recommend your remedies for pimples...

[larzhope]

I hesitate to call it acne just yet... but I have noticed since I got Mirena I've gotten several painful pimples. the other amazing side effects of Mirena (hello, no period) are definitely worth the pimples, but I haven't had this issue being on bcp or nr the last few years so I just have no idea what to do. I'd prefer to start with OTC stuff, spot treatment, and hopefully it won't get to the point where I need to go to the derm, but I'm not against that if we cross that bridge.

[dana86]

I don't know that I am a huge help, but I have had mass break outs with this pregnancy and have been washing my face with my normal face wash and every so many nights rubbing over my face with a cotton swab of apple cider vinegar. I also have to moisturize as it will dry out the skin. But it has been helping. I also here tea tree oil does wonders.

As for OTC for my regular breakouts I have yet to being prescribed something that works

[MrsPotatohead]

ladies on S&B seem to swear by Paula's Choice products - right now my acne is managed with oral Rx, but I won't be able to stay on that if we TTGTFKU someday, so I haven't bothered switching, but that would be my go to to try

[larzhope]

MrsPotatohead - I took antibiotics for my acne in high school/college (basically before I was on bcp) and it was extremely effective, i'd just like to not have to do that if I can find a different way. I'll check out paula's choice. in the meantime, I think we have some apple cider vinegar, so I'll have to try that, dana86

[MrsPotatohead]

Jan 27, 2015 20:13:22 GMT -5 larzhope said:

MrsPotatohead - I took antibiotics for my acne in high school/college (basically before I was on bcp) and it was extremely effective, i'd just like to not have to do that if I can find a different way. I'll check out paula's choice. in the meantime, I think we have some apple cider vinegar, so I'll have to try that, dana86

yeah, I take spironolactone, super effective (especially because I had backne, or however you spell that).

I've heard apple cider vinegar is actually pretty helpful, also if you're able to drink some each day (I think like 1 Tbsp or something).  The key though is to buy some that has 'mother' in it (organic, not pasteurized)

[Deleted]

With my cycle, I tend to get one or two of those painful deep cysts just under my cheekbone. I use the Mario Badescu drying lotion (Picks or UW suggested it) and it helps calm down the inflammation and draw it out to a white head so that it doesn't scare or give me a red mark that lasts for months. You can get it at Ulta or Nordies Downtown

www.mariobadescu.com/drying-lotion

[hazel]

I started getting cystic acne about once a month this past year. The only thing that's really helped is if I really watch my excess sugar intake. I've also started applying vaseline on those spots and that's seemed to help them heal quicker.

[larzhope]

Interesting, hazel - how did you figure out it was sugar? I eat a lot of sugar, but that hasn't necessarily increased more than in the past.

[hazel]

Jan 27, 2015 21:04:10 GMT -5 larzhope said:

Interesting, hazel - how did you figure out it was sugar? I eat a lot of sugar, but that hasn't necessarily increased more than in the past.

A friend suggested it to me. She deals with cystic acne as well. For me, it seems directly related to drinking flavored coffee drinks (vanilla lattes/mochas). That's probably where most of my extra sugar comes from. If I have more than one special coffee a week, then I've learned to expect cystic acne within a week or two. I'm okay if I drink one or two drip cups of coffee a day and add a little creamer.

I was actually just talking to my mom about this today. She told me how good my skin looks (and I've never had really good skin). I was traveling in SE Asia for the last two weeks and I was mainly eating very fresh ingredients every day and not snacking on foods with added sugar.

[fiddles]

I love Paula's choice stuff. I also use Clinique spot action gel when I feel a pimple popping up. Works great. I've used it for years.

[larzhope]

Jan 27, 2015 21:18:58 GMT -5 hazel said:

Jan 27, 2015 21:04:10 GMT -5 larzhope said:

Interesting, hazel - how did you figure out it was sugar? I eat a lot of sugar, but that hasn't necessarily increased more than in the past.

A friend suggested it to me. She deals with cystic acne as well. For me, it seems directly related to drinking flavored coffee drinks (vanilla lattes/mochas). That's probably where most of my extra sugar comes from. If I have more than one special coffee a week, then I've learned to expect cystic acne within a week or two. I'm okay if I drink one or two drip cups of coffee a day and add a little creamer.

I was actually just talking to my mom about this today. She told me how good my skin looks (and I've never had really good skin). I was traveling in SE Asia for the last two weeks and I was mainly eating very fresh ingredients every day and not snacking on foods with added sugar.

Where were you in SE Asia? I love Asia...

[larzhope]

Ok, just ordered the paula's choice trial kit so hopefully that will help! Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

[hazel]

larzhope - Cambodia and Laos. Still adjusting to being back home! It was a wonderful trip!

[larzhope]

hazel - that is so awesome! I've been all over SE Asia but not to Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam - all on my list for when we go back. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 20:53:08 GMT -5 @ksta said:

With my cycle, I tend to get one or two of those painful deep cysts just under my cheekbone. I use the Mario Badescu drying lotion (Picks or UW suggested it) and it helps calm down the inflammation and draw it out to a white head so that it doesn't scare or give me a red mark that lasts for months. You can get it at Ulta or Nordies Downtown

www.mariobadescu.com/drying-lotion

I second this. My favorite zit stuff, hands down.

[callatini]

I didn't want my first ever post on these boards to be about zits, but I can't ignore the opportunity to share my secret weapon. I get hormonal break outs - deep, sore, cystic pimples. The only thing that seems to attack it before it can come to a head is Malin + Goetz Nighttime Treatment. It's sort of like putting white-out on your pimple. Works every time!