Gettin’ All Mike Tyson on Adult Acne. Like When He’s Crazy Even.
Warning: this post contains graphic, aka gross, aka really really fugly photos of my face. As I have written previously, I am in the throes of a major smackdown with adult acne. Seriously, WTF? I didn’t have acne this bad when I was a kid, so thanks hormones, for waiting till I was almost 40 to give me the pleasure of dealing with it now. At least when you are a teen, people understand why your face looks like leftover pizza.
Well, fuck it. Everyone in Denver has given me the stinkeye, why not the blogosphere too? Here are highlights of the play by play some select friends and family enjoyed over the last month. You KNOW they looked forward to opening their email every morning.
So. What brought on this change?
Money, basically. And pain.
The following regimen as directed by my dermatologist:
1. Salicylic acid face wash
2. Retin-A at night
3. Mild benzoyl peroxide spot treatment
4. Injections at her office as needed for big cysts (sometimes up to 10 shots in my face at a time!)
5. New antibiotic that retails at $700 per month, but came with a discount card, so it cost me $15. Yes, you read that right, SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS.
6. Microdermabrasion – have done this twice now, and will go a few more times at least.
I KNOW, RIGHT??? Can you effing believe all that? Neither can my husband or our bank account.
But, anything anything anything to avoid going back to photo #1. ANYTHING.
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Looking great, Aimee!
Oh, and of course with all that, I am moisturizing out that WAZOO!
i’ve been having the same problems. took me switching to tea tree cleanser and oil fighting products to get it under control. that and not touching my face >_< you look fab. acne sucks but so do all the people who’d look at you funny ^_^
You are gorgeous, Aimeee, and awesome.
Mimi – that has been a big deal for me – NOT TOUCHING MY FACE!!! Argh. Very hard. But I am trying. Also, my sal acid cleanser has tee tree oil in it. I dig it.
and thanks tree and zipper!
$700?! Are they crazy?! Looking good though!
Kelly – we think it was partly from my diabetes spinning out of control this year (I have PCOS)… and just not being able to get the cysts to calm down. My diabetes is good again, so I think that is def helping my face too.
Wow! What a difference! I think you looked great before, but you can see that you are feeling MUCH better about yourself now, which makes a world of difference in how other people will see you. I hope it continues to get better for you!
I think I have adult acne, too, just not nearly as bad as you. I am glad you’re finding something that works.
I have to agree with Lisa – I love ProActiv and it really did the trick for me (much cheaper, too).
WOW – what a difference. At least all that money is working!
oh you poor thing. get well soon! – m
Wow. You are so brave to document this so thoroughly. I have never had acne but I’ve always had a noseful of blackheads (for which people always seem to have all sorts of “helpful” advice) and they are not getting any better in my mid-30s.
Dude. I never had pimples or acne and then three years ago when I started having thyroid probs, my face FREAKED out. It’s under control, but I didn’t have to do anything nearly as extreme as you did.
Also, you look amazing. Sounds like you have it under control. My condolences to your bank account.
I like you no matter what. So, what brought on the acne in the first place? Other stress-related things? I could see how lack of money would cause my face to do that, too. Then thinking about spending that kind of money to fix it? OUCH.
Still, you’re beautiful.
I usually hate the whole informercial “club” kind of things, but I have to admit, I love Proactiv.
I’m with you on the not touching the face thing, I don’t know why but my hand is always on my face. I also can’t stop the compulsion to pick at every little bump.
Wow – you look great in that last photo! You go girl – I say Mike Tyson would be lucky if he was able to go at it like you are.
The prices of some prescription meds is sofaking ridiculous.
You look great! Last year I went through some of the same crap – My face was a mess and I was pre-diabetic. I thought it was stress, but when I looked at my lifestyle, I had to make some changes. We stopped eating out as much (we used to eat out almost daily) and got a Clarisonic brush. I can’t use Tea Tree Oil products because I have rosacea and it really aggravates it, and it is too drying, which for me, seams to stimulate oil production. I use a moisturizing antibacterial cleanser and warm water with the brush and then moisturize lightly. So, exfoliation is one key factor, but the biggest help, I think, has been changing my diet because the inflammation and skin Ph problems caused by blood sugar issues can wreak havoc on my skin – and not just on my face! Good luck to you!
it’s working and your new skin is so soft i bet! I lov eyou girl. xoox
That sucks. I’m really glad the treatment is working and you are looking so much better. And feeling better too, I assume. My sister had REALLY bad acne when she was in high school, with the huge cysts and injections etc. and I know it was really painful for her both emotionally and physically. I hope it continues to get better!
You go girl. Proud of you for showing your stripes.
Aimee, I love that you are so open with your struggles. We all have them and it is nice to know that we aren’t alone. I wish more people would be willing to be so open.
I have PCOS and also struggle with the skin issues. I am glad you have found something that is working for you.
I was wondering if you have ever tried prednisone? When my skin is out of control (once a year or so) I get a shot and then take a small dose for a week or so and it clears up. Just thought I would share that!
Just noticed typo in the photo – INJECTIONS, not infections. But same difference! ha
Thanks for all your kind words, guys.
And Melissa – I have to be careful of prednisone because of the diabetes – it drives blood sugars up.
I agree with melissa’s rec’s. I just got a clarsonic and love it.