Going off Yasmin/ stopping tazorac

Hey all,
I recently decided to stop taking birth control pills for several reasons such as decreased sex drive, decreased ability to build muscle, and preparing for when we want to start a family in the next year. I started taking Yasmin when i was 19 yrs old and I am now 25. I started the pill because my derm came to the conclusion that my acne was hormonal. I also have been using Tazorac for 2 yrs and has helped keep my acne under control. I am going to stop taz out of fear that if i get pregnant (even tho my husband and i will use protection) that there could be birth defects from the taz. I am very nervous that my skin is going to freak out from stopping these treatments. I have researched online and it seems that a lot of women have breakouts after stopping birth control. i am wondering if my acne will come back as bad as it was when i was 19. i have a derm appt in November (they are always booked so far out) to discuss possible treatments that are pregnancy safe. but i am just nervous about getting breakouts after stopping the pill. anyone have any comments about their experience stopping the pill? thanks =)

Tanning to get ready for Vaca and Weddings

Hey all! I have been doing the regimen and have completely cleared my forehead of pimples/ blackheads (used to have lots of clogged pores on my forehead) and have recently been applying BP on my entire face at night. Well anyways here is the deal- I am going on a beach vacation in 1 1/2 months and my best friend is getting married in 3 weeks. I would like to go tanning before these events to have some color/ prevent burning on vacation. I am nervous however because my skin is already dry and I am not sure what tanning will do to it in combination with the BP. I am also nervous that faded scars with appear again when I start tanning. So my other option would be to get a spray tan for the wedding and vacation ( and apply massive amounts of sunscreen while on vacation) but once again since my skin is dry and when I used the products on my face at night I am not sure that the spray tan will last / or if my skin will be blotchy where I am dry. UGH! i am just not sure what the best option is! if anyone has advice i would reaaaaaaaalllly appreciate it! thanks!=)

On Tazorac and going to the BEACH!

I am leaving for vacation to Florida in a couple of days for a week. I have been on Taz .05 cream for almost 2 months now. It has done an amazing job of clearing my skin! I am worried however about sun sensitivity. I purchased SPF 55 to put on my face every day along with some makeup when I go the beach to avoid getting sun burned. Will i be ok to be in the sun with SPF 55? I just dont wont to end up with a miserable burn! I am hoping to get a little bit of tan tho! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

A Tazorac and Skin Picking Journal

Hello all,
I am 24 year old female and have been battling breakouts since I was 17. Most of my skin problems come from a picking disorder called self injurous skin picking disease. Even the smallest pimple or blackhead I will have to pick at and it causes big scabs and sores all over my face. This has been going on for years. I came across a website about 1 year ago called stoppickingonme.com that addresses this disorder that has been ignored and unrecognized by many. After many attemps to end this horrible disorder I have yet to succeed. But I am for once and for all going to make this end now! My skin is not very breakout prone anymore now that I am older and have been on birth control for a few years. Infact there is a chance my skin would be close to perfect if it wasnt for this disorder. My goal is to try and go 30 days without picking at my skin and just allowing it to take its natural course. I have been on Tazorac .05% for 1 week prescribed my my derm to help clear blackheads. My whole face has pretty much peeled off but I am not going to give up on this stuff, I was informed it may take around 3 months to see results--and I am impatient so we'll see how it goes. Tazorac has made my skin very sensitive and weak so it is all the more important for me not to pick because it is very easy to break skin. I am going to try and write in this journal everyday for 30 days to record my progress. I know that the only way to end this battle for good is to trust in the Lord to give me the strength to get through this. My many failed attempts were to blame for trying to get through this on my own. God will give the the strength I need to end my picking habits if I allow Him. So heres to new beginnings and trusting in the Lord for our many short comings. Starting now at 11:36pm I will not pick my face. I will wash with Cetaphil at morning and night. I will not use tweezers, nail clippers, finger nails, towels, or any devices to pick at my skin. I will wash my face, put on makeup and walk away from the mirror with out examining. If i have urges I will pray for strength. Here we go-

30 day Challenge - No Face Picking

Today is going to start day #1 of a 30 day challenge to no skin picking. For 8 years I have suffered from a disorder known as self injurious skin picking. I found out that I am not the only person suffering from this disorder when i visited the website www.selfinjuriousskinpicking.com.I decided to post a log here to see if there was anyone from acne.org that has skin picking issues. I began skin picking when i started getting break outs the summer before my sophmore year of high school in 2000. I would pick at my pimples and cause them to scab and then scar. I have suffered with this for 8 years and made my skin much worse than it actually is. I dont really have acne anymore, just an occasional pimple and some blackheads. but i pick at anything i can on my face making scabs everywhere. There are times that i get to busy and dont pick and my skin will clear up, but that doesnt last long i always find a way to pick again. I have tried everything and I am determined that i can fight this disorder. I am going to keep a log of my progress each day for 30 days and try the very hardest possible to keep my hands off my face. here is my plan-

1. In the am I will touch my face only to apply makeup after my shower
2. throughout the day i can only touch my face to reapply makeup
3. in the pm i will wash face with cetaphil cleanser and apply BP to any active spots/ I cannot pick at any active acne or blackheads.
4. I will log my progress each day

So heres to ending this battle and having the good skin that is underneath this crazy disorder.