period spots

[missfabulous]

hi, im in my 30s and i have been getting spots on my chin every month around my period and it leaves pigmentation that takes ages to clear but then my next period comes and im back to square one. my chin is ugly and full of pigmentation.

what are my options? i have been to gp ages ago and they suggested going on the pill but i dont want to. i have also looked at herbal pills for menopause, will they help at all? im worried about messing up my body with pills. i have used topical creams from the gp before and have had antibiotics for a few years for my acne as well.

i have now started taking some general vitamins from the supermarket to see if it will help. i am at a loss and not sure what to do. i have considered going for chemical peels but its not really going to help as i will continually get new spots every month so i need to control my hormones. or find a super skin product that will get rid of my spots and pigmentation after it comes.

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Thank you for your question. I am so sorry to hear about your skin condition!
It sounds like that you suffer from adult acne with post inflammatory pigmentation. I would suggest to see you GP or dermatologist to get treatment. Treatment options include Epiduo gel (or Duac gel) in combination with an antibiotic e.g. erythromycin. Combined contraceptive pill can be added. We usually see an improvement after 1 month and maximum effect after 3 months. A more powerful option is Roacutane but this needs to be done under a dermatologist supervision. If it is of interest you can read more about acne and available treatments on my website. You should be very careful with skin peels because they are known to cause increased pigmentation of skin.

I hope this is helpful.
With Best Wishes,

Dr Anton Alexandroff FRCP(UK) PhD CCT(Derm) FRSM FAAD
Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer
The British Skin Foundation Spokesperson
London, Cambridge, Leicester and Bedford

http://www.alexandroff.org.uk
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