no it’s this stuff:
Aloe Vera Gel by: Forever Living Products - Aloe Vera Supplier
but trust me, most people can’t even drink the juice let alone the gel. you really have to want to do it.
Nik, so many people have said the same thing about microderm as you though! So, I was almost ready to purchase a full treatment package but then thought to wait until after my appt. I will hold off for now but if the prescriptions dont work, Im doing Microdermabrasion.
The derm said Im going to be on a 4 week adjustment period…meaning my skin will actually peel off and I will be irritated and red for about a month…what else is new? lol
Im hoping this helps. I had taken a list of my symptoms along with all of the posters’ suggestions with me when I went and she was surprised. She asked me: What have you been upto now Ms Busy Bee? 
The only problem was I dont think I got enough time with her. She had a HUGE amount of patients waiting and I think she rushed me through my session…did that happen to you guys at all? I got pamphlets to read up on Adult Acne which is good but I wasnt looking for pamphlets.
CA, I know!!! I just noticed that too. I guess Ive panicked and done just about all of the quick fixes out there.
Im slowing down though and making sure to take healthy advice and not just temporary advice.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
Aloe Vera comes from the plant doesnt it? Its suppose to be amazing for skin!
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
PSquared i just posted on your other thread. ur problem reminds me of what i had 2 years back. have you been to the doctor? if not then i strongly recommend you go and visit.
my Doc told me to stop using all creams, he gave me aqueas cream( not sure on the spelling:D)for about 6 months i didnt use any thing else on my face other then the aqueas cream. used it as a face wash and a moisterizer. now i have to take a tablet once a day for the acne. but Allahumdillah the acne hasnt come bck in 1 year. best thing for you to do is visit your doctor :)
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
u need to do some investigation as to the reason for the breakout. it could be hormonal, stress related, genetic acne, allergy to certain foods/skincare/makeup or folliculitis (irritation of the hair follicle after waxing, threading, bleaching which causes the skin to breakout). u need to know the cause before u look for the solution so the solution works in the first place. with acne and other skin problems it is futile to spend so much on expensive treatments if the root cause is left untreated.
anyways for the pimples... try DDF sulphur mask from sephora. keep it on overnight even though the instructions say 15 mins. it always works fastest in busting inflamed pimples and keeps new ones from getting too inflamed. stinks (literally) but works. and the price is good because u only need a little...
also keep skincare/makeup simple as possible to avoid clogged pores. vitamin supplements can clog pores as they disturb the digestive system. keep the digestive system running well as it reflects on your skin.
enough self awareness and investigation mayeventually make you understand what it is that disturbs your skin. you could also take allergy tests, check your makeup/skincare for clogging ingredients, visit a derm for learning if it is hormonal, seek family history to learn if genetic and watch for how skin looks during times of stress.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
If you are that desperate, then you should probably do what I am about to tell you.
One of my cousins was in a similar situation so my bro who is a doctor helped her out. There is a medication (a pill), I cannot recall the name, but you take it twice a month for 6 months. Basically what it does is that it stops or alters the production of Vitamin D in your skin. That causes some side-effects as well, such as very dry skin. There are some other side-effects as well such as headaches once a week, and some more but nothing fatal. As a result, pimples stop occuring, but since the drug takes time to fully synchronize with your body, it may take up to 4-6 weeks minimum for the results to appear physically.
You won't find any better solution than this, and this will guarantee you (99%) that no breakouts will occur even after you've completed your 6-month term.
The reason why doctors do not prescribe this is because it is expensive and short in economical supply (not easily available). A family doctor (general practitioner) will never prescribe it to you.
You can consult a dermatologist. They know this is the most useful solution, but often times they will hesitate to provide you with such a prescription (unless you know them personally).
It is pretty expensive, but you get the bang for the buck (its worth it) + you can eat whatever you like - it wont have any effect on your skin.
Peace.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
^ Thank you for your suggestion...I just dont know what it is or how to find it.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
So, the derma I went to prescribed three topical ointments for me.
One is a Benzoyld Peroxide solution...isnt this just like Oxy or something?
The second is Retin A cream
The third is Erithromycin Topical Gel
She told me to use the Erithromycin first, then the Benzoyl and then the Retin A. These go on top of each other in the affected areas. The Retin A only goes on at night. The other two go on morning and night.
She told me it would take 4 weeks to get any results because my skin will be adjusting to the medications. In the meantime, I can expect blotchy skin, irritation, redness and flaking of the skin.
Anyone used a combination of these before? How did you use them effectively and what were your results?
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
If you're using Retin A, make sure you don't go tanning, have facial peels performed or have your face waxed during the time you're taking it, or for 6 MONTHS after your last dosage. Retin A thins out the skin and if you do any of those things it can cause breaks and scarring.
However, for the treatment of acne, Retin A is on often prescribed medication, and often does a good job.
So, the derma I went to prescribed three topical ointments for me.
One is a Benzoyld Peroxide solution...isnt this just like Oxy or something?
The second is Retin A cream
The third is Erithromycin Topical Gel
She told me to use the Erithromycin first, then the Benzoyl and then the Retin A. These go on top of each other in the affected areas. The Retin A only goes on at night. The other two go on morning and night.
She told me it would take 4 weeks to get any results because my skin will be adjusting to the medications. In the meantime, I can expect blotchy skin, irritation, redness and flaking of the skin.
Anyone used a combination of these before? How did you use them effectively and what were your results?
ouch!! Thats screaming for wrinkles in the 20s.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
^^ Ohmigosh, you think so??!!
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
which dermatologist is it if you dont mind telling me her name? she sounds very unprofessional…how can she prescribe three strong medicines at the same time?? 
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
^
As a dermatologist, I see nothing wrong with that prescription. It's not uncommon to use all three agents [though I probably would have prescribed benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide + erythromycin in one ointment)] together in patients with relatively severe acne, esp. if they have oily skin.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
I work in downtown so its easier for me to go a doctor based in the city...I can go during lunch hour. CA, I tried to schedule an appt with your derma but his hours and mine were clashing. Plus, he doesnt work weekends. :(
She is in Rush Hospital's Ethnic Skin and Hair Center and her name is Ella Toombs. She is really nice but even my pharmacist was a bit confused by the prescription.
Janab-e-ali...what would you recommend I do?
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
Reading your original post, I'd make the following recommendations
- Don't use any scrubs at this point. You're simply extracting material from existing pimples and spreading the bacteria into new pores, which will cause more acne.
- Dermabraision also isn't really an option at this point. That's more for healed scars that you want to minimize.
- I'd start cleansing with a very gentle cleanser...I usually recommend Cetaphil
- As for the medications themselves, like I said, they're pretty aggressive, but I wouldn't say they're too harsh or that they'll cause wrinkles in your 20's. I would at least try them and see if they help at all.
- Retin A makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight. If you don't already use sunscreen, I'd go out and get one. I'd recommend one with "helioplex."
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
I used to have acne as a teenager......and i saw a pattern...junk food, fried food..sweets...peanut butter..chocolate..sodas...would exacerbate the problem...i do think diet matters when it comes to skin!! whatever you put in your body..it will show..
other than retinol, a mild glycolic wash..and a good moisturizer..i didnt need anything on a regular basis to keep the acne from coming back...initially salicylic acid treatments worked great..
Salicylic treatments are great for active acne and as janab said don't use any scrubs and aggravate u're acne. Use an antibacterial facewash..or medicated facewash..keep u're hair off u're face.
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
Ive stopped using any and all cleansers/scrubs I bought before I went to the doctor. That was hard because I spent so much money on them. :( Im only using the medicated facewash she gave me, its soap free and oil free. The moisturizer she gave me is Glytone's and its a gel not a cream. I actually like it a lot because its really light and non-greasy.
I have small, red acne all along my hairline and all over my cheeks and sides of my face. My cheeks had the biggest pimples...I know it sounds horrible. I was terrified for a while...didnt know what was happening to me.
Im using the Erithromycin first, then Benzoyl Peroxide and then Retin A at night. In the morning, I use the Erithromycin and the Glytone. If I use the Benzoyl and Erithro in the morning like the instructions say, I end up with this mess on my face.
Im drinking more water, taking vitamins and using my prescriptions. Ive also added more fiber in my diet.
My skin is looking a lot better than it did even a week ago. Its more even, less red and the acne seems to be going down slowly. From people who have used Retin A I get feedback that its a temporary solution and you develop a dependancy. I would like to avoid that at all costs so I will continue to research and find out more. Im still a tad anxious but that really hopeless feeling is gone now.
You guys really helped me out SOOOOO much its unbelievable! I took every single suggestion seriously and the most common of all was to stop experimenting and go to a doctor.
Just because I paid a ton for something doesnt mean it will work.
Stop touching my face.
Drink more water.
Multivitamins.
Thank you again everyone!
Re: Wierd Acne - HELP
Update::::::::::::::::
My acne is almost all GONE! Alhumdulillah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shukar Allah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is what worked for me:
I stopped using all of the ointments my derma prescribed for me. The reason was I was developing reactions to them so I may have been allergic. As soon as I started using the Retin A, Benzoyl Peroxide I noticed a LOT of itching and not only on my face.
I drank a TON of water and still do.
I went for salicylic acid treatments - amazing!
I stopped stressing myself out.
Ive only had two treatments so far but its such a dramatic improvement I couldnt help but share it with you all!!!
Thank you for all the kind PMs, responses and advice you all gave!!!