AI facial scan technology keeps saying she looks 15 but I’ve known her for a long time, when she was 21 she looked 12ish. When she was 18 she looked about 10. She says her hormones were checked when she was 24 and they were normal, she says she only looks young because she has big eyes and a small nose. Starting about 2 years ago her face started getting acne, and any treatments just made it worse. the only thing that helped was antibiotics. it isn’t just one or two spots, she says she’s getting up to a dozen new spots at once and parts of her face are constantly sore. Some of the spots are very tiny, like pore-sized, and get white heads. She never had acne when she was in school or college and she doesn’t wear any makeup and hasn’t tried anything new. Before her period she gets very irritated-hyper, one time she got so pissed off at a pretty mundane thing she threw a mug at the wall. Her bloods are normal too since she had those checked recently. She also told me once that her sweat is “very sticky” rather than watery.
Since 31 is still very young, is this normal for her age? I was told acne typically stops by 45. I mean for a cis woman (I’m trans so idk if this is just normal cis woman things)
I feel for your friend because my mom had acne until (I assume) she hit menopause, and my acne starts back up if I ever take a break from continuous birth control. Doctors are also incredibly dismissive about these things because no one understands female hormones -yay for us!!
I can’t diagnose your friend, but I can point you in some directions to bring up at the doctor:
Starting about 2 years ago her face started getting acne, and any treatments just made it worse. the only thing that helped was antibiotics.
What treatments? (you don’t have to tell me, but have it ready for the doctor) Usually they’ll hand you some benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid along with the antibiotics as the initial treatment. Maybe tretinoin (retin-A). These are very harsh actives, so they can be very irritating if you use too much or don’t combine them with a skincare routine. They also just don’t work for everyone. She can go back to the dermatologist and try something else.
Some of the spots are very tiny, like pore-sized, and get white heads
This sounds like it could be fungal acne (again not qualified to diagnose, go to a doctor). If it’s itchy and also gets worse with heat/sweat, try some anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione and see if that helps.
Before her period she gets very irritated-hyper, one time she got so pissed off at a pretty mundane thing she threw a mug at the wall.
She should speak to her doctor about PCOS and/or PMDD. They will likely recommend birth control for these conditions if she has them, but that is not the only option if she doesn’t want to go on it.
she says she only looks young because she has big eyes and a small nose
“Looking young,” “big eyes,” and “small nose” could be indicators of various genetic or endocrine conditions, but I wouldn’t bring this up to the doctor since it’s super vague and doesn’t point to anything in particular. She should just stick to symptoms that are bothering her. Presumably the doctor will be able to spot the connection if there is one.
Since 31 is still very young, is this normal for her age?
I don’t think this is a useful question. Acne is a common condition even in adults, but it is still a condition that most people want treated. The point is she wants treatment. If a doctor dismisses her with a “oh it’s normal” or a “it’s just a sign that you have young skin!” (my mom got this line into her 40s…), go to a different doctor.
+1 for the anti-dandruff shampoo trick. I keep a bottle in the cabinet for when I work outside in the summer. It’s the only thing that prevents massive breakouts (all over my chest and shoulders) after I sweat a lot. Use it like a face/body wash, and let it sit for an extra minute or two (however long the bottle says) before you rinse. For particularly bad/stubborn spots, I use it like an overnight spot treatment. Dab it on directly and let it dry before bed, then rinse off in the morning.
It will only make a difference if the acne is actually fungal. But if it is, your friend will likely see a world of difference.
Get her to talk to a doctor, don’t diagnose her and don’t ask internet strangers to diagnose her. This is what doctors exist for.
/thread
Doctors? In this economy?
AI facial scan technology
slop slop
Slopity slop slop
I know you’re worried about your friend, but her medical situation is not your business unless she specifically asked you for your help.
No one here is qualified to diagnose your friend.
It’s cool that you care about your friend, but it’s inappropriate to be posting about another person’s medical issues unless you have their explicit consent.
Also, as others have said, the armchair doctors here cannot provide any real actionable information. If she is concerned, she should go see her primary care provider or a dermatologist.
She asked me to post this
If someone told me they AI face scanned me because I was moody and have acne I would honestly let them have it.
Sounds like she needs to see a doctor.
She did it herself. I don’t take people’s photos lol. I’ve told her to get checked up again when she has the time.
Wise advice.
Yes acne can still occur at the age of 31. It can also be a symptom of PCOS (as well as the irritability, but some women simply have more severe PMS than others). If she was on certain birth control meds it could have suppressed the acne before and when she stopped taking them caused her to break out.
Of note: a blood test that was done 7 years ago doesn’t say much about today. It is just a reflection of what her hormone levels were at the time.
I’m not diagnosing her. but here is some advice that won’t hurt:
Shower before bed, and find a facial soap that doesn’t dry out the skin.
Wash your hair often.
Change your pillowcase every week.
Don’t eat chocolate.Is she on birth control (i.e. the pill)? Because the way you react to those hormones might change over time and this does sound like a hormone problem. I’m not a doctor though and also not a woman.
no
Look up PCOS and PMDD. These could be indicators. I am not a doctor or professional.
my wife said she still had breakouts into her 30’s.
Are you describing delayed puberty? Is she aging slower than everybody else? She might outlive us all!
Honestly though, I don’t know what causes acne. Might be best to consult a doctor. And regardless of what the doctor says, she probably has to eat healthily.
Have her talk to a doctor about Demodex Mites.
Have her talk to a doctor, full stop. There could be a lot of things going on here, she needs a professional workup to address the root cause.
