Acne - very depressed :(

[cherryblossum]

No worries Bellelass, no offence taken. I didn't mean to sound curt.

I guess the difference between your "cosmetic" problem and mine is that you've had it for a while and you've had time to get used to it, whereas for me, the acne literally appeared so suddenly that I'm quite shocked by it. Getting the acne so suddenly was such a shock to my system, and I just don't know how to deal with it. My family and friends are also astonished by it, and most have remarked (quite untactfully, I might add) on what has happened to my once beautiful skin (to me, my skin was not beautiful, but I guess you tend to be more critical of yourself).

[cherryblossum]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since my last update. The very good news is that my acne has miraculously cleared up and I'm still breastfeeding - YAY!!! It was a painful and slow process but I was patient and determined. My blood tests didn't indicate that anything was wrong - no obvious hormonal imbalance, infection or anything wrong with my liver, so my derm didn't immediately put me on roaccutane (also because I was reluctant). I was on antibiotics up until 2 weeks ago. My derm doesn't know whether the antibiotics helped the acne or whether my skin would have improved anyway. I noticed that my skin started improving about a month ago just when I was about to give up and ask my derm to be put on roaccutane. Then I started using Benzac 2.5% gel - this stuff really works!! It's amazing - now I have no more acne on my face but only a few lumps underneath my jawline. I have really obvious red marks though but that's OK I can deal with them - they'll disappear in time.

In the end I didn't go on roaccutane because I kept putting it off with my derm and adopting a wait and see attitude. It paid off and I'm so glad I didn't jump the gun and go on roaccutane.

DD turned 3 months yesterday and I'm still breastfeeding

Damn this hormonal acne causing me so much grief!!!

[AJC]

Firstly I am glad you didn't end up taking the roaccutane but most importantly I'm glad your skin/hormones seem to be under control now. You sound much happier!