1.5 months to the wedding & these problems persist:
Flaky dandruff:
This problem has been for a while. My doctor gave me a lotion called Nizoral to put on my hair before washing & it worked incredibly well. It stopped coming in Pakistan and so the dandruff came back again. Then he gave me another one called Polytar Lotion, that didn’t really help much. I know that natural products like yogurt, vinegar, eggs help a lot but usually I don’t have time to put it and leave them on, this can happen probably just once on a weekend. What can be done to fix this?
Acne:
I remember having them since I’ve entered my teens. They were horrible back then but even now they persist. I’ve used desi mixtures like Basin, Ubtan, Multani Matti nothing makes a permanent difference on the face. I’ve also used over the counter products of Loreal, Clinique Body Shop. etc but they too made not much of a difference. I got sick of it and went to a Dermatologist, he gave medicines and creams to apply. There was a change but again the acne reappeared as soon as i stopped applying/eating the medicines. Many people recommended a bigger name Dermatologist who apparently has fixed every skin problem any one has had. He too gave me medicines to apply & eat. They made quite a difference but again not a permanent solution.
Scars:
Again dermatologists and natural stuff but no permanent or significant difference.
Oily T-Zone & Pores:
My forehead is the source of oil production for entire Pakistan. Seriously, so much of sebum. Huh!
Anyway, I am scared and not pro laser treatments, neither am I too inclined to Peeling or MicroDerma. I don’t understand what I should do to get my skin permanently cleared off these problems without having to go through excessive treatments. It isn’t too bad or terrible looking or anything like that but its not clear & I am just plainly SICK & TIRED of making the effort to fix them. One problem I know very well is that I don’t drink as much water, its usually 4-5 glasses a day which is a big reason.
Daffy, Nizoral is amazing and if it's the thing that worked then you need to go back to it. Nizoral is just a brand name. The actual medicated shampoo is called ketoconazole so ask the pharmacy for this.
Polytar is for a different kind of flaky scalp.
Nothing is going to fix your oily skin permanently. You just need a routine that manages it and doesn't cause it to produce more oil.
I think I've had/have all the problems you listed. The only one I still have is the oily skin but it's much better than before because I don't try to strip it of all the natural oils by using drying chemicals. Acne cleared up on it's own I think (with a little help in my change of routine) but the pigmentation marks took years to fade. This is not something you can fix in a month or two now.
I wish I could send you some Nizoral, some witch hazel water for you to use as a toner for your oily skin, and rosehip oil to fade your scars and even out your skin tone.
You must be worried especially with the wedding so close. Anyway, relax by becoming more stressed your adding to your face...literally
For the flaky dandruff try applying baby oil to your hair for about three hours then wash it out.... it will take a few washes before they feel clean.. hopefuly it should help....
For your achne I can only reccomend loads of water I don't mean drink the damm but make sure you drink as much as you can...it helps hyderate the skin. Also try steaming your face and exfoliating. You can get a bowl of water fill with kinda hot water, hot enough to cause steam on the face. Then put a towl around your head covering the bowl and let the face sweat it out. Clean the face after with cotton wool... this should get rid of all dirt. Exfoliate to get rid of dead skin
For your scars you can try using bio oil which won't get rid of the scars but will minimise the appearance of the scar.
Oil skin... just drink water, just think of your wedding day and imagine your face sweaty looking this will encourage you to drink MORE ;)
Acne- 2 months back, i had a breakout and my doc prescribed me ISOZAM (Isotretinoin) and it really helped clear my skin but you have to take it for one month atleast to see the results.
Scars- I would say ghar k totkas would come in handy for these. I would have recommended you exfoliation/scrubbing but since you already have acne, i don't think that would be a good idea.
Oily T-zones & Pores- Regular cleansing, control your intake of oily foods. Use a moisturiser for oily skin and mask for pores.
Obviously diet is also very important! Incase water and fruits/vegetables intake and avoid chicken on few days a week.
Isotretinoin is a very strong medication and for for very bad acne. I'm sure if it was required it would have been prescribed already.
It's not for the odd spots one keeps on getting. Daffy, having seen your photos, it doesn't look like you have *acne *anymore. You probably just keep getting some spots and pimples? Have you noticed when they come up? For many girls/women, you get more around around the time of your period. And stress is definitely a factor. The only time I ever get a spot now is if I'm under a lot of stress. And breakouts can occur because of stress too.
I badly need Nizoral, wonder why it doesn't come here in Pakistan anymore.
@stoppit : The photos you had seen were with makeup that too of engagement/nikkah. You haven't seen the natural ones. Again, it isn't THAT much but it gives an unclear spotty look that i myself am conscious of now. Acne isn't coming back often but the scars and little ingrown sort of skin coloured pimples on the forehead.
Stress - Oh I am taking it as i've never taken before. Its pretty natural with lots of changes coming but these days i am forcefully trying my best to engage in other things and keeping myself busy but at the back of my mind there is a continuous process on.
Bio Oil & Rose Hip - Aren't available in Pakistan either, as per my knowledge ..
Isotretinoin is a very strong medication and for for very bad acne. I'm sure if it was required it would have been prescribed already.
Well i read the same about it online and i kinda got iffy on whether i should use it or not since mine was definately not severe acne, it was just a normal breakout however since i have had clear skin for some yrs now even the mild acne was bothering me so much that i just started using it after consulting 2-3 doctors i know personally. I guess i am lucky that it worked for me and i didn't have any side effects. I remember using retin-a yrs back and that gave me side effects for sure :(.
I don't know if it's wise to take such risks a short time before the wedding.
In the UK, your normal Dr. cannot prescribe Isotretinoin. They have to think the acne is bad enough to warrant a dermatologist referral and only the derm can prescribe. It's seen as a last resort option.
@ daffy suck
All prob that u hv mention was also with me. same prob.
For severe acne , i went a dermelogist in model town. he gave me medicine ISOTOP. that i hv bought from garden town , original one. when u eat 90 tablets daily once a day then it works well, ane completly hv removed no any active nw. but yah scars. he said it can go but can fade.
i hv no more oily skin.
If u r in lahore i will say, visit it once and take his advice. wt do he say to u? caz this time u need a clear complexion like. I am goona married last of this month. i hv started treatment from aug. and hv left nw due to marriage.
also for acne and marks , **increase in take of water but vit C is most imp. I eat 6-8 oranges daily. and lemon juice also. i hv felt great diifrence. nw strawberry also in. so try to take it as well.
**second he has advised me daily bath and walk. very imp for acne.
For dandruff , actually i hv done bit mistake while medicine last week, that y i am facing. he gave me shampoo. but cant find .
So am applying yougurt,olive oil, egg. wash with head shoulder in scahet. help a great extend. but after 2 days i hv to face a bad itching so thinkng wt more can i do?
nw face complexion is better , no active acne i hv, but hv scars and prob of white heads. worried wt do i do?
I don't know if it's wise to take such risks a short time before the wedding.
In the UK, your normal Dr. cannot prescribe Isotretinoin. They have to think the acne is bad enough to warrant a dermatologist referral and only the derm can prescribe. It's seen as a last resort option.
You are rite, it definately is not wise to use it especially without first trying other milder options.
If Nizoral worked, then it's highly unlikely yogurt, oils etc will. Because Nizoral is treating the fungus/yeast that is causing the flaking and itching.