[nmcallister]

A couple facts: I am 24 years old, I was previously on the pill for years and I've used Proactiv for the pat 3 years and it's worked wonderfully (until recently). What's up? Here's a little time line that helps understand the sequence of events.

August – September 2008: Went off of birth control after 7ish years of being on it.

\t(While off of birth control I started to notice breakouts but not \tcystic \tand I think this scared me which was one of the reasons that \tI wanted to go back on bc)



September 28th, 2008: went back on Zenchent (BC), continuously again



End of October/Approx. 20th or later: I started to seriously do job searching and planned on going back to school (technical college). I stressed myself out A LOT; I tried to figure out for which career, started doing tons of job quizzes and even a couple of job shadows. (I work full-time as an Admin. Asst).



Approximately November 9th, 2008: Acne started full force and it was sudden. Could it have been stress from job searching, etc?

\tA week later I tried a different kind of face wash (Murad) but it didnâ€2122t \thelp. It felt \tnice but it was exfoliating like the Proactive is. Didnâ€2122t \twork after a couple days, I could tell.

\tAfter that, I went back to Proactive and it helped for a couple/few \tdays then back to acne. Couldâ€2122ve been a coincidence.



End of November/Approx. 20th or later: I washed my hands of being stressed about it and considered my blessings and decided to hold off on any major changes.



Present day/December 17th: Not stressed and still breaking out. It seems to always be on my cheeks under cheek bone, back a little farther towards the jaw line as well as on my chin. Theyâ€2122re always under the skin. Sometimes they come to the surface, sometimes not. Always a cluster; one cheek and then the other, not usually the same time.

 

[salinababie]

I am 24yrs too and had the exact same problem. All my face creams and washes stopped working for me after my second baby. It started off slowly I'd get one here and there then more and more until, I tried using face kits, wahses but nothing so I just recently went to the dermatologist. It's only been a week and I'm waiting to see results. You might want to see a dermatologist so they can perscribe you something stronger than the store bought stuff. From my experience I waited to long to see a dermatologist because, it went from bad to worse.

 

[nmcallister]

I am 24yrs too and had the exact same problem. All my face creams and washes stopped working for me after my second baby. It started off slowly I'd get one here and there then more and more until, I tried using face kits, wahses but nothing so I just recently went to the dermatologist. It's only been a week and I'm waiting to see results. You might want to see a dermatologist so they can perscribe you something stronger than the store bought stuff. From my experience I waited to long to see a dermatologist because, it went from bad to worse.

so what did the dermatologist do for you? just prescribe something strong? Did they give any reason why it happens?

 

[salinababie]

She made me a skin care program in the mornings I wash my face with a cleanser Betaplex, then after I use Duac (topical antibiotic) it is a kit with a soap free cleanser, and a cream, then after that I take a pill Doxycycline. Then at night I wash again with Betaplex, use Retin-A, then take the doxy pill. It sounds like a lot and it is but at this point, I will do anything to get my skin back to normal. I think if I wouldn't of waited so long it would have been a lot less. I am also scheduled this Friday to get an acne facial. They are going to clean all my clogged pores, my doctor said this will help speed up the process for my recovery and better help my face washes, and creams to work better. Well Good Luck! Hope this helps.

I'm not good at explaining what she said about the cause, so here is a link with pictures and a good explination of what causes acne.

Acne: Skin Disorders: Merck Manual Home Edition

 

[dragonlilly]

Could be hormonal. Many people, esp women go through hormonal caused acne in mid-to late twenties. Have your periods changed too? Good to note. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, water, and exercise. Sweating will help balance testosterone (yes women have it too!) and estrogen levels. Make sure you work out with a clean face and wash face after your work-out. Ask your Derm what kind of hormone therapy could be appropriate for you. Products tend to be mainly superficial when managing hormonally caused adult acne. Be prepared to make more lifestyle changes.