Is this rosacea?

Mark, I think you should consider that your skin is becoming adult skin. Males go through a period where the skin thickens as they progress into the middle and later years of puberty. On the one hand it is something that makes males more vulnerable to acne, red "ruddy" skin, strong lines from muscle development etc. Much of what you describe is in line with this.

It is not at all uncommon for guys to mistake muscle lines as wrinkles. The good news is that males have thicker skin and wrinkle a bit later but the bad news is that at your age the problems can be much worse for a male. You will get acne, oily skin, dry skin can happen, deeper lines that resemble wrinkles are actually your skin getting accustomed to a new underlying and much more powerful muscle structure (you get eye lines like a smiling clown, forhead lines and a furrow in between the eyebrows) and even lines around the mouth. NONE of these are age-related wrinkles but rather muscle and structure related.

I think you need to just see where you end up and take good care of your skin now by washing with a mild soap or non-soap wash if you have dry skin. I would not worry too much.

Hi,

I applied some of my mums tri pentrox rehydrating nightly complex (google it) last night and it immediately hydrated and soothed my skin. It's quite expensive and it's supposed to stimulate collagen and elastin. Anyway, I've noticed that some of these dents are effectively filling in. Also, my cheeks feel cool today and not hot like usualy. My nose and forehead feel hot, however.

I have skin inflammation, but have no idea what the cause could be. Any ideas? I want to gather as much information as possible before I see my doctor beacuse he's a waste of time.

Quote: Originally Posted by

Inflammation - redness and swelling - is a characteristic of most cases of acne.


Hmmm .... I don't have pimples on my cheeks, though. I do however have blackheads on my nose - but lately, my nose has been feeling dry and red when it used to be oily. As well as my forehead.

Without photos I am guessing you may have irritated your skin. I think at your age you really do not need to be worrying about collagen and elastin, you do not have progeria so collagen and elastin are still working at about 100% for you. It sounds like you may have irritated the areas with harsh treatments, especially as they have gone dry, red and hot after being oily. There is another bloke on here who is under 18 and he is also obsessing about normal woes of puberty. I think unfortunately when you give people access to so much information, like the internet, people come up with all sorts of problems they do not have. Bad skin is an unfortunatel side effect of puberty, especially male puberty, and as such you are going to have irritation, dryness, redness, hot areas etc. I know this does not help alleviate it but it is just a fact! The more you actually play around with it the worse it gets. Just washing, keeping dry areas moisturised, treating any acne as it occurs and generally accepting that your skin is changing will likely be all you need.

Well I was under the impression that prolonged inflammation breaks down collagen and elastin.

You're right, the internet causes confusions with ilnesses and you try to guess then you stress which makes your condition worst. However, I know that these marks/dents in my skin aren't normal, esp. when I'm moisturising and cleansing. My skin is making me self-concious and scared to leave the house. Because I'm afraid what my skin will look like in natural daylight. Skin problems change your appearance so it's so stressing!!!

Been likes this for a few months now my cheeks. But my nose and forehead have only recently become dry and rough/scaly feeling. I moisturise but no difference. Been like this for around a week or so now, maybe longer. You would think if it's irriated skin it would be better now, but I can't see how it is, because I've used nothing but pure organic moisturisers.

Mark--I totally understand you! I used to have a rule that I would never look in a mirror after I left the house! I especially hated going into bathrooms at clubs when they had those floursecent lights and a huge mirror and if you even washed your hands you would have to be under what I called TRUTH lights! Same for me in natural light, even now I hate to see my imperfections under bright daylight or worse yet flourescent lights.

Skin is warm, it is living! It will tend to get warmer with inflammation. I know it is really hard but you do have normal teen skin problems. The scars are not ABNORMAL! They are an unfortunate result of acne and are scarring but you are far from alone in these. The best you can do is wait until the teen years run their course and consider saving for a future laser procedure or some peels first. I would consult a dermatologist and ask your GP to refer you as they can and you CAN demand that too! This will put your mind at ease and also you will get a consultation on all available treatments.

As for your fear of going outside--well I will share with you that I have had skin issues the last half year and scrubbed the hell out of my skin and it started looking so bad I spent weeks only going out when I thought neighbours were not likely around, I would even wait until it was dark just to walk my dogs etc. You cannot let anything make you stay in, it is not healthy! I learned that and you need to as well.

I really am sorry you are having these issues but I do think they are normal and will get better with time. As for collagen break-down, you really do not have to worry about that yet!

Well I don't think I've had cystic acne. I've had one or two small red bumps on my cheeks, but apart from that nothing. Just blackheads on my nose, which are hardly visible.

Anyway, I will take your advice and see my doctor as soon as. Hopefully, it'll be something and nothing. And these dents will just me temporary things. Well, like I say, I look in the mirror and my skin looks pretty good and I can just see a little redness on the cheeks. But if I look in a reflective surface, I can see the dents. Strange. :S

Here, look at this pic: http://www.jacksonvillelasercenter.c...rge_pores1.jpg. Ignore all the large pores, and look below the eye. Can you see the little dent like a bit of skin is missing? Well, that's how these look, with some being long lines.......

Will my skin improve after puberty?? Say around 19-20? Bear in mind I'm a late devloper and started at 16, but have gone through puberty very, very quickly.

Hi Mark - I'm sorry to hear of your skin problems. My rosacea started age 20 but wasn't diagnosed until much later. See your doctor as soon as possible and take a list of the things you want to say. If you are unsatisfied they are taking your concerns seriously, book another appointment to see a different doctor or preferable a dermatologist.
Above all, remember that there are treatments out there that can help such skin conditions, whether they are curable or not, sometimes it just takes time to find out exactly what the problem with your skin is, what is causing it, and thus the best treatment to keep it under control so you can get on with your life. The majority of people, young and old, have some sort of health-related or cosmetic conditions they are dealing with. Good luck at the doctors.