Does anyone know exactly what this is....(Acne related question w/pics)?

Question

My cousin is 17, and she's extremely self-conscious because of her skin. She's tried ALOT of products; most of the over-the-counter stuff, Proactiv, Murad, Black Soap; but nothing seems to help.

I take care of her now, and i see first hand the effects this has on her self-esteem, so I've decided to take her to a Dermatologist. I've tried to research which procedure would be best, but to figure that out, I need to know exactly what she has.

So my question is, what exactly, is the problem? I mean what are all the spots on her face? Skin discolaration, acne scarring... ? Im pretty ignorant, I've never had acne, but i really want to help her.



Pics:
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/ChocT/000_3550.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/ChocT/000_3647.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/ChocT/000_3650.jpg

Answer 1

IT IS ALL IN HERE! :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_vulgaris


Here is what the WEBSITE CONTAINS:

Contents:
1 SYMPTOMS
2 CAUSES OF ACNE
2.1 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CAUSES
3 TREATMENTS
3.1 TIMELINE OF ACNE TREATMENT
3.2 AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
3.2.1 Exfoliating the skin
3.2.2 Topical Bactericidals
3.2.3 Topical antibiotics
3.2.4 Oral antibiotics
3.2.5 Hormonal treatments
3.2.6 External retinoids
3.2.7 Oral retinoids
3.2.8 Phototherapy
3.2.8.1 Blue and red light
3.2.8.2 Photodynamic therapy
3.3 Less widely used treatments
3.4 FUTURE TREATMENTS
3.5 Preferred treatments by types of acne vulgaris
4 ACNE SCARS
5 See also
6 References
7 Footnotes
8 External links

Answer 2

Actually, from the pictures, it doesn't look that bad. The spots are discolorations of the pigment in her skin caused by the breakouts. It happens to everyone, but is more noticeable in darker complexions like hers. People get all aggressive with pimples and blackheads, and a lot of times the products themselves are harsher on the skin and cause troubles on their own. I understand that when you are 17, any pimple is a problem, though. When my eldest two were of this age, especially my daughter- we had the best luck with the gentlest approach. She did steam facials 2-3 times a week, holding her face over a steaming pot of water with a towel over her face, then cleaning it with a mild soap, and applying cold witch hazel. For the spots themselves, we used a dot of tea tree oil right on the spot before she went to be at night. We used the strips to remove blackheads from her nose, and once a week she did a mud mask to help deep clean her face. We didn't use any of the acne preps, although she also kept her makeup use to a minimum. She used mascara, lipstick, and very little powder blush. From your cousins pictures, she is a very pretty girl in her own right, and I don't think she really needs anything more than that either. You could certainly see what the dermatologist has to offer her, but I wouldn't think he would recommend anything radical like a peel or anything. It's just not really all that bad. There isn't a lot they can do for the discolorations, except wait for the skin to heal itself. A lot of times the color will come back if you don't do a lot of intervention and you have a good diet, etc. It may take a few months, but generally the darkness does fade out. It could be possible that it's all the attention focused on the spots making her feel even more self conscious about it. I really do think if you and she just backed off the serious acne treatments and started with the gentler ones, her face would respond fairly quickly and she would feel a lot better about it. I honestly wouldn't call what she has true acne- it really just looks like the usual age related breakouts we all got at that age. She has a very lovely face shape, some gorgeous eyes, and overall is just a beautiful young lady. So I think a little pampering of the face is in order, and the rest will even out in time. Just wait and see- a few years down the road, that child is going to be reeling them in.

Answer 3

It just looks like combination acne to me. Blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. some of the scaring indicates areas where acne pimples have healed and other scars seem to be the result of squeezing. Be sure to let the dermatologist know everything she has used in the past up to now and whether it produced limited or no results at all. Also ask for a prescription strength fade cream to take care of the scars.
btw She is very pretty. She will be gorgeous when her skin clears .

Answer 4

Right now my skin is perfectly clear, for the first time in 3 years. It's been about 9 weeks and all my acne is gone. It is such a great feeling to wake up with clear skin.

Holistic Acne Treatment Guide?

Answer 5

No big deal!!! That's part of being 17. It really sucks that at that age you are not just enjoying being young and rather worried about acne. I understand though it sucks, but alot of people are not being critical of your appearance like you are. That's called insecurity which is part of being young. I am not trying to offend you bur acne is part of being insecure therefore you are always touching your face. Just don't do anything leave it alone, don't use any products or over wash your face. Dont pick at it or anything just rinse it while in the shower very briefly. I think most products actually cause acne. From what I have seen in the pics that not even bad at all!!!! Just part of being young. Shes good looking and no guy should find her unattractive because a couple bumps. If he does screw him...well not literally...But remeber if other make fun of you then that just proves they are insecure. Be proud of who you are its your world.

Answer 6

Its just smething like acne.
Follow these steps:

1. Wash ur face whenever there is oilyness on ur face. wash it with otc soap for acne.

2. Wash ur face twice a day with a facewash. U can try Attitude facewash a product of Amway.

3. Add salad, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables to ur diet.

4. Drink plenty of water.

5. Avoid oily junk foods, prepacked foodstuffs, carbonated drinks, alcohol, smoking, tobbacco, sour foodstuffs.

6. Go for jogging daily in d morning. Its good otherwise also. It will improve ur immunity n make u fit and even beautiful...

7. Avoid taking drugs unnecessarily. Acne like problems r mostly due 2 drugs also.

8. Limit kelp supplements, iodized salt, high doses of vit. B6 n b12.

9. Eat plenty of: Fresh fruits n vegetables for beta carotene and vitamin C, Seafood, lean meat, poultry, yogurt, and whole grains for zinc and vitamin B6.

10. Do some regular exercises.

Good nutrition is first line of defence. So dnt eat unnecessarily. Just eat what is healthy.

Thank u!

Answer 7

Taking her to a dermatologist is the best treatment you can give her! It appears as though the acne she has suffered has scarred her face, and left patches of discolouration.

Talk to the dermatologist not only about reducing the acne she currently has, but also about the pigmentation of her skin. Make sure you go through all treaments they suggest (pros and cons) to ensure the treatment is okay with her.

Be warned, some acne treaments can cause mood changes, increased skin sensitivity, and changes in skin pigmentation. Talk this all over before comitting to a treatment plan.

BTW, make sure you voice all your concerns! Your paying that dermatologist alot of money, make sure you and your cousin leave feeling more informed and positive about herself.

Answer 8

tell her to take Diane 35. it's a birth control pill with something that helps acne. i had very bad acne not only on my face but my neck and back and chest as well. once started you will see a difference in about 1 month or less.
believe me i tried all the creams lotions potions. this is the only thing that really made a difference for me.

Answer 9

thats just old pimples that have ingrown or simething i have one on my leg but thats from too much and not enough um but yeah just keep washing the face.