My acne and the scars from my acne keep appearing and I am going to go visit an agent this week. I've tried Proactiv, Acne Free, Clearasil, and a few others. How can I treat it fast? What works for everyone else?

Here's a link that might help. Remember, with any treatment, you need to be consistant.
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/842105/m/6521082/p/1

Good luck!

As always MiB is resourceful...

Personally what's worked was Retina - I think its pharmaceutical formula is Tretinoin (like how Tylenol's generic name is Acetaminophen). I use Tretinoin 0.025% ONLY on affected areas. I use a little bit of it - it is known to dry skin out. There is also a more concentrated 0.05% - but I don't need that much action!

Tretinoin is a prescription medication, so get a dermatologist's appointment in hand and ask them for one. I've been using it for 4 years, and it works for ME. Of course, I'm an exception - no caffeine, sodas, juices, I stay well hydrated on water plus keep well maintained hygiene i.e. brushing/flossing mornings and nights.

Lol sounds like a commercial - but like all meds, you should consult your doctor before beginning any medications.... I can't believe I just said that.

You may not like the answer, but nothing is going to get rid of your acne anytime this week. It just doesn't clear up within a matter of days under any circumstances. Pimples are infections that begin days or weeks prior to the breakout. The red spot that is left over could take months to go away and if it turns into a scar, it may never go away.

I assume that what you are referring to as a scar is not really a scar, but the red spot that remains after a pimple dries up or is squeezed. Acne scarring would be the deep indentations that you often see in people that have or had severe acne for years.

I auditioned for a manager a few months ago and was worried that my skin might affect me. I had a pimple here and there. However, it was not mentioned, and I was delighted when she said she wanted to work with me.

My advice for you would be to get a strong spot treatment cream from your drug store which will help dry and shrink the pimples within the next few days. While I don't normally suggest tanning, a trip or two to the tanning salon may help to clear away some red spots. Be warned, though, that being out in the sun or tanning may cause you to break out a little a few weeks from now. I don't know how comfortable you are with wearing makeup, but a mild dusting of a natural powder foundation might do the trick for the audition. However, be warned that this might affect your "type".

How severe is your acne? Do you have a few pimples every now and then or do you find yourself developing a new pimple or two daily so that your face is never clear? You don't sound like you have acne any more severe than this because of the products that you have used.

I have been struggling with acne for over 10 years and at 24, have yet to have compelte success in clearing my skin, however I have found that there are many treatment options and you should find the right one for you.

I have used Proactiv and Clearasil as well as many other over the counter lotions and creams. Proactiv seemed to make my acne worse, though I have not used the product since I was 16. If you have more than a few stray pimples, these products will likely not work for you.

I have been seeing a dermatologist for several years now and have been on oral antibiotics and different creams throughout the years. Klaron lotion seems to be what is keeping my face pretty good. However, different medications will work differently for different people.

A few months ago I began researching mechanical means of clearing skin. I saw a plastic surgeon, another medical doctor who specializes in laser skin procedures, an esthetician, and another woman who I beleive was an esthetician. The two estheticians strongly pushed microdermabrasian and light chemical peels. The two doctors strongly pushed lasers. I have to say, I almost fell out of my chair when one suggested a package which totaled around $12,000 worth of procedures. Of course, none promised permanent results. In fact, as far as I know, no laser exists that is FDA approved for acne treatment. Throughout the process of these meetings I had one microdermabrasian and a IPL laser treatment. Microdermabrasian is a painless mechanical exfoliator that does well with sucking at your pores to unclog them. The IPL is a mildly discomfortable device that uses intense pulsed light to rejuvenate the skin. Apparently it helps the red spots from former acne spots heal more quickly and changes the fat in your face to help prevent new pimples from forming. Neither of these did anything after just one session, however, I was told that you need multiple treatments every few weeks to every few months because none are permanent. These are expensive procedures that I do not have the money for.

A few days ago I began using a retinoid called retin a micro. This is a prescription cream. The nurse practitioner at my dermatologist's office suggested this. It apprently works very well, though it takes a few months to see results. It can also make your face worse before it makes it better. I explained that as an actor, I can't afford that, and was given an antibiotic to take to help prevent that from happening.

Accutane is another prescription drug that apparently works really well. I was on it for a few days awhile ago, but it bothered my stomach, so I stopped using it. This is a very strong oral medication that has had some bad press. One of the side effects is depression and there have been cases of suicide in people who have used this medicine. You have to meet certain emotional requirements to take the medication and need monthly blood tests. I know people who have used it and it really does work.

my advice would be to see a dermatologist and get some advice. It is not going to clear up within a few days or even a few weeks. You'll need to try different medications to find the one or few that work the best for you.

Just so you know, new studies are indicating that iodine consumption may be a cause of acne. Iodine is found in salt and in dairy products. Shellfish have also been linked to acne. However, genetics does seem to play the most major factor. Some people just have more sensitive skin than others. There are people that can use oily stage makeup every day and not break out, while others breakout just from touching their faces.

Thanks for all your advice! Mike, my acne is not severe but it is noticeable and it disappears and comes back frequently. When I go to sleep at night I currently use Acne Free products and when I wake up some of the previous acne from the day before reduces, but throughout the course of the day new acne appears.

I don't think I would use makeup and I am not sure if I would try acutane because of all the side effects, but I did have a dermatologist and he recommended Differin some time ago. I used it for a little over a month but absolutely no results, so I stopped.

I'm looking for something that I could try and use this week because my meeting is on Friday. Do facial masks work?

Facial masks can help, but be careful about the whole getting a facial idea, in case that might be a considered option. That tends to bring all the impurities to the surface and it might look worse for a few days before it gets better.

Have you tried the Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment Cream? It's in a small, little, white tube. That seems to work pretty fast, if you use it a couple of times a day. Be sure to rinse your hands with water after using it and dry your hands with a paper towel, unless your towels are white. If it's still on your hands, it will bleach out color from towels or clothing.

I was prescribed Differin many years ago. you should have continued to use it. I specifically remember the dermatologist telling me that I wouldn't even begin to see results until one month into using the product. That's veryy common for many acne treatments. Remember, it takes days to weeks for the infection to form a pimple. Even when medication is working to prevent new infections, infections that have already occurred will still be there. I would suggest trying giving another prescription cream a try. Use the product for at least three months and see how you like it.

As mominbiz said, a facial will likely cause you to break out initially, as will changing to a new facial wash.

I have the Neutrogena spot treatment cream that mominbiz mentioned, and I would recommend it. I bought some a few weeks ago for a headshot session I had. I liked the results and have continued to use it.

Maybe you should see a dermatologist.

quote:

Originally posted by caliguy:
My acne and the scars from my acne keep appearing and I am going to go visit an agent this week. I've tried Proactiv, Acne Free, Clearasil, and a few others. How can I treat it fast? What works for everyone else?

My retouching artist in LA just emailed this "homemade" remedy that she swears by. Does it work? I have no idea. But what I like about it is that it's simple, easy and most of all, homeopathic. NO DRUGS. Here is her email in its entirety:

"Hey.....I was thinking I really should share something with Jimmy that would help him erase his acne scars for real, because it's
really working for me. I found the information on a skincare board awhile back....someone on there found the information in an old
natural home remedies book. Tell him - sugar and vinegar. Wash with soap and water first, then take some plain old granulated sugar and use it as an exfoliant while your skin is still wet...scrub your skin with it. Much more effective than any fancy cream scrub with bits apricot pit or whatever in it. Rinse and pat the skin dry, then use the vinegar like an astringent. I use apple cider vinegar with the mother in it, but I don't think it matters....white vinegar should work the same. The key is that vinegar is 5% acid. You can go to really expensive spas and get acid chemical peels that burn off the top layer of skin in one swoop, or you can use vinegar and get a mini acid peel a couple of times a day, if the skin isn't too sensitive, for as long as you want for super-cheap. It does sting a bit, but it didn't bother me. I just started doing this again and noticed a difference overnight."

Hello-
i go to a homeopath for many of my health needs and have found out that homeopaths have a GREAT success rate with ridding one of acne- YES ridding one of acne- find a good homeopath- fork over the 200-300 dollars and you will find relief!

I struggled with acne for a long time - it was such a huge part of my life I didn't even know what life was like without constantly worrying about people looking at my skin.

I tried Proactiv, all the drugstore stuff like Claritin, went to dermatologists and tried antibiotics and Retin-A. I was about to try Accutane but was very concerned about the side effects.

I came across a website that seemed too good to be true, but figured it was worth a shot. It's basically a low-level Benzoyl Peroxide cream (10% is too strong for most skin). You use an inexpensive soap - I use Purpose. Then you apply the BP gel in the morning and at night.

My skin started clearing up within a week. The results were truly life changing.

I've been using it for about 3 years. My skin still isn't completely perfect, but it's under control and I feel completely fine leaving the house without any concealer or makeup.

I highly, highly recommend this program - the gel does tend to be a bit drying, so definitely get a good moisturizer (I used Keihls Abyssine cream).

It's a program that's inexpensive and works relatively quickly.

www.acne.org