10 replies to this topic

[Big E]

Hi everyone,
I found this site around 6 months ago while searching the internet for a "magical product" to cure my acne. I've been reading all the logs, especially tinmans, Dami4ns and Tinas for a long time getting tips and very good information on the CSR and their experiences with it. I thought it was about time that I contributed to the message board and let people know about my experience with acne and the CSR.
I started about the regime 6 weeks ago after having moderate acne specifically around my mouth and on my jawline for about a year. Of course my acne has had ups and downs, however I have never had anyone to talk to about it.
There were stages were I would not go out of the house, and would stay in my bedroom just sitting there for hours hoping my parents would not come in to see my acne. I used to loath going into school because of the intensity of the lighting which we all know makes acne look 10 times worse. I always used to pray that it were an cloudy day so I could hide in the shadows. Around my girlfriend I would always be in a room with little lighting and hardly ever look her in the eyes. I tried all types of cleansers and soaps to try and rid me to acne, but like everyone else they did not work. I then spent hours looking for foods which could be triggering acne or help to reduce it. I tried green tea, apples, brazil nuts, avoided dairy products, yet none seemed to make any difference.
I then found Oxy on the Spot 10% BP which I used without knowing its side effects. I had severe dry skin and my eyebrows were dyed a lovely shade of blonde (i'm a really dark haired bloke!)

So I started the CSR with a good moisturiser and so far the results have been steadily improving. I seem to have 3 days of no new spots but then the 4th day i'll have about 3 or 4 nasty whiteheads which really bring me down.

I've just got back from a week in Tenerife. Like usual over a sunny holiday and sea, my skin really cleared up. I got back and now for some reason I'm doing the same regime with the same amount of BP and moisturiser, yet my skin is flaky dry and i'm getting around 2 or 3 new spots a day!!!

Has anyone experienced this type of thing when they got back from holiday. Does anyone have any comments on my regime or any questions? I'd just like to know your input really.

Cheers guys

Dan - Thanks for such a great site and regime, your a top bloke!

Love Ian

Day 1
Woke up this moring with a small white head on my neck, and felt really greasy on my nose, but hopefully all will remain at bay there. I have a couple which came up last night on my cheeks. I put a good amount of BP on them so we'll see tonight whether there is any improvement.
If anyone else has acne on there top lip, you have got to agree that it is so painful, and they seem to take ages to go away. I have a couple which are slowely going but are very large.
I pray to the acne god that he clears me up!

[Brandy]

Hi Ian and welcome!
You asked specifically about the dryness and flaking. I can see in your signature you have a face scrub listed which is a big no-no on the CSR.
We stress being GENTLE. Scrubs will NOT help your acne. They WILL however, aggravate it. Please lose the scrub.

You also have an antibacterial face wash listed. That means it is medicated with something. We recommend you use a nonmedicated gentle cleanser.
The bp from the CSR is usually enough to clear up mild to moderate acne without additional medications and stuff.
Using other medications, especially in the beginning of the CSR, can confuse your results and lead to extra dryness and irritation.

Also, Panoxyl is pretty well known for being more drying than other bp formulations. And couple with that the fact that it is 5% and that pretty much guarantees you will have more dryness.

So, for now, find a gentle unmedicated cleanser.
See if you can locate a bp other than Panoxyl, and do consider ordering the CSR gel, it is mild and much better tolerated than Panoxyl.

Good news though, your moisturizer is fine! lol.

I think if you will eliminate the scrub, and get a new cleanser, that will help alot. And if you can get a gentler bp that would help alot too!
Good luck and don't hesitate to holler if you need more help!

[No I'm Amy]

Good luck. Please eliminate the scrub. It's not gentle enough...

[Big E]

Hey guys.
Thanks very much.

I have now ditched the scrub and i'm now looking for a new cleanser. Any suggestions?

Only two new ones appeared over night which is not bad. Always in the same place.

[Brandy]

I think in the UK you have Pears soap and Simple brand cleanser/soap?? Others have used those succesfully with the Regimen.

Basically you just want a cleanser that is gentle (no scrubby beads..) unmedicated (no SA or other 'active ingredients'), and oil-free.
You may have to read a few lables to find one that looks good. But something that is marketed as "gentle" or "for sensitive skin" might be good.

p.s. I think also some of our UKers use Biore Shine control cleanser.

[tinman]

Good luck, mate, soon as you've sorted out your cleanser (and a better BP product, *cough*Dan's*cough*) you'll be well on your way to sorting out your skin. Three months is an awful long time to wait (I'm not there yet myself, and I feel like a veteran here), but please stick with it, and look forward to a life of clear skin and the greater confidence and happiness that goes with it.

[Big E]

Thanks Brandy. Yes there is a brand called Simple which i've heard is very mild. I might give that a try. And don't worry tinman, i've just ordered a big tube of Dans CSR gel. Gonne take 7 days to get here though!! and i'm running out of my other one fast.
Expensive buisness this clear skin lark isn't it. But to be honest I would prefer to have clear skin that to be a millionaire.

Skin update: No new spots today. Found one nasty one last night on chin which I couldn't see but could just feel hurting when I ran my tougne under it. Blasted him with BP, gone down a little is morn, nothing to worry about. (I hope)

Hope everyones all good.

[tinman]

Wow, it's been nearly a month since your last post, so how's your skin doing, m8? Or is the answer to be found in other people's logs? I think I might take over your log in that case.

[Big E]

At tinmans request because I have taken over his log.

Wow hasn't the time gone quickly! On the skin side of things its been okish I'd just like to say that when you have a breakout when on the CSR it can be so upsetting, and you really feel like its not working.
They are the worst things, especailly when you start seeing an end to the nightmare, and then you are hit with a big old breakout. I had one last week which has just about finished now. I was really in a bad mood for a couple of days and didn't want to leave the house.....take me back to the time before CSR.

Currently I have 1 under the surface which is a medium size, a few scabs and loads of red marks. However day by day my skin is becoming less and less bumpy and smooth like it should be. I think the cooler period and rain we are having has helped because i'm not sweating just by walking down the street!

I'm pleased to say that now my neck is (touch wood) completely clear with a couple of red marks. I bought the new Braun cruzer3 shaver with the beard trimmer which I highly reccommend. I also think that having a well cept really small beard helps your confidence because it covers up the red marks and ultimately make you look half presentable...if you don't mind facial hair that is.

Tinman, I was out and about in your neck of the woods last night. Tried to get into Churchills, but the amount of people at the door! Damn students!! So we just did a pub crawl round Canterbury and found a really nice girl, so thats saying something for the confidence I have with clearer skin!

I hope my breakouts are now few and far between....we can only wait and see.
Ian

[tinman]

Yeah, breakouts under the CSR are the worst!

You'd only sweat when you went outside? In the recent weather, I was sweating just sitting down inside in the shade! This is where a portable a/c is so useful!

Good call on the beard trimmer. Glad that's boosted your confidence at least.

You found a really nice girl - in Canterbury?! No way! Was she on her way to catch a train home? Actually, I better not diss Canterbury lasses - don't know who might be reading this, he-he.

[tinman]

Hello?

...Anybody there?

...No?

I have now appropriated this log!



In this second log of mine I will be guessing via my world-famous psychic abilities just how Big E's skin is doing!

Today, I see the colour green! And the letter C has special significance for Big E today. Woooooo!