Acne

[johnnydigit]

first i'm a guy and haven't had severe acne. i'm 28 and this is what i have found with my skin so far,

1. never touch your face with anything, especially your hands. not for leaning on in class, not while reading, not for picking hairs, not for boredom, never. it's hard, but i know that whenever i do, i will break out there later on.

2. eat healthy and "clean". you are what you eat. pizza, junk food, fast food, anything that is not healthy and simple. oils, lots of salt, pepper/spicy/hot (big no-no), etc.

3. keep face clean and non-oily. i wash my face about 5 times a day, or whenever it gets oily. .. i think i have contitioned my face to use any public restroom soap without getting too dry or irritated.

4. don't go clubbing or parties(?). something about the smoke or late night hours, just makes me break out the next day or so.

5. for acne on the chest/neck/scalp/(back?) due to stress, i have had success with Nizoral(sp?). it is a dandruff shampoo sold in a blue bottle at any store. just use it normally on the scalp or rub it on the skin in the shower for a minute. i can have the acne for weeks, months or years if left untreated, or rub it on and it'll be gone in a few days.

====================================

1. what is the most oil-free and mild face lotion available? i need something as close to water as possible. NO SCENT!
after showering or shaving, the area around my mouth get dry and white. water helps, but of course i'd need to wet it constantly. Oil of Olay is the closest thing i've used, but still i would like something even milder.

2. what is the most powerful glue type of thing that will take the blackheads and junk from the big pores in the nose? i've tried those paper strips that you wet, and they just aren't strong enough to rip the tiny zit-like things from around the nostrils. i need like straight up cement or plaster.
in the meantime, i just scrub the area really good with a cotton towel in the shower.

3. i have a little dark scar near my eye. is there any simple i can use to match the color and cover it on special occasions?


welp that's as far into girl/beauty things i've ever gone into before.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1254336' date='Apr 23 2007, 04:11 PM']1. what is the most oil-free and mild face lotion available? i need something as close to water as possible. NO SCENT!
after showering or shaving, the area around my mouth get dry and white. water helps, but of course i'd need to wet it constantly. Oil of Olay is the closest thing i've used, but still i would like something even milder.[/quote]
If you don't mind spending a little $$ [url="http://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=490&menuId=142&withLinks=1"]Arbonne's "intelligence" daily moisturizer is really good[/url]. No odor, and it doesn't irritate my skin at all. Love it.

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1254336' date='Apr 23 2007, 04:11 PM']2. what is the most powerful glue type of thing that will take the blackheads and junk from the big pores in the nose? i've tried those paper strips that you wet, and they just aren't strong enough to rip the tiny zit-like things from around the nostrils. i need like straight up cement or plaster.
in the meantime, i just scrub the area really good with a cotton towel in the shower.[/quote]
I can't help you with this ... maybe someone else can.

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1254336' date='Apr 23 2007, 04:11 PM']3. i have a little dark scar near my eye. is there any simple i can use to match the color and cover it on special occasions?
[quote]
You can get cover-up in stick form. If your masculinity can handle it, go to any makeup counter and they should be able to help you.

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1254336' date='Apr 23 2007, 04:11 PM']
welp that's as far into girl/beauty things i've ever gone into before.[/quote]


Hope you enjoyed the trip ...

[Lil Red]

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1254336' date='Apr 23 2007, 02:11 PM']2. what is the most powerful glue type of thing that will take the blackheads and junk from the big pores in the nose? i've tried those paper strips that you wet, and they just aren't strong enough to rip the tiny zit-like things from around the nostrils. i need like straight up cement or plaster.
in the meantime, i just scrub the area really good with a cotton towel in the shower.[/quote]get a facial from an aesthician (at a salon)

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1254336' date='Apr 23 2007, 05:11 PM']first i'm a guy and haven't had severe acne. i'm 28 and this is what i have found with my skin so far,

1. never touch your face with anything, especially your hands. not for leaning on in class, not while reading, not for picking hairs, not for boredom, never. it's hard, but i know that whenever i do, i will break out there later on.

2. eat healthy and "clean". you are what you eat. pizza, junk food, fast food, anything that is not healthy and simple. oils, lots of salt, pepper/spicy/hot (big no-no), etc.

3. keep face clean and non-oily. i wash my face about 5 times a day, or whenever it gets oily. .. i think i have contitioned my face to use any public restroom soap without getting too dry or irritated.

4. don't go clubbing or parties(?). something about the smoke or late night hours, just makes me break out the next day or so.

5. for acne on the chest/neck/scalp/(back?) due to stress, i have had success with Nizoral(sp?). it is a dandruff shampoo sold in a blue bottle at any store. just use it normally on the scalp or rub it on the skin in the shower for a minute. i can have the acne for weeks, months or years if left untreated, or rub it on and it'll be gone in a few days.[/quote]

Your philosophy and skin patterns are almost identical to mine. I wish that like you, I could use any soap on my face! I wash my face about five times a day as well, so if I'm out I either have to stick to my oil-absorbing sheets or bring my own soap (which I do, sometimes).

[quote]
====================================

1. what is the most oil-free and mild face lotion available? i need something as close to water as possible. NO SCENT!
after showering or shaving, the area around my mouth get dry and white. water helps, but of course i'd need to wet it constantly. Oil of Olay is the closest thing i've used, but still i would like something even milder.
[/quote]Complex 15, maybe. It was given to me so I don't know how much it is. Something that works even better for me is the Target imitation of Olay Alpha-Hydroxy moisturizer. It comes in two sizes, and is very inexpensive.

[quote]
2. what is the most powerful glue type of thing that will take the blackheads and junk from the big pores in the nose? i've tried those paper strips that you wet, and they just aren't strong enough to rip the tiny zit-like things from around the nostrils. i need like straight up cement or plaster.
in the meantime, i just scrub the area really good with a cotton towel in the shower.[/quote]
Those things make my skin worse, and never do anything for my blackheads. I don't know what to tell you in this department, except that maybe in time they go away?

[quote]3. i have a little dark scar near my eye. is there any simple i can use to match the color and cover it on special occasions?
welp that's as far into girl/beauty things i've ever gone into before.[/quote]
Physicians formula sells a concealer stick. I highly recommend it. It's about $4.50. You use it like lipstick on your skin and rub it in until it's blended. You can find the shade that matches your skin best. That's what I use

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1254338' date='Apr 23 2007, 03:19 PM']If you don't mind spending a little $$ [url="http://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=490&menuId=142&withLinks=1"]Arbonne's "intelligence" daily moisturizer is really good[/url]. No odor, and it doesn't irritate my skin at all. Love it.[/quote]

40bucks for 4oz! i'd feel like i commited a sin. but if it's the only thing that works for you.. i'll keep looking thanks.

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1254338' date='Apr 23 2007, 03:19 PM']You can get cover-up in stick form. If your masculinity can handle it, go to any makeup counter and they should be able to help you.[/quote]

hm.. i'll have to pray for the courage..

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1254350' date='Apr 23 2007, 03:43 PM']get a facial from an aesthician (at a salon)[/quote]

no can do. well i probably would *try* it, but don't think i could afford going regularly. or think i need to..

[quote name='Totus Tuus' post='1254414' date='Apr 23 2007, 05:29 PM']Your philosophy and skin patterns are almost identical to mine. I wish that like you, I could use any soap on my face! I wash my face about five times a day as well, so if I'm out I either have to stick to my oil-absorbing sheets or bring my own soap (which I do, sometimes).

Complex 15, maybe. It was given to me so I don't know how much it is. Something that works even better for me is the Target imitation of Olay Alpha-Hydroxy moisturizer. It comes in two sizes, and is very inexpensive.
Those things make my skin worse, and never do anything for my blackheads. I don't know what to tell you in this department, except that maybe in time they go away?
Physicians formula sells a concealer stick. I highly recommend it. It's about $4.50. You use it like lipstick on your skin and rub it in until it's blended. You can find the shade that matches your skin best. That's what I use [/quote]

thanks i will check those out! in as much privacy as possible.. yes, i will have to sleep on it and decide when i will venture into doing that. perhaps do some regular shopping, then nonchalantly start browsing and trying on women's makeup. not like i haven't worn it before.. oops.

[johnnydigit]

oddly i've been thinking about this now and then, and i wonder, do those of you who have acne problems consider yourselves above average healthy? if not, i offer this experiment i would try if i had an acne problem. mainly it consists of a radically healthy diet and stress free life for say, 2 weeks. these 2 things kept in check i believe will cleanse the body, mind, and balance the hormones which may balance your skin. the difference between this and the typical medical procedures is that since we are catholic, we have better means for stress. ok so here would be my goals,

the diet:
as pure a diet as possible. bread, water, fruits and vegetables of course, and any mild food you like. stay away from all fast food, all junk food, all candy, eating at restaurants all together (unless it is for something purely natural and basic), anything high in salt, preservatives, artificial flavors, oils, pepper, spice, basically anything processed, etc.

think of it as a fast. if you haven't practiced fasting before, learn to immediately. there are so many benefits to this practice and not a coincidence the Church recommends it so much. mental, health, spiritual.. it benefits so many things. it doesn't have to be starving yourself. it's about moderation at first, and you'll realize how much food you don't need. it's so important that it deserves it's own thread. anyways, keep the food simple, clean, natural, and in moderation. if you're overweight, well that may be a stumbling block that needs to get out of the way first.

the stress:
avoid it as much as possible. no clubbing, no parties, no places with smoke. avoid going out to busy events especially at night, like concerts, long conferences, basically places with crowds of people.
-keep your days quiet, calm and mellow. libary is ok, studying is ok, class should be ok.. you basically want to avoid excitement from people, and sitting in one place where it may induce oily skin from sitting for long periods.
-don't sleep late. get enough sleep. DON'T EAT LATE. no sooner than 2 hours before sleeping. the body digesting strains sleep, causes nightmares.

i guess it would be sort of like a retreat. seems kind of ascetic. hard? well is it worth it to see if you can control your acne?

what's the best way to defeat stress other than avoidance? PRAYER. pray, pray, pray. rosary, chaplet of divine mercy, our father's and hail mary's throughout the day. it will calm you, remove stress, help you focus, get closer to God, increase your faith and spiritual life, it's a win-win situation.

the second tactic is excercise. not only is it healthy, but very relaxing, especially if you hit the sauna and jacuzzi afterwards. it's like heaven. and it's possible the sauna and heat from the jacuzzi help the skin? i dunno. it seems like it.

include your regular routine of facial cleansing. after eating hot/oily foods, after sitting in class or watching a movie or anything like that which causes your face to produce oil. 5-6 times a day i guess is ok, thats what i do. 10+ is probably excessive.

=============

so ya it may seem like a lot for some people, but it just takes practice. most of it i actually already do normally. is it a coincidence i have mild skin and some have said i have a baby's face? i dunno. what's the worst that can happen, it doesn't work but you get healthier.

thoughts? it just seems to make sense to me, and i know sometimes peoples' problems can be endless and solutions be self-defeating..

[Totus Tuus]

Good suggestions!

[PennyLane]

Vitamin A actually doesn't have any effect in acne.. Accutane contains a mutated form of Vitamin A, which they haven't really found out if it works yet.

My roommate swears by proactive, which you've probably tried already... so does my cousin. Oh and Jessica Simpson, too :-) lol

I know, it's really really tough, I had really bad acne too and I am so grateful that it didn't leave any scaring!!

Best of luck!!

[Totus Tuus]

I think the results of Accutane show that the "mutated form of Vitamin A" produce positive results! Unless you're saying it could be another ingredient in the drug.

Well guys, I'm on day 2 of my Accutane treatment and so far, so good. Not seeing results yet, of course (I hear it takes a couple of months) but I will keep you posted

Lauren

[Totus Tuus]

Update: I'm on day 24 of Accutane and it's working very well

[jkaands]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' post='1285986' date='Jun 1 2007, 03:31 PM']Update: I'm on day 24 of Accutane and it's working very well [/quote]

I'm glad, Totus.

I had acne a few centuries ago. I broke out when I was 7 and it continued until I was 16. It blighted my life. All, well most, of my gross personality aberrations I can blame on it! But seriously, when my daughters started to break out, I took them to a dermatologist as soon as poss-a very nice young woman, as it turned out. Both dgtrs went on Accutane, and a bunch of other stuff, an antibiotic and a skin-drying thing- ?Proactiv?--not sure. It particularly helped my older dgtr, who had back acne, deep-seated things that it hurt to sleep on. Both girls now have flawless skin, and no worse personality defects than can be expected from having me as their mother.

I don't think that you have to take the Pill, buy diaphragms, etc. You just have to take pregnancy tests all the time, and show the results to the MD who prescribes it. I don't know the current rules. Accutane is a potent teratogen, like thalidomide.