Author Topic: Pimple remedy?  (Read 9395 times)

luigi49

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 291
Pimple remedy?
« on: January 17, 2014, 05:04:54 PM »
Anyone have a remedy for pimples for a 19yo boy?  Kid is having a difficult time with it.  Sorry for the ? but I am out of ideas. thank you

olivia

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 770
  • From Consumerism to Minimalism
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2014, 05:22:56 PM »
Have you taken him to a dermatologist?  There are all kinds of medicines they can prescribe to help clear his face up.  Retin-A or something similar will probably clear his skin up in no time.  Or a topical antibiotic could do the trick.  I used both with great success when I was younger. 

I think some people have had good luck with ProActiv, but I didn't. I'd probably go the dermatologist route if he's having a hard time. 

ETA your primary care doctor can probably prescribe skin medications too, so maybe try there if that's easier than getting a dermatologist appointment.

Russ

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2211
  • Age: 32
  • Location: Boulder, CO
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2014, 06:00:53 PM »
healthy food and exercise?

orcas50

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 52
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2014, 06:04:30 PM »
Try having him eliminate all dairy and sugar. It sounds extreme, but is likely to help tremendously. No milk, ice cream, cheese, soda, candy, etc. Also, google "the regimen" for acne. It is an at home therapy of mild cleanser (like Cetaphil), 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide and OTC moisturizer. This should be as effective as Proactiv. In my vast experience, the stuff they prescribe at the dermatologist doesn't work. Very frustrating. (Except in the case of Accutane for severe acne, but that drug is incredibly hard on your body in other ways.)

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 23129
  • Age: 42
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2014, 06:14:21 PM »
I had severe cystic acne and was prescribed Accutane as a teen.  It made me very depressed/suicidal.  It did work for the acne though.  Bit of a mixed bag there.

Typically they'll first put you on various clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide mixes for a while first.

In my case diet eliminating dairy for a couple months made no difference, but eliminating sugar seemed to help marginally.

CopperTex

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 157
  • Age: 45
  • Location: Mandeville, LA
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2014, 09:08:52 PM »
I start every day with a green smoothie - it has been miraculous for my skin and I no longer get grey hairs or colds.  3/4 cup whole milk yogurt, 1 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup grapes, 5 oz. spinach blended on high for 1 minute.  This is not mustachian - I spend about $60 a month on spinach, but the benefits have been worth the cost.  Plus I am still able to have a moderate amount of sugar in my diet without any adverse effects.

Jules13

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 243
    • January Girl
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2014, 02:54:11 PM »
I had severe acne (cyst) as a teen and was on menocycline/menocin, which is an antibiotic from a dermatologist.  All a dermatologist will do is put you on drugs, which is why when my acne came back in my late 30s, I chose not to go.  I had some luck with Dermalogica brand, but it's expensive.  The thing that has worked for me the most is using the oil cleansing method for cleaning my face.  I have oily, acne prone skin and I ONLY clean my face with oil.  Look it up.  I use about 1/3 - 1/2 castor oil (draws out dirt), and then equal parts olive oil (I was using grapeseed oil, but it was too drying) and jojoba oil.  There are lots of different oils though that do different things for the skin.  I recommend you look it up and try it.  I also use tea tree oil for use directly on problem areas.  Tea tree is naturally anti-bacterial.  I use this one and it's very good.  http://www.amazon.com/Spring-Valley-Pharmaceutical-Grade-Tree/dp/B001QXKDRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390081859&sr=8-1&keywords=tea+tree+oil+spring+valley

I know it's seems counter-intuitive, but I've been doing it for over a year now and my skin looks awesome.  It has been the only thing that has worked for me.  I've also heard good things about honey (also anti-bacterial) as a mask and using gelatin as a mask (like a homemade blackhead remover).  I have been meaning to try that one, but haven't yet.  You can google that recipe as well. 

Drinking lemon water also helped a lot in the beginning when I was trying to clear up my skin and first started the method. 

Good luck.  Acne sucks. 

TacosForever

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2014, 03:02:21 PM »
Acne is brutal :(

Step 1: Try benzoyl peroxide, you can buy a generic brand tube at the drugstore for probably $7-10 bucks. Patch test it before he puts it all over his face - it is possible to be allergic to the stuff (I am) and it will make your skin swell and itch like crazy.

Step2: If that doesn't work, and if you have the resources, I would take him to a dermatologist (or even a regular internal medicine doc) and see about getting a prescription for Retin A. Unfortunately most of the non BP stuff they sell OTC just doesn't work. Generic Retin A worked wonders for me when I was in my teens, and the generic versions are not very expensive (I seem to remember paying around $30 for a tube that lasted 6 months - without insurance).

If it's a severe case that doesn't respond to Retin A, Accutane is a super duper, last ditch resort.

Good luck!

beanlady

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 41
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2014, 04:58:00 PM »
Nothing worked for me: OTC meds, prescription meds, radical lifestyle changes did nothing. What ended up helping most were honey masks... letting honey sit on my face for up to a couple hours. Alpha hydroxy acids were also somewhat effective. I think everyone's skin is radically different so what helps some people won't help others. Good luck!

Zikoris

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4536
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Vancouverstachian
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2014, 05:23:42 PM »
My boyfriend's acne cleared up completely when he cut out dairy - he had it pretty severe all over his face, back, etc. I've known a few people who had the same results. I don't know what it is, but something is dairy seems to make a lot of people break out.

sununderwood

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Age: 33
  • Location: currently Tbilisi, Georgia -- indefinitely traveling around the world on < $300 a month
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2014, 07:36:18 PM »
I had pretty severe acne in my late teens and along with a better diet, water, and tea tree oil face wash, I starting using jojoba oil as a moisturizer (counterintuitive because it's an oil, but there is tons of info on why it works on the Internet). It worked really well.

Unfortunately jojoba oil is pretty expensive. I am now 23 and switched to coconut oil about a year ago. It works just as well for me and is a fraction of the price. The only thing I do to my face is wash it with water and use coconut oil on it, and my skin looks better than it ever has in my life.

Might be worth a shot if the benzoyl stuff isn't working!

Here is good article: http://thenaturalacnecure.blogspot.com/2013/07/coconut-oil-natural-acne-remedy.html
« Last Edit: January 18, 2014, 07:44:04 PM by sununderwood »

Big Boots Buddha

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 99
  • Age: 42
  • Location: NE China
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2014, 09:43:04 PM »
Anyone have a remedy for pimples for a 19yo boy?  Kid is having a difficult time with it.  Sorry for the ? but I am out of ideas. thank you

At 32 now I suffered from acne for a long time. Its such a destroyer of self confidence and honestly it should be handled as quickly as possible to help that boy.

I tried everything! I went to a dertmatologist for years and nothing.

First: Try Pro-activ. I know, personally, more than 10 people that it worked for. I still use it every other day, once a day. It really helps people get on a good plan for their face if they have super sensitive skin. Wash lightly, dry lightly, use a toner, use a lotion. Trying Pro-activ is free.

I went through the whole Acutane thing when I was younger and I nearly killed myself from depression. Stay away from that! I also lost a lot of hair - one of the side effects.

Second: If he has very oily skin get on a really good program of changing pillow cases. Get some soft thick cotton ones and change them every week. I buy them second hand from goodwill cheap.

Third: Cut down on sugar and white bread. That stuff can cause acne for some people. At least worth a try.

For me, I had terrible, terrible acne and I tried Acutane because I would have cut off a finger for good skin. It worked, but not without side effects and people die from it. Go with Pro-activ, it works! Its not expensive either for what you get. If you dont like it you can send it back.

Kaspian

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1533
  • Location: Canada
    • My Necronomicon of Badassity
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2014, 06:26:07 PM »
I'm 42 and still get damn acne!!  :(  My back has always been the worst.  Breakouts come and go.  I found a solution just recently that works for me.  A few (5) drops of tea tree oil in the bathwater and a couple of drops in the sink when I wash my face.  Does miracles for my skin!  (It's also a very mustachian remedy in that it's inexpensive and natural.) http://bodyecology.com/articles/tea_tree_skin_miracle.php
« Last Edit: January 19, 2014, 06:28:20 PM by Kaspian »

Frugalista

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2014, 12:01:12 PM »
I don't have acne but I do have Rosacea.  One thing that has helped me with pimples/pustules is eating fresh pineapple every day. I get none anymore.  Bromeliads are apparently very good for that sort  of thing. Pineapple is only edible bromeliad.

senecando

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 480
  • Age: 34
  • Location: Madison, Wi
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2014, 01:07:06 PM »
As a sort of meta-suggestion: have him keep track of things. I keep a log of my face--w/ pictures--plus things like how much I slept, if I ate bready stuff, dairy, etc, how often I applied BP--I kept that for about 90 days. Afterwards I had a pretty good picture of what was likely to actually affect me the most. There is no shortage of potential causes and potential remedies.

I know it's n=1, but when the n=you, it can be valuable. I tried this after years and years of 90 second dermatologist visits that weren't very effective. My skin is the best it's been in about a decade.

luigi49

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 291
Re: Pimple remedy?
« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2014, 01:42:19 PM »
As a sort of meta-suggestion: have him keep track of things. I keep a log of my face--w/ pictures--plus things like how much I slept, if I ate bready stuff, dairy, etc, how often I applied BP--I kept that for about 90 days. Afterwards I had a pretty good picture of what was likely to actually affect me the most. There is no shortage of potential causes and potential remedies.

I know it's n=1, but when the n=you, it can be valuable. I tried this after years and years of 90 second dermatologist visits that weren't very effective. My skin is the best it's been in about a decade.

Thanks we already started that.  I wonder how the tea tree oil will work like the guy mention here?