STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

dc · Dooney & Bourke

I am the elephant woman.

Tara · Dooney & Bourke

DC - I am sorry my neosporin failsafe didn't work for you

This may be drastic, but seeing a dermatologist isn't a bad idea. I know my brother went to a derm for one zit before b/c it just wouldn't go away. The Dr. shot cortisone into the zit and it looked better later that day.

I know it seems drastic, but it may be worth a shot.

Also, once when I went to get my eyebrows waxed, my esthetician did something to a zit I had b/ween my eyes and it was drastically reduced. So maybe an appt. for a facial? Perhaps call around to different places and ask if they have any way of dealing with a current outbreak?

Btw, I know how you feel b/c my skin is usually zit free so when I get a zit it drives me NUTS! And I bet nobody even notices it!

kenzie · Chanel

dc, I get these sometimes, too. My skin is clear otherwise, but once a month they pop up. I had one on my forehead this month and they take forever to go away! If you find any good solutions, let me know!

Ritz · Dooney & Bourke

i have found that alternating products works.. i use the murad drying cream or mario badescu, and sometimes clean and clear, and i had a sample of one other but i dont remember it:) - a brand sold at nordstrom that is actually for men..

i feel like my zits have been getting stronger so that is why i started to alternate and it seems to be working well. but make sure you are using either a cleansing scrub or an exfoliating too- found that helped me tremendously with my nose.

good luck! and don't worry i am sure no one else even notices these blemishes.

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

Have you ever tried any prescripton zit cream/gel? I used to get the same type of thing, red bump, no whitehead, I think they even had their own heartbeat...anyway, I enden up getting cleocin/clindamycin from my derm used in combo with my philosophy acne gel (salicylic acid product) and it works really well.

bex · Chanel

i go to my derm for even lesser issues than a zit- so don't feel like you are wasting their time. i am sure they will be able to zap it with something to make it go away quicker and quite possibly give you a prescription for the future.

Elle · Hermes

Maybe your derm could prescribe you something to use just before and during the time of the month you usually break out?

Bastet · Kate Spade

I've been on and off prescription retin-a for almost 15 years to get rid of my zits. Normally the Pill keeps my skin in check but at the end of the cycle I get horrid zits on my chin. When I get one that just won't die, not matter what I do, I use some Estee Lauder double wear concealer. It's not medicated in any way, but it covers up a nasty zit really well, even if it has the dry bit at the end. Sweat, humidity, and oil won't displace this stuff, at lesat for a few hours, so it's good to wear if you're going out.

http://www.esteelauder.com/templates/products/sp_shaded_color.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY5846&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1720

Maybe ask your derm about retin-a. It can irritate your skin if it's sensitve (and it will bleach your clothes, if you're not careful) but it is pretty effective at killing zits.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

Try this dc. I have heard wonderful things about it.

http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2005/06/zeno_zit_zapper_1.html

dc · Dooney & Bourke

Farrah - that is bizarre! $225, though... then again, one zit can make me feel crappy even when wearing $500 shoes, so maybe $225 is worth it.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

I know - it seems steep, but imagine the use you'll get out of it and the way it will make you feel. I would equate it to the way I justified getting thermal reconditioning done. It was worth thr price tag for the convenience. Wouldn't this be just as convenient and wonderful?

theotherjess · Chanel

I don't have any beauty advice to tell you since it sounds like you've already tried everything, but I just wanted to say that I'm sure they don't look that bad! Really, whenever I have big zits I just think, hey, do I stare at zits on people's faces? Honestly, I can't remember that so and so had a really gross zit a week ago or whatever. I am sure you look beautiful!

sage · Dooney & Bourke

I recently had pimple issues, and I developed what I like to call my Zit Shrinking Cocktail. Cleanse, and tone as usual, then apply Neutrogena Skin Clearing cream(contains retinol and salicylic acid) I do this every night anyway, and then apply over the Neutrogena, on the pimpled area only, some PersaGel. And then maybe one day try some tea tree to shake it up. BTW, the Neutrogena works quite well as an all over cream. My skin does stay fairly clear, but I do get those big ugly zingers every once in awhile. And they are persistant little buggers!!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

dc, I have the cheapest and easiest way to cover the crustiness!

Before you put on your makeup, swipe a small amount of chapstick over the dry area, and your make-up will cover and not dry and flake in that area. It also hasn't ever seems to prolong the healing time either. I use plain, original chap-stick for this purpose. It doesn't get shiny or icky either.

If you can catch a zit before it surfaces, Mario Badescu drying cream (I like it better than the lotion) always does the trick for me. They won't even surface, of course you have to actually catch them...

good luck!

-gd

halleybird · Hermes

I think I said my skin gets exactly like yours sometimes -- it's annoying because I have never had anything but "mild" acne, but it's the same as the stuff I had as a teen.

Anyway, I have been using this aspirin toner for a little over a month, and it has cut down on zits & helps them heal faster: http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=45864/Aspirin_Toner/Unlisted_Brand/Treatments/

Good luck!

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

halleybird wrote:

I think I said my skin gets exactly like yours sometimes -- it's annoying because I have never had anything but "mild" acne, but it's the same as the stuff I had as a teen. Anyway, I have been using this aspirin toner for a little over a month, and it has cut down on zits & helps them heal faster: http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=45864/Aspirin_Toner/Unlisted_Brand/Treatments/ Good luck!

Halleybird: I would be interested in this too. What is the exact recipe that you use to make it and do you use it as a mask and a toner or just a toner? It seems like there are a lot of variations on the MUA reviews. TIA!