Comment from: Christina, 19-24 Female (Patient)Published: September 16
I have suffered with acne since I was eight years old, around the time of puberty for me. As a 24-year-old, I still battle pimples that just will not go away. I am currently taking an antibiotic and a topical gel for my acne twice daily…for both. This seems to help, but not eliminate the acne. Some of my pimples will last three to five days, but the redness can last up to six months at a time. I have found that using the over-the-counter cleansers that help with rosacea also really help my hyperpigmentation that I experience with acne. The pimples go away, but the redness leaves a lasting reminder that you will always have an imperfection. Sometimes, all I can think about when I'm in public is how horrible I look.
Comment from: 13-18 Female (Patient)Published: August 21
Well, I have had acne since 6th grade and I am about to be a 9th grader and it is very irritating at times. Some days it makes me cry, but I always seem to stay strong and still be the pretty girl I am, but I have tried proactive for 4 months and it only made it worse. I tied clear skin which also made it worse. I've tried several other products, but nothing seems to work. I visited the doctor and they gave me a product called tretinoin and I'm confident in this product because it seems to be working. Acne is a terrible thing to live with because I can't express myself how I want to. I always seem to hide behind a shield which gets to me. I HATE IT.!
Comment from: Lindsayboo, 13-18 Female (Patient)Published: August 18
Wow I've had acne since like the 5th grade, I didn't get my period until I was 14 so me and my doctor didn't think it was hormonal. It recently just turned into cystic acne, but it has been worse. I was just put on minocycline and in two months if no results I will start on Accutane. Thank god for insurance because I was put on the Differin Gel in the 6 grade and it would have been $400. I am a sophomore now and I don't feel my acne is embarrassing at all. It doesn't stop me from dating or making friends. I'm just doing it for my mom because she feels its bothering me, but it is not so. If you still have acne. I suggest not to worry at all it won't stop you from achieving things.
Comment from: Andiden, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: June 12
I am fast approaching 41 and I have had acne since the age of about 16. I have tried so many over the counter soaps and even those prescribed by dermatologist. They did not work. About a year ago I start using Clearasil Ultra scar care and that seem to cut down some of the terrible outbreaks. They don't sell this specific wash anymore. I do know that my hormones are imbalanced; I have not had a regular menstrual cycle since I can remember. I am using an IUD but this has only sent me to a place of the unknown. I don't only have acne but I have spots from the acne. I am so frustrated that I have bought books to read on what to do and not do to help stop the outbreaks. In time past I've been to doctors that have prescribed tropical's that seemed to help, but then the problem started all over again once I couldn't afford to continue the treatment. Well I pray that there will be a solution found for this most unwanted and unwelcomed condition. Stay encouraged everyone.
Comment from: mary, 19-24 Female (Patient)Published: May 07
I think that a hormone imbalance should not be so quickly written off for women. I am 23 and was recently diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). My only major symptom was acne. Finally, after years of searching websites, my sister and esthetician convinced me to do blood work. The knowledge of my hormone imbalance started me on a very fast acne recovery ... with the right medication it cleared completely within weeks. I thought I should mention that another symptom of PCOS is hair growth, and I never showed significant signs of this. Just wanted to let women know if this is your case, get your hormones checked!
Comment from: Jenna, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: February 03
I've had acne since I was 12, and I'm now 27 and a mother. It's a nightmare. In fact, the acne is worse now than it was when I was a teenager. I've tried all the over-the-counter treatments known to man, oral contraceptives, and antibiotics. I'm currently looking for a way to get Accutane prescribed for me.
Comment from: kbrown, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: February 03
I am a 47-year-old woman that has had minor but visible acne for more than 10 years. I have tried tree tea oil, doxcycline, and a multitude of face cleansers. The problem with all of them is that they help for a while and then lose their effectiveness. Recently I started drinking a nutritional beverage with acai in it, and that surprisingly has made my skin better augmented with a combination of a salicylic face wash and targeted application of Clearasil.
Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
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Suggested Reading on Acne (Pimples) by Our Doctors
A boil is a skin abscess, a collection of
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carbuncle, Cystic acne, Hidradenitis suppurativa, and Pilonidal cyst.
Ingrown hairs may be caused by improper shaving, waxing or blockage of the hair follicle. Symptoms and signs of ingrown hairs include itching, tenderness, and small red pus bumps. Ingrown hairs usually heal on their own, but topical antibiotics, chemical depilatories, and hair-removal laser may be used in the treatment of ingrown hairs.
Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance. Infections, tumors, genetic conditions, chronic inflammatory conditions, and wear and tear can cause cysts. Though some cysts may be palpable, others may not produce any symptoms. Treatment depends upon the location and cause of the cyst.
Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of the facial skin, symptoms include dilation of the blood vessels and pimples (acne rosacea) in the middle third of the face. Oral and topical antibiotics are treatments for rosacea. If left untreated, rhinophyma (a disfiguring nose condition) may result.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.
Folliculitis is a skin condition that causes small red bumps to form around the hair follicles. Skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas my infect the follicles. Treatment involves over-the-counter bacterial washes, topical antibiotics, and/or topical steroids.
A keloid is a scar that doesn't know when to stop. When the cells keep on reproducing, the result is an overgrown (hypertrophic) scar or a keloid. A keloid looks shiny and is often dome-shaped, ranging in color from slightly pink to red. It feels hard and thick and is always raised above the surrounding skin.
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin disorder in which small white or red bumps appear around hair follicles on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks. The cause of KP is unknown. There is no cure for keratosis pilaris, and the condition may resolve on its own. Gentle exfoliation, professional manual extraction, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion, along with topical products, are the best treatments for this condition.
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Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates and ends with menstruation. Common PMS symptoms include depression, irritability, crying, oversensitivity, and mood swings. For some women PMS symptoms can be controlled with medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise, nutrition, and a family and friend support system.
The time when boys and girls begin the process of sexual maturation is called puberty. During this time, both sexes undergo a series of biological changes that include a rapid increase in height, bone growth, weight increase, the growth of pubic hair, breast development and the onset of menstruation in girls, and testicle, penis, and muscle enlargement in boys.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. Acne rosacea, Staphylococcal bacteria, allergies, sensitivities to makeup or contact lens solutions, head lice, or other conditions may cause blepharitis. Symptoms and signs include itchy eyelids, burning sensation in the eyes, crusting of the eyelids, light sensitivity, red, swollen eyelids, loss of eyelashes, and dandruff of the lashes and eyebrows. Proper eyelid hygiene and a regular cleaning routine controls blepharitis.
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by the poxvirus. Molluscum contagiosum appears as small tan or pink bumps on any part of the skin. Symptoms include a red or flushed appearance of the infected skin. Treatment may involve cryotherapy, manual extraction, surgical removal, the use of Retin-A, or the application of chemical acid.
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the scar's characteristics, but your age, heredity and even sex or ethnicity will affect how your skin reacts.
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SAPHO syndrome is a chronic disorder that involves the skin, bone, and joints. SAPHO syndrome is an eponym for the combination of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis. SAPHO syndrome is related to arthritic conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis. Treatment is directed toward the individual symptoms that are present, and includes medications such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and cortisone medications.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
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Chemical peels are performed on the face, neck or hands. They can be used to:
Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors
Improve the appearance of mild scarring
Treat certain types of acne
Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills (melasma)
Improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in
texture and color
Areas of sun damage, which may contain pre-cancerous keratoses that appear as scaly spots, may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.
However, sags, bulges and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may require other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing , a facelift , brow lif...
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I have suffered with acne since I was eight years old, around the time of puberty for me. As a 24-year-old, I still battle pimples that just will not go away. I am currently taking an antibiotic and a topical gel for my acne twice daily…for both. This seems to help, but not eliminate the acne. Some of my pimples will last three to five days, but the redness can last up to six months at a time. I have found that using the over-the-counter cleansers that help with rosacea also really help my hyperpigmentation that I experience with acne. The pimples go away, but the redness leaves a lasting reminder that you will always have an imperfection. Sometimes, all I can think about when I'm in public is how horrible I look.
Related Reading: acne | puberty | rosacea