sudden severe cheek acne

[eatenpi]

Hi, I'm 25 years old and up until about three weeks ago had very little to no breakouts. When I did have them it was never more than two or three at the most, large pimples on my cheek area, at a time. People were always telling me what "beautifull skin" I had.

About a month ago I noticed a handful of smaller pimples begin to breakout on my cheeks, which turned into large, painfull spots, which are most painful at the onset. I now am breaking out all over my cheeks, but nowhere else on my face or body, with many large pimples that just won't stop.

I've tried many things to help it. My diet is and has always been very good. I am a vegetarian who eats properly to get the right protein and nutrients, drink plenty of water and stay away from junk foods, preservatives and refined sugars. I'm slim, in good shape and have a consistant skin care routine. Nothing has changed really. I haven't been using any new products or been wearing any makeup. I've been changing my pillow cases often, and hardly wear any product in my hair. I've been celebate for the last six months, so nothing has changed hormonally. I've tried applying tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and benezol peroxide. I've also tried only washing my face at night and skipping toner. Nothing is working. The pimples will reduce in size when I treat them, but only for about half a day before swelling right back up.

I know it's probably not as "severe" as many others have it, but this has been a very difficult change for me. I've never had this, and really don't know what to do. I don't want to leave my house because I feel like everyone is looking at it, and my freinds innocently comment about it when I see them anew. I know it's only in concern and curiosity, but it still really bothers me. Then I get stressed and can feel them growing even more. I already have difficulty with depression and anxiety, so this is definately not helping. Please, can someone help me or give some advice?

[carmenljw]

Hi morenasian,

I have a first try on your regimen and my skin feels really refresh and clean. However I can't find rose water and use pure aloe vera water instead. Do you have any recommedation for good rose water ? Thank you!

[BobbyG81]

My name is Bobby & I'm 31 years old.  I started to develop acne around age 20. Since then I've tried dozens of treatments: Differin, oral anti-biotics (thanks for the stomach aches), Proactive, Accutane, Green tea masks, chemical peals, facials, etc.  My adult acne ended up causing scarring on my cheeks.  Now that I've hit my early thirties, the acne has slowed down a little but the scarring, blemishes and clogged pores were still there. I am newly engaged and once I realized what was soon to follow (engagement photos, the wedding, wedding pics, etc.) I decided that I needed to get back into looking for something to get rid of my acne AND scarring.  My fiancé is newbie attorney who was approached with a business opportunity to get involved with a new company. Low and behold the company was created by the same dermatologists that created Proactive.  I loved Proactive, with the exceptions that it dried the crap out of my skin because it was made for teenagers and not grown men and it did nothing for my scarring.  I was happy for her to branch out with the new opportunity, but I was mostly excited because this new company created an ADULT ACNE regimen that addresses acne AND scarring! AND me being half italian/half assyrian, it has a separate oil control product that allows me to use it specifically to my need.  I'm not the type of person to go around recommending the things I like to my friends and family.... but after suffering with adult acne for +10 years and knowing the stress and embarrassment that comes with it, I will tell EVERYONE who is looking for help about this product line. Within 72 hours of use, all the bumpiness on my forehead was GONE, I haven't had a pimple, blemish or whitehead since I began using it. AND AND AND... the discoloration and scarring on my cheeks is diminishing. Anyone is welcome to send me a message via this site or just reply to this post.

[xt122417]

hey starfish72, I think your input base on experience is very helpful  for I've read a while ago that stomach problems is a possible cause of cheek acne. For the past month or so i've had unusual stomach and abdominal noise, the causes are unknown. I'm willing to try the "Arbonne Herbal Colon Cleanse" but i couldn't find any for sale anywhere. Could you recommend another plz. thanks in advance

[Starfish72]

I found that my cheek acne popped up within a few weeks of taking diflucan (anti-fungal) and doxycycline (antibiotic).  It took me a whole year to figure this out, so I hope I can save some of you time, energy and money, if you think your problem is like mine.  I prefer to use Arbonne products, but I am sure you can use alternatives.  I just find it easier to buy everything in one place online.

I tried the following with no success:
benzoyl peroxide - ended up with a worse breakout and  bad scarring
salicylic acid
tretinoin
clay masks
exfoliation
changing pillow cases every night
cleaning cell phone everyday
clean diet (no sugar, dairy, alcohol, etc.)

The breakouts would improve a little and come back regardless of my cycle.  I read a post on acne.org where one guy found his cure, so I tried it out and created my own version.  Here's the regimen:

Internally
1. Arbonne Herbal Colon Cleanse for 5 days - drink lots of water
2. One serving daily of plain yogurt with honey (I prefer Fage) with one packet of Arbonne Digestion Plus
3. Balanced diet (no sugary/fried foods)
4. Absolutely no sodas (with or without sugar)
5. Fresh veggies and fruits daily

Topically
1. Wash with salicylic acid wash (I prefer Arbonne Clear Advantage Wash)
2. Use a gentle scrub daily or every other day (I prefer Arbonne FC5 New Cell Scrub) I do this in the morning in the shower, very gently.
3.  Use a anti-aging serum (Arbonne RE9 Advanced or Revelage Night Serum)
4.  Apply day cream with sunscreen (Revelage Day Cream SPF 20 or FC5 Oil Absorbing Day Lotion SPF 20)  I like the Revelage to help fade dark spots...and it feels super creamy, but I only use it when my skin feels dry.  Not great for oily skin.  The FC5 works really well for oily/combo skin.
5. Apply spot treatment (Arbonne Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment).  I spread a layer over my acne area on each cheek and let it absorb.

At night, I just use the Revelage Night Serum all over my face and Clear Advantage Spot Treatment on both cheeks.

I have gone from having 15-20 pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on each cheek to having one or two very small papules (currently only on 1 cheek and not noticeable).  The key to the cure is the Colon Cleanse and the Digestion Plus.  This has been a miracle for me!  I hope someone reads this and benefits.  The products may seem expensive on the Arbonne website, but I can show you how to get them for 20-50% off.  I truly hope this helps...I know how hard it is to deal with acne, especially as an adult.

[Justgill]

hi

just a quick question, i was told my a friend to try the lemon option as well, but i was told to rub the lemon on my face or simply squeeze it into a glass of water and drink it each morning; have you ever tried these options ? or  should i just wash as you suggested simply because i'm from the Caribbean and our climate is usually hot .

thanks

[liza1975]

If you want to remain a vegetarian, how can one cut out all these greens ?

Almost every staple of a vegetarian diet has phytoestrogens! so hard