Acne has been my ongoing nemesis ever since hitting the age of about 12 years old. My skin has always suffered from some sort of spot or blemish. ‘True acne’ as I like to call it hit me at the age of 17, and my skin was covered (especially cheeks and chin area) with what I now know is ‘cystic acne’. To define ‘cystic acne’ it is the most serious type of acne and develops when cysts form deep underneath your skin. This can result from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells that get trapped in your pores. It was awful and not to forget extremely painful, and had a massive effect on my self-confidence. Knowing that every time I would speak to someone, I would watch their eyes divert to my skin, made me bundle up into a shell.
We decided to go down the GP route to see if there was a solution. I remember being put on a range of medication e.g. antibiotics, but they did offer the contraceptive pill as a possible option- one specifically for acne sufferers. So I decided to try it and it cleared it up for a good 2-3 years.
But fast forward to late 2017 and it erupted again in full force *see below*. One thing I have noticed with my skin is that it erupts and then calms down to a few breakouts. But I never have not suffered from a breakout in 6 years. It was also getting to the point where they would only be cystic spots, which would stay for 2-3 weeks then leave a reasonable size scar. Make-up was for sure by best friend in concealing this.
Photo above – Taken in late 2017, when my acne was at its ‘worse’.
I got to the point recently (about 2 months ago) where I had enough. But roaccutane wasn’t the answer as I personally didn’t want to go down that route. My acne was hormonal and the bottom line was I needed to control my crazy hormones. After searching the internet for ages we came across an estrogen blocker supplement called DIM. DIM was a supplement that I have never come across before, but was willing to give it ago.
What is ‘DIM’?
Diindolylmethane is formed in the body from plant substances contained in “cruciferous” vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. Scientists think these vegetables may help to protect the body against cancer because they contain diindolylmethane and a related chemical called indole-3-carbinol.
After speaking to a medical professional about taking the supplement, I decided to go for it. Taking one tablet a day for the next 2 months. Slowly by slowly my skin started to dramatically improve. I can normally tell by how much make-up I put on in the morning, which is now just spot concealing. Something I never thought my skin was capable of. After 1 month of taking DIM I saw the biggest change in my skin. I was hardly producing any breakouts (about 1-2) and the breakouts that did appear were tiny little whiteheads.
2 months on…
After now finishing my first 2 months on DIM I have not suffered from one cystic breakout. This is first time in 6 years that this has happened. Clearer skin has improved my confidence dramatically. I now leave the house with absolutely no makeup again a first in 6 years. I even posted a make-up routine video on IGTV featuring my bare face – which you can watch here. Something I never thought I would be at the stage of doing. (Side effects wise I haven’t *touch wood* suffered from any.)
Never would I thought I’d say that a supplement made from green vegetables would be so effective in changing the appearance my skin. But sometimes you have to reach rock bottom to find something that has never passed your radar before.
This is the one I’m using – Link
*Disclaimer* As someone who has had a lifelong battle with acne. I wanted to share how I cleared it up myself (without prescription medication). DIM might be a solution for you but that is not to claim it will work for everyone.
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