- Battling Acne and Discovering Rosacea at 23
- A Dermatologist’s Verdict
- Accutane Decision: Confronting My Fears
In the early chapters of my skincare journey, at 23, my struggle with acne took an unexpected turn. Join me in discovering the real concerns that surfaced, the unexpected twist of rosacea, and the impact it had on my self-perception. This is the beginning of a journey marked by insecurities and the pursuit of healthier skin.
Battling Acne and Discovering Rosacea at 23
My real concern about my skin began at 23 years old when my acne worsened. It migrated from my forehead to my chin, neck, a few on my shoulders, and the top of my back. I couldn’t go anywhere without heavy makeup. In addition to the remaining blackheads, pimples were now bigger and more painful. Mostly located on the right side of my chin and down to my neck, it looked like I had a beard made of acne! Fortunately, my cheeks weren’t affected by acne, not even during my teenage years, and I am lucky enough to have no scars there.
Alongside my acne, another concern I had was redness; a permanent redness around my nose and cheeks. It looked like I had a flush or a rash permanently. For a long time, I thought my redness was the result of having acne. I didn’t know at that time that it was another skin condition. Unnoticeable with makeup on, it was yet another reason to dislike my skin.
Years later, I learned that this redness was called rosacea. I only got diagnosed in my mid-thirties and not even by a dermatologist but by my sister, who was a medical student at that time! I guess the doctors and I were too focused on treating my acne that rosacea went unnoticed.
I disliked my skin, and every morning I felt depressed seeing my bare face in the mirror. Receiving the usual comments such as “Do you wash your face properly?”, “do you drink enough water?” or again “why do you put on makeup just to go to the gym?” (because, yes, I even put makeup on to go swimming) and I genuinely thought that I was responsible for having acne!
Blackheads, acne, and redness all at once were too much to handle for my mental health! It affected my self-esteem so much! In addition to all of my other insecurities, my skin was the cherry on the cake!
A Dermatologist’s Verdict
At the age of 24, I had my first dermatologist appointment. It was my initial consultation, and the diagnosis was swift and straightforward. “You have adult acne!” Despite seeing my aunt experiencing acne until her mid-thirties, the term was unfamiliar to me and didn’t know what could cause adult acne and how could it be treated!
Prescriptions and Skincare Advice
The first treatment given was a combination of oral and local treatments! The oral treatment prescribed was Tetracycline, an oral antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline family. The local treatment was a cream called Epiduo, a Benzoyl Peroxide cream that treats acne through its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action.
(More information on Tetracycline, Benzoyl Peroxide, and acne treatments will be covered in an upcoming article!)
The dermatologist advised me to moisturize my skin, as the cream makes the skin sensitive. She emphasized avoiding tanning. I also needed to be careful as the cream could discolor clothes, sheets, and even hair!
Looking back, I realize I was never advised to apply sunscreen daily, as is common practice nowadays, and I wasn’t given specific guidance on the amount of cream to use. Lacking proper advice on these matters, my skin ended up being burnt from using too much. I thought my skin was too sensitive for this treatment, and only a week after starting, I decided to discontinue the local treatment.
After being on Tetracycline for three months, I could finally see a significant change, no more pimples. Although blackheads and redness were still present, most of my acne had vanished. Still, I wasn’t comfortable enough to go outside with bare skin, but at least the makeup was lighter.
The acne-free face lasted about three to four months after finishing Tetracycline. A few pimples made their appearance here and there, and by the time I was 25, the acne came back!
I went through another round of Tetracycline, and the same thing happened, acne disappeared after three months and came back three to four months after finishing the oral treatment!
The only option left, according to the dermatologist, was Accutane! At that moment, it was the first time I heard about this medication. She cautioned me, saying that Accutane was a potent oral treatment, and it was prohibited to become pregnant while on it. Doubtful, she handed me a brochure at the end of the consultation and told me to think about it.
(Side note: I will delve into more detail about Accutane in an upcoming informative article, where I will provide further information about this medication, including its side effects and the type of medication.)
After conducting research not only on the medication itself and its side effects but also I went on various blogs and forums to understand more about people’s experiences with this medication, Accutane seemed scary to me. I wasn’t particularly concerned about the physical side effects, but rather about the psychological side effects. By the time I was 26, amidst this ongoing battle with my skin, I experienced an acute period of anxiety. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, to the point I lost 10kg in only a few weeks. I was scared and crying all the time. I couldn’t go back to that state! It was so frightening to me that, after learning about the potential psychological side effects of Accutane, I couldn’t proceed further with this remedy !
So, I began exploring natural treatment options. I was convinced that natural treatments could only be beneficial for the body, so why not give them a try? And so it begins, my quest to treat my acne naturally!
The Zinc Journey: My 9-Year Experience
I read numerous treatments and testimonials on blogs, forums, and more plants, vitamins, and supplements to consider. While I explored many options, one supplement stood out consistently in forums and grabbed my attention: zinc supplements!
A zinc supplement is a dietary supplement containing zinc, an essential trace element for the human body. Zinc is involved in various physiological processes and plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Common reasons for taking zinc supplements include addressing zinc deficiency, supporting the immune system, and promoting proper wound healing.
Among other health benefits, zinc plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails!
Caution: Before taking any supplement, please consult with your doctor!
So, I decided to give zinc a chance and took the supplement diligently for months before seeing my first results. It took about four to five months before my pimples started to disappear. Again, blackheads and redness around the nose and cheeks were still present, but the pimples were gradually diminishing. I understood that natural treatments would take time before showing satisfying results, so I was determined not to give up on the zinc supplement, especially after seeing the initial positive outcomes!
I maintained this routine of taking zinc supplements for 9 years, from 26 to 35 years old. During this period, I also decided to give up sodas (not related to acne but more for overall health), and I guess it might have played a role as well. I took the zinc supplement only in the morning, 30 minutes after breakfast (it’s recommended to take it on an empty stomach for better absorption, but zinc gave me nausea, making it too heavy on my stomach). Even after being on zinc for 9 years, I still had occasional acne, especially before my period.
I still couldn’t go out without any makeup due to the persistent blackheads and redness, but I was somehow satisfied and relieved to have avoided Accutane! (I wish I had before and after pictures to show you, but back then, I rarely took pictures of my skin. I had no idea that ten years later, I would be writing a blog about it, and those pictures would have come in handy. Sorry!)
Throughout these 9 years, I also underwent three glycolic acid sessions with the dermatologist to improve texture and scars (I’ll delve deeper into this subject in another article to describe my experience). I maintained a simple routine using a face wash for acne-prone skin, mattifying moisturizer (having oily and combination skin), and based on some advise online I began to use sunscreen more or less daily. All this seemed to work on me but…
Accutane Decision: Confronting My Fears
At 35 years old, my acne made a dramatic comeback in my life, as if it wanted to win an Oscar! It was the worst; my chin, but mostly my neck, was covered in acne. The quantity had doubled without any exaggeration, and I felt that zinc had lost its power. Under a lot of work-related stress, I’m pretty sure that triggered the resurgence of my acne, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to be this severe. Tired and feeling hopeless, I made a decision on the spot to return to the dermatologist and opt for Accutane. Also seeing my sister, who was also dealing with acne at the same time, scheduling an appointment to take Accutane, further motivated me to do the same.
I was aware of the controversy surrounding Accutane, familiar with the potential side effects, and still afraid, but desperation took over. Accutane “promises” the glass skin I had always wanted, and I didn’t have the strength to continue researching natural treatments. From 14 years old to 35 years old, my skin had been a constant source of concern, making me feel insecure over the years, to the point that going out without any makeup was unthinkable. I had had enough; I had dealt with acne for 20 years, and I wanted it to stop. I wanted to get rid of it “forever” and quickly!
And so, my 9-month Accutane journey began!
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As I look back on my journey with skincare, I’m at a turning point. From battling acne to discovering rosacea, it’s been a rollercoaster. The decision to try Accutane felt like a new beginning.
How did my journey go? What were my side effects on Accutane? Did I complete my treatment until the end? Did I experience a purge on Accutane, and if so, for how long?
Stay tuned for the next part of my story as I share what happened with Accutane. I appreciate you joining me on this ride, and there’s more to come. Thanks for being a part of the Beautifully Moi family!
Warm regards, Beautifully Moi!
Beautifully Moi 
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