My Taz, Finacea and Doxy Log

Hi, I am back, and I am a 38 yr old mom of 3 who has struggled with acne since my early 20's.

I have been away for the org for a bit because I got my acne under "control" and have dealt with Peri-oral dermatitis for 2 years and thought I got that down to a science for me.

Unfortunately, I have had a few months of flare-ups of non-inflamed acne and the pod and finally my primary care doc sent me to a derm.

Boy, my first time in all my years to an actual derm, thought it would be some great experience, but it wasn't. She looked at me for 2 seconds...literally, ok maybe 5 and handed me Tazorac.1% and Finacea samples and scripts for both with one for solodyn - which is mino I guess, but I am not going to fill unless I have to.

What was amazing to me is that she didn't explain anything to me, like what Taz is going to do to my skin, the ib that is possible and how little you should use. Finacea also will have some effects on my skin from reading on hear for the past 2 years and what kind of cleanser to use, etc...etc... it scares me and saddens me to think that there are so many people out there, young and old that go to a derm and have this experience and may give up because they don't have someone to sit down and talk to them to ask questions...why is this happening, is it hormones, food, stress,.... how yo use these meds, what to expect, how long it will take, and all the others questions that my primary care does with me. I truly respect that and wish all docs were that way. It again made it crystal clear to me that your health and your body is in your control only, and you can't leave it in the hands of others to decide it's fate....

Ok - off my soapbox...

I have been on doxy for 2 weeks and it has started to clear up the stuff along my jawline, the pod and the some issues going on near my temples. I currently have been using:
- nucelle 10% am with 2% SA after
- Green Cream 9 in the pm
- eye cream
- washing with 10% bp wash am & philosophys cleanser in the pm
- aha as a moisturizer

Now - as of Friday using
- finacea in the am
- Tazorac every other night(going to use every night after applying cerave)
- gentle cleanser
- aha on off nights, to deal with the peeling if any...

Current status,
skin clearing up, oily a bit and redness and discoloration. Many under the skin bumps...small and non-inflamed, mostly on my chin, up along my jawline to the temples.

The reason to keep this log is to see my personal progress, and watch how it changes during the pms time. Since I am getting older, my wickeness 4 days before until I start is awful. I feel sorry for my poor kids and husband... my PCP gave me YAZ to try, but I am scared to start hormones yet and glad to take suggestions or comments from those my age starting to see major changes in that area!

Ok - here I go...t

Mimi's Diva Dryer or Salux Japanese Washclothes for exfoliation?

http://www.amazon.com/Salux-Nylon-Japanese...h/dp/B000EZS3O6

http://www.amazon.com/Mimis-Diva-Dryer-by-...4337&sr=1-5

Has anyone tried either of these products? I looked up the Salux Japanese washclothes because I saw it in a magazine that some star uses it every day - it is great for exfoliating so they say.

I just saw the mim's dryer mitt in the store and bought it yesterday and was really impressed on how it exfoliated my face. It is much different than the baby brush, and it is a different feeling than a normal washcloth. I saw the best results just using water and not cleanser and water.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!