Acne

[Pretty_In_Purple 112]

Hello, I'm in my early 30's and since I've had surgery and dropped 32 pounds I have been breaking out on my face like I were a teen in puberty! Anyone else have this problem? Why do you suppose this is happening now?

[WhoKnows 288]

A lot of acne is hormonal. It's pure myth from companies like Johnson&Johnson that acne is (generally) caused by lack of hygiene. Of course there are a few people who don't wash, and then that's the result, but most people (though maybe I should say women, since that's what I know more about) get acne when their hormones are out of whack (hence why teenagers, women with PCOS, and women getting off the pill tend to break out a lot). If I were you, I'd go see an endocrinologist and get some blood work done. Don't let anyone try and give you antibiotics - I've never knows anyone who found them helpful for acne, and you'll probably just get a yeast infection. If it gets really bad, you can try Accutane. It gets a bad rap in the US, but it's really the only thing that's proven to work for severe, cystic, hormonal acne. I used when I stopped taking the pill (I also have PCOS) and it was like a miracle. There are some crazy laws about needing to be using various forms of birth control when you're on it (so, condoms + the pill, condoms + a diaphram, ect) since it causes sever birth defects, but it's totally worth it. Good luck!

[cherisenoir8 1]

I think it's hormonal as well and probably due to pcos. I've always had a clear complexion and now I feel like I'm going through puberty again as well. I'll be a year post op in 3 days. I also have a sweet tooth now, which I didn't have before surgery. Figuring that is a big part of my problem as well.

[Pretty_In_Purple 112]

I don't think I have PCOS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I do know that pre surgery I had a zit free face and now I have straight acne! Some are little bumps and some are huge and painful. I wash my face 2-3 times s day. Just looking for a product that is affordable and works for me. If I find one I'll let everyone know on this forum.

[WhoKnows 288]

You might be over washing your face and irritating your skin in the process, which believe it or not, will make acne worse. Remember, unless you're suddenly dirtier now than you were before surgery, the problem is on the inside, not the outside. My advice would be just use warm Water in the morning and if you feel the need to rinse during the day. Then at night use something mild and all natural/organic to clean off whatever stuff is on your face from being in the world. Use a mild exfoliant maybe once a week in the shower. Also, go see a dermatologist and have your hormones checked too. And don't bother with most of the anti-acne stuff in the skin car aisle. Seriously, stuff like Clerasil just doesn't work.

[Luvin_Life125 558]

I started getting acne when I was in my 30's after I got an IUD. I also have very sensitive skin and dry skin. I also worked in a dermatologist office for over 7 years. The combination I found that works for me is Neutrogena acne wash (the orange liquid wash) twice a day. I use a good moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning after washing my face (DML SPF 25, The packaging looks like a relic from the 70's but it is a good thick moisturizer that really helps with my dry, sensitive face without making me break out.) at night I wash again and use an over the counter product called zap zit. This combination helps keep my face under control. You have to find what works for you. Try over the counter things first and see if it helps. You have to give anything you try a good 4-6 weeks before you can judge if it is truly working. Good luck!

[msfitn2014 248]

Are you taking Biotin for your hair? Alot of women get acne from too much Biotin and I know al whole lot of WLS patients take it to prevent Hair loss and thinning? Hope you get better soon!

[Pretty_In_Purple 112]

Are you taking Biotin for your hair? Alot of women get acne from too much Biotin and I know al whole lot of WLS patients take it to prevent Hair loss and thinning? Hope you get better soon!

Yes, I do take biotin. I have halved my dose from 10,000 to 5000. My skin is a little better but still not clear like it was pre-op.

[bikrchk 1,313]

All kinds of stuff, (hormones, toxins in the body etc) is stored in fat. During the most rapid phases of weight loss, lots of folks experience more acne, stinkier than usual sweat, etc. It's pretty normal. For me, I'm near the end of my losing phase and have noticed my face is just bumpier lately. Not as smooth a complexion as I had before. Probably has to do with less padding under my skin. Could have something to do with the fact that it's summer and I'm using facial sunscreen now and sweating more. I'm gonna try exfoliating more and maybe changing up the brand face of sunscreen to a "drier" one.