Skin problems

[Emms]

Right so i get spots quite often, not too bad these days, but I have really blocked pores pretty much all over and it does my head in. I wash my make up off before I go to bed, use exfoliator, fase wipes, creams everything but it never seems to get any better. Im getting married in 4 months and Ive decided that I really need to go to a Salon for some sort of treatment, but what kind of thing am I looking for. Facials, micro-dermabrasion??? Im thinking a sand blaster sounds pretty good. I dont want to spend a fortune but Im willing to spend whatever it needs get something done about it.

Any help and suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Emma :)

[Nile]

Hello Emms

Instead of paying a small fortune for salon treatments which might not improve your skin condition, why not see your GP instead? Any medication he/she prescribes will be cheaper and probably more effective than salon treatments.;)

Regards

Nile

[savingsgirl]

I use a micro dermabrasion scrub twice a week and my skin has been glowing. I reccomend them and I have sensitive skin :)

[digger3]

Don't do anything too drastic 4 months before your wedding-you don't want to be bright red on the photos!! Maybe a good make-up artist would be better?

[razorbladekisses]

I agree with Nile, going to your Doctor is probably a good option. Your Doctor can prescribe you with antibiotics to clear your skin up. If you go to your Doctor soon, you've got 4 months for the antibiotics to kick in and hopefully your skin will be glowing by the time your wedding day arrives.

[ayeshasi]

I use a micro dermabrasion scrub twice a week and my skin has been glowing. I reccomend them and I have sensitive skin :)
Where can i get this from?

[Penny Watcher]

Microdermabrasion kit from Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Homedics-FAC-200-FacialSpa-Cleansing-Microdermabrasion/dp/B0000AR6XH)

HTH.

[tomstickland]

4 months might be a bit short for anti biotics though. You might be OK. I used antibiotics about 10 years ago and it took a while for them to take effect and then loads of skin sort of peeled off.

[Emms]

Ok so im thinking making an appointment with the docs sounds good. I think i had antibiotics when I was at school but dont remember them doing very much. Worth asking tho.

I use a micro dermabrasion scrub twice a week and my skin has been glowing. I reccomend them and I have sensitive skin :)

What scrub do you use? If im going to try any it might aswell be one thats been recommmended.



Emma

[SmileyHappyBeing]

Anitbiotics wont get rid of blackheads though..
Have you thought about a face peel, glycolic maybe, you nedd a few of these though to notice a diff, i use it a home though.. works out alot cheaper.. If you wanted micro dermabrasion you could go to a salon, its not as heavy duty as the one you could get if you went to a clinic (bupa or somwhere), they are the sandblaster ones that you wouldnt really be able to go outside for a while and are very expensive..

Retin - A is a cream that only the doctor can prescribe that is for quite severe acne/skin, depending how bad your skin is you could ask your doc...

Hth xx

[Emms]

Ooh when you mentioned Bupa there I thought, ive got bupa membership through work I might get a bit of a discount, but when looking at their price list and skin treatments are about 2k I think not!

Ive found a salon in falkirk that does treatments so going to go in and see them tomorrow. Prices seem pretty reasonable too http://www.aesthetica.org.uk/

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Emma :)

[SmileyHappyBeing]

yeah very expensive lol.. but apparently effective if you dont mind having to be a hermit for a while..

hope you have a great wedding and you have glowing skin! x

[Girl least likely to]

I've had a pretty poor skin since my teens, I'm 32 now and have tried pretty much everything except going to a salon to sort my skin out. I simply would hate anyone seeing me without make-up! A friend recommended Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher (http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1068299&classificationid=1017965), which is £7.50 from Boots, which I've been using 2 or 3 times a week. A couple of days prior to me trying this I also tried Dead Sea magik Facial Wash which I buy from John Lewis at £7.95 but also can be found from this site I found via google, it's about half way down the page - sorry can't do clever links http://www.garden.co.uk/acatalog/THE_GARDEN_PHARMACY__Dead_sea_products_213.html

These 2 products are the only products that I've tried that have continued to improve my skin after using them for about 3 months. Usually I get a quick fix for a couple of weeks from each new product I've tried. I even open the door to my postman now without makeup on :rotfl: .

So these products have worked for me, great, they may not work for others but it may be worth a try if you've tried pretty much everything else like me.

Good luck with your wedding OP :)

[SmileyHappyBeing]

Girl least likely to -

I wouldnt worry about going to a salon and having no make up on, im a beauty therapist and when i was in a salon we used to see all sorts, big people, skinny people, hairy people , and even smelly people lol, but what i trying to say is they are used to it, if you drive no one would have to see you with out make up, the therapist would obv remove it before a treatment but when you were leaving just make sure youve parked by the salon and then youll be safe in your car in a cpl of mins.. Also if a therapist did ever make you feel uncomfortable youd be in your rights to complain as that is not satisfactory.. even if she didnt actually say anything but you felt awkward etc.. Give it ago!!!

xx

[Girl least likely to]

Thanks Smiley. I know what you're saying, it's just me being silly :o .

[lottee]

I was given a prescription for 'Duac Gel'. I have been using it for a few months now, & it has defo worked for me. I still get the odd blemish/spot, but nowhere near what I did before I started using it. I didn't have majorly bad skin before, but as I'm 28 now, I was sick of looking like a 'spotty teenager!' lol. My skin looks and feels a lot cleaner. Good luck with the wedding!

[Emms]

Well ive booked an appointment at the Salon for a facial thing next Wednesday. Im also one of those people that would never ever leave the house without makeup so Im parking as close to the place as I possibly can.

SmileyHappyBeing - Do you think facials etc are the way to go to help block pores etc? The place im going to lists all these things for their facials

- Deep cleansing
- Extractions
- Massage
- Contour Mask
- Exfoliations
- Paraffin wax
- Multivitamin power repair
- Lymphatic drainage
- Pressure point massage

Kinda sounds like what im after!

Emma :)

[Boudica]

Hi

How about trying www.lush.co.uk. The site will tell you if there is a shop near you.

I have Psoriasis and use the stuff from Lush as i've found it's better than anything i've had off the doctor since I developed it 30 years ago.

The Lush products are expensive but they last for ages. Plus, everything is made from natural plant materials, is mainly vegetarian and organic.

I've always found the staff really helpful and they don't sell you stuff that's not suitable. Also, if you ask them for a small pot just to try they will. For free.

Hope this helps you.

PS. I can very highly recommend breaking up half a Hot Milk Bath Bar under hot running water then, once you're in and settled, chuck in a Butterball Bath Bomb. Luuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrvvvvvvvvvlllllllllllleeeeeeeee eyyyyyyyyy

[SmileyHappyBeing]

Well ive booked an appointment at the Salon for a facial thing next Wednesday. Im also one of those people that would never ever leave the house without makeup so Im parking as close to the place as I possibly can.

SmileyHappyBeing - Do you think facials etc are the way to go to help block pores etc? The place im going to lists all these things for their facials

- Deep cleansing
- Extractions
- Massage
- Contour Mask
- Exfoliations
- Paraffin wax
- Multivitamin power repair
- Lymphatic drainage
- Pressure point massage

Kinda sounds like what im after!

Emma :)

Hiya,
Yeah they def the kinds of things, if you go for a facial youll get a deep cleanse anyway, its the masks that will help you, and exfoliation and extraction (either using a hot compress or a steamer), you might have to go quite regularly to maintain it, but you can help with the up keep at home..

Always! remove your makeup at night (no excuses even if you've been out on the pi$$ :p ), you might already know this but just in case...
Cleanse , tone and moisturise every morning and night (with products that are suitable for your skin,) You say get blocked pores etc this tends to be combination skin/oily skin , but when you go to the salon theyll advise you what skin type you have got..

If you can.. try and buy a foundation that is non-comodegnic as this will help to not block the pores.. ( just ask at one of the boots counters, might be slightly more expensive, or just check all the labels or look up product info on the ones that arent on counters, i.e rimmel, revlon etc)

Use an exfoliating mask once or twice a week ( a good one that i use is RoC PEEL-EX RADIANCE, can get it in superdrug ect, was on special there last week 1/2 price, but norm costs £20 ish, but lasts for ages, just apply a thin layer and dont rub in, leaves your skin glowing, its not just for blackheads but just gives you a really even , smooth skintone, and exfoliates top layer)

Another cheap one is a mud mask, these absorb all the oil and are good for ppl with blemishes etc..

Good luck at the salon hun, if i think of anything else il post it.. sorry for the ramble , get carried away i do :rotfl:

xx

[krishna]

Try a home made exfoliating treatment that is very low cost.

Take a tablespoon of porridge oats or fine oatmeal. If porridge oats, crush into smaller bits either by rubbing between your fingers. Mix the oats with honey and a little cider vinegar to make a paste. Then add 1 drop of lavender oil, lemon oil or basil oil.

Wash your face an dry. Then apply the paste, taking care to avoid your eyes. After Leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes and wash off with water.

Or for a facial scrub, mix the oats with a teaspoon of olive oil and three drops of lavender essential oil. Store in a jar. To use, take a little, place in palm of your hand, add a little water. Mix and then apply to face, rubbing gently.

Also a little bit of lemon juice in a basin of water when washing your face. Lemon juice is antiseptic and astringent (toning).

For a longer term solution, I'd suggest seeing a herbalist.

[competitionscafe]

http://www.theremustbeabetterway.co.uk/Problem_Oily_Sensitive_Skin.htm

http://www.acne.org/rate.php?disp_cat=2&anchor=browse#browse

http://www.m2w3.com/acne/facts_acne.html#7

[SmileyHappyBeing]

Yeah home made fruit masks are really good too, cheap and quick, but work!

One thing i didnt add, (sorry was a few years since i trained, been having a nosy at my portfolio for you) is that if you have open pores (and they become blocked resulting in the dreaded blackhead) they can be hereditary, and if youve got them there isnt that much you can do except have a good decent skincare, and reg facials/masks etc, my tutor said to us that pretty much the only thing that does close them up is vitamin A, as in retin A cream, but its pretty heavy duty cream and there have been mixed reports on it , but its not all bad , as i said keep up with the facials and reg skincare routine, etc and you should see a difference..!

let us know how it goes at the salon x

[Missy79]

Not to sound strange but what do you use as a contraceptive? I've recently decided to have a short break from my oral pill as i'd run out and hadn't got a new prescription. Since I stopped taking it i've been getting LOADS of spots and I was only getting the odd one rarely before, now I seem to have squillions. I had hoped it would settle but it hasn't so I will definately be going back on it next time I visit the Dr. This may not be an option for you but just thought i'd mention it. ;)

[Girl least likely to]

Before I had my DD I use to take Dianette which is supposed to help skin problems like acne. I'd been taking it for about 10 years. Then when I came off dianette my skin went worse. I got pregnant and my skin slowly started to get better, my DD is now 18 mmonths and especially since using the olay polisher and dead sea wash mentioned in an earlier post my skin has never been better. I'm back on the pill but a different kind Femodene. So maybe taking a pill helps but it's not always the ideal solution.

[Emms]

I used to be on Dianette but then there was a major shortage in Scotland so my doc changed me onto Marvelon. Cant say ive really noticed any difference either way tho.

Its not really blackheads that I have a problem with, its more just bunged up pores. Pain in the bum!!

Emma :)

[trickytrolleys]

the best thing that has worked for me is tea tree oil, I swear by it - dab it on any spot and use in a moisturiser - its fab!!!! :j

[Girl least likely to]

Emms, how did you get on at the salon? Wednesday was yesterday - or did you mean you are going next wednesday :confused:

[SmileyHappyBeing]

Hiya emms, sorry to ask a gross question but by clogged pores dyou mean open pores and when you squeeze loadsa like white wormy stuff comes out (told you , gross :rotfl: ) My oh gets that if thats what you meant..

So have you been then, how'd it go xx

[Emms]

Appointment isnt till next Weds. Will deffo update you all after ive been although I wouldnt expect much to happen after one trip.

@ SmileyHappyBeing, yup thats what im talking about.

Emma :)

[SmileyHappyBeing]

def let us kno how u get on hun, as for the squiggly white things, dont think theres alot you can do as you canr close your pores, have to admit im forever squeezing my oh's nose, prob not the best thing for it but it looks so much better after ( he thinks ive got a problem and need to get to squeezers anonymous :o ).. good luck for weds, sure theyll have some good advice xx

[xxMandyxx]

freederms a good product, id recommend it

[saraht]

My GP prescribed me with Isotrexin gel, it really works if you apply it every night in a thin layer. Doesn't get rid of existing spots but prevents new ones forming. One tube lasts a long teme because you apply so little. Good luck, sarahx

[Emms]

Well ive been for the facial and it was amazing. Very relaxing and i got a shoulder massage too. She reckoned my skin isnt as bad as i think it is, although im not convinced cause i can see all the blocked pores, but she said they will get better and the facials will help because they use deep exfoliating stuff. Anyways so I was convinved enough to block book 6 more sessions, buy 5 get one free so as much as it was expensive to pay them all in one go its still moneysaving (thats what I told me OH anyways).

Ive been told to stop using face wipes to take my make up off. Always use cleanser and toner, which I kinda knew anyway but I didnt realise how bad the wipes were, and im off tonight to buy some nice new not pore blocking foundation and moisturiser.

My skin felt so clean last night that I didnt actually mind walking down the street back to my car without make up on and I never go out without it so fingers crossed after a few sessions I start to notice a difference.

Emma :)

[purplealoe]

You really need to look at your diet. Do you drink lots of water, if not you need to start.

Sometimes the products that you apply to your skin and cause spots.

There is a programme on TV at the moment (forgot the name) but the patient (for use of a better word) goes on a three month eating plan that has been created especially for them. There skin or other symptoms always improve by the end of the 3 months.

[purplealoe]

Maybe you should go to a nutrionalist to see if they can create a healthy eating plan, omitting certain foods that can be causing the spots.

[SmileyHappyBeing]

:T Thats great Emms, glad it went well for you and your skins looking better already!

Yeah wipes really arent good, they can strip your skin and unbalnce the oils etc ....

Very moneysaving id say 5 for 6! :T

[brindles01]

Have you taken a close look at your diet? I have clear skin but I love walnuts and brazil nuts and boy do I know about it when I eat them. My skin breaks out in spots. It is also the same if I overdo it with oranges. I don't know if this may help you.

[Violetta]

Thanks to Girl least likely to
[quote][A friend recommended Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher (http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1068299&classificationid=1017965), which is £7.50 from Boots, which I've been using 2 or 3 times a week. /QUOTE]
I'm trying this at the moment after seeing you recomend it here and managed to pick some up for £4.50 in superdrug.

[Girl least likely to]

Thanks to Girl least likely to
[quote][A friend recommended Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher (http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1068299&classificationid=1017965), which is £7.50 from Boots, which I've been using 2 or 3 times a week. /QUOTE]
I'm trying this at the moment after seeing you recomend it here and managed to pick some up for £4.50 in superdrug.

Violetta - Hope it works for you as well as it works for me :)

Emms - glad your visit to the salon went well :j . You'll be even more glad you did it on your big day, wish I'd done it before mine, never mind :o.

[Violetta]

I'm not sure about the Olay Regenerist Thermal skin polisher Girl least likely too , just been using it about a week and had a few spots breakout , is that normal thought it might just be doing that as it clears the skin so it may get worse before it get's better.

[xxMandyxx]

just bought olay regenerist thermal skin polisher today in superdrug, hope it works :beer:

[Girl least likely to]

Violetta - I use the olay skin polisher every other night and the dead sea wash every morning and night including after the polisher. I basically treat the skin polisher as an exfoliator and have carried on with my normal face wash. Are you using anything else along with the skin polisher? I don't know whether I'm supposed to but it's working for me ;) . TBH the olay product doesn't feel like is getting my skin clean only exfoliating so this is why I'm using my normal face wash inconjunction with it.

It was a few months ago since I first started using it and I think I still got a few spots in the first few weeks of using it, but they have gotten few and far between now. Using a regular exfoliator has improved the texture of my skin and I think this has perhaps prevented the spots :confused: . I really hope it works for you. Give it a few weeks and use a wash along with it.

[Violetta]

Girl least likely to-I have been using it once a day then putting a moisturiser on after my face feels clean but not stripped (iykwim) like some things seem to. It does seem like it's doing something I will give it another few weeks and see how things are have also just realised the spots may well be hormonal at the moment anyway, (explains my rubbish mood today too:rolleyes: )
Thanks for the info I will let you know how I get on.

[LizD]

Emms, do you eat a lot of dairy products? I find cheese is the worst thing I can eat for my skin (although I love it). Dairy products are mucous-forming, which could be contributing to your congested skin.

Try another brand of Pill, if you're on it. I was on Microgynon, but my doctor changed me to Yasmin, which is supposed to help spots. It's worked for me.

Stick with the facials, they'll definetly work.

[liney]

Has anyone tried the Time Delay Microderabrasion kit which is £10 in boots? I am tempted to spend £40 on the Roc kit, but wondered if anyone has any experience with these?

I have terrible enlarged pores, but dont sufffer with spots.

[fruitcake]

Large pores are hereditary, one thing you can do is first thing in the morning after cleansng your skin, splash your skin with cold water....large pores react to the cold by appearing smaller. But it is a myth that you can change the size of your pores. They tend to appear larger when they have dirt and debris in them, so the best thing to have a good cleansing regime...

[Emms]

Just thought I would post an update since I wasnt wanting to improve my skin for my wedding and it was two weeks ago. The week before my skin was terrible, probably the nerves, but for the wedding it was fab and the make up lady did a fab job too. Heres a pic for you all to see

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/emmsie/EmmaAlan.jpg

Theres loads more on my bebo page http://emmalouisebee.bebo.com

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions

Emma :)

[skintlass]

Hi Emms - you looked glowing. Just thought I'd add in my experiences as I've struggled since I hit my teens with spots. I tried all sorts of facials, lotions and potions, micro dermabrasion (professionally) - you name it I tried it. I finally got a handle on my skin when I watched This Morning and realised that it was possible I had PCOS - the doc on there said any woman consistently getting acne over the age of 20 should get checked for it - I spoke to my doctor - got checked and was diagnosed. I take dianette now and apart from a few spots when I have my period my skin is ok. Two points to note though - having regular facials and paying attention to my skin over the years resulted in having very few wrinkles/lines at 37 and the best deep cleanising facial I have ever had was a Rene Guinot one.

[dmg24]

Emms,

You look absolutely stunning!

Congratulations on getting married x

[Kristina]

I’m not sure you are referring to blackheads, whiteheads, or very large pores, but I will cover all topics for you.
Do see a dermatologist to remove blackheads. They have the tools and the know–how to safely remove blackheads without causing scarring or infection. If you have just a few blackheads, use a comedone extractor. Using your fingers to squeeze them out can spread bacteria and can cause scarring. It's best to remove blackheads after a warm shower or bath, when your skin is soft. And always disinfect any tools with rubbing alcohol before you use them on your face.
Do wash your pillowcase every night and always use clean face towels if you have acne–prone skin. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse. Don't pick, pop, squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse. You should never tangle with a whitehead as they'll go away on their own in a few days anyway.
For more beauty tips and tricks, also skin problem treatments visit: www.beautybits.eu
Almost forget - the skin is your mirror. So be aware what you eat, how much you sleep, worry. Because even if you be beautiful after the treatmens - you'll need to look after yourself before the wed.
So do not worry about the skin - you ARE getting married, so just enjoy :)

[melancholly]

just had a quick look at the wedding pics - you look fab!!
i've had bad skin since junior school - apparently the earlier you get it, the longer it stays :(
it's getting better now (late 20s) but i still find that in times of stress i look terrible!! i find the clinique seven day scrub cream great, and i also only put moisturiser on every other day (can't remember where i read that tip but it seems to help)

but it's all irrelevant now as in those photos you look amazing!!

[Lady_K]

I’m not sure you are referring to blackheads, whiteheads, or very large pores, but I will cover all topics for you.
Do see a dermatologist to remove blackheads. They have the tools and the know–how to safely remove blackheads without causing scarring or infection. If you have just a few blackheads, use a comedone extractor. Using your fingers to squeeze them out can spread bacteria and can cause scarring. It's best to remove blackheads after a warm shower or bath, when your skin is soft. And always disinfect any tools with rubbing alcohol before you use them on your face.
Do wash your pillowcase every night and always use clean face towels if you have acne–prone skin. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse. Don't pick, pop, squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse. You should never tangle with a whitehead as they'll go away on their own in a few days anyway.
For more beauty tips and tricks, also skin problem treatments visit: www.beautybits.eu
Almost forget - the skin is your mirror. So be aware what you eat, how much you sleep, worry. Because even if you be beautiful after the treatmens - you'll need to look after yourself before the wed.
So do not worry about the skin - you ARE getting married, so just enjoy :)

SPAM!!! Youve advertised this in everythread youve posted on here

[Emms]

Thanks all. Im keeping up the facials as they made a big difference. Going to go at least one a month to get one.

I was on dianette for a while but did really notice much difference with it. I think thats the one I ended up going off because they had issues getting supplies in Scotland so they put me on a different one.

Think I might look into PCOS though to see what its all about.

Emma :)