What's happened to MY FACE?!?

funkyspunky872
funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've always had clear skin throughout my teen years. If I had a pimple, it was usually just one at a time.. every month or so... And never, ever had I broke out on my cheeks or in clusters. Even with bulimia and restricting tendencies, my face was fine. The first few months of recovery I didn't see any change either... Then I hit a period in January 2012 where I binged 2-3 times a day, every day. I gained back 50 pounds of the 145 that I lost, and my face has been like this ever since. I'm not bingeing anymore, but I can't get my face to clear up. I'm trying cleansers for the first time, trying to drink more water, keeping my hands away from my face even though it itches and burns, etc. I've talked to my doctor and she didn't seem to give a *kitten*.

Before:

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Emily11.jpg

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photo-8.jpg

After:

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photo-1-1.jpg

Any advice on what to do? It's very depressing. In fact, these after pictures are the first pictures I've taken of myself in 6 months because I'm so embarrassed. :ohwell:
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Replies

  • LeggiGetsFit
    LeggiGetsFit Posts: 64 Member
    I was just about to post something like this.

    I've had pretty good skin my whole life but ever since eating healthier and exercising my face consistently has a zit or 5! What gives? I wash my face every day and use a toner.

    Bump to see what others say.
  • Mollydolly10
    Mollydolly10 Posts: 431 Member
    Oh man, that's such a bummer, I'm sorry. The red flag for me was the itching and burning - definitely calls for a trip to the dermatologist. Make sure you tell him about changes in eating - it could be a change in hormones/nutrients/etc. Good luck!!
  • LuneBleu85
    LuneBleu85 Posts: 217
    I recommend that you try apple cider vinegar (either capsules or the liquid). It has worked wonders for me. Later in my teens (19) I developed cystic acne and it was the only thing that helped.
  • Zarebeth
    Zarebeth Posts: 136 Member
    Get thee to a dermatologist. They can help.
  • l_beakley
    l_beakley Posts: 48
    When I became a vegan, my face broke out due to the toxins from "other food" leaving my body. After a month or 2 it cleared up again & my skin is back to being blemish free. I never really had an acne problem but the food I eat plays a HUGE part in my complexion. Keep track of your breakouts & what you're eating & see if that is a possibility.
  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
    Proactiv?
  • BelleHeart
    BelleHeart Posts: 281 Member
    I heard washing your face with baking soda then moisturizing you face after helps get rid of break outs. I have horrible break outs when I am stressed!!
  • longleggedgiraffe
    longleggedgiraffe Posts: 27
    Could be hormone changes... I never had trouble either til about age 30 now my face breaks out all the time. Usually around TOM.
  • takehimaway
    takehimaway Posts: 499 Member
    Someone suggested I use Hibiclens; I am breaking out like mad from medication I will be on ... FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.


    527241_421754921201287_1930186421_n.jpg

    Me and my lady the other day. Blegh. Not only does it make me look huge; you see every single pimple on my face.
  • chasingpavements24
    chasingpavements24 Posts: 107 Member
    See a dermatologist - some antibiotics and retinol cream will clear you up in no time.

    In the mean time, you might want to try avoiding all dairy and sugar and eating a sweet potato/day. It's full of vitamin a/c, which is amazing for your skin.

    I've struggled with acne for many years - i know how much it sucks. Good luck getting better!
  • REALBIGBATBASTARD
    REALBIGBATBASTARD Posts: 103 Member
    its the drugs
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    Someone suggested I use Hibiclens; I am breaking out like mad from medication I will be on ... FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.


    Me and my lady the other day. Blegh. Not only does it make me look huge; you see every single pimple on my face.

    ;_; I feel for you.
  • christwllms
    christwllms Posts: 10
    I had a similar problem at the age of 37!! I had never had problems before, even as a teen. I finally went to the dermetologist and got some medicine. It helps!
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    See a dermatologist - some antibiotics and retinol cream will clear you up in no time.

    In the mean time, you might want to try avoiding all dairy and sugar and eating a sweet potato/day. It's full of vitamin a/c, which is amazing for your skin.

    I've struggled with acne for many years - i know how much it sucks. Good luck getting better!

    Right. :) Thank you.

    Thanks to all of you! Seeing a dermatologist didn't even cross my mind for some reason... Didn't think I'd ever need one.
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    Someone suggested I use Hibiclens; I am breaking out like mad from medication I will be on ... FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.


    527241_421754921201287_1930186421_n.jpg

    Me and my lady the other day. Blegh. Not only does it make me look huge; you see every single pimple on my face.

    I just had to quote this to tell you that you're the only other person I've seen who has their eyebrow pierced twice on one side. I only have one done (my right one) but I've never even seen somebody have more than one.
  • Sloth_TurtleGirl
    Sloth_TurtleGirl Posts: 79 Member
    I had a similar problem in Jan. After going through a period where I thought first that I was contagious, then that I had an allergic reaction, and then that maybe I was going through puberty again (I'm 42 lol), I finally went to a dermatologist. Rosacia was the answer. I had no clue. One thing that can trigger Rosacia is working out! Your dermatologist can give you meds to help. Mine appeared out of nowhere. There are some foods (and wine) that cause mine to get worse. The worst part is everyone has different triggers. Yours doesn't look that different from mine. You might want to visit a dermatologist and get a cause nailed down. He can tell you what it is and what you can do to get it under control while continuing your workouts. :smile:
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    I recommend rubbing rotting rats and also marmot feces into your skin twice a day, or possibly see your gp or derm (I'd do the doctor if you could over the random home remedies).

    The +1 here is you are super adorable!
  • MoonIite
    MoonIite Posts: 341 Member
    I'm dealing with a similar issue. I managed to keep my skin clear for 1 year+, which coincided when I started eating healthy and exercising . But down the line, I fell off the wagon and stopped working out altogether. Ever since I started exercising again, I keep getting these pimples that are tender to touch and they leave red marks after they heal. My skin went from clear to spotty. D:
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I recommend that you try apple cider vinegar (either capsules or the liquid). It has worked wonders for me. Later in my teens (19) I developed cystic acne and it was the only thing that helped.

    I'm going to try this for my son. Nothing has worked for him, not even ProActiv or the prescription from the dermatologist. Thanks for the idea!

    I had read that excessive dairy can cause acne, and my son eats a lot of cold cereal, but even after I switched to almond milk, it didn't clear up.
  • MFPBrandy
    MFPBrandy Posts: 564 Member
    I have terrible breakouts every time I return from a deployment. Not during -- my skin is great before and during the deployments, but for months afterwards I'll have full-body breakouts. I just figure it's part delayed reaction, and part toxins and stress leaving my body. My docs agree, for what it's worth.
    All of that is to say, it could very well be temporary!

    *ETA--if your doc isn't interested, and if it's stuck around a while, I agree that a trip to the dermatologist is in order!
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    My breakouts are hormone related. I don't have breakouts when I'm on the pill, but I weigh less when I'm off the pill, so go figure.

    Usually when I'm breaking out, I seem to have hormone surges that make me feel like I'm 15 again.
  • sarah_001
    sarah_001 Posts: 5 Member
    I also used to have pretty bad problems with break outs and bad skin. One day I went into the chemist and asked what the pharmacist there recommended. I've used a face wash called Benzac AC wash 5% ever since then. I'm not sure if you can get it where you are but it comes in a box with a 200ml bottle inside. It's a bit pricey but definitely worth it! It's been the only thing that's worked for me :) I have a friend with mild acne and suggested she try that and it literally cleared her skin up after days! hope this helps!! :)
  • achapman01
    achapman01 Posts: 42 Member
    Please see a dermatologist ASAP. Your general doctor probably does not have the expertise to help you. My dermatologist gave me antibiotics and a topical gel that worked wonders. I got acne in my mid-20's. Good luck!
  • nursewhitman
    nursewhitman Posts: 24 Member
    I had awesome clear skin until I was 29. I would see a dermatologist if it bothers you.
  • takehimaway
    takehimaway Posts: 499 Member
    Young, my mom mails me that Proactiv stuff every single month. I don't think it really helps. I love that Biore Warming though.

    Long, I'm on testosterone, so I don't get to hang out with TOM anymore, thank god, but I'm sure it has something to do with it.

    Chasing, I really don't like sweet potatoes, like at all.. In any way shape or form, even with marshmellows. Any other ideas? I don't eat dairy, and most most of my sugar comes from fruit.

    Funky, thank you. <3

    I'd see a dermatologist, but I've already got eczema and psorarsis, let's just add another thing wrong with my skin.

    Kaleidoscope, I have seen one other guy with two in one and one in the other. I took them out for a week a few weeks ago, as .. well, we'll just say one got knocked out, and I was scared they would close! I mean, I've had the outer ones since for five and six years, and the inner ones for almost three years, so it shouldn't be a problem, but I wouldn't be happy without them. ;[

    avengeflipper, I periodically send photos home to my parents, and my mom calls me everytime, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR FACE?! WHY IS IT ALL RED?! WHAT IS WRONG?! GO TO YOUR DOCTOR. GET OFF THE PHONE WITH ME, AND CALL THEM! " Every single time. I might as well just go talk to them. I have health insurance.
  • mjay107
    mjay107 Posts: 10
    I'm going to put in a plug for the company Garden of Wisdom. (I don't work for them or anything... I just love their products!!!)
    http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/home.html

    They use all natural stuff, everything is reasonably priced, and my skin has never felt better since I've been using their products. I've been using their stuff for about a year and a half now.

    Also, I wash my face with honey. See Crunchy Betty's honey challenge post here: http://www.crunchybetty.com/honey-challenge
    So easy and I love it!
  • DeniseB0711
    DeniseB0711 Posts: 294 Member
    You have probably gotten more advice than you know what to do with, but before you go any further go to

    acne.org

    That website changed my life. I have had struggled with acne since the day my pituitary gland turned on and said Puberty is here!!! I followed the advice on acne.org and I have a clear face, and for LOTS less than Proactive or other snake oil on the market.
  • RealWomenLovePitbulls
    RealWomenLovePitbulls Posts: 729 Member
    try Clean and Clear Persa-Gel, it is the same thing that u get prescribed from a doctor. It will dry your skin out after a while, so u may want to get some sort of face lotion as well
  • spiregrain
    spiregrain Posts: 254 Member
    A lot of women who had perfect skin when younger start breaking out sometime in their very late teens to 30s, it's incredibly common. It's a hormonal thing, I think. It happened to me. I have some stuff I like for it:

    First some kind of oxy wash but only until your face stops really actively breaking out, because that kind of wash messes with your skin long term, and bleaches your pillowcases. D:

    Then a product called Modern Friction which is a plant based product from a company called Origins -- they have counters in Macy's and stores in most parts of the US and UK, they will gladly give you a small free sample to try in the stores or even offer you a demonstration on your face ("mini facial"). Modern Friction is my maintenance product for clear skin and since I found it I have never had a real breakout but I used to be a walking breathing pizza.

    I also try to keep a balanced skin care routine. A lot of people when they are breaking out will get a super harsh face cleanser that dries their skin so it feels tight and then they feel dry and get a heavy moisturizer to compensate. Both products are probably wrong for the average person who is breaking out (usually has combination skin). You want a gentler cleanser targeted towards your skin type and a moisturizer that makes your face feel springy and fresh without feeling tight OR greasy. You should ask around for lots of free samples at counters in a department store -- most places can give you some. They will also consult with you about what your skin type is and can be really helpful. I'd stick to something more plant based like Kiehl's or Origins or Aveda.

    BTW this stuff costs more per container, and the container looks like it's the same size as the one you buy at the drugstore for $8, but typically you use a LOT less and the product lasts you a LOT longer and is much higher quality. Like my Origins face was is $20 for 5 oz. but I only have to buy it twice a year, as opposed to once a month or every 2 months for the $10 face wash from my grocery store or drug store.

    There are some good natural home cures out there too. Apple Cider Vinegar toner is definitely one. Worth trying between now and the appointment. :)
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    Crazy - I have the complete opposite going on. I always had really bad acne when I ate unhealthy foods - now that i am eating healthy...my face is flawless! :D and i love it!

    Anyway...i would suggest Vitamin A supplement (with take it orally...i used to pop the vitamin and put the oil directly on my face...rub in a bit and wash). I also am a clearasil user - I think its wonderful.

    Water water water!

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