Quit-zits and help from my former teenage self.

[Automaton]

So I've had the quit zits. For almost three 'ing months. My skin has been worse than it was when I was a teenager.

Granted, there are plenty of people who have much worse skin than mine. But seriously. I just got done with this crap a few years ago, and now it's BACK?

C'mon. That's not fair.

So a few days ago, in a fit of frustration, I pulled out the Clean 'n' Clear Persa-Gel 10 that's been sitting in my Dopp kit for, what, 3 or 4 years now? All I know is that I had it when I was in high school, and I took it in my travel kit, didn't use it, and, weirdly enough, also managed not to lose it.

It is well past expired. But I didn't care. MAKE THE QUIT ZITS GO AWAY.

So it's been about 3 or 4 days now. And my skin is... actually, better. Like, noticeably better. It's gunna be a while before I get my nice, clear, post-pubescent skin back, but... better's good, right? From 4-year-old acne cream that's been sitting in the bottom of a Dopp kit for god knows how long.

Now I remember why I insisted on taking this stuff with me everywhere back when I was in high school. Holy crap.

 

[Catie]

I know how you feel. My skin isn't the worst out there, but it's not GOOD either. To make matters worse, I'm allergic to the best acne cleansers. (Proactiv, AcneFree, they've got benzoyl peroxide in them, and that makes me blow up like a freakin' puffer fish. NOT a good look.)

Good luck getting clear skin. It's a hard struggle.

 

[Zenfrogs]

PanOxyl 10% benzoyl peroxide facial bar. Cost me about 7.00 for the bar. Works amazing if you use it every day. Caution though... Use a headband that you don't care about.... You don't want to get this in your hair, eyes, mouth, etc. Use a non clogging moisturizer with SPF ...
Read directions on box for this stuff. But it works better than any acne wash I have ever used.


Will have to check out your persa gel 10!

 

[four2109]

Just be glad you are worrying about acne and not COPD and Heart Disease, or whether you can survive the surgery you need to save your life.

 

[Automaton]

Just be glad you are worrying about acne and not COPD and Heart Disease, or whether you can survive the surgery you need to save your life.

I'm glad of that every day.

Doesn't mean I can't also want my skin to clear up. It's not the end of the world. I make videos quit zits and all. But I wish they weren't there.

 

[gice]

i've been using Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion for the past two weeks. Like most guys, i don't take care of my skin, but my pizza face break out was ridiculous and had to do something. Anyhow, these products seem to work well for me.

 

[Zenfrogs]

Just be glad you are worrying about acne and not COPD and Heart Disease, or whether you can survive the surgery you need to save your life.

Very true but keep in mind that while acne can seem like a silly thing to worry about any broken skin or skin lesion should be a cause of concern since other very serious bacterial infections can enter the bloodstream through these areas. These are commonly caused by staph and strep which we all know circulate commonly. I personally know two people that have had cellulitis and one persons face swelled up like a balloon from popping a zit. These may not be daily occurrences but they do happen.

 

[Automaton]

Very true but keep in mind that while acne can seem like a silly thing to worry about any broken skin or skin lesion should be a cause of concern since other very serious bacterial infections can enter the bloodstream through these areas. These are commonly caused by staph and strep which we all know circulate commonly. I personally know two people that have had cellulitis and one persons face swelled up like a balloon from popping a zit. These may not be daily occurrences but they do happen.

This is true. And I will also say that my compulsive personality doesn't end at my habitual addiction to cigs - I am a really bad skin picker. I have to pay a lot of attention and put in a lot of effort not to pick at myself. Obviously it's easier not to pick when I don't have acne. And prior to quitting, I hadn't in a couple years. At least not more than a zit or two once every few months.

And really... I know there are people with bigger problems. I never complained that it was a "problem" per se. It is an annoyance. It is, if you'll excuse the pun, a bit of a blemish on what I see when I look in the mirror. But a "problem?" No, not really. I know that.

It's just nice to see it getting better. Makes me happy. Is that so wrong...?

 

[pkj]

Had not had a zit in 35 yrs. Then I quit smoking and started vaping.

Have had a couple minor issues, and I was thinking it might be quit smoking / start vaping issues.

Glad to read that I'm not the only one to have this happen.

Paula

 

[Zenfrogs]

You are definitely more relaxed about it than I am ... I would classify it as a problem ...lol... i tend to get all neurotic and obsessive about such things. when the cellulitis thing happened to my brother over a pimple last year it really freaked me out. At first we thought it might be MRSA (thank god it wasn’t) and after another ecf member almost lost her brother due to the infection entering his heart I stopped seeing acne issues as merely vanity. Mine has gotten much better as well and no I don’t think that is wrong!

 

[LowThudd]

I haven't had any zits since I was 16(nothing major anyway). Used a combination of tetrocycoline and RetinA to clear it up. I recomend seeing a dermitologist.

 

[Dee74]

I too am seeing a lot of this a problem as well. I have been vaping for about 82 days in the beginning pg juices/510/Riva, no problems felt great. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago, MAJOR itching and skin cracks and red areas around nose and mouth. Do Benedryl for a few days and switch to Vg. Things improved for a few days. Now have 2 canker sores in mouth and another one starting on my lip. Itching still but not nearly as much. getting white hard bumps not a lot just a few on heads, arms and shoulders. I am wondering and starting to worry if vaping is a problem for me and others. I keep seeing it mentioned the PG issue is only around 2% of the population, but it sure seems that a lot of that 2% are here on ECF. Not sure how to proceed as I am not smoking analogs and haven't since the first day and am at 10-12 mg really don't want to go back or to patches but something is going for sure, thoughts folks.

 

[Automaton]

I too am seeing a lot of this a problem as well. I have been vaping for about 82 days in the beginning pg juices/510/Riva, no problems felt great. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago, MAJOR itching and skin cracks and red areas around nose and mouth. Do Benedryl for a few days and switch to Vg. Things improved for a few days. Now have 2 canker sores in mouth and another one starting on my lip. Itching still but not nearly as much. getting white hard bumps not a lot just a few on heads, arms and shoulders. I am wondering and starting to worry if vaping is a problem for me and others. I keep seeing it mentioned the PG issue is only around 2% of the population, but it sure seems that a lot of that 2% are here on ECF. Not sure how to proceed as I am not smoking analogs and haven't since the first day and am at 10-12 mg really don't want to go back or to patches but something is going for sure, thoughts folks.

Acne is a problem associated with quitting smoking, not vaping. My general acne problems had resolved by my late teens, but my skin has always been sensitive (for example, I also had breakouts when I worked in a kitchen). I do not believe this is caused by a PG allergy.

However, the itching and skin problems you're having do sound like an allergic reaction to me. Have you considered that you may also be sensitive to the flavoring? Try vaping juice with either no flavoring, or only organic, natural flavors. This may help.

 

[StarsAndBars]

I hope this isn't taken the wrong way. Someone made a comment about acne and bacteria. Sometimes that is exactly what causes a breakout. For the past few weeks my wife's skin has been breaking out, and she's been freaking. She never had any issues with her complexion as a teen and couldn't figure out why it's happening in her 20's. She has been trying all kinds of creams and stuff and junk but none of it is really helping. The poor thing has been washing and scrubbing her face like crazy. She even went to the dermatologist. That was a pretty big waste of time, but talked the doc into a scrip for some antibiotics.

Lo and behold, the antibiotics seem to be helping. Not trying to sound like I know about stuff I don't, but I know how my wife has been freaking out about it, and the meds helped her. Maybe it is bacterial. Just hate to see anybody go through the same thing if I may know something that could help.

 

[sahara4evr]

I've just started having the breakout issue. My skin actually improved when I started vaping and now I look like I'm diseased...lol I'm definitely not happy but hoping it will go away. I've always had breakouts but they seem to be worse than ever right now. I already have scars so I guess a few more won't change things too much.

 

[AmyB66]

I got the quit zits too. Not your average run of the mill zits these are. The nasty, dang it hurts kind. I deal because yeah, better than the alternative. I keep hoping that the acne is in part due to my skin getting rid of years of smoke. I am 8 months into vaping, they are starting to get less frequent, still have them but not like the beginning months. I have noticed that my pores are starting to get smaller which I think is due to quitting cigs.

The vaping has made my skin a bit drier so its a catch 22 as far as getting rid of them. Only sharing cause yep, you are not the only one. It's a drag to have zits in ones 40's but unlike teen years I don't have to worry about being embarrassed cause the cute boy in school just looked at me and I had a giant zit ROFLOL.....25 years of marriage, I am sure not bothered if hubby sees me with zits.

 

[Swissy]

"Many acne products and medicines contain Propylene Glycol, a gel-like alcohol. Propylene Glycol causes the skin to absorb more, which harms the skin's ability to keep toxins out." http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:m6Q_q04stv8J:thegreenbeautyguide.com/%3Fp%3D71+propylene+glycol+acne&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

"Recent studies have demonstrated that propylene glycol frequently causes irritation and dermatitis in patients with sensitive skin."
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:O0JdnwR8EIkJ:www.ehow.com/facts_5002351_acne-medicine-dangers.html+propylene+glycol+acne&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[Quist]

Ok, i'm wondering then... is the acne issue related to the vaping or the quiting? I've been vaping now for about three weeks and love it but i'm breaking out as well, not on the face or anything on my upper body like really bad. Also, the article above seems to indicate we shouldnt be inhaling PG, or that's the recommendation what is that all about.

Thanks.

 

[Swissy]

Ok, i'm wondering then... is the acne issue related to the vaping or the quiting? I've been vaping now for about three weeks and love it but i'm breaking out as well, not on the face or anything on my upper body like really bad. Also, the article above seems to indicate we shouldnt be inhaling PG, or that's the recommendation what is that all about.

Thanks.

just food for thought

 

[Panini]

My skin has been a little bit unruly too. Whatever the case, here are the things I've found that have helped tremendously:

1. Egg yolk mask: Just separate from the whites and brush onto your face or apply with your fingers. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. It is absolutely packed with Vitamin A (think Retinol) and your skin will glow right after you wash it off. You'll actually feel your skin absorbing it.

2. Exfoliating: Not sure if it's an environmental change (vapor) in combination with all of the toxins leaving my system, but exfoliating twice every week has been the most effective thing I've found.

3. Drink LOTS of water. The best thing for our skin is hydration and we are inhaling something that absorbs the water in our system. That, in combination with quit zits could be making the whole process more difficult.

Doing these things has my skin almost completely cleared up and now I can enjoy the amazing complexion I have thanks to quitting cigarettes. Hope it helps!