Over 60 with scars.

[Lypsie56]

This is my first post on here. I suffered from severe acne from the age of 14 til my mid 20s, it returned in my 30s. I then went on Roaccutane which cleared it up. It then returned in my late 40s when I went through the menopause. I went on Roaccutane which cleared it up for good.

In the 70s there wasnt much awareness of skin problems. Of course, no internet, no support groups. I suffered from anxiety and depression due partly to the state of my skin. I was on antibiotics for years which didnt help at all and screwed up my digestion. I was also advised to use a sun lamp which did nothing to help and many people my age are now suffering from skin cancer due to using them. Thankfully I didnt use mine for long and followed the instructions to the letter.

For years i have taken really good care of my skin and have often been told i look years younger than my age but as I get older I have noticed my skin texture getting worse due to loss of collagen I suppose which exposes the scar tissue.

I also have a dent in one cheek due to having a permanent filler removed. I was advised to have it done at a reputable clinic to treat an old acne scar. Unfortunately the filler caused problems and i had to have it removed which has left the indent. The filler has since been removed from the market.

I would like to know if there is anyone about my age on here who is still suffering from the after effects of having acne all those years ago? I sometimes feel I'm the only one.

I also think it is good for younger people to hear our story. At least nowadays there is the internet with so much knowledge and support available to everyone. We were extremely limited in the 1970s.

[EvaChangingFaces Partner]

Hello Lypsie56 and welcome to the Changing Faces community! Thank you for your post and for sharing your experiences here. It sounds like you've had a really challenging time with your skin condition over the years and suffered with anxiety and depression and the fact that no support was available or accessible must have made it even harder for you. However, it's also clear that you have developed a lot of resilience and skills through this journey and hopefully you have met people in your life who have been able to be there for you as well. I wonder if you have any strategies that you use to cope with these feelings and if you feel able to share them here as I think people could benefit from your experience. Hopefully, as the community grows, you'll find people to connect with and continue to share your thoughts.

Take care,

Eva - ChangingFaces

[Lypsie56 in reply to EvaChangingFaces]

Thanks for your lovely welcome. The strategies I have learnt took many years to acquire. The main thing I have learned is that I am entitled and deserve any help that is available. I do my research and ask for the help i need. I have also learned that gps and even specialists do not have all the answers.

In the 70s medical professionals were looked on with awe and if they said something, it must be right. An example of this was that I was on antibiotics for a number of years. They didnt help my acne but I was scared of coming off them. I had digestive problems and excessive sweating which I have found out since can be due to this medication. But the doctor just left me on them.

I was also told to use a sun lamp by my gp. No mention of skin cancer then.

I also read a number of articles by doctors which advised washing my face with soap. This is the worse thing for my skin as it made it more oily so breakouts were worse. I havent used soap on my face for years.

When I was prescribed Retinol in the 80s I wasnt advised properly on its use so when my skin reacted I thought I was allergic to it and stopped using it.

I beat myself up now over the way I treated my skin and some of the scars are due to me not being gentle enough.

My advice to anyone with severe acne is:

be gentle with your skin and yourself,

Do your research,

Look at your lifestyle and see how you can make healthier choices e.g. diet, stress.

Look after your mental health.

Get support for mental and physical affects.

Remind yourself that you are doing the best you and you can do no more. You are more than just your acne and you are NOT alone.

I just wish I'd known this all those years ago. It would have saved me a lot of suffering as I felt so isolated.

[EvaChangingFaces Partner in reply to Lypsie56]

Hello Lypsie56 and thank you for your willingness to share your tips and strategies on how to cope with acne and difficult feelings. It does sound, as you say, like it's been a long hard road and it seems like you keep pressing forward nonetheless. I particularly like your advice on asking for support and looking after our mental health which I agree it's very important.

Take care,

Eva - ChangingFaces