to whatever products the woman gave you.

I've been battling adult acne for years now and I think I finally have it under control. If your skin is flaking, an immediate fix is very gently exfoliating (a warm wet wash cloth is good) and then a non-pore clogging moisturizer. I started using Pond's Redness relief every morning after the shower and at at night after I wash my face. It's made a difference. The flaking on my chin is gone now.

I also started using M2 (used to be Mama Lotion) on my skin every other night. It's supposed to even skintone, but it's better at reducing my breakouts. I think really helped turn the tide on my acne.

http://skincarerx.com/M2-Skin-Refinish-20%25.html

Whatever routine the doctor given you, remember it will take a while to show a difference on your skin. It could be weeks or months. But also remember that if the skin hurts or feels "wrong" tell your derm about it. They sometime have to try a few different products before finding the right one for you. I actually am looking for a new derm because he just wasn't listening to my concerns (like being on an antibotic for over a year!) So don't be afraid to speak up.

I know how ego busting having a bad skin day can be. It can feel like there's a target right on your face all day. I completely get it.

Tati · Chanel

thanks again for ALL of the advice I kept getting. Love you all for it!

okay, I went to the doctor this morning and they took blood from me. So I go back in two weeks to get test results on all the blood work and we will go from there.

He's pretty positive my liver is good. He's leaning more towards it being hormonal. depending on how my blood works comes back looking, we will take the next step on how to control/balance my hormones.
I forget to mention to you that I also have back acne! my back is a lot worse than my face. when doc looked at my back, he said i have vulgarius acne. He gave me antibiotics that should have it go away. But says that it may come back if its a hormone issue.
says he would like me to do a saliva test....that thats the best way to match me up with what my body has too much of or too little of. then they would make it into powder or pills for exactly what my body needs to balance me out.hmmm....we will see.
shit, I'm only 33! I cant believe this is what I'm probably going through. the doc said I'm in great health from what he can see. and he didn't believe how old I was.

oh, and on my eating habits. I eat pretty healthy, imo.
I'm a vegan. funny, cause everything I read about benefits of being a vegan, one always mentioned is Clear Skin!

yesterday my face was really feeling like crap, itchy too. So I didn't use the products facial lady sold me at night. I went back to using what I was using before. and AHHHH!! how refreshing my skin felt afterwards! I'm scared to use her products again! Im just so confused on what to buy now! and to try new things, its not free!
I was using Burt Bee's facial wash, I'm almost done with my bottle. So I'm thinking I should just stick to oil free products with everything?
and yes, I think the tree tea oil was killing me.

i know my face isn't that bad, but you guys know what I mean by how you, yourself, myself, knows. I was almost in tears last night pouting to my husband! but today is a better day, since I stopped using the facial lady products.

and its really hard for me to go see doc's because I have no health insurance. everything is cash. You dont know how hard it was for me to make this appointment and put me ahead of my kids and husband. but this doc is really great and charges low. thanks to my mom finding him!
so to go see a derm....I'm afraid of how much that would be!
I'll keep you posted!

Boots · Gucci

Try Neutrogena Body Wash for the back acne. And try to shower after you sweat (work out of just after a long hot summer day.) That should help clear it up.

Elle · Hermes

Tati wrote:

says he would like me to do a saliva test....that thats the best way to match me up with what my body has too much of or too little of. then they would make it into powder or pills for exactly what my body needs to balance me out.hmmm....we will see.

I call absolute bullshit on this, and if you weren't going to this particular doctor for cost reasons I'd say never to go back. But if it's this doc or no doc at all, do your research before you go back in so you know what's up and can ask specifically for what you think is going to work for your situation, instead of getting talked into unecessary stuff and told to come back again and again. The site relrel linked to is really good, so is this one for explaining what each type of treatment is and what it helps and doesn't help.

The antibiotics the doc gave you for your back won't help the whiteheads on your face, which have little to do with bacteria and more to do with oil production and accumulation of skin cells. If you like the Burt's Bees facial wash, I'd continue to use it. You can try using a medicated wash in the morning and something gentler at night (I like Cetaphil mixed with a bit of baking soda to remove my makeup) before you use your acne treatments. For the whiteheads, try gentle exfoliation (like with a warm washcloth) and a salicyllic acid treatment (I like this one, not drying at all).

I'm sorry

. Acne is so frustrating! I have insurance but they don't cover everything, and right now I'm looking into different treatments for scar removal which they don't cover at all. Harumph! I hope you get things cleared up soon!

ETA: The vegan diet - I'm a vegetarian myself and have done the vegan thing in the past. However, if you're on a diet that restricts food groups like a vegan diet does, you have to be extremely vigilant about monitoring your micronutrients (B vitamins, iron, zinc, selenium, etc). Many of these things are essential for healthy skin and body functions - it can take awhile for your body to 'run out' of it's stores of these things after you switch over to a vegan diet, so deficiencies can pop up months afterward and may simulate other disorders and can cause different disorders. IMO it's essential that you track your intake of micronutrients, at the very least for a few weeks, just to see if there is anywhere where you're coming up significantly short over time ( I use Sparkpeople for this, which Bluebird turned me onto here awhile ago). A multivitamin supplement can help, if you aren't already taking one, but still may not be enough if you're really short of some things from your food sources. Might be worth a look ...

-- Edited by Elle on Monday 7th of June 2010 05:13:15 PM

Boots · Gucci

I agree with Elle on the unnecessary tests. My derm didn't do any sort of "tests" but look at my face and ask me about the progress of the conditions. I thought a saliva test was kind of odd. Whiteheads come from clogged pores. I can't understand what your saliva would have to do with it.

I also thought of something last night while I was brushing my teeth. My derm told me to be careful about getting (and leaving) toothpaste residue around my mouth & chin. This leads to irritation and whiteheads. Especially if it's whitening toothpaste.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

Boots wrote:

I agree with Elle on the unnecessary tests. My derm didn't do any sort of "tests" but look at my face and ask me about the progress of the conditions. I thought a saliva test was kind of odd. Whiteheads come from clogged pores. I can't understand what your saliva would have to do with it.

Tritto! I have never heard of a saliva test for acne. Have you thought about asking for a prescription of a retinoid? They are very good at speeding up skin cell turnover, and help prevent wrinkles.

Also, I tend to get whiteheads (I think they're whiteheads) on my forehead, and although I've been using a salicylic acid cleanser every day, I don't feel like it works very well... My derm prescribed doxycycline for me, and it's been great at clearing up those zits that seem to linger forever.

Also, if you keep getting pimples in the same place, I just read in Cosmo that a Zeno can be helpful. They make a Zeno Hotspot for $40. You could buy it at CVS and I imagine, if it didn't work, you could take it back.

Tati · Chanel

so you ladies think its BS on the saliva? does it help, that I forgot to mention I might be premenoposual (sp?)

thanks for posting sites again Elle. I wrote some names down....I'll be doing some shopping today.
I also need to look into oil free makeup

dont know if you know what I mean about the white heads. they dont look like zits. its like little white things sticking out, like if my skin were dry. but its not dry. well im hoping what you ladies rec will help me on that.
I actually used some of my son's ProActive and my face didn't react bad to it.....

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

Hmmmm, did your derm say anything about keratosis pilaris? MIL is a Derm R.N. and she said it could be the cause.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/keratosis-pilaris/ds00769

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I have sensitive skin, which is prone to break outs, which recently became dry skin too. I was breaking out a lot along my cheeks with the kind of white bumps that weren't zits and have had a lot of luck with Korres yogurt facial moisturizer. I bought it from Sephora and my skin was better in about 2 weeks time. It doesn't have spf so I just use it at night. I know you are trying to cut down on products that may/may not work, reduce costs and not switch too much at a time, but if you do need a new moisturizer, I'd ask the fine gals at Sephora to make you a nice sample of it and see what you think, FWIW.

Elle · Hermes

Tati wrote:

so you ladies think its BS on the saliva? does it help, that I forgot to mention I might be premenoposual (sp?)

Anything hormonal going on would show up in your bloodwork, not your saliva.

If the bumps are just small and fleshy but not inflamed, it just sounds like skin cells building up around the hair follicles (very similar to KP, actually). Exfoliation and a BHA or retinoid should take care of it IMO ...

Tati · Chanel

Thank You, Thank you all so much for the advice! I Really appreciate it! I went to Target and bought Neutrogena body acne wash and also bought a back scrub. I also went to Sephora and got some samples. I started taking antibiotics...so I'm afraid that's gonna throw me off if my products are working! I will be using proactive here and there at night, sephora lady also agreed on that. Because too use it everyday would be to hard on my face. So we will see what happens! Strange thing is too, that sephora lady said I had nice skin!? Anyways. Sorry for typos, doing this from my cell.

Thanks Elle. I most likely won't be doing that test!

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

Hi, Tati!
I decided to drop a few suggestions: I've been battling bad skin as of the age 11 until...about 30...never wore a tank top, because it also affected my chest area, couldn't wear plunging necklines until after I turned 30...so, you can imagine my battles & frustrations. Went through treatments, ordered that famous ( the name escaped me, Jessica Simpson advertised it) line - no results, just like you had, not better, not worse, so...
It is hormones. I think my skin got also better when i started using birth control pills.
1st - you need to keep your skin clean at all times, use toner with alcohol if your skin is oily. Mine is, I prefer Olay toner - inexpensive, good.
2nd - moisturize your skin twice a day, find moisturizer that balances oil for oily or oily to normal skin. Can't recomend, i found this moisturizer & have it mailed to me from abroad, but you can find the same here. Sephora website is good at finding what you're looking for with description in search.
3rd - try to reduce amount of dairy ( cheese, milk, yogurt) and chocolate.
4th - if you apply make up - cleanse the face when you come home right away, if you can do it a few times per day - better, use facial cleaners that have mild scrubing, Nuetrogena, Biore, Olay make them, also good quality, inexpensive.
5th - you have to be very diligent with that procedure of cleaning & moisturising, don't skip days, just make it a part of your routine twice a day, morning & before you go to sleep. Very important to stick to it.
6th - regarding make up: also, they have now oil balancing make up that don't clog your skin, I use Clinique foundation, for example. Don't forget SUNBLOCK!
Best of luck! I understand so much what you're going through...it's just a period in your life. Also forgot to metion: eat healthier: less fried or other oily foods...olive oil instead of butter...well, you know...