Pimples

[Snoopy]

To the women:

If a guy has

lots of pimples, what is your first impression of him? Do you think maybe he doesn't wash his face, is unsanitary,

or eats unhealthy foods?

I am having self-esteem problems since I just broke out..... very very very badly. I

want to know if I should take a break from seeing this girl I've been trying to get and give my face some time to

heal. Would it be possible to avoid her for 2-3 weeks from last seeing her? That's about how long I figure it will

take for these to go away and fade. I'm trying dietary suppliments and I even went and purchased an expensive acne

facial wash system...

She calls me every 2-3 days asking me to go out and stuff, I'm getting worried that if I

blow her off too many times, she might just give up.

[bindy]

Hi Snoopy,

I think maybe you

better see a dermatologist. From what you'd written before, this happens when you're stressed. Sometimes you

need an antibiotic to clear things up, or maybe they could suggest something you could take/use to prevent the

outbreaks.

I think you could avoid her though, just tell her you haven't been feeling so great (which is true),

and tell her you think you'll feel better in a week or so, and that you definitely want to go out when you're

feeling back to normal. Great that she keeps calling!

Bindy

[Snoopy]

That's a good idea Bindy. I

could use the excuse that I have stomach flu! Because I do, lol :frustrate

[koolking1]

if you can talk your family

Dr into it, get a prescription for Tetracyline and drinks lots of water. Should clear up in 2 days easily.

[DrSmellThis]

Yep. That and a liver cleanse

(burdock, bupleurium, milk thistle, dandelion are some important herbs here). Working out to relieve stress and

watching a comedy might help.

[bjf]

This just in: Adam Sandler cures

acne!!!!!!!

[DrSmellThis]

:) I'd recommend Anchorman,

personally! ;)

[Snoopy]

DST: I watched Anchorman with

that girl I like :)
How exactly do you perform a liver cleanse?

CameraGuy: That's pretty rude... I can't

tell if you're joking or not.

koolking1: If I want an appointment for my derm, I have to book over a month in

advance... it's not even funny how packed that guy is =/

I'm taking lots of Omega-3's, started taking Zinc

and Flax Oil too. I'm also using ProActiv and a Zinc enriched moisterizure which has worked for me in the past. I

realized that the breakouts might actually be due to the Zinc, because I have heard that people who start taking it

(I am taking 10mg + 15mg in a multivitamin) break out initially.

If I can keep her thinking about me without

actually seeing me this week, I think I should at least have gotten rid of most of the redness come next weekend...

I just hope I don't get any new ones.

[DrSmellThis]

You just take herbs that are

good for your liver and avoid drugs and alcohol. The fatty acids you are taking are great with it. A health store

will have the liver cleanse herbs combined in one formula. Some skin supplements have them in there too. If you

can't get antibiotics, high quality garlic tablets are a mild antibiotic. The water suggestion was great, too.

Sounds like you're doing some good things already, too.

[Snoopy]

Only 2 of my spots are still

"live" (they hurt when I touch them), all the rest are "dead", but they are just so red and dark that it is the

first thing you notice when you look at my face. Even other people are telling me that too. My mom keeps telling me

it's MY fault that I have acne... wtf... not very encouraging.

[koolking1]

don't listen to your

mother in that regard. I would just call your family Dr and not bother with the specialist - see what the Dr

thinks, perhaps they will give you the prescription just on the basis of a phone call - can't hurt to try.

[koolking1]

sunshine helps too but

remember to drink tons of water as well.

[bindy]

WHY in the WORLD would it be YOUR

fault you have acne?!!!
Bindy

[Snoopy]

I've been trying to figure that

out myself. She says the video games I play stress me out and cause it, but really I think they RELIEVE stress if

anything. Plus I only play about 1 hour of video games each day... I don't think that's much compared to other

teens...

She says it MUST be something I am doing wrong, because she "never washes her face and nothing is wrong

with it".

Well, whatever. I've learnt to just ignore whatever she says now. Every time the issue is raised, she

has another "reason" why I have acne.

[Pancho1188]

Please see latest Memoirs

posting.

[ToBeOrNotToBe]

You should go to a

dermatologist... It's definitely the best you can do, cause he'll give you more than only a temporary solution.

[ToBeOrNotToBe]

By the way, how old are

you?

[Snoopy]

19 years old. Been to the derm

327582 times. Nothing's worked. He recommended Accutane for me but I decided not to do it because I've had

suicidal thoughts before, and get depressed often. I also don't like the side-effects of the medication - my skin

is dry enough as it is and I've never been good at dealing with nosebleeds.

On the flip side, my skin is doing

a lot better today than it was 2 days ago. For the past 3-4 days I've been doing EVERYTHING in my will to help heal

the marks.

Drinking water like crazy. Taking fish oils after every meal. Also taking Zinc and Flax Seed Oil.

I've been using ProActiv twice a day, and using an Aspirin facial mask for 15 minutes each day too.

Most of

them are "dead", and the "live" ones are small and will be "dead" in a day or two. The remainder of those days I

will continue my routine in hopes of not getting any new ones, and having the marks fade for the next time I see

her.

Thanks for all the support by the way.

[Holmes]

Please see

latest Memoirs posting.

You've stooped to advertising on other threads? :lol: For shame.

[Holmes]

How exactly do you

perform a liver cleanse?

Olive oil, lemon juice, and warm water. Goes great with brownies, too. :D

[bindy]

Your mom is wrong, imho anyway. I

don't think you can "do" anything to cause pimples, they just happen. Some people are prone to them, others

aren't. Your mom isn't, but maybe she should be more supportive instead of placing blame, which probably causes

more stress than the video games. I'm not a proponent of the violent video games, don't think they're good for

anyone though. Sounds like you're doing everything you can to get rid of them, and hopefully you'll grow out of

them soon.
Good luck,
Bindy

[Snoopy]

My main source of stress comes

from her. She even talks about my acne with other people, EVEN STRANGERS. It's so embarassing sometimes. I used to

snap at her all the time when I was younger (I even punched a hole in my wall), though I've learnt to deal with it

in other, more subtle ways now. She's my step mother, not my real mother, by the way, so I don't see how her not

having acne, and me having acne, have ANYTHING to do with each other.

Where can I find the "Memoirs" thread?



And is the liver cleanse a laxative? Or is it something I can take at work?

[Pancho1188]

You've stooped

to advertising on other threads? :lol: For shame.
Actually, a few of my recent posts Read my Memoirs started as replies in other threads and just became long enough and

story-like Read my Memoirs to throw in there instead. So, I just copy,

paste in the Read my Memoirs other thread and just tell people that

Read my Memoirs what I just wrote there was in response to that

particular topic.

I hope that clarifies the situation.

By the way, I'm above primative tactics such as

advertising, subliminal messages, and shameless plugging in other threads.

By the way, check out my Memoirs for

more information on this topic.



http://pherolibrary.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9939

[ToBeOrNotToBe]

19 years old.

Been to the derm 327582 times. Nothing's worked. He recommended Accutane for me but I decided not to do it because

I've had suicidal thoughts before, and get depressed often. I also don't like the side-effects of the medication -

my skin is dry enough as it is and I've never been good at dealing with nosebleeds.

On the flip side, my skin

is doing a lot better today than it was 2 days ago. For the past 3-4 days I've been doing EVERYTHING in my will to

help heal the marks.

Drinking water like crazy. Taking fish oils after every meal. Also taking Zinc and Flax

Seed Oil. I've been using ProActiv twice a day, and using an Aspirin facial mask for 15 minutes each day too.



Most of them are "dead", and the "live" ones are small and will be "dead" in a day or two. The remainder of those

days I will continue my routine in hopes of not getting any new ones, and having the marks fade for the next time I

see her.

Thanks for all the support by the way.
Roaccutane will dry your skin, that's true... but

think about it. It's obvious that the acne is causing you great stress and it is one of your biggest concerns in

your life at the moment. You won't get rid of it for good using those methods. They are totally a temporary

solution. If you have had acne for the last years, roaccutane is BY FAR the best option to help you get rid of the

acne, SINCE (most important) IT IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION. It's the only available medicin that eliminates the acne

completely and permanently.

Think about it: in 3-4 months, you will have ZERO PIMPLES! And they won't come back

(at least, not as they are now... never again). Anyway, you would still have to take it for 6-8 months to achieve

permanent results.

Trust me, talk to your dematologist and try to be totally honest with him/her. If he/she

tells you that you should take roaccutane, do it and you will thank her in 6 months.

I know what I am talking

about!

Side effects? Yes, of course. Isotretinoin drys your skin a lot so you would have to use a moisturizer

lotion or something like that, I am sure your dermatologist would explain everything to you. About the suicidal

tendences sometimes associated with it. Ya know, some years ago roaccutane was only used by those with SEVERE ACNE.

So, how can we say the suicidal thoughts were related to the product and not the SEVERE ACNE itself? Trust me... a

lot more suicides were caused by severe cases of acne then by the usage of roaccutane.

Do you think someone that

got a terrible social life and very low self esteem (don't know if it is well writen, sorry) due to a serious acne

condition would have suicidal thoughts after noticing the acne disappearing? It seems obvious to me that he/she

would feel delighted by that!

[bindy]

Boy, a hole in the wall is all?

I've have punched her! She sounds positively evil! Maybe there's some pheromone to make her be nicer to you.

ARGH! It is NOT normal to embarass people the way she does to you. I can understand the stress, but you are very

mature to handle it by ignoring her. Eventually she will see that she can't get to you and she will (hopefully)

stop.
Bindy

[Snoopy]

Oh my gosh. I guess I will have

to swallow whatever anxiety I have about my appearance now, because I am seeing her tonight!

She ordered

something through my friend at work (whom she doesn't know) today, and I told her he would be able to drop it off

at her house today. I wanted him to drop it off because I guess I was just trying to avoid her...

Anyway, she

insisted that I go with him to drop it off, but I actually have a game to play after work - so I can't make it. She

seemed upset because I guess she really wanted to see me (it's been over a week) and probably feels uncomfortable

around a stranger she's never met before (even though the transaction would only take literally a minute...).



Here's my plan though. I'm getting my friend to drop it off at my house later tonight. Then, I'm going to drive

over to her house with the package, call her on my cell and tell her that the guy couldn't get it today and she'd

have to wait until tomorrow. Then I'm going to ring her doorbell, give her the biggest hug ever, and deliver the

package to her.

I think I'll need a tall glass of water to swallow my problem before I go out!

[bjf]

Roaccutane will

dry your skin, that's true... but think about it. It's obvious that the acne is causing you great stress and it is

one of your biggest concerns in your life at the moment. You won't get rid of it for good using those methods. They

are totally a temporary solution. If you have had acne for the last years, roaccutane is BY FAR the best option to

help you get rid of the acne, SINCE (most important) IT IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION. It's the only available medicin

that eliminates the acne completely and permanently.

Think about it: in 3-4 months, you will have ZERO

PIMPLES! And they won't come back (at least, not as they are now... never again). Anyway, you would still have to

take it for 6-8 months to achieve permanent results.

Trust me, talk to your dematologist and try to be

totally honest with him/her. If he/she tells you that you should take roaccutane, do it and you will thank her in 6

months.

I know what I am talking about!

Side effects? Yes, of course. Isotretinoin drys your skin a

lot so you would have to use a moisturizer lotion or something like that, I am sure your dermatologist would explain

everything to you. About the suicidal tendences sometimes associated with it. Ya know, some years ago roaccutane was

only used by those with SEVERE ACNE. So, how can we say the suicidal thoughts were related to the product and not

the SEVERE ACNE itself? Trust me... a lot more suicides were caused by severe cases of acne then by the usage of

roaccutane.

Do you think someone that got a terrible social life and very low self esteem (don't know if it

is well writen, sorry) due to a serious acne condition would have suicidal thoughts after noticing the acne

disappearing? It seems obvious to me that he/she would feel delighted by that!

With all due respect,

I am sure that it worked for you, but not at all for my brother. Everything came back, it was far from permanent,

and definitely did cause depression.

Results vary in anyone, which is why some of the claims are BS.

I

think a 10 percent benz. peroxide face wash, will help things alot, and it will only cost about 6 bucks to see if it

helps. I am pretty sure it will.

[DrSmellThis]

Acne does not cause suicide.

Depression does.

[Snoopy]

Acne, for me, is THE number one

reason why I get depressed.

[SweetBrenda]

[QUOTE=Snoopy]To the

women:

If a guy has lots of pimples, what is your first impression of him? Do

you think maybe he doesn't wash his face, is unsanitary, or eats unhealthy foods?

:wave: Taking a

minute to say hi Snoopy.
I read everything you said. I used to have this problem when I was 16 yrs old it got

better the older I got. Now in days we have all kinds of creams and things to help us with acne and pimples. But

going back to your question. Personally when I see a guy with acne nothing really comes to my mind. There's to many

reasons why someone has acne and why would I care to judge anyone? ..True first impressions are important but if you

can pass and see this than this comes secondary. In regards to your Step Mom what a wicked person she is.

Eventually this will get better I'm sure.
Hey! hugs to you.

[Snoopy]

Thanks SweetBrenda :)

Hey,

does anyone think my plan will work? My friend will be at my house while I'm out delivering the package because he

always stops by after we play. I'll be sure to shower all the sweat off, and I'll probably go for 2.5 sprays of

Chikara on upper chest/arms. If things go REALLY well, maybe she'll want to come over after I drop off the package.

But my friend will be there so it won't really be 1 on 1, but can still be fun. This girl lives 2 minute drive from

me by the way.

[SweetBrenda]

Give it a try! or

else you will just sit & wonder.
Good Luck to you Snoopy.:kiss:

[Friendly1]

Here's my plan

though. I'm getting my friend to drop it off at my house later tonight. Then, I'm going to drive over to her house

with the package, call her on my cell and tell her that the guy couldn't get it today and she'd have to wait until

tomorrow. Then I'm going to ring her doorbell, give her the biggest hug ever, and deliver the package to

her.I know SweetBrenda told you to just do it, but I think this is too elaborate and contrived. Just let her

know you are bringing it after the game. Don't hug her. Let her hug you.

Hold yourself back. Exert some

self-control. Do NOT obsess over this girl. Do NOT act like she is your only hope.

LET IT HAPPEN. Don't make

it happen.

[Snoopy]

I'll let you guys know what

happens.

[ToBeOrNotToBe]

Acne

does not cause suicide. Depression does.
I'm afraid you are quite wrong, DrSmellThis. Severe cases of

acne have been related to suicidal thoughts often (and even more than that). I was told that during my study period

in the dermatologist service of the Hospital where I am studying (medical studant).



With all due

respect, I am sure that it worked for you, but not at all for my brother. Everything came back, it was far from

permanent, and definitely did cause depression.

Results vary in anyone, which is why some of the claims are

BS.

I think a 10 percent benz. peroxide face wash, will help things alot, and it will only cost about 6 bucks to

see if it helps. I am pretty sure it will.
I am sorry that it didn't work for your brother. Did he

follow all advices given by the doctor that perscribed him the Roaccutane? Did he do the whole treatment, till the

end? How many months did he take Roaccutane?

Anyway, statistically speaking, Roaccutane is BY FAR the best

treatment for those who suffer from moderate to severe acne... or "resistant" acne (really, the difference is HUGE,

really really big difference to other treatments used for severe acne, although there are other that can bring good

results). Of course, Isotretinoin does not solve ALL cases of acne and sometimes a second cycle of Roaccutan is

needed to put an end to it. So, results do vary, obviously.

With all due respect , a 10 percent benz. peroxide

face wash will do NOTHING to anyone who suffers from severe or resistant acne, believe me, I know what I am saying

(no, I am not refering to what happened to me, I am just quoting medical facts). It may be very useful for light to

moderate acne, but some cases of acne cannot be solved correctly without the use of Roaccutane.

Remember, we

also have to make everything that prevents permanent damage to our skin and Roaccutane does that too (in fact,

Roaccutane is the only medicin that acts in ALL aspects of acne). Those who suffer from serious acne may end having

a damaged skin for the rest of their lives (or for several years... those damages eventually end up fading as time

passes by, but it takes LONG).

I am also sorry that your brother got depressed. Doing this kind of treatment

(with roaccutan) with all side effects that we know (especially really dry skin, if no other serious side effects

occured, I won't list them here) and in the end seeing almost no results at all may really be depressing. But would

you say that he got depressed due to Roaccutane or because his acne (which obviously disturbed him, as it does for

everyone who has acne) didn't disappear even after doing such an intense treatment?

Sorry for the long post. I

am very interested about this subject and I find it nice that we are discussing it here. Also, sorry for my

English... it's not my native language.

[ToBeOrNotToBe]

If a guy has

lots of pimples, what is your first impression of him? Do you think maybe he doesn't wash his face, is unsanitary,

or eats unhealthy foods? Don't worry, only a very ignorant woman would think that! And you don't want that

kind of woman, do you? :nono:

Good luck with the girl... :thumbsup:

[SweetBrenda]

Yup!! what ToBeOrNotToBe

said.

[Friendly1]

Severe acne is best treated by

a doctor, not by people on a forum, in my opinion.

I just wish I had said one more thing before I ran off to get

my hair cut earlier. And that is this: if you're a guy and you get a girl into your arms, remember that friends

hug, lovers kiss.

If you take a girl in your arms, if she tries to get away from you, let her go. If she

doesn't try to get away from you, look her in the eye. If she hugs you, she is LJBFing you (or maybe testing you).

If she waits and looks back, you have a chance to kiss her.

Then it's YOUR move.

That's not the kind of

opportunity you waste on a hug if you're really into a girl and she is into you.

Good luck, Snoopy.

[SweetBrenda]

Severe acne

is best treated by a doctor, not by people on a forum, in my opinion.

I just wish I had said one

more thing before I ran off to get my hair cut earlier. And that is this: if you're a guy and you get a girl into

your arms, remember that friends hug, lovers kiss.

If you take a girl in your arms, if she

tries to get away from you, let her go. If she doesn't try to get away from you, look her in the eye. If she hugs

you, she is LJBFing you (or maybe testing you). If she waits and looks back, you have a chance to kiss

her.

Then it's YOUR move.

That's not the kind of opportunity you waste on a hug if you're really

into a girl and she is into you.

Good luck, Snoopy.:goodpost: oh wow! I totally loved this. This is very

sincere and I think you are very correct in giving him this advice. And yes is also true severe acne is to be

treated by a Dr but he is here asking us for our opinion and you did exactly that! and well said too.
hugs

[DrSmellThis]

2B, I don't want to debate,

as I would then be hijacking the thread. Everyone knows I love to admit when I am wrong, but sadly in this case I

cannot. :) Med schools should teach, but sometimes don't, that correlation does not = causation. So pimples do not

cause suicide any more than divorce, arguments with bosses, Mondays, holidays, being a psychiatrist, ;) or any other

coexisting factors that may happen to be there. You would be correct, however, were you to say that an acne outbreak

is one stressor that can trigger clinically significant mood problems in those otherwise susceptible (or a

relapse/episode in those with a mood disorder). Suicide attempts depend on the presence of a mood disorder (other

psychiatric/physical disorders may or may not be copresent), and are a direct symptom of mood disorders. There may

be exceptions in the case of religious (e.g., terrorist, cult) suicides. There are also cases, which are not

exceptions, where the acne is a symptom of another condition which is primary to a secondary mood disorder (e.g., an

endocrine disorder). Suicidal thoughts on occasion happen to most of us at one time or another, as an existential

possibility; but the same logic applies to chronic self-harm thoughts. I specialized in suicide/crisis work for 3+

years, and would not mislead you on this. Lots of people who get severe acne do not suffer from clinically

significant mood problems (e.g., my housemate, who is always cheerful) or attending thoughts of self-harm. But even

normal sadness, embarassment and/or frustration with an acne outbreak is very different from clinical mood

symptoms, depression or suicidality. They often cover this diagnostic stuff in hospital psychiatric rotations.

[Holmes]

I'm afraid

you are quite wrong, DrSmellThis. Severe cases of acne have been related to suicidal thoughts often (and even more

than that). I was told that during my study period in the dermatologist service of the Hospital where I am studying

(medical studant).

So acne can lead to depression which then leads to suicidal

thoughts.

Now listening to: "I Feel Like Shit" - Suicidal Tendencies

[DrSmellThis]

Close, Mr. Holmes, but acne

does not, technically, cause depression either (See above post).

[Holmes]

Goddammit. You mean I just

listened to that crap for nothing?

[koolking1]

I am not sure of this and

don't feel like checking it out (mainly because this thread is really pissing me off) but I think I read somewhere

that it's not the acne that brings on the feelings of taking one's life but the drug roaccutan might itself be the

cause. I do believe that DST's advice and mine were given on the basis of experience and a desire to help this

guy. All I'm hearing from this guy seems to be more whining. Has he called his family Dr about the Tetracycline,

no - he bitches about it taking a month to see the specialist for the umpteenth time. Perhaps some of the

recommendations we've made in an effort to improve his life are just too simple for him, I don't know. sorry,

this thread has gotten under my skin.

[Snoopy]

Hey guys and gals,

Wanna know

how my day went? :D I'll fill you in!

Went to play badminton today after work. I did my hair in a rush and

dressed in my nicest sports gear. 1 shot Chikara to chest, 1 to arms. Good thing I did this. There was this really

cute girl there... and I ended up playing a few games with her and having a nice chat with her afterwards! She was

real nice, a bit on the shy side, the other times I've seen her there she's never talked to anyone. When she

really opened up to me (she was very excited) I was happy.

Then I went home with a friend. I got the package,

took a shower (cuz I was sweaty) and headed over to her house. I did 2 shots Chikara to chest, 1 to arms. Styled my

hair, put on my nicest pair of jeans and shirt, then drove over. Talked for a bit, blah blah blah. Helped her dad

fix up his computer while she blabbered on the phone. I made her get off it so I could "use" it. Then after I fixed

her dad's computer she made up some wierd lie to her parents that I got a new hamster and that she wanted to go

over and see it. So ok.. whatever, I just followed. We got to my place, my friend and brother were there (so it

wasn't 1 on 1 time), we popped in a movie and watched it. This is only my second time using mones. I couldn't

smell the Chikara, so I went and shot 1 more to my chest. Mistake maybe? During the movie I smelt CAT PISS. -none

OD? Nobody else noticed it, my friend acted normal, so did my brother. The girl didn't seem to respond either.



So I drive both of them home. I drive my friend home first. THEN she starts opening up. Nothing sexual or

anything, but we were really friendly and basically laughing our asses off the way back. We made up stupid songs and

sang them together in the car. Whatever, lol.

Interesting night for me. It's getting late and I have to work

tomorrow. The acne didn't get to me ONE bit. I totally forgot it was there.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!!!

[DrSmellThis]

Goddammit. You

mean I just listened to that crap for nothing?Tee hee! :LOL:

Congrats on the good night, Snoop!

[koolking1]

some things end well -

good!!!!

[ToBeOrNotToBe]

Close,

Mr. Holmes, but acne does not, technically, cause depression either (See above post).
Quite interesting

what you have said and you are right about most things. But again, I must say you are wrong about what you said in

this sentence. :rasp: :)

Acne definitely causes depression. Not in a direct way, but because of the consequences

for the social and emotional life of those who suffer from serious acne. It's quite frequent that those people go

to a psychiatric consult due to the depression caused by the acne.

And no, I am not saying that this condition

is more likely to lead to suicide than a divorce or other serious hardships. In theory, acne is not a disease and

it's not something that threats one's health/life. But the effects in the social and emotional part of one's life

are obvious. I've lived it in the past (not with severe acne, fortunately, it was a lot less serious but still had

a good impact in my life) and I've seen it in the Hospital where I study.

However, obviously we can't say

everyone with acne has social and emotional problems... some deal with it very very well. Cases of severe acne are

rare and I'm sure someone who suffered from that couldn't have a normal life (have you seen any?)... And these

people would have all reasons to treat it with Roaccutane... in fact, the only medicin really good to treat that

kind of acne.

[SweetBrenda]

We all deal with issues

differently. And the best thing we all can do is to give support to those who ask for it. We are not here to say

who's wrong or right. We might like someone's else opnion better than others and that is the best part of it. We

all have different ways to see things and express our point of views. Now is up to the person to take some of the

advice given. I personally do take some of the advice from others.
Adios 4 now.

[Friendly1]

This is only my

second time using mones. I couldn't smell the Chikara, so I went and shot 1 more to my chest. Mistake maybe? During

the movie I smelt CAT PISS. -none OD? Nobody else noticed it, my friend acted normal, so did my brother. The girl

didn't seem to respond either.
Well, we all have to learn by doing, when it comes to pheromones. But I

think I would have to agree that less would have been more in your situation. You got eager and hopeful. That

almost always leads to nothing.

Just spend time with the girl. Don't try to rush things. Sounds like you are

doing okay.

Remember what I said about the hugging versus the kissing. You did good with the other girl.

Don't go ballistic over one girl. She probably has other options she can play. You're lucky to have so much

interest from her right now. That can change for reasons which have nothing to do with you.

[DAdams91982]

High doses of Vitamin B5...

5 to 6 grams a day. It fights even the hardest acne.

Adams

[DrSmellThis]

If that helps, I'd bet

combining with niacin would enhance the effect.

[Holmes]

Oxycute 'em.

[Snoopy]

Large doses of B5 gives me high

blood pressure...

I was on 5-10g of B5 for several months. It worked well, but my heart would be beating so fast

during NORMAL times that it would just freak me out.

Plus I would have to run to the washroom every time I took

a dose after a large meal.

[Snoopy]

Here's my facial wash

routine:
Morning:
- 2.5% BP wash (ProActiv)
- 2.5% BP lotion (ProActiv)
- Hydrating lotion with Zinc

(Vichy)
After work (5:00):
- 2.5% BP wash
- Hydrating lotion with Zinc (Vichy)
After shower and before going to

bed:
- Same as morning
- Sulfur facial mask applied to "spots" for overnight treatment

Every few days I do an

Aspirin facial. I crush up 4 uncoated aspirin pills and mix with honey and a few drops of water. I spread it all

over my face, let it dry for 15 minutes, and then gently wash it off. My skin is very smooth after, pores are

tighter, and spots are less red.

Diet:
- I eat a balanced diet, but I don't eat that much meat
- I love

fruits and vegetables
- I don't eat junk food, candy, or fast foods often (maybe once every 2 weeks)
- 3-4

bottles of 500ml water per day

Suppliments:
- 1 High Potentcy Multivitamin + 2 Capsules of 1000mg Omega 3 fish

oils + 1000 IU Vitamin C each morning
- 2 Fish oils + 10mg Zinc after lunch
- 2 Fish oils + Flax Seed oil after

dinner
- 2 Fish oils before going to bed
- 100g Alpha Lipoic Acid every other day or so

I am doing a

RIDICULOUS amount of things to my face. I am a perfectionist, and when I look into the mirror and see something that

is not perfect, I lose confidence in myself.

I might start B5 again in smaller doses if things start getting

worse.

I have another skin disorder called eczema. I get occasional eczema on my face when it gets dry, but I

make sure my whole body is hydrated properly so that rarely happens.

Some more info on me:
- 19 years old
-

135 lbs
- 5'10
- asian
- non-smoker
- play sports weekly and strech daily to release stress

One of the big

factors I believe is contributing to my acne is lack of sleep. On weekdays I get roughly 4-6 hours of full,

undisturbed sleep. On weekends, I get 7-9 hours of sleep and I feel MUCH better. Getting to bed early for me on

weekdays is a VERY VERY difficult task. I've been trying to do it for several years now but I can never seem to

just fall asleep. I toss and turn for maybe an hour before falling asleep on weekdays...

[DrSmellThis]

Since you're a med student,

I'll put it in those terms. 2B, I'm glad you're confident already in your training, and are thinking critically

and assertively about these issues! I don't mind being challenged. But not everybody who walks into a

psychiatrist's office unhappy has depression, to say the least. I'd have to assess the patient first, but the

correct psychiatric diagnosis for the dermatology case you presented would almost always be "Adjustment Disorder

with depressed mood", which is not clinical depression. People can learn to adjust to stressors with a little

help, so a depression diagnosis here could even be misleading and unhelpful, in addition to being wrong, if

it led to strictly pharmaceutical treatment. That is not to rule out that a brief trial on a SSRI or something could

in some cases be indicated, but I'd probably be against it if therapy hadn't been tried first, unless

symptoms were debilitating or dangerous. Those are environmental stressors, and environmental stress is not the

cause of depression, except possibly in the case of traumatic stress, which could damage the nervous sytem in

a lasting way; in which case the correct primary diagnosis would be PTSD rather than depression. Depression

could then be secondary to PTSD, but the diagnosis would typically be only provisional (or a "rule out") in

the absence of other confirmatory information. As far as we know today, clinical depression is by and large a

genetically determined neurological condition, unless secondary to another medical condition that directly affects

the brain/neurotansmitters, in which case the diagnosis might not even be depression even then, but might be the

"trashcan diagnosis", Mood Disorder, NOS ("due to a general medical condition") or some such thing. Acne doesn't

count here, though. If you wanted to learn more you could print out our posts on this and give them to your staff

psychiatrist, not the dermatologist; and ask him or her what their professional opinion is, not that I'd

necessarily let a differing professional opinion change my own mind in this case. ;) :)

[dolly]

Snoopy, I

have found something that works on both pimples and eczema (my teenage step-daughter has acne, and my 5 year old has

eczema). Buy some pure, UNREFINED shea butter. After washing your face, apply it to the affected areas. If you

buy the unrefined butter, it is very high in vitamins and fatty acids that actually help to balance the oils

produced by your skin. Make sure that it is not refined butter, and that it has not been processed with chemicals.

It has worked wonders on my two!!

[SweetBrenda]

Well who would of thought

butter can help acne?,,, wow! this is good to know Dolly.

[Snoopy]

Nice! Would I be able to find

that in a grocery store? And how would I apply it (amount, duration, time of day, wash off or leave overnight, etc.)

?

[dolly]

Shea Butter is actually a product

that is manufactured from nuts of the karite tree in Africa. If you can find the unrefined type, it has great

healing properties.

Many skincare products these days, including soaps, lotions, etc. use shea, but they

mostly use the refined type. Refined shea is good for moisturization, but it has had a lot of the vitamins etc

removed through the refining process.

I actually market the unrefined butter, which I purchase through a

distributor who imports it from Africa. Any of you who may be interested, send me a PM, and I will give you all the

info!

[deyaneria]

snoopy i have your

problem over 30 and still get pimples. i'm allergic to benzoil peroxide so that doesn't work for me.i've found

for an adult problem that clearsil acne treatment cream with sulfur resorcinol (found at your local drug store 5

bucks) for day and home shopping networks serious skin care dry-lo(more expensive use at night they shrink like

magic) with sulfur also works for me. I hope this helps. Vidoe games.....oh please. i can see the headlines now

"Video Games: The New Pimple Producers".

oh by the way don't let it get you down. the people with really

oily skin stay younger looking for longer dry skin causes wrinkling( my mom is 52 and don't look at day over 37)