Retinoid + BP?

I've read in a few posts that combining these two will negate the effect of the retinoid. My dermatologist suggested that I use the BP twice a day and the retinoid (Atralin) at night. If I put on the BP hours before, will it still destroy the effectiveness of the retinoid? Or will I have to wash my face once more before I apply the retinoid. This is frustrating.

Me, Myself and Acne

First, greetings and salutations to all. I'm Michael, 22 years old.

While I received an occasion pimple here and there during my teen years, it really wasn't a big deal. When I reached my late teens (19) it seemed to be become a lot worse. I began seeing a dermatologist then and began treatment. At that point I would say I had a mild form of acne vulgaris. Thus, the odyssey begins.

During this time I've been put on so much medication that I now keep all of it in a shoebox. I literally have my own collection of empty bottles from topical lotions, cleansers and antibiotics. I call it my box of failure.

It seems as though nothing has helped in the prevention of outbreaks. The only thing it succeeded in doing is making my face redder and dryer. My pimples, when they do disappear seem to be naturally, not due to use of medication. When I ask my doctor about this I'm simply told to dilute it the solutions or use it less frequently. Alright, did that and maintained it, only still received redness and drying after application yet again.

My list of medications during the 2003-2006 span:

•Rosula, Sulfatol Cleanser, Clinamycin Phosphate Lotion, NeoBenz Micro (+Benzoyl Peroxide generic), Tazorac, Retin-A Micro, sodium sulfacetamide lotion, cetaphil cleanser, (dynacin) minocycline and (Doryx) tetracycline.

None of the antibiotics worked, I never even experienced a side-effect.

Right now I'm using Retin-A Micro, Benzoyl Peroxide and Clean and Clear moisturizer from Johnson & Johnson.

So it's 2006 and my face is the worst it's ever been. It's severe, all over my face and in clusters. True, I am under a lot of stress with college. I transferred to a new university in the fall. This is probably why my face is such a disaster, but I have been maintaining my doctor visits during this time.

So after nearly three years of being at that office, they are suggesting accutane. From what I've been told it can really dry out my skin, lips and even eyes (hooray, let's irritate your contacts too!) I'm really just tired of it and have little trust in my doctor. I'm always seen for 3-5 minutes and shoo'ed out the door with another useless prescription in hand.

I'm really beginning to lose faith in the science of dermatology. Professionals say your diet plays no role in acne, but I'm beginning to I believe that isn't all true. After evaluating my diet I find that I consume a lot of dairy. What research have you found about the link to hormones in milk and acne? Obviously, if there is a link it must only affect certain people. I do have a niche in my heart for cereals, I snack on them a lot. Again, I was told that sugars and carbohydrate intake do not cause acne. Also, if diet plays no role why am I being given medications that are loaded with Vitamin A (or vitamin A derivatives)? How can diet play no role and yet I'm given things with supplements? Am I ignorant here or can someone explain? I understand there is a difference between a macromolecule like a carb (which gives you 4 kcals/g) and a vitamin/mineral.

I am a patient person, but I just feel really like I'm at the end of my rope here. I understand that there isn't a silver bullet to this type of thing, but after three years of waiting for a solution I'm fed up. I find myself withdrawn and tend to avoid people. I stopped participating in school clubs and have let friend relationships deteriorate severely. I know, boo-hoo, no one wants to hear a young person's exaggerated personal fable.

I'm supposed to get blood work done at my local hospital to get started on accutane, but am really considering not to. I can't afford another useless med, more lost time on false hope. I spend enough money on college; I don't need extra expenses to support the already bloated US pharmaceutical industry. Well, at least if I DO begin treatment and it fails, maybe one of the side effects will work effectively and kill me. Kidding of course, but seriously, I'm feeling really lost and sad here.