I'm 19 and have had a leathery looking forehead for years! Please help me!!

[faffibo]

Man, I'm so desperate for help concerning this problem of mine, it has plagued me since I was 13. For the past six years, The skin on my forehead and temples has looked like the cracked, worn texture of a leather purse. I don't have wrinkles, per se, I don't think they are wrinkles, but my forehead skin just looks so worn and tired like a desert. If you can see in the bottom left corner of the photo, my forehead skin has a leathery, rough dry look. You can see how bad it is in the middle of my forehead too.

I know when I was probably 13 and 14 I would use topical acne creams which of course had exfoliating effects on my skin, and nobody told me to wear sunscreen. I feel like this plays a huge role in my forhead skin problems, it might be sun damage. HOWEVER, I wasn't out in the sun all day, just as much as any other young boy.

I take very good care of my skin, wear sunscreen, moisturize, and eat very healthy. But you know, when a problem like this keeps on persisting, I just don't understand where I'm going wrong. I'm 19! I should feel young, not old and self conscious that my skin looks old! It is ruining my life!!!

Please help me, I am even on the verge of tears writing this. I want to have good skin like my friends. I cower whenever I am in bad lighting because I am terrified that people will see my ugly forehead skin. I really need help with this.

[Tenner]

Forget the retin A. Get a series of two or three jessner peels. First one will be gross, but the difference it makes is miraculous.

[faffibo]

Hey! Thanks for the input! I was doing some research and I have a suspicion that what I have is something called Solar Elastosis, in my case a form of sun damage where the collagen has been depleted and the elastin became mutated/messed up or something. It's common in old people I guess, but I am puzzled as to why I have it too when I am positive that just like ALL kids/young people, I spent a lot of time outside when I was younger, and so don't get how only I developed this problem and no one else really. So in that case I don't know if I can relate to your issue since mine is likely a sun damage related problem. In any case, I'll let you know what I find out from dermatologists and/or further research.

[Cess_20]

I wrote you a little while ago, but just in case you did not receive it, I thought I had better comment here.

I also have the same issue and mine started about a month ago too. It seemed to happen overnight, out of nowhere, and my theory is that it happened due to my using many different anti-aging creams, but I am not 100% sure. Since this has happened I have stopped using them but have not noticed any change.

I have been to two doctors, an esthetician, an acupunturist and two skin clinics and nobody is entirely sure what has caused this and what to do about it exactly - except offer me procedures that cost a lot of money.

The only person who has seen this before is the esthetician and she thought that it may have occurred due to the creams but also medications that I may have recently started or ended. In my case, I had just recently stopped taking a medication that I had been on for many years. She is the only one, out of all of this, who says she can help me. However, having a facial costs around $100 and I cannot afford to go to her too often.

My doctor has referred me to two dermatologists, but so far only one has given me an appointment and it isn't until January 2013 - apparently trying to see a Derm. in Ottawa, Canada is like asking for the moon. I have even called to ask if I could be put on a cancellation list and have heard no response.

In the meantime, I am using Retisol-A (.01%), though I have no idea if it is working as it takes time, and I have had one Hydrafacial appointment - it hasn't done anything to change the state of the condition, but it can take 6 treatments. I am not hopeful, unfortunately, but I have paid for my 6 and I will see what happens.

I have also had one accupuncture appointment and I know that I need at least 4-6 treatments for this to "work" but I need to save my money for the Hydrafacial.

In any case, I am at a stalemate and am beyond frustrated.  Nobody can really help because they don't really care, to be honest. If it isn't cancer or something similar then you are put at the bottom of the list.

Since I have no idea when I may see a Derm. (except for the one in January), if you could let me know how your appointment goes (Juanperez) then that would be most appreciated.

And, if I find out anything I will post it here.

[faffibo]

Hey. Yea I don't think its a liver problem really because I eat very well. I did see my dermatologist and they either didn't understand what I was talking about, or they asked if I wanted a prescription for retin A. I have a feeling like it may be sun damage from when I was younger, however when you are young aren't most kids out in the sun all day? Why don't they have the same problem as me then? And if it was sun damage, it is kind of extreme for a 19 year old to get the visible effects, as sun damage is more cumulative and tends to show up when you are in your 30's. Please let me know what your dermatologist says, I really want to get rid of this problem

[juanperez123]

I meant, I really DON'T believe that

[juanperez123]

Hi Faffibo, I have the same condition it started like a month ago. I am afraid of ot spreading all over my forehead. So far it's only over the temples. I have read that it could be a malfunction of the liver. Though I am not a doctor and I really believe that (it was an internet blog anyway). I have an appointment with the dermatologist in September and let you know what he says. What has happened to you? Has it expanded or did it get any better? Have you seen a doctor?

[faffibo]

Thanks for the help but I don't think you understand my skin problem. My skin isn't rashy, or in pain, or raw, it just aesthetically looks like dry and parched and leathery all the time, chronically.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For such symptoms, the possibility of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis should be ruled out.

Although steroids, are commonly used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, there are certain other agents also which are used like immune modulator drugs e.g. tacrolimus. These are available in the form of ointments and tend to prevent the recurrence. You can discuss with your dermatologist regarding the right use.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.