Out, Out Damned Spot(s)!

Out, Out Damned Spot(s)!

September 8th, 2008 @ 3:06 pm by Mrs. Shortcake
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Out, Out Damned Spot(s)! : wedding beauty vancouver Sc1 sc1

(No, no, the other kind…)

Well, there is less than a month left to go until our wedding, and I am surprisingly more calm than I was at the six-month countdown mark. I think it must have something to do with the fact that I am too busy to think about anything right now. Although I may feel calm, my skin is worse now than it has ever been in my entire life. Boo.

When I was a teenager, I went on three consecutive courses of Accutane, which effectively cleared up my skin and scars (I didn’t have pockmarks or anything, just brown spots), and left me with clear skin for over seven years.

Now, enter sudden-death wedding planning.

Mega stress hormones (I’d like some extra cortisol with my planning, please!), combined with a sudden drop of birth control pills (mood swings and low desire, anyone?), has left my face bumpier than rice pudding. Mega boo.

I’m too far away from my beloved Vancouver dermatologist to do anything, and after hearing too many horror stories, I refuse to see any local doctors. So, right now, I’m covering up my bumps with extra makeup (which, no doubt, does NOT help). I’m also using witch hazel as an astringent, and applying copious amounts of Polysporin to the spots I’ve scratched (I know I’m not supposed to scratch!).

I’d wear mittens all day long if I could, but then my work and my blogging would look like thisaklakjldfhlkdfkla;lksadl;a.

Does anybody have suggestions for combating last-minute wedding breakouts?

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40 Responses to “Out, Out Damned Spot(s)!”

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Member

indecisivebride (message) 338 posts, Helper bee

I have also been on multiple courses of Accutane, so I know what it’s like to worry about break-outs…

I remember Ms. Peony posted this about her pre-wedding breakouts…maybe it will help you too:

http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/04/10/product-rave-feel-my-skin/

GOOD LUCK!

9/8/08 @ 3:19 pm (reply)

Guest

KATIE

Proactiv really helped my skin. I’ve heard mixed reviews but I use only the cleanser (not the toner and lotion that the package normally comes with) and it’s perfect. If I use all three, I still break out! I ran out about 2 weeks ago and already started breaking out again. I need to get some more tonight, haha.

9/8/08 @ 3:23 pm (reply)

Hostess

chelseamorning (message) 2,252 posts, Buzzing bee

What do you mean by sudden drop of birth control pills? Changing the pill regimen can wreak havoc on your face…which you doubtless are discovering.
If you are experiencing inflamed acne, particularly in relation to hormonal fluctuations (like those around pms time) I can vouch for the helpfulness of taking an Aleve (naproxen sodium) once or twice a day. The use of Aleve has been studied in a laboratory setting and found to be of significant benefit for premenstrual acne. This message board on acne.org has more information and a link to the study: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Management-premenstrual-t88452.html

9/8/08 @ 3:29 pm (reply)

Guest

Shannon

I know you said that seeing your derm was not possible, but maybe you could call and ask him/her about taking spironolactone and they could prescribe over the phone. I’m also a former accutane user, but it never completely cleared my skin. I’ve been on low-dose spironolactone for about three years now, and have had clear skin since about three weeks after starting. Seriously, it worked that quickly. Good luck!

9/8/08 @ 3:29 pm (reply)

Member

skiv (message) 48 posts, Newbee

Miss Shortcake posted about Ponds. I’ve been using it since then (Thanks Miss Shortcake) and my skin has really improved. I used to be on Accutane as well. It’s worth a try!

9/8/08 @ 3:34 pm (reply)

Member

skiv (message) 48 posts, Newbee

OH, sorry. Just realized this was Miss Shortcake. Now I’m freaking out! Am I going to start breaking out too!!??

9/8/08 @ 3:34 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Champagne (message) 1,334 posts, Bumble bee

haha.. just relax! Usually my complexion flares up when I’m stressed, and I’m sure your stress level is monumental. How about a glass of wine? Could help:)

9/8/08 @ 3:58 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Champagne (message) 1,334 posts, Bumble bee

(that was haha at the above comment- not haha you’re breaking out)

9/8/08 @ 3:59 pm (reply)

Guest

Simplyemily

Witchhazel is not good for the skin and will probably make your face worse. I just moved to NYC and my face started on this horrific reaction. I just picked up some FACE soy wash from sephora and oil free moisurizer from peter thomas roth. it has done WONDERS to my face. Go to makeupalley.com for any reviews of products you might be also considering. they are very helpful.

9/8/08 @ 4:01 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Mrs. Milkshake (message) 52 posts, Worker bee

take it from your neighbourhood pharmacist, polysporin will do nothing. buy some over the counter benzoyl peroxide product if you want an antibiotic effect, or call up your derm and ask for something like clindoxyl gel for something a bit stronger. spironolactone might help and you probably won’t have any side effects so it might be worth a shot but i think you have to do at least 100mg daily or twice daily. switching to diane-35 will do double wonders for acne and birth control, although i think it’s a terrible product because it can rarely cause fatal blood clots….and it isn’t even available in the US. i think canada has yasmin though…

also stop putting make up over everything if you can. do you want to look good now, at work or at the mall, or on your wedding day?

9/8/08 @ 4:07 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

Jessica

this literally sounds like my worse nightmare! I am currently on my last week of my first (and hopefully only) course of accutane. My derm said most people who break out again will do so around 6 months after stopping their meds. Ack! That’s like the month before my wedding. I’m hoping my skin behaves and doesn’t relapse!

9/8/08 @ 4:07 pm (reply)

12.

Bee

Mrs. Milkshake (message) 52 posts, Worker bee

is your doc dr. jang?

9/8/08 @ 4:07 pm (reply)

13.

Member

ReynaBee (message) 61 posts, Worker bee

What about Clinique? I love Clinique, it has done wonders to my complexion.

9/8/08 @ 4:25 pm (reply)

14.

Guest

Meghan

I highly recommend the Philsophy products - you can get them from sephora and amazon. I would recommend: Purity face wash, Hope in a Bottle (for congested skin), and then On a Clear Day Blemish Serum (seriously gets rid of pimples pronto). It is definitely pricey. But I think it is so worth it. Good luck.

9/8/08 @ 4:25 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

Lissy

well, it isn’t so great for your face, but I’ve been using hydrogen peroxide on my biggest, most stubborn zits on my chin and it’s really helped them from getting to the point where they’re huge and leave marks/scars. I figure the peroxide is better than that.

Also tee tree oil seems to help.

9/8/08 @ 4:36 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Erin

I found some magical stuff at Whole Foods. I believe the product name is simply “Acne Gel” and the brand is Nelsen’s. It has sulfer in it, which I think it what makes it work so well. Best part it is only $5. So if it doesn’t work for you it isn’t a huge loss, but it has worked wonders for me! It is on the bottom shelf at the store near me, so you might have to search a little.
Also I use only all-natural beauty products, when I made that switch I did see an improvement, even before I discovered the sulfer gel. BareMinerals, Burts Bees, Jason, etc. Hope that helps!

9/8/08 @ 4:45 pm (reply)

17.

Guest

Sara

ProActiv, seriously. It’s pricey, but works better than any other non-prescription. The refining mask doubles as an awesome spot treatment for breakouts.

9/8/08 @ 4:58 pm (reply)

18.

Bee

Miss Lemonade (message) 274 posts, Helper bee

I too am concerned about breakout on W day…I don’t know the generic name, but I love tazorac cream (you’d have to call your derm tho…) it’s a REALLY strong topical that seems to work pretty well for me (so far). Miss Champagne might be on to something tho…must drink more wine…

9/8/08 @ 5:12 pm (reply)

19.

Guest

katie

I’ve been in a similar situation (two courses of acutane and i also have very sensitive skin) and have personally found that DDF (doctors dermatologic formula) Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel has really helped my skin dramatically. I dont know if there are any Sephoras near you, but that is where i buy this stuff (its part of their acne line) and actually was first turned on to it after using a sample i got there when i was buying different acne medicine that did nothing for me. Maybe you can pick up a sample and see if it helps at all … i know everyone’s skin is so different, so good luck!!

9/8/08 @ 5:15 pm (reply)

20.

Guest

Starry-Eyed Barefoot Bride

I use Orgins “Spot Remover”. But keep in min - that if all else fails - your friends and family know how beautiful you really are - and there is always photoshop for the memories! =)

9/8/08 @ 5:41 pm (reply)

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