Hi all,

Hope its ok to post this here.

My GF has facial acne, not terrible, but worse than before she had our baby, a couple of years now. She's done the beauty clinic thing, doesn't help.

It seems to me to vary around the monthly cylce, and is worst just prior to, and almost clears up totally the few days afterwards. So I think its hormonal, but what do I know.??

Anyone have any solutions or advice? She's beautiful anyway, controlling this would still be nice.

Thanks.

Well, first off, is she on the pill? That can help with hormonal acne. And what kind of treatments is she getting? Those might possibly be contributing

Well, first off, is she on the pill? That can help with hormonal acne. And what kind of treatments is she getting? Those might possibly be contributing

Try auricular therapy and reflexology. It's often a good combination-treatment :-)

Replacing any fancy cosmetic products with more natural ones will probably help. Tea Tree Oil facial foam, is gentle, moisturising and deep cleanses and would probably also help.

Worth a visit to see a dermatologist at the hospital. They seem particularly interested in cosmetic appearance in Thailand. This would also give an opportunity to discuss drug based options, including taking the pill as mentioned. In addition it would also allow a proper diagnosis, to differentiate from conditions such as Rosacea, as well as focus on the specific changes (child birth) that caused the changes.

Edited June 26, 201214 yr by fletchsmile

SBK, Has tried going off and on the pill, no consistant improvement either way.

Veseva, I dont think she could stay off Facebook long enough. (At least she makes money from it though).

Fletch: recommend me a tea tree product, might be a nice gift. We have spoken to hospital doctors about it, but probably not a propper dermatologist; one of of the main ones, who is usually pretty good on other issues recommend going to see him at his private clinic about botox. Neither of us impressed.

Any good dermatologists in CMai??

Tesco's stock some reasonable tea tree oil ranges, produced in Thailand by T.O.P., also available I think in Watson's etc. I did a quick google for you, to see some pictures

http://www.topcosmet...om/products.htm

for some reason, the pictures are next to the hair care list on second section. The white package with the red print on it on the left is one of the facial foam ones, they also do shower gels etc. If I remember rightly:

- green is the natural one - I actually use that myself. For guys facial foam is also an excellent alternative to shaving cream, as you can wash your face and wet shave at the same time, and it doesn't contain all the irritants and perfumes that shaving foams can. You can then tell her that you've found a great product you like that she also might like to though obviously and hopefully for a slightly different reason - unless of course your wife is German with stereotypical armpits

- the red one shown I think is also whitening

- the blue I think is with a gentle facial scrub added. I've bought the red and blue in the past when the green is out of stock but can't remember which is which.

Body Shop also do their own range, but Thai prices are more expensive than UK. They also do tea tree oil face masks.

Dermatologists in CM, I've no idea. I used to struggle a bit with skin problems when I first moved to Thailand in particular, hence the knowledge on the subject and something I can relate to. In Bangkok, Dr.Nussra Wongrattanapasson was excellent, and you can look up her profile at Bumrungrad's Skin Centre as follows:

http://www.bumrungra...thailand-doctor

There's a whole host of treatments these days from topical solutions, retin A gel, oxidising creams, to anti-biotics to things like Roaccutane for more severe cases. They may not work 100% but there should be something for her case that will help.

BTW Yes there are links between time of the month, hormones and acne in women generally. Birth control pills can help, but in some cases can make it worse, so again best to ask an expert which ones/brand rather than just buy yourself in a pharmacist. Not really my area of expertise, but not all birth control pills are created equal when it comes to impact on acne.

To be honest many General Practitioners just dismiss it, given it is non-life threatening in their view, hence why a dermatologist is a better bet. GP's are also more likely to underestimate the psychological effects. Given the importance of appearance in Thai society, combined with the changes your wife's body went thru anyway after childbirth you're right to look out and help her on it. There's a good chance she's already a bit self conscious and low self-estemm on appearance after the impact child-birth has had on her figure, without having highly visible facial changes for the worse too. Anything like me, you probably don't mind, but she does

Edited June 26, 201214 yr by fletchsmile

Check the pinned topic of Recommended Doctors and medical specialists in Chiang Mai Forum. Here they recommend dermatologists as well.

http://www.thaivisa....al-specialists/

Edited June 27, 201214 yr by Afrodite79

The link is not fully established but having her blood sugar tested isn't a bad idea.

Thanks guys. Fletch thanks for your detailed reply. I will surely follow up on those suggestions.

I've experienced this a few years ago and a blood test found that for some reason my hormones were out of whack. The doctor put me on contraceptive pills called "Brenda" and after a few of months, my acne disappeared and I was back to normal I would really suggest your girlfriend getting a blood test to check that her hormones are in checked especially after a baby!

Thanks MM, any idea what they checked for?

tested for unusual levels or imbalance of estrogen and testosterone....

Female hormone tablets will almost certainly work. If not, she can go nuclear and get roaccutane.... Make sure she gets a liver test before she starts taking that.

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We went to the local recommended Dermatologist yesterday. I was expecting a hormone test, but no. 5k bht later an array of drugs and LaRoche cleansers. And recommendations for laser cleansing course.

you may still want to take her to a gynecologist.

What a waste of money! I have tried everything treatment under the sun and budget. The problem is internal and hormonal!

What a waste of money! I have tried everything treatment under the sun and budget. The problem is internal and hormonal!

Have you tried Roaccutane under the supervision of a dermatologist? Should be strongly avoided tho' for ladies who are pregnant.

Hi fletch, I'm cured now. I meant before the Dr put me on Contraceptive pills for a few months to correct the imbalance.

Answer to your question though, no I have not tried that medication.