Week 5: I think this is like the 2nd biggest breakout with Differin. BIGGEST breakout was my 2nd week. I have acne all over my face now. FAIL. HAH. But, I still stick to it. I believe in Differin. BTW, I'm using .3%

I'll be updating each week.

I need some questions to be answered:
1. How long is the initial breakout period?
2. Any signs that show that your acne is about to start clearing up? Or like a week that it would start working?
3. I have a pimple full of blood. What should I do with it? Hot compress?
4. If Differin doesn't work, and I need to use Accutane, will I have to go through the IB AGAIN?!
5. Differin swelled up my cheeks. How should I remove it?
Please answer my questions.



OH my routine:
Morning:
Shower
Wash face with Cetaphil Gentle Face wash
Moisturize w/ Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion w/ SPF 15


Night:
Wash face with the Cetaphil Wash.
Differin
(I don't apply moisturizer because I only have the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Also, I want differin to work and not want a moisturizer to negate some of it's effects. But, when I don't use moisturizer, my skin feels just a little tight.)

^My routine good?

Any suggestions or questions? Feel free to reply.
Thanks guys.
Please encourage me to stay confident and not quit on the Differin journey.

Hi, ive been using differin for the exact same amount of time you have! i just finished my fifth week. we are very different though, i had already been on clindamycin for some time so my skin was pretty much under control. I never really had an initial breakout but from what i have heard from others it takes up to three months to work. so i would use differin for the three months before i went on accutane. from what you said it sounds like your acne is pretty bad so why not try a stronger wash than cetaphil? maybe in the morning use one with benxoyl peroxide. i personally cant live without the clean and clear continuous control cleanser (10% benxoyl peroxide). still use cetaphil at night but just to help your skin now before the differin kicks in use something that works fast and is strong. thats just my personal advice from my personal experience, i dont have answers to the other questions! i hope this helps though

Thanks for replying Ashaaley. I've used clindamycin and that works GREAT! But my derm never had a chance to refill my prescription. He just told me to use the Differin. Did you break out from using accutane? And I think I would try using that benxoyl peroxide wash you told me to use. I just hope it won't do any harm because my skin is really sensitive.

UPDATE:
Middle of 5th week.
So my face was really dry from applying Differin and I got mad. So 30 min. after the application, I decided to actually moisturize my face. I used Galderma's Cetaphil Moisturizing CREAM. Yeah, cream. I heard your not supposed to use the cream version from what this site told me not to use. But it was the only moisturizer out there. Anyways, I wake up and my pimples decreased in size! WOO HOO. And that blood pimple from yesterday got reallllyyyy small. I think I should keep moisturizing my face from now on.

i was never on accutane, i was just saying like if it were me i wouldnt go on accutane unless differin wasnt working after three months... and ya i dont have sensitive skin so i dont know if the facial wash will be the best for you. maybe dont use the 10% but the 5%?

Ok. Thanks for the feedback. Also, should I be using moisturizer? I heard not to and to apply it. I don't know who to trust. -_- haha.

2 days in 6th week:
FAIL.
I'm not breaking out but all my pimples are all turning white.
Are they called whiteheads or something?
Like I have pimples that are just completely white bubble.
Anyone know how to dry them out and make them just flake off?
I'm using Differin and just wanted to ask how long it takes for Differin to dry off those pusfilled bubbles.
They are gross.
ALSO! I'm not using moisturizer anymore. It made me break out at night. I just use moisturizer in the morning.

7th week:
Umm, face still kinda the same. Breakout was less though. I went to the derm and he prescribed me Duac for the morning, Prednisone, and Doxycycline. I'll see him in 6 more weeks to see what happens. Anyone know if these have initial breakouts?

How are you getting on with the differin?

Jip, me want to know too, please?

Edit to say -> Sorry, only after post saw you updated elsewhere

Hey, I know the IB is horrible!! I'm almost on the same regimen, differin .1% and clindamycin. Ive been on it for 5 weeks now. At times, I think the IB period is over. But recently, it flared up again!! Its so frustrating... But I believe it could take up to 12 weeks to get past it!! some people say even 6 months!! So it definitely takes patience, but once you get through it, it will really pay off!! So keep going...
About the pimple full of blood, DONT POP IT!! believe me, it will get much worse. I like to take a hot washcloth (not TOO hot, or else you'll burn yourself) and gently press it onto the pimple. Then i put neosporin to sooth it!!