Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Adult Acne…and My View on Antibiotics

It is SO awesome having adult acne…. I mean, really?? For my 27th birthday, I’m wishing for clear skin.

I have written about all of my "skin woes” before, and unfortunately it is not better….if anything, worse.  It’s tough because I know the cause (that’s half the battle), but there isn’t a solution I like either. My skin issues are 100% a result of hormones. Every time I go off birth control (no, we are not trying…) I break out like crazy. It really sucks. It’s super embarrassing, and no matter how well I take care of my skin (and I definitely DO!), it doesn’t help. Nothing topical can help hormones.

Obviously my options are to a) go back on birth control, or b) take an antibiotic.  I am not really down for either of those options.

I can’t take birth control for the rest of my life, and I’ve heard from an esthetician and dermatologist that going off birth control for an entire year before trying to get pregnant may help with Melasma. I already have Melasma, but I have it under control right now thanks to Microdermabrasion, peels, and Tri-Luma. Those are not an option when I get preggo, and I’ve heard horror stories about how much worse Melasma becomes with pregnancy hormones.  There are other reasons I chose to go off birth control too, but that’s definitely the major reason. So going back on it is not an option right now.

I am also NOT a fan of antibiotics. I know antibiotics CAN and often do serve a good purpose, but I whole heartedly believe we overuse them. We pump antibiotics into everything…and doctors are SO quick to prescribe them.  We overuse antibacterial soaps, body wash, hand sanitizer, etc., which increases our resistance to them. That’s why we have to take stronger and stronger antibiotics. I also believe the majority of the things we have to take antibiotics for can be prevented through lifestyle choices….eating a nutritious diet filled with antioxidants, taking vitamins, drinking lots of water to flush toxins, washing hands frequently with soap and warm water, avoid touching germ-filled surfaces if possible,  keeping frequently used surfaces clean (I like to clean with vinegar), etc.. I was just talking to my really smart BFF Chelsi, who is in the healthcare field, about all of this the other day.  She told me that when they give you antibiotics before a surgery, it completely wipes out everything to help prevent infection. That means the good bacteria too. I take probiotics in attempt to help restore that, but still…it can mess up your immune system, digestive system, resistance to antibiotics, etc. Not cool. 

SO, I rambled all that to say that I’m not interested in taking an antibiotic either.

Guess that means I’m going to have to keep doing my best to deal with it and keep investing in some great concealer.

Besides, beauty goes way beyond skin deep….so I need to remind myself of that too and not get too discouraged about it.

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” –Proverbs 31:3

21 comments:

J and A said...

I hear ya. That is my birthday wish too. :( After yesterdays post, I needed this. Thanks lady. I hope you get her wish.

Stephanie said...

I have hormonal acne as well from PCOS. Just like you I refuse to go back on the pill or take antibiotics. I have tried everything under the sun and finally found something that helps so much - lemon. I use fresh lemon juice on a cotton ball after each wash (morning and night, just like a toner) and within a week I noticed so much improvement. The only problem with this is that it can lighten a tan. I am pale white, so I don't have this problem. I also do a lemon, honey and cinnamon mask once a week.

Jennifer E said...

I have had the SAME exact problem and I'm telling you that the ONLY thing that helps me is Proactiv, I swear by it. It's kind of expensive but I will pay whatever it takes to keep my face clear and fresh looking. Hope this helps!

chelsi tullos said...

Danielle I forgot to mention to you that there is a topical foam antibiotic for acne . It works very well and is not absorbed systemically as it is just put on the face. It is pretty expensive but worth it.

Jamie Lynn said...

Those are such great verses... thanks for the reminder!:)

Diana Amy said...

Ohh sister I feel this - I had beautiful skin until I graduated from college. WHAT. That makes no sense! I have no idea what causes mine and it is so frustrating - I used to love not wearing make-up and looking natural in a good way rather than natural in an awkward-pubescent teen way. Those are great verses to remember when I get particularly annoyed, though! :)

C Mae said...

Danielle!!!!!!!!!! Sneaky Sneaky!!! I LOVE your new blog make over!! :) Looks fab and I am SOO excited you have a button that I can finally ad to my button page of all my fave reads!! WOOT WOOT!!!

C Mae said...

I forgot to write the other part -- I've been on birth control since I was 18. I just recently asked my Gyno about that "Myth" about being on Birth control as long as I have..will it ruin my chances of wanting to become pregnant when that time comes etc etc. She assured me there is NOTHING wrong with being on it for the past 11 years of my life. I think diff docs say diff things? Just saying...who knows..

JPeace said...

I swear by Proactiv, too & if you want to try it, I am a "member" and get it a little cheaper than buying it @ the kiosk @ the mall! You're GORGEOUS - PERIOD!!!

Ms. Chianne said...

This may sound crazy, but have you ever tried the oil cleansing method? Here's the link: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

I want to try it so bad because nothing has helped my skin either....including birth control {which I cannot take}. Anyways.... just hang in there girl and know that you are beautiful no matter what! :)

californiadreamin said...

Totally feel your pain. I was off BC for 4 months before we got pregnant, and I broke out. BUT, I broke out even worse and actually have acne scars on my cheeks (BOO!! Any suggestions on getting rid of them?) when I was pregnant in my 1st/2nd trimester. Was terrible. Thats the only thing Im not looking forward to about being pregnant again one day.

elisabeth said...

I had the same problem until I stopped using foundation and started using mac studio fix foundation powder instead. Still great coverage. Also I use aveeno clear complexion foaming face wash and moisturizer. Hope this helps.

Lauren said...

Breanna recently wrote a post about how she uses all natural oils and it's really helping. Maybe give it a read? x

http://restingonyourlove.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-cleansing-method.html

bnfunky said...

Have you researched for "holistic" remedies for skin/acne? I have had issues in other areas and began to really get educated on holistic remedies and different things to eat and it has helped me tremendously. Also, apple cider vinegar?? Worth the research and trying a few different things!!!

Katie said...

Girl, I totally feel your pain! I have hormonal acne as well due to PCOS. It is the one thing I have been insecure about my entire life. I don't care that other people tell me they don't see it when they look at me, it's the first thing I see when I look in the mirror. I hate that.

BC has been the only thing that has cleared me up, and I haven't been on that for over 2 years, so needless to say, I'm frustrated. Pregnancy has done nothing to make it better either. UGH!! I am like you and don't want to medicate myself to make it better, but apparently that's my only option.

Anyway, you are gorgeous, girl! But I totally get how you feel. Please let me know if you find something that actually works! :)

Kelly Ford said...

1st off... hormonal acne will pass in time. i totally know that does NOT help for today, but just keep in mind that you have BEAUTIFUL features and issues with skin. How sad to have sad features with beautiful skin?! (KIDDING!)

2ndly... you know about my horrible melasma. well, now, i'm breaking out, too. And i'm not even wearing makeup here lately (well, no foundation... only powder and eyes). SO unfair! grrr. so i feel your pain. :-(

i'll be keepign an eye on your blog for things tha twork for you. cause i need it, too!

but seriously, danielle, i know that those verses are a reminder to yourself that God looks at the heart, but i hope that those verses cut you to the quick. Because its SO true. And you are a BEAUTIFUL woman of GOD who should be honored. Claim the truth of those verses, friend!

{SweetTennesseeBlog} said...

I use a face wash called Panoxyl. I get it at Walgreens and it has worked wonders for me.

Ps - Love your blog!


There are reviews about the Panoxyl on make up alley http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=113120/PanOxyl_10_Foaming_Face_Wash/0/Cleansers

Courtney B said...

Ok... here comes my whole adult acne story. Ready for this?
I stopped taking birth control (a little over a year and a half ago) and after about 3 months I started breaking out. The first month was super annoying, the second month I knew it was serious. I had horrible cystic like zits that were huge, nasty, and painful. It ruined my life for a few months. The only thing I could think about was how nasty my face was. I hate myself! I didn't realize how big of a problem it was until my husband caught me staring at myself in the mirror and bawling because I hated what I saw. I never went to a dermatologist because I wanted my skin to clear up on its own, but I was so embarrased that my sweet hubs saw how awful it was for me that I finally saw the skin doc. Changed my life. Actually, he gave me my life back.
I didn't want to go back on birth control because the reason for my break out was that I stopped using it. So he had me on some mild meds (1 pill, 2 creams) that didn't require me to be on birth control. And if I found out I was prego I just needed to stop using them. In the 1st month the acne was gone, the 2nd month most of my scars had faded. Looking at me now you would never know what I went through. I was only on the meds for 6 months.
It was SOOO worth it for me. The only time I break out is at that time of the month and it's only a couple little zits. It's amazing! It's definitely worth looking into!

*Irene* said...

Please try Azelaic Acid (Azelex). I had the WORST hormonal acne after going off birth control and nothing helped. I spent thousands of dollars trying to find a magic solution on top of taking ten different vitamins ect.. Finally my gynecologist gave me Azelaic Acid (Azelex) and after two months my skin was CLEAR. I never thought I would have clear skin. It’s a little pricey even with insurance ($50 for me) but it’s a miracle. It's also pregnancy safe. Hang in there!

Mrs. Classic said...

I had the same problem but found a very easy and gentle solution. I started washing my face with just a bar of ivory soap and a Clarisonic Mia. It was a splurge but with the soap only costing $2 for 4 bars it all balances out. Seriously it has made such a difference getting rid of everything from deep huge cysts to little bumps all over my cheeks.

Jeannette said...

I take some stuff from vitamedica and get it off Amazon for 22 bucks and it has cleared my face like no ones business and I combine that with Cetaphil 2 times a day. :)