Acne is one of the most common and unpleasant problems. For some, it can instill uncertainty and greatly affect self-esteem. In the “Personal Experience” section, BeautyHack editor Sofia Vorobyova tells how she overcame her illness and stopped worrying about the views of strangers.
Sofia Vorobyova
BeautyHack Editor
Many girls who are fighting unwanted rashes ask themselves questions: how to start fighting and is it possible to self-medicate?
In 2017, a whole mountain of events fell on me that made me worry: a painful parting with my first love, hard training in equestrian sports and a dance ensemble, while poor nutrition, endless colds and many other factors. At that time, the first signs appeared on my face that it was time to start monitoring my health and take care of myself. But I immediately brushed aside these thoughts, because it was easier to buy a foundation, and not waste time on treatment.
In general, skin problems are not the worst disease in life, but it is morally and psychologically difficult. Get out of bed in the morning and hope that another pimple has not popped up on your face.
With the onset of winter, my skin was getting worse, so decorative cosmetics literally saved me every morning. But, going out into the street, it seemed to me that the whole world was looking at me with disgust. It was depressing every day, so I had to self-medicate (spoiler - no need to do this!). I am grateful to myself that I did not start with heavy artillery - antibiotics and hormonal drugs, which are sold without a doctor's prescription.
Therefore, sitting at home, I opened a search engine, typed in "treat acne at home" and wrote out all the girls' advice, without thinking that everything is individual. I tried white and green clay masks, adding lemon juice to a cleanser (which didn't work for me), locally using Traumeel and Zinocap ointments, but the worst thing I overused was touching and squeezing them out. Then it was processed and dried with Menovazin.
Because of this shortsightedness, the skin peeled off, especially in cold weather. This cycle was reinforced by the daily use of kilograms of concealing agents (correctors, concealers, tones). At that time, I did not understand that dense textures are contraindicated for inflamed skin. The situation remained stable until the arrival of summer, I thought that I would finally go to the sea so that the white closed comedones would dry up and the tone evened out a little, thanks to the tan.
I was wrong again, the condition remained stable, because the sunburn disappeared.
It was time to stop shamelessly mocking the skin, so I went to the doctors (to the gynecologist and dermatologist) to a paid clinic. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary disease (dysfunction of the ovaries, pancreas, hypothalamus and pituitary gland), so I had to go for tests in order to then start taking active drugs. My indicators were not encouraging: increased hormones (testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol), also high levels of hemoglobin, protein, creatinine and glucose. The increased level of male sex hormones affects the work of the sebaceous glands: they begin to produce a lot of sebum, which mixes with bacteria on the face and forms comedones. Almost all indicators according to the test results were normal, with the exception of one - androstenedione, which is converted into testosterone in the process of biosynthesis.
As a result, I was prescribed an oral contraceptive with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic action, based on the interaction of various factors, for example: suppression of ovulation and changes in the properties of cervical secretions. He was supposed to help establish everything in the body and on the face, but this did not happen. It didn't suit me. I did not despair, so I went to another gynecologist, who advised me to change the OK.
The new tablets led to a decrease in the secretion of FSH and LH and, therefore, suppression of ovulation. The product also has positive side effects, such as stabilization of the normal menstrual cycle, reduction and even suppression of pain before and during menstruation, as well as the following indications: for the prevention of diseases (in my case, with the skin). At the time of taking the first pill, I did not even think that I would be saved. Six months later, the skin condition became much better (but this, in my understanding, was not the limit). I was not limited to one tablet a day, I completely changed my care and decorative cosmetics.
Now my treatment consists of Sebium cleansing micellar water, Bioderma, Dr. Jart + foam for washing, mattifying, sebum-regulating emulsion, SoSkin, CC and BB-cream, Erborian.
These are the unchanging bestsellers that I use to replenish my cosmetic bag, and then squeeze them out to the last drop. Now I do not have active inflammations, although the skin still needs cleaning, and only scars and post-acne are visible on my face. This cannot be called a victory, but it is definitely a great progress.
Briefly about what to do if you have acne:
1. The main thing that you can do for your face is not to skimp on a qualified dermatologist. If you are unsure of your treatment strategy, see another doctor. No self-medication!
2. Do not press on comedones, because the subcutaneous mesh can be broken.
3. Do not follow the advice of other people who are fighting acne. Everyone is different, and the causes of skin problems can also be different.
4. Accept yourself and do not hate your face, because you are not to blame for the problem. The main thing is to remember that you are not alone. There is even an acne-positive movement on Instagram. This trend has been and is being talked about only in a positive way using the hashtag #Freethepimple
5. Do not spare money for the care cosmetics that you trust.
6. Clean the cosmetic bag and leave only those products that do not harm the face. Here the consultation of a cosmetologist will already help.
