Acne treatment (long)

LizzyG11 · September 2013

Ok so I have had an ongoing battle with acne since I was 12. I have been on almost every treatment plan, OTC and prescribed, and the only things that worked for me have been accutane (been on it twice, acne came back a few months after I stopped) and retin A paired with a topical antibiotic.

When I got pregnant I stopped the retin A and continued taking a safe topical antibiotic. But I was able to stop treating it because pregnancy made my acne virtually nonexistent (hooray!) and this continued PP until a couple of weeks ago.

Now I am getting not only the little, rash like zits all over but I've started to have the painful cystic acne again. I'm so upset. It hurts to wash my face. I'm going to the dermatologist next week and my bet is that they will suggest retin A again.

My issue is that I am EBFing and retin A is an L3 med...I'm not sure I'm comfortable taking something rated L3 daily and long term for purely vanity reasons. On the other hand my self esteem is shot and I feel like crying whenever I look in the mirror. WWYD?

Boo0512 · September 2013

I'm so sorry! I know how you feel! I started getting really bad acne at age 10 and went on accutane when I was 16. It came back but I never did a second course.

My skin was amazing while I was pregnant and it continued until about 4 weeks pp.

I personally will not be going on any Rxs. I really want to keep bfing until my DD is 1. I have found that the Peter Thomas Roth anti-aging cleanser gets my skin super clean and keeps the acne at bay. I know some things don't work for everyone, but it really has helped me!

If you are really really getting down maybe you should consider taking the drug. Good luck! I'm sorry you are dealing with this, I know how painful it can be

Edited for spelling

ETA: could you try pumping more frequently so that LO could get bm for a while longer while you are taking the drug?

LizzyG11 · September 2013

Boo0512 said:
I'm so sorry! I know how you feel! I started getting really bad acne at age 10 and went on accutane when I was 16. It came back but I never did a second course.

My skin was amazing while I was pregnant and it continued until about 4 weeks pp.

I personally will not be going on any Rxs. I really want to keep bfing until my DD is 1. I have found that the Peter Thomas Roth anti-aging cleanser gets my skin super clean and keeps the acne at bay. I know some things don't work for everyone, but it really has helped me!

If you are really really getting down maybe you should consider taking the drug. Good luck! I'm sorry you are dealing with this, I know how painful it can be

Edited for spelling

ETA: could you try pumping more frequently so that LO could get bm for a while longer while you are taking the drug?

Thanks for your input! I'll check out that cleanser. My mother keeps trying to convince me to take accutane again but it's just such a PITA with the blood tests and 2 forms of BC that I don't want to deal with it again!

I'm not considering stopping BFing to use the Retin A, just wondering if others would think the risk of taking an L3 drug would outweigh the benefit. I plan on BFing her until she self weans, but I want it to be safe for her.

LilFlea · September 2013

I started getting acne after I got off the pill a couple of years ago, right now since I'm technically breastfeeding (EP) I'm doing ok, a pimple here or there sometimes..though, I noticed that when I put Splenda in my coffee I get the most horrible cystic acne-like bumps on my face that are painful (so I stopped using it)...my question is, could it be something similar in your case?

LizzyG11 · September 2013

LilFlea said:
I started getting acne after I got off the pill a couple of years ago, right now since I'm technically breastfeeding (EP) I'm doing ok, a pimple here or there sometimes..though, I noticed that when I put Splenda in my coffee I get the most horrible cystic acne-like bumps on my face that are painful (so I stopped using it)...my question is, could it be something similar in your case?

It can definitely be diet related for me also, but I've been eating really clean for years now with minimal processed foods so I don't think that's the issue now. I think it's just hormonal changes, which is something you can't really deal with at the root

snowgirl427 · September 2013

I don't know if it will work but there is the belli line that has an acne wash. It's what I use.

pnutg · September 2013

I've struggled with this for years as well so I feel your pain. RetinA was the only thing thatworked for me. And birth control helped a little. My acne was the worst during pregnancy. I like to use natural regimens, as opposed to proactive or something like that. The acne line from Melaleuca is pretty good. Hasnt solved the problem but leaves my face feeling very clean and the cysts are few and far between. Good luck to you. Let us know what the dermatologist recommends.

Shoegal36 · September 2013

I know you're probably tired of trying different products, but Clinique Acne Solutions was a miracle for me. Better than any RX or BCP.

I use the face wash and moisturizer, but skip the toner. I think it's the moisturizer that really does the trick.

coffeeandbooks · September 2013

I used proactiv throughout my pregnancy and am still on it now. My skin was also much better during pregnancy.

If I was getting cystic acne though I would wean her and put her on a formula that you feel comfortable with. I definitely would not do retina a while BFing. Too risky.

I understand that you want to BF until she self weans but cystic acne is a big deal and can crush your spirit. I personally think the four months of bfing that you did is great. Maybe give her six months of BFing and then you can introduce really healthy solids that you feel good about too so you know she is getting great nutrition. I personally think your baby would benefit more from a happy mom than a sad one.

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