Struggling with Persistent Post-Acne Skin Issues

Girls, help!!! I'm so tired of walking around with my face like this. Terrible post-acne, small pimples. I've been to a beautician: she said it's hyperkeratosis, had 2 chemical peelings with Ros da Mer (after the second session it only got worse, and there are still 3 ahead). I've had various tests, taken prebiotics, sorbents and serious medications. I've cut out gluten, dairy, sweets. I've smeared my face with various "ointments", both expensive and homemade. There was a period when I didn't use any cosmetics at all and did nothing with my face either. NO difference! I don't squeeze or touch the pimples. I'm at my wits' end 😥 Anyone who's been through something similar - how did you cope???

Experiences with Madinet for Acne and Weight?

Good day to all! Girls, please respond, who has taken/ is taking the COC named Madinet (bright pink packaging, made in Germany). I'm interested in your opinion regarding the cosmetic function of the pills, my gynaecologist prescribed them to me for the purpose of getting rid of acne. I'm 21 years old, hormonal imbalances have been identified as the cause of the acne. I'm also interested if any of you have gained any excess weight while taking these pills. I've been looking for information specifically about these pills for a long time, but couldn't find anything ☹️. Thank you all so much for your help.

Lessons from a Decade of Acne Treatments

This post is dedicated to everyone who, like me, initially struggled with deep acne, and subsequently ended up with scars, enlarged pores, and uneven skin tone. I'm now 34 years old. I started dealing with my problem at 17. As an inexperienced young girl, I tried to cure my acne in a cosmetologist's office, I must say, for severe acne, it's a waste of money and a high risk of complications and infection. I first cured my acne with a gynaecologist (by balancing hormones), although the spots started to reappear afterwards. I got a lasting result from a dermatologist with the help of antibiotics and medicinal ointments. After that, the problem remained - scars. Here's what I did: deep laser resurfacing 10 years ago, then 4 years later I did a medium chemical peel, like TCA. 2 years ago, I had a facelift with a DEKA laser and a couple of weeks ago I had resurfacing with a fractional laser. Over 10 years, I did various minor peels and cleanses. Now in detail about the effect of each procedure.

1. Deep laser resurfacing. Since this was 10 years ago, I can't say what kind of laser it was, but it definitely wasn't "grid-forming". They just smoothly scraped off my skin. I didn't sit in bandages, didn't go for dressings. The recovery was exactly 2 weeks. Then I went to work with a red face and foundation. I only saw the effect of this procedure a year later! The scars really became less noticeable! I would say they definitely reduced by 50%. But there were side effects - the skin became very oily, I suspect that's why my pores are now so enlarged and constantly clogged. From the slightest cold, heat, alcohol, my face is red. And the most unpleasant thing that has remained for life - the skin lost its velvety texture, without powder it looks like the top layer of the epidermis has been removed. I can say that a professional, experienced doctor who was invited from a Moscow clinic for this procedure did it for me.

2. Medium chemical peel. For me, this was the worst procedure. They promised a 30% reduction in scars, but I didn't see any effect. But what side effects - red skin, which doesn't go away for years! The sensitivity from the laser can't compare! After the peel, my skin reacted instantly and turned red like a crab for 4 years, if not more. It was awful. Gradually, such reactivity dulled, but still, sauna, frost, the skin is redder than usual. Also, on the day of the procedure, a small pimple popped up on my face, the cosmetologist removed it, fluid flowed from it and in this place, after the peel, a scar formed, which did not pass. So, a medium chemical peel is such a procedure that is not subject to any control!

3. Skin tightening with a DEKA laser. Since I was already over 30, I wanted to tighten the oval. The cosmetologist promised that there would also be a positive effect on the scars. I'll say right away that this time I got to an experienced doctor. The procedure itself seemed almost painless to me (compared to resurfacing). Although they did it deeper for me. The recovery period was about 10 days. The skin does not peel off at this time! After the procedure, a grid forms on the surface of the face, which became less noticeable after a month, and completely disappeared after a year. I can say that it didn't bother me. As for the tightening, comparing the photos I can definitely say - there is an effect. At work, even rumours started that I had a facelift! But I would still tighten it. As for the scars, they might have smoothed out by about 10%. But very insignificantly.

4. Resurfacing with a fractional laser. Since I did it 2 weeks ago, it's too early to talk about the results. But judging by the sensations, I understand that I will never do this procedure again. The skin is still red, at the slightest uncontrollable touch there is immediate damage. The face is tight. There are strange sensations in the skin on the forehead, as if someone is moving there... I understand that the recovery will take a year, not less! There are terrible grid marks on the forehead, much deeper than from DEKA, I'm very worried about them. The cosmetologist said that for a good effect, it needs to be done again in 3 weeks, but I already understand that my skin simply won't withstand this.

After so much time, having gone through a bunch of procedures in the name of smooth skin and drawing conclusions, I can say that if I had the opportunity to turn back time, here's what I wouldn't do: deep resurfacing, medium chemical peel and fractional rejuvenation. I believe that these procedures seriously spoiled my skin! It became more oily, porous, bumpy. What would I definitely do, and what helped me the most? These are regular cleanses no less than once a month and a regular course of seasonal, superficial chemical peels (mandelic, salicylic). It was from them that my skin shone, the pores were maximally narrowed, and I looked good in photos without photoshop!

Now I understand that only time and regular care can seriously improve the skin relief, this may take 10 years, but with each year, the skin gets better! And I, like many, tried to find a way that can once and for all get rid of scars. DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE! THERE IS NO SUCH WAY! Advertising very colourfully describes the possible result, but no one talks about the side effects, and they are much worse than the result obtained, and sometimes not obtained at all.

I wrote this post for young people who have similar problems so that they do not repeat my mistakes.

Will One Binge Ruin My Acne Treatment?

Hello, basically I've encountered a problem with acne, but then I went to the doctor, got treated and continue to be treated by him, there is an effect, even a very strong one, but he did not cancel the diet. In general, I was told to "Limit sweets, eliminate fizzy drinks, crisps", I held out like this for 3 months, but then a friend came over, and there was nothing to eat and we went to a cafe. Long story short, I ate 3 club sandwiches, 200g of chocolate, 1 litre of fizzy drink, 2 cheesecakes and so on. And here's the question - is this critical? If it's critical, will it be easy to eliminate the consequences? P.S. We went several times a day, so that's why there was so much and before that I didn't eat like this, thanks in advance.

Genetics Aren't Always Predictable for Acne

The thing is, everywhere they say: if a child's parents had spots, then the child will have them too. But no: my mother only had spots during her period, and even then, you wouldn't really call them that: it was just a couple of breakouts. My father didn't have any. In principle, none of our ancestors had any. (Or they're not ready to admit it, I don't know). As a result: I got them. And my brothers had them too and still do. It didn't go away with age at all, because they're both adults. Generally speaking, when talking about many diseases, one of the causes listed is genetics. But that's more about risk, I suppose, rather than a 100% certainty.

Will Contractubex Help Reduce My Keloid Scar?

Ladies, could you please advise if you know. I have a keloid scar left over from surgical mole removal. It's nearly two years old. And now I've finally decided to get rid of it. I bought Contractubex and apply it no less than four times a day. Can it help? At least to lighten it and make it a bit thinner? The scar is no more than one centimetre in length and four millimetres in thickness.

Does Acne Return After Stopping Birth Control?

Hello, could you please tell me, does acne return after discontinuing oral contraceptives, if there are no major hormonal issues?

Struggling with Severe Acne and Skin Care

Hello everyone. I'm 20 years old. I've had severe acne since I was 14. There was no clear spot on my face and the pimples were simply huge, often subcutaneous. At 19, I started taking the contraceptive pill due to polycystic ovaries, Yasmin, and my face improved significantly, but I still have small colourless pimples almost all over my face, pores the size of a crater, but that's genetic, my mum and grandma have the same. Even on my forehead!! But, acne has left its mark. My skin at 20 looks like I'm 60!! The elasticity of my skin has disappeared. My face is full of pits and scars. The T-zone is always red, especially the wings of my nose, I don't know why. At the same time, my skin is oily but peels a lot. I've tried both luxury foams and creams and cheap ones. Zero effect. I've moisturised, nourished, and scrubbed. Due to the lack of elasticity, I have deep wrinkles on my forehead and in the nasolabial folds. And also heavy dark circles under my eyes, but that's from my mum. She has the same and in my childhood photos, I always look like a panda. What should I do?? I spend at least 2-4 hours a day on my skin. Massages, creams, scrubs, peels, and all sorts of infusions. I don't have money for a cosmetologist now. And I can't even apply foundation to my skin. I have 9 different ones and they all clog my pores and it looks terrible, they roll off due to the oiliness and gather in the folds, it's just a nightmare, although I do apply a pore primer under the foundation or BB cream, Holika. Help!!

Seeking Advice for Reducing Raised Scar

After having a mole removed from my chest, I've been left with a raised scar. Does anyone know of an effective treatment to reduce and lighten it, even just a bit?

Confused About Choosing Between Zineryt and Baziron

I've read that many people use Zineryt, then Baziron for prevention. I used Zineryt once, it's a great product. But then I got used to it. Now I don't know, I haven't used it for 2 months. Although I first applied it about 3 years ago, and then took a break. Now I want to buy Baziron! But maybe I should also buy Zineryt? Is Baziron for acne or post-acne?