Estheticians - Got a skin question for you.
Tue, 06/09/2009 - 9:44am
I am not sure if you guys will be able to help me or not, but it seems like estheticians work very closely with the dermatology field.
I have very temperamental skin - very breakout prone (for 10 years running - blechk). I've done proactiv, neutragena, acnefree, every over-the-counter medication ever, doxycycline, tetracycline, retin-a, tretinoin, accutane (twice), and now doryx and aczone. Of all of those, only the accutane has worked for me - but about 3 months after finishing the 6-month round of accutane, it all comes back.
I got a new dermatologist and tried to get on accutane again, but got stuck with this doryx and aczone combo. Of course, no results. It's been two weeks, and he's saying it could take 8 weeks to see results. To be frank, I have 0 faith in this combo, because Doryx is basically just doxycycline, and that wasn't working, and aczone doesn't seem to be having an effect.
Do I have any options? Should I get a second opinion? Can an esthetician help?
Programs:
Esthetics and Skin Care
(3 votes)
Wed, 06/10/2009 - 9:08am
#2
Stress, Diet & Intake
I bet stress has a lot to do with it. I tend to be a high-stress person. I'm trying to exercise more, including some de-stress stuff like yoga, to maybe alleviate some of that.
On the whole I think my diet is pretty doggone good. I am a vegetarian, which means the vast majority of fast food is off-limits, and I make it a habit not to eat out. I try to maintain a pretty healthy balance of food groups, and I drink water like it's going out of style. I take a daily vitamin in the morning.
"I treat stress related skin conditions using therapeutic stress reducing essential oils in combination with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic botanical ingredients. Reducing inflammation may be done by supplementing with herbs, such as the formula Zyflammend by New Chapter vitamins."
I think I'm a little confused here. Therapeutic stress-reducing oils? Anti-inflammatories? Antioxidants? Antiseptic botanical ingredients? Would love to know more about this stuff!
Thanks for the thorough response, jharoma. (And welcome to the lounge!)
Thu, 06/11/2009 - 10:56am
#3
I am not a professional or
I am not a professional or expert in anyway, but I have battled moderate breakout issues since I was about 13, and I thought when I got through puberty and "grew up," I'd be acne free. Let's go old school here - PSYCH!
A dermatologist prescribed antibiotics on a long term basis (amoxicillin worked for me) but I had 2 problems with that: 1) That is not healthy for the rest of my system and also not healthy for the rest of the world who uses antibiotics to treat actual illnesses! Using abx to clear my skin could be helping harmful bacteria mutate and become immune to the medication, and no one needs that for my vanity's sake! It also took it's toll on my digestive system b/c it killed the good bacteria so I had stomach aches a lot. 2) Like your situation, when I quit taking the abx, my skin problems came back! Just not a good long term solution.
I've been using birth control pills to control it. They work wonders for my skin, and since I'm already a mom and not ready for any more children yet, it kills two birds with one stone. I know that's not an option for everyone, but it's what I've found as the healthiest effective option for me at this stage in my life.
I hope you find something that works for you!
Mon, 06/15/2009 - 6:53pm
#4
Second Opinion
I worked in dermatology for almost 14 years - upper east side (New York city) - and the derm is right in telling you to give the medication time to work. With that said, after you have, you may also want to explore other options like mentioned by other bloggers. The FDA has tightened the requirements for isotretinoin (chemical name for trademark Accutane) and so it will require constant monitoring to go back on it again. You can certainly go for a 2nd opinion to a board-certified dermatologist - that's never a bad idea! Finding the best treatment option may take a little patience and in the interim - look for a well-qualified esthetician to help alleviate the side effects and/or breakouts. To find a NCEA Certified professional visit http://www.ncea.tv/ns/certifiedprofessionalslistings.html
Tue, 06/16/2009 - 12:49pm
#5
skin issues
Everyone has had some great ideas... personally birth control help me a LOT. BeautyFullInside - I had similar issues only i never got to go to a dermatologist. My mother took me strait to our family homeopathist; she's very well educated in herbals and natural medicine, etc. If you have already "tried everything", would have to agree that anti inflamitories, etc may be the best way for you to go.
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 9:49pm
#6
I agree with SusanneS advice.
I agree with SusanneS advice. Stress is also a big culprit. I would get a second opinion. The Unblemish products from Rodan + Fields Dermatologists are working wonders for adult acne. Also, when you purchase the products, you have access to our nurse where you can call in with questions about your skin.
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 9:31am
#7
your skin
from the looks of it...you've done everything that you can to your skin...i am a firm believer...in the less is more way of life...yes i am an esthetician, and too much of a good thing is not always good.
your skin is a living breathing organ and it needs some tlc...head over to simone france (pronounced Fran-say) her product line breaks all of the rules to traditional skin care, and it totally makes since.
she gets skin.
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 10:15pm
#8
Very facial oriented solution
Everyone is correct here, there are just so many ways to manage this type of problem, and really once you find the one that works for you, that's the way to go.
I had horrible acne and luckily for me, Accutane worked. A lot of what you're using sounds pretty harsh though.
I've found that SINCE I was on Accutane, I cannot control my acne with normal face washes (Like Neutrogena, Clearasil, really anything medicated or drying). You may be drying your skin out too much, and aggravating it further.
You may be stripping the barrier of your skin with harsh washes. Find something gentler, with 5% or less Benzoyl Peroxide or .5% Salyicilic Acid. And gentle chemical exfoliants (nothing grainy, it will just spread bacteria), things with low Glycolic content and AHA exfoliants. (Dermalogica has a really gentle one... Daily Microfoliant, I find it works well on sensitized skin that doesn't need a deep exfoliant, nothing harsh in it). I also hope that you are moisturizing, (nothing emollient, as it doesn't seem you are lacking oil, but water, so something HYDRATING).
I know these are feeble attempts it seems, but they can make a difference as well, because I know that drying out your face feels like it's the best thing for it, and it will actually aggravate it.
I hope that I helped and didn't just give you something that wasn't useful! Let me know how it goes :)
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 10:15pm
#9
Very facial oriented solution
Everyone is correct here, there are just so many ways to manage this type of problem, and really once you find the one that works for you, that's the way to go.
I had horrible acne and luckily for me, Accutane worked. A lot of what you're using sounds pretty harsh though.
I've found that SINCE I was on Accutane, I cannot control my acne with normal face washes (Like Neutrogena, Clearasil, really anything medicated or drying). You may be drying your skin out too much, and aggravating it further.
You may be stripping the barrier of your skin with harsh washes. Find something gentler, with 5% or less Benzoyl Peroxide or .5% Salyicilic Acid. And gentle chemical exfoliants (nothing grainy, it will just spread bacteria), things with low Glycolic content and AHA exfoliants. (Dermalogica has a really gentle one... Daily Microfoliant, I find it works well on sensitized skin that doesn't need a deep exfoliant, nothing harsh in it). I also hope that you are moisturizing, (nothing emollient, as it doesn't seem you are lacking oil, but water, so something HYDRATING).
I know these are feeble attempts it seems, but they can make a difference as well, because I know that drying out your face feels like it's the best thing for it, and it will actually aggravate it.
I hope that I helped and didn't just give you something that wasn't useful! Let me know how it goes :)
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 7:42pm
#10
Sounds like you have been
Sounds like you have been though A LOT! I don't know what active ingredients you have tried, but Benzoyl Peroxide is an FDA approved acne treatment which is why the doctors who created Proactiv have used it in their Rodan + Fields Dermatology UNBLEMISH regimen. I would be more than happy to discuss it with you! Please contact me!
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 5:25pm
#11
Benzoyl Peroxide can be over-irritating
I am in the skincare business (manufacturing for 20 years, high end and OTC drugs) and my wife is a board certified dermatologist.
As great as benzoyl peroxide has been to dermatology and skin care for the past 35 years, it is not always the answer. Today, a much more effective anti-bacterial agent that kills 99.99% propionibacterium (bacteria found in acne) is called B-Kleer Antiseptic Acne Wash made by A-Cute Derm out of Stafford (Houston), Texas. It is very gentle on the skin compared to benzoyl peroxide and the kill rate lasts for hours without reapplication. They also have great medicated topical products.
I had bad acne for about 4 years and found many Rx remedies difficult to tolerate. I have learned that if it is not working within 6 to 8 weeks, your derm needs to get you on something stronger. 8 weeks is the max to see benefit. Otherwise, move on.
If your set on trying to get Accutane, find a dermatologist who does a lot of work with it. It is critical! Many derms have given up on Accutane because of all the government regulations that they must deal with and it being very time-consuming.
As for Pro-Activ, it works great for 4 - 8 weeks but the vast majority of people have problems after 2 - 3 months. The toner does nothing in this program and the alcohol-based product actually overstimulates the oild glands after 25 days of continous use. Great marketing concept but not overly effective.
any further questions, call A-Cute Derm at 1 800 922 2883 or log onto the following website www.estakronbergmd.com
Hope this helps.
Bill Davis
Your condition is not all that uncommon. It's often the case that only symptoms are being treated, which, judging by the list you presented, appears to be your situation. Taking a more holistic approach may help identify the cause, which can then be treated for long term symptomatic - breakouts - relief. Start with stress. Stress causes inflammation, inflammation causes breakouts. There are many ways to treat stress. I treat stress related skin conditions using therapeutic stress reducing essential oils in combination with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic botanical ingredients. Reducing inflammation may be done by supplementing with herbs, such as the formula Zyflammend by New Chapter vitamins.
Diet is another possible cause of sensitivity (another word for temperamental) skin issues. Allergies, inflammatory foods (processed, fast foods, high glycemic), and pesticide residue are all possible culprits to breakouts. There are so many possible causes to your condition. It is the cause that must be determined before the most effective remedy can be found.
My recommendation is to go to a naturopathic doctor, a qualified herbalist or Chinese medical practitioner (acupuncture and herbs), or an esthetician well versed in botanicals, essential oils and holistic beauty. Meditate, do yoga and chill out.