Skin like a Teenager!

Grab the book 'Ageless' by Suzanne Somers. This will help you to understand hormones and all the symptoms they can cause. (Which is what is in all birth control pills.)

One of my daughters had severe acne and she went to the dermatologist and used many different prescriptions creams, nothing worked. She used Arbonne Acne line and her face is clearer than I have ever seen it, she is a walking advertisement. It really works!!!

Wow, you have a ton of suggestions and I didn't read them all. I breastfed both of my children for 7 months and about the time that they had their first birthday I experienced huge cyst like knots on my chin and under my chin. I was not taking birth control. With the first child, I saw a Dermatologist and was placed on oral antibiotics and topical Tazorac. With the second child, my primary care physician prescribed a topical anitibiotic, Erythromycin, and planned to graduate to an oral one if I would begin taking birth control. He explained that the oral antibiotics would be harmful to a fetus. Good thing that I didn't go that route, because, I became pregnant within 3 weeks! My suggestion to you would be to visit a Dermatologist. I have really enjoyed Arbonne's skin line called "Not So Basic."

I'm 27 and my face started doing the same thing. I started taking Flaxseed pills. They have the omega-3 oil in them and are very healthy for you and your skin. Since started taking them, my face has gotten so much better! I got mine at Wal-mart in the health section.

I managed to escape acne as a teenager, but when I was in my early thirties I broke out like CRAZY. I mean CRAZY, and it wasn't just on my chin but all over my cheeks. And I wasn't on the pill or anything (though I was under a ton of stress). I tried every skin care thing I could think of for about a year (and spent a fortune) before I finally went to the dermatologist and he put me on low-dose antibiotics, which cleared things up. Unfortunately I was left with a lot of scarring, which I ended up having lasered off. I was on the antibiotics for a couple of years and was able to go off them with no problem -- I still get the occasional cystic blemish, but nothing like before.

I also use ProActiv (actually the knockoff, Acne Free, that someone mentioned). I also bought a device that was recommended by my dermatologist and got good reviews in several magazines -- it's called ThermoClear. It's a little "zapping" device that you use right when you notice one of the cysts starting to develop, and it really does prevent it from turning into a nightmare blemish. I think the theory behind it is that the little pulsed light kills the bacteria underneath. (There's another version called Zeno, which operates on the same principle but which I haven't tried.)

Microdermabrasion also helps. I go every three to six months depending on finances and how my skin is doing.

Anyway, I feel your pain! I hope you find what works for you!

Hi Marie,

birth control pills are very dangerous. They are synthetic hormones just like the hormone replacement thereapy pills that Doctors have not recommended that older women stop taking because they cause cancer. The pill is much stronger and the same stuff! Please go to www.bcpinstitute.org/ and read the truth about the pill. Go to Chapter 11: Hormonal Birth Control and Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk.

"It is now well established that birth control medications (contraceptive steroids) increase breast cancer risk, especially if they are taken before the first full-term pregnancy, when breast cells are still immature. Birth control pills are very commonly used by young women. In one study, women who took birth control pills before the age of 20 had a more than ten-fold increased risk of breast cancer. The longer the pill is used, the higher the risk. Contraceptive steroids increase risk whether they are given orally (i.e., ‘the pill’), by injection (e.g., Depo-Provera), implantation, through the skin with a patch, intravaginally with a ring (e.g., Nuva Ring) or with an intrauterine device (IUD). Even ‘low dose’ estrogen pills have been associated with higher breast cancer risk."

I went to a conference with these two Dr. for the North and they said that when boys in High School are found to take steroids that people are appalled because they are known to cause cancer, but when a girl in high school goes to the Dr. he prescribes steroids to regulate their period instead of trying to find the real cause of the problem. These are the same cancer causing synthetic hormones!

There is a safe drug free method of birth control called Natural Family Planning and it really works. My sister used this method for 10 years and did not get pregnant after having 3 children in a row and then when she stopped she had a fourth child! Their web site is http://www.ccli.org/

Good luck!

Nonnie

Yep--My esthetician told me pimples around the chin are hormones. Once your body gets used to being back on the pill-it should clear up. Til then-like the other post said, Proactive worked really well for my best friend. GOod Luck!

Hi Marie!! I've read all the responses you are getting and have to agree, somewhat. ProActive does work, but my son and niece use something better and less expensive, but it is very similar to ProActive. It's called, ZapIt! and it costs 15.99. TeaTree Oil is very good too - in fact, almost all of my products at home (cleaners, personal, pharmacy otc, etc.) contain this ingredient and are safer to use around my kids and pet.

Good luck!!

Let me know if you need any help finding this product!!

T.
____@____.com

I got the same thing, I started washing my chin everytime I washed my hands. I have anti bacterial soap so every time I washed my hands, I rubbed a little over my chin and rinsed. I also keep alcohol pads near the sink and would dab it with some alcohol to dry it. You will eventually get back to normal. Good Luck!

If you haven't already, can you find out what type of ingredients your b.c. pills have in them. Some ingredients in certain brands may trigger your hormones therefore causing the breakouts...Types of estrogen in pills may cause it also. I would say give it another month just in case it is your body adjusting to being on "the pill" again. If it continues, I would ask to switch brands.

Sounds like a commercial, but the only thing that I've tried that really worked (and I HAVE tried everything from drug store to dept.store)was Proactive Solutions. If you use it religiously your skin will clear up 100%, at first, while you are shedding the layers, you may break out more than usual, but once they are shed and the medication is able to get into your pores, it's like magic. I too suffer from cystic acne, and no it cannot stop the truly defiant ones from coming home to roost, but it can stop most. It is a little drying, so I use Clinique "yellow" lotion, I don't know what it's called, but it's their basic non-comedigenic lotion-works great-hope it helps!

Marie, I work for a Dermatologist and these breakouts could very well be hormonal, but the may need a dose of antibiotics to help bring them down. Sometimes they can be a mild staph infection. Staph bacteria (normally on our skin) can find a great place like your pores to throw a big party. NOT the kind of staph infection you read about in the papers. So no worries just stubborn and the antibiotics are just the thing they need to let them know the party is over. Good Luck!

We have had great success by introducing Omega3 and Saw Palmetto into the diet....clears up the skin wonderfully, but I would check with my doctor before adding anything. We value and respect the advice of our physician.
C. W

That happened to me after I stopped nursing my second child and went back on the pill. My dermatologist said that it takes a couple of months before your skin and hormones calm down and even out, so to speak. My face improved almost completely after about two or three months. Good luck.

Yup, definitely hormonal. I used to get those same kinds of pimples all along my jawline and chin, sometimes even on my neck! Ouch! And I'm really sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, so Proactiv wasn't an option for me. I'd been using salicylic acid products for years, and they'd work ok, but I was looking for something to really help prevent those big ones.

After searching around for a while, I read about Tea Tree Oil. You get it at the drug store by all the homeopathic remedies. It comes in 1- or 2-oz. bottles for $10 or so, and that should last you a month to 6 weeks. You get a cotton ball or pad, wet it with tap water, then add a few drops of the tea tree oil and swab your face with it. It stinks like eucalyptus, but it really has helped!

Here's an example: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=40928&... whew, hope that works!

Good luck!

I had some problems wth my skin during both preganacies and Proactiv Solution was the best thing I tried. You can order it online or over the phone:) Good luck!

I carry a Velocity product that is very affordable with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We have had clients who have had nothing else work for them, including ProActive and dermatology treatments. Like anything, it's not for everyone, but it may be worth a try! It is formulated for teens with oil breakthrough. The entire set costs $22.00 and includes a 3 in 1 cleanser, freshener, mask as well as a moisturizer. All first orders are 20% off and shipping is free. If I can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to give me a shout or visit my website. www.marykay.com/tpreston. God Bless!

Hi, Marie--I had similar problems when I got off the pill. I think anytime you are messing with your hormones, your skin can go nuts. My doctor is always telling me that my beliefs about what side effects birth control pills are causing are in my head; but I think everyone's body deals with this sort of thing differently. It will probably resolve on its own as your body adjusts; but in the meantime, I had good luck with Aveeno's products for adult acne. If it's really serious, I've also used Proactiv in the past. It's expensive and a bit of a racket (they sign you up for automatic delivery--so you have to make sure you cancel it if you just want to try it for a month); but it does work. I had to use it every other day as it is very strong; and it will ruin your towels if you get residue on them--so use old towels if you go that route.

Keep your spirits up--I know how distressing it can be to deal with!
J

Hi Marie, Yes it happened to me in my late 20's I started breaking out but after I was on the pill for about 3 months it was all clear. Hang in there. The pill actually clears up acne in most cases.

I am a big fan of Pro-Active. Drink a ton of water---your system is flushing something out.

ProActiv works, but there is something out there JUST like it and it is a 3rd of the price, plus you don't have to go to a mall kiosk or online to get it. It is called Acne Free. You can get it a wal-mart or any other store and the whole system costs around 15 dollars, whereas ProActiv costs over 40. I have used both and there is really no difference in result.

Hi Marie g

question is this the same birthcontrol you used to take before pregnant? If not, you should get back to your old pill, and or get a second opinion.

Gladys F.,

Hi Marie,
Arbonne has some great skin care lines to help with Acne issues! And for all ages! I'd be happy to help you get some products as I am a consultant and believe 110% in these products. My sister is having adult acne and uses Arbonne. Also a natural balancing cream could help as well...Arbonne has a great one too. One thing to remember is that Arbonne's products are not an over night fix...they are a long term solution.

Just let me know and we'll get you set up.
D. :-)

I think everyone that starts the pill again after pregnancy has issues with breakouts. Drink lots of water, stay away from fried food, basically everything you did as a teenager to avoid pimples. If that doesn't work, look into getting off your particular pill and switch to something like YAZ that is supposed to clear up skin. Wishing you clear skin ahead!

You have a lot of good advice, but I just thought I'd share my experience. I also had skin that was all over the place - broke out at beginning of pregnancy, then glowing skin by the end, good skin during breast feeding, then whamo! break-out city after I stopped nursing. I would add a vote for Pro-Active; it works great for me. I didn't get back on BC, but when I took it pre-baby, I know that Ortho-TriCyclen helped keep my skin clear. From the other posts, it sounds like a trip to the derm and maybe some antibiotics could be a good idea. That, pro-active and water. Good luck and enjoy that baby!

Same thing happened with both my kids - Definately try Proactive Solutions (you can get it at most malls now) it really worked for me.

Try Proactiv - it takes awhile but will really work on those bad cysts.

Marie-
There is a chance that it is the brand of birth control pill you are on. I suffered from cystic acne on my chin for years while on Loestrin FE. After several years with a dermatologist, he finally suggested I try changing my pill brand. I changed to Yaz. I have not had a singe cyst since changing. I was told that women can be testoterone sensitive and the ingredients in the pill mimic testoterone (which can cause breakouts). Some have more than others. Others to try include Yasmin (same company as Yaz) and Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Always consult your OB/GYN before changing a birth control pill. Good luck!!

It happened to me, too. I was on the mini-pill and it was the progesterone that caused me to break out. It was awful. It also caused some pretty bad depression so I got off of it.

Good luck.

Proactive really works. I use it because for some reason I have been breaking out. I know you can get it at Collin Creek Mall down stairs by the train. Good luck!

I have had cyctic acne since I was a teenager. It of course got worse during and after pregnancies. I went to my dermatologist and she gave me some Erythromycin topical solution USP 2%. It works wonders. Sometimes they clear up within a day or two. It of course is a prescription - but if you have insurance, it should be under $10. I never paid my full RX deductible when I bought it.
I also used proactive which I loved, but it is kind of pricey when you can get a bottle of this that will last quite a while for under $10.

J.

hey girl, adult acne sucks. i'll be 38 next month. i didn't have acne in high school, mine started when i was 26. it was a nightmare. last april i was introduced to a swiss formulated skin care company named arbonne. it literally CHANGED MY LIFE! this is the 1st time since 1996 that i've been able to wear moisturizer! most skin care is made with animal by-products or mineral oil. i'm allergic to both; they cause my face to break out terribly. arbonne is botantically based so they don't use fillers. i'd love to let you try some samples if you're interested. just let me know. you take care & have a fabulous day! congrats on your recent breastfeeding liberation! i breastfed my 2 for a year each too. take care, T.

I too recently stopped breastfeeding and am breaking out like crazy. Mine is on my neck - which is unusual for me.

My point in telling you this is that I am not on the pill and this is happening to me, so your break outs may be independent of the pill. Our bodies are probably just having to readjust hormonally. Hope the process is quick!

I'm going to try that Acne Free stuff that several mentioned. Let me know if anything works for you.

Marie, I don't know about the pill causing that but to treat it proactive does work. something that works just as well you can by at walgreens. I am 48 years old and have never stopped getting the kind of acne your talking about. the cyst like kind. It is called Klear action. it costs 20.00 for the package sometimes less. Do it twice a day. At first it might get a little worse but that usualy happens with all of that kind of medication. Do the wash at least 1 -2 minutes. if your skin gets a little dry back off on the third step a little and do use a moisterizer that is oil free.
THIS DOES WORK. I use to have to use perscriptions but it got to the point where they would not cover it anymore because of my age. does that make sense? No to me.
Good luck, Lonie

Marie, I feel your pain! That happened to me BIG TIME! I had it all over my face and it was painful! I never had acne until after our second child. As a matter of fact, the dermatologist didn't even know what to do. I tried everything on it and it seemed to get do nothing or get worse. Then I was introduced to Arbonne and I got my skin back!!!! I love it! I would be happy to share with you what products worked for me. I can send you some samples and give you a discount on your first order. You can email me at ____@____.com and check out my website at www.foravibrantlife.myarbonne.com. I am so sorry you have to experience this. I would love to help you get your skin back!Just let me know.

I get those cyst type pimples as well. I find I can keep them gone if I wash my face morning and night with a product similar to Proactive but alot less expensive. It is "Acne Free" face wash. This helps with exfoiliating. I also use three different perscriptions medicines at different times. Not all together but a dermatoloigist can help explain depending on your skin type. Ask about these...Differin gel .1%, Tazorac cream .05%, and Minocycline 100mg. I also watch how I hold the phone. If you touch your chin to the phone it could be part of the problem. Last check your pillow case. Change it regularly and it could help. My face will break out when I am stressed(seriously how can we know when we are stressed. I have two boys 4 and 6 :) I am wearing peanut butter and glue on my face most days along with slimy hands and mooches. :) I also found that I was taking too much vitamins. I took a multi vitamin and b complex one. Once I switched to just a multi vitamin I found that the new break outs have stopped. I will get an occasional underskin pimple but I can usually feel it coming and get the Tazorac on it quick. The pimple comes to the surface quickly and lasts alot less time. Good Luck! Oh yea make sure your hands are clean when applying make up so you keep your face clean as well as not contaminating your make up.

Same thing happened to me. I actually started looking for a new skin care line when it happened and found something that is similar to pro-active. You can find it at Sams and Costco and it's called Acne Free. I don't know how your skin was before baby, but mine was great and hasn't been the same since. But this product really helped me out and I still use it. It's only $30 or so for a 3 step/3 month supply so it's worth a shot! Good Luck!

It sounds like alot of the problem is hormonal. I has similar issues when I was on hormonal birth control. I am no doctor, but maybe after a while your body will adjust...the question is how long do you have to wait in this misery? I would also like to recommend a product that I love and promote called Arbonne. They have a great line for all types of skin. Do you live in the austin Area? I would love to offer you a sample to try and see if it helps with your skin. Let me know and send me an email. Take care and take heart, ~Arbonne

I have the same problem!! The only birth control that makes my skin actually look better is YASMIN! It made my skin clear, I lost weight, and my breasts are nice and full! No lie--it has been the only bc pill that works well, others have the opposite affect. I also agree with the others that Proactiv works as well, but it is important to take care of the hormones first.