acne

[joyce]

I used to take tetracycline for my acne problems, and it worked very well for my face. Now it is time for me to get off it, and I am taking half a pill every other day...and I'm breaking out all over the place...is there something I can that you guys know of to make it better??? its horrible...

[lilsx1]

there is a soap site that sells all natural products. I use the rhassoul duo and it is the only thing in 27 years that has worked for me - bad acne and blemishes!!!! www.soap-please.com
They have info. on how and what to buy certain products per your skin type and it's a bit pricey but compared to all the products you may have tried and the money and damage it does to your skin - it's well worth it - plus it lasts a looooooong time!!! I also recommend researching to see what kind of diet, hereditary and makeup affects your skin as well... sometimes you can't avoid or clear it up completely. They also have skin care specialists that can analyze and recommend product as well...

[fawnmarie]

I've heard NOTHING buy great things about Rhassoul soap, I've been thinking of making my own by buying rhassoul clay and glycerin, etc from Mountain Rose herbs. I haven't really had much time to do home compounding since my first son (Thing 1) was born - 13 years ago today. (YIKES!!!)

Hormonal acne is going to require a hormonal solution - generally acne is caused by elevated testosterone levels. Why are you going off the BC? To get preggers? In that case, it will clear up when your system renormalizes. Testosterone increases sebum production which increase the infections in your pores. Cosmetic clays are well-known for keeping the pores clean, which allows the sebum to flow without obstruction, which reduces the chance of infection.

You might want to try saw palmetto as you withdraw from the BC pills, as well as changing your skin routine.

Fawn

[mansi]

Hi Fawn,
if you happen to make a soap using rhassoual clay etc, please send me the recipe too. I am also very interested int his product.
Heard some relaly great things about this at t-tapp forum, but have not bought it till now because the product is very pricey and also given the fact that my resources are busy soemwhere else now (BE).

Thanks
Mansi

[fawnmarie]

Mansi - what did you end up doing for BE? Individuals?

Fawn

[mansi]

Fawn,
I have been on individual for very long time (Infact I have done just individuals, never went for commercial stuff).

Remember I have bought tons of BO from you??

I plan to get back on BE. Also I was supposed to give you testimonials and so I am still getting special BO price.

Mansi

[fawnmarie]

Yes, I remember - but you said you were off it, so I was wondering what you were using.

Fawn

[mansi]

No Fawn I am not using anything currently. Actually my BE regime has to have yasmin BCP to help me grow. The problem is my insurance does not cover BCP. And that is additional $45 per month which I cannot affrod right now. I am saving soem money, also looking for a job which would get me some better insurance, and then i plan to get back on BE.

Thanks
Mansi

[fawnmarie]

Yikes! I know, health insurance SUCKS these days. No wonder everyone's becoming in alternative and nutritional treatments - they're more affordable!

Fawn

[HoneeBee]

i dont know if this is of any use to anyone but i like to use sulfur based treatments and cleansers with zinc oxide and licorice extract.
also colloid silver is good to apply to the skin i think the maximum is 3%-5%silver or something like that
also a baking soda and hydrogen 3% peroxide mixture worked on me when applied as a mask. it produces oxygen and kills bacteria

i like the visit the cure zone acne forum to get lots of info and search for recipies.

[PepeLePewtheDivine]

BHA (salysilic acid) or AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid) based cleanser paired with Vitamin A cream (Tretinoin cream) is a fantastic disinfectant/exfoiliater combination. more at www.cosmeticscop.com

[PepeLePewtheDivine]

also, what is tetracycline?

[Peachy]

Tetracycline is an antibiotic, available in topical form or oral form for acne. Also used in oral form for other infections. Contraindicated in pregnancy because can cause bone/tooth malformations and discoloration in developing tissue (i.e. fetal tissue).

[Peachy]

Joyce,

I'm copying my recent post from "Gripes" (Acne on BE). I hope this is helpful to you:



erythromycin is a prescription medication in a topical solution form; I get the 2% erythromycin, although it is available in other formulations. It's basically an antibiotic (drug class is macrolide), so you'll have to have your doctor prescribe it. It's generally not very expensive, and most insurances will cover it. Other things you can try:

1) Benzoyl Peroxide 10% cream available over the counter (but this can cause some drying and irritation of skin)

2) Salicylic Acid also available over the counter

3) Tea Tree Oil - I've seen this at Wal-Mart, and it's supposed to be good for clearing up skin, although I've never tried it

4) Differin (adapalene) gel - prescription only, and it can be pretty expensive if you don't have insurance

5) Accutane (isotretinoin) - a vitamin A relative, very effective for moderate to severe acne, but costs an arm and a leg and you can't take it if you have the slightest chance of being pregnant (plus there are associated costs: you have to have bloodwork done every month or so to monitor your liver enzymes and to make sure you're not pregnant)

And yes, erythromycin works pretty well for me. . . I use it during the day and Differin at night when breakouts get bad (as they are now). Once a week I use Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque which actually does help dry up some pimples.



Why do you have to discontinue the tetracycline, if you don't mind my asking?

Good luck!

Peachy

[joyce]

Peachy, thank you.

What does erythromycin contain exactly? Right now I am using duac which works pretty well for the most part but I want my face to be better. I also get really bad body acne. Its not even like pimples its like...just black/white heads that are rough and flare up and are red and blotchy...bleh.
I have tried differin, it made my face worse, I have tree oil toner from kiehls, and lots of salisylic washes and such...However, I have never tried accutane, I like my liver too much...lol kidding, I'm just scared of needles and don't want to get my blood taken out every month. Also, my parents wouldn't let me even if I wanted to, my dad says its too strong of an antibiotic to risk taking for something like acne, that will supposedly go away eventually. This is why I had to stop tetracycline also, it was a year since I have been taking it and he wanted me to stop because he said it was also killing my good baceria and it was eventually going to do more harm than good.

If I could find a way to get rid of my back and chest acne...god I'd be the happiest person ever. (I'd be happier with boobs too...)