I think I might have the exact situation as you; 24yo female (soon to be 25), my bumps are concentrated on my forehead and the sides of my chin, sometimes my temples. I had perfect skin up to when I turned 24. My cheeks are still clear.

I hate these things! And nothing works. Literally. I got facials in the most expensive spas, the estheticians were trying to extract them and turned them into a hot mess. The last esthetician I went to told me that I should go to a dermatology clinic, because she thought they were very tightly clogged pores.

Anyway, I finally made an appointment to see the dermatologist, and I'm going tomorrow, so I'll definitely check back to tell you what they say.

is your small bumps just like mine on my forehead

I want to know as well

Hi all, I made it to the dermatologist's office today and she gave me answers.

The bumps are comedones. Imagine them as premature whiteheads: hair follicles filled with skin debris, bacteria, and oil.

She told me that this type of acne doesn't respond well to extraction and some common topicals can make it worse because they make the skin dry and shed more.

She prescribed me Retin-A (tretinoin). Good news: in 4-6 weeks my face should get significantly better. Bad news: it is expensive (my insurance doesn't cover it), I paid $108 for a not-so-big bottle of cream. Not sure how long it will last.

She told me that (regardless of anything) a simple skincare routine is the best. Mild cleanser in the morning and evening, and every second evening (later more often) I will apply the Retin-A after cleansing. I will be using an SPF moisturizer, because the Retin-A makes skin sensitive to the sun and initially it might get dryer than it already is from the prescription. I don't wear makeup foundation or powder so that doesn't have to be changed, but she said that in case I really need it I can use a good!! concealer on spots.

Having no results yet, I'm pretty hopeful. You guys should go to a dermatologist or a med spa and see if they think Retin-A is good for you. It's Rx so you won't be able to buy it OTC. Let me know if you have any more questions for me!

is your small bumps just like mine on my forehead

 

I want to know as well

Something similar... But I believe mine are a bit smaller and they are all over my face...

Hi all, I made it to the dermatologist's office today and she gave me answers.

The bumps are comedones. Imagine them as premature whiteheads: hair follicles filled with skin debris, bacteria, and oil.

She told me that this type of acne doesn't respond well to extraction and some common topicals can make it worse because they make the skin dry and shed more.

 

She prescribed me Retin-A (tretinoin). Good news: in 4-6 weeks my face should get significantly better. Bad news: it is expensive (my insurance doesn't cover it), I paid $108 for a not-so-big bottle of cream. Not sure how long it will last.

 

She told me that (regardless of anything) a simple skincare routine is the best. Mild cleanser in the morning and evening, and every second evening (later more often) I will apply the Retin-A after cleansing. I will be using an SPF moisturizer, because the Retin-A makes skin sensitive to the sun and initially it might get dryer than it already is from the prescription. I don't wear makeup foundation or powder so that doesn't have to be changed, but she said that in case I really need it I can use a good!! concealer on spots.

 

Having no results yet, I'm pretty hopeful. You guys should go to a dermatologist or a med spa and see if they think Retin-A is good for you. It's Rx so you won't be able to buy it OTC. Let me know if you have any more questions for me!

Good luck to you! I've suspected I have something similar. I've tried going to dermatologists and they only suggest extracting them mechanically. I believe Retin-A chemically cleans up clogged pores? Please keep us updated on whether it will help you! I hate this bumpy texture which makes any foundation cakey and bad coverage. Can't find a good primer as well, as the ones containing silicone break me out.

I'm on day 7 of the treatment, so I thought I'd give a week 1 update. Something is definitely happening.

Good stuff:

There are no new bumps, most of the ones I had are getting smaller, a few disappeared, and many of them turned into blackheads, which is great because that means that they "opened up" and can clear out.

Not-so-good stuff:

My skin started peeling pretty intensely and is super dry, tight, red and sensitive. I look and feel like a mess but oh well... it's part of the treatment, and I was told that it would end after 2-3 weeks. I'm using only mild and definitely alcohol free products now, because everything else stings and burns.

I hate this bumpy texture which makes any foundation cakey and bad coverage. Can't find a good primer as well, as the ones containing silicone break me out.

I'm not a doctor, but I would probably cut out the primer. I'm not sure, but I think you might be making it worse with all the stuff you put on.

Again, I don't use any kind of foundation, only concealer occasionally. No matter how terrible my face looks, I am makeup free probably 80% of the time.

I can message you all the stuff I use if you want.

I'm pretty sure I have the same thing. I've got bumps everywhere. I am a modified caveman regimen and the only thing i am doing is using jojoba oil. I think that my skin is purging at the moment but I'm not exactly sure.