General Skin Problems

[Clarins]

Hi, I am 19 and from the UK.

First of all I would like to say that my skin has been near perfect all of my life, during my early teens I didn't even have a blemish but for some reason my skin has grey gone down hill.  

When I was younger about 16 I had to have testosterone (spelling?) injected because I was underdeveloped and to a certain extent I am now.  But during this period of my boost through puberty I didnt have one spot.  But now 2-3 years after my treatment I am stating to get spots and my skin in general, compared to others is bad. Right now I mainly have spots around my chin area going up my jaw line but not above my mouth (well only a few).  I have a few scars where I have popped them because they were whiteheads but I'm not to bothered about these spots as I WAS as IMO they are getting better.  I thought it was hygine as I did go through were a stage where cleansleness wasn't an issue and I didnt wash my face =[  How I'm regretting it now.  

What is the main concern about my skin at the moment is my overall complexion.  When I look in the mirror right now besides a few spots all I see is like a rash on my cheeks, my pores are open around my nose/under my eye.  There are also like white spots (not spots but like my true skin colour) around my main cheek area.  It is really hard to describe and I have uploaded some pictures for you to look at.

One of the reasons I am here because I am fed up of reading different stories, "cures" and general advice on the inetrnet because it is all bull**** and me buying different spot treatments and the rest of it do not work.  I am also here because I would like a dermatologist to read this and help.  Also it has made me paranoid and confused me and maybe not improved my case.  My friend recommended me to use a cleanser and toner.  This keeps my skin clean but has not spotted spots.  What I think the mian cause for my spots are the final stages of puberty, like I am very skinny still and am not as build as my friends and I reckon my spots will clear up by themselves when I am fully grown and finshed turning into a man?  Could my theory be right?  Because I have read about girls gettign breakouts during their menstral cycle when at this time their bodies change, and I think this is the same for me but with puberty?

Could a Dr also give me some regimes that I could or anything else to impove my skin?  I drink at least 1-2 ltrs of mineral water a day.  I don't take any vitamins pills/suplements simply because I can't swallow pills so I try to eat fruit when I can etc.

Thanks for reading and sorry if it dragged out a little.  I will gladly answer more questions if needed to.

Brad Sherwin

[Clarins]

I have used freederm in the past, no good.  My doctor prescribed Zindaclin 1% Gel which I apply 2 times a day.  I guess I will have to sweat my spots out.  But what about the rash on my cheeks?

Brad

[Clarins]

I have used freederm in the past, no good.  My doctor prescribed Zindaclin 1% Gel which I apply 2 times a day.  I guess I will have to sweat my spots out.  But what about the rash on my cheeks?

Brad

[loiloi]

Hi Brad. Acne is not a hygiene problem. Some of us are more sensitive to the effects of androgens (male hormones) in our bodies than others. Both girls and boys have androgens inside of them. It is also caused by the acne bacteria which some people have in their skin and others don't. Diet has not been proven to affect acne.
There is no real cure for acne but there are many effective treatments which can control it until you are no longer prone to spots. I find over the counter remedies of limited benefit but the most useful one, in my view, is Freederm.
Better though to ask your doctor for a course of oral antibiotics- oxytetracycline is usually more effective than erythromycin. Also use a prescription acne gel, dermatologists have found "Differin" to be the most effective, especially when used in conjunction with oral antibiotics.
Also check out my advice on the Acne Forum. Loiloi xx