Stop Sebum Production?

[fut]

Hello,

I have been tying a natural way to stop sebum production - zinc gluconate and boswellia for a couple of weeks no. It doesn't seem the oil is stopping. My face gets so oily. Is accutane the only approach left? This is tough for me as I am in the middle of IPL treatments.

What else can I do? Does water help?

[clsykes00]

how much boswellia are you taking? what kind are you taking?

i have been taking boswellia for about 2 months now with good results. that is, my sebum production has been cut by maybe 25%, which is better than nothing. i take four 300mg a day, and drink a cup of water with it. do not eat or drink things high in calcium. i'm using nature's way.

im in the same position you are. i am having some sebum production problems and am in the middle of my ipl treatments (5th tx tomorrow). i plan on going on low dose accutane (10mg per day) after my laser treatment. i first need to get more information on accutane before taking the dive though.

hope this helps.

best,
trey

[tryingtogetoverit]

i plan on going on low dose accutane (10mg per day) after my laser treatment.

I plan on doing the same thing.

This isn't necessarily a good idea, but high doses of vitamin A have nearly the same effects as Accutane. I really don't recommend this though.

Minocycline can reduce oil...

I used blot papers before Accutane. I was severely oily.
I know I'm not being incredibly helpful.
Orion

[irishgenes]

I used to have to wash my face 6 times a day because of the oil, so I really identify with this problem. My face would slide off the pillow at night.

If you are male, you can try 320 mg. standardized extract of saw palmetto, twice a day, which decreases the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the "bad" testosterone responsible for acne, thinning hair, prostate troubles, etc. This is over the counter and safe. Sold as "Super Saw Palmetto" online at lef.org. Although female, I took it for a year and found that it dried up my oil-slick face the first day. Quitting for a day brought back the oil, so it only works when you take it. My sister experienced similar benefits.

If you are female, you can try .3% estriol cream, available from Women's International Pharmacy of Madison Wisconsin. This is prescription. I am now using it, and it also dries up the sebum, as well as reducing wrinkles. I did a half-face trial and had immediate results on the side with the cream. Although a cream, it is totally non-greasy. I use the one without preservatives, keeping it in the refrigerator. I have cosmetic sensitive skin and can't even use soap, but it does not bother me.

[Adam]

irishgenes:

Hi. I don't have prostate troubles, oily skin or excess sebum is my
problem. Besides drying up the oily face, does the saw palmetto
extract shrink the pore size as well?

Thanks,
Adam

I used to have to wash my face 6 times a day because of the oil, so I really identify with this problem. My face would slide off the pillow at night.

If you are male, you can try 320 mg. standardized extract of saw palmetto, twice a day, which decreases the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the "bad" testosterone responsible for acne, thinning hair, prostate troubles, etc. This is over the counter and safe. Sold as "Super Saw Palmetto" online at lef.org. Although female, I took it for a year and found that it dried up my oil-slick face the first day. Quitting for a day brought back the oil, so it only works when you take it. My sister experienced similar benefits.

If you are female, you can try .3% estriol cream, available from Women's International Pharmacy of Madison Wisconsin. This is prescription. I am now using it, and it also dries up the sebum, as well as reducing wrinkles. I did a half-face trial and had immediate results on the side with the cream. Although a cream, it is totally non-greasy. I use the one without preservatives, keeping it in the refrigerator. I have cosmetic sensitive skin and can't even use soap, but it does not bother me.

[irishgenes]

No, unfortunately, it doesn't. I think the only thing that will do that is IPL.