106 replies to this topic

[thorn]

Well, I just received Dan's BP and wash in the mail today and plan on trying it out starting tonight. Anyone have any tips!?

Wish me luck!

[thorn]

Day 1
Well I started the regimen today, I hope clear skin is on its way!! I used Dan's cleanser which I thought lathered quite nicely. I washed for approx. 15 seconds, which I think may have been a little too long, as I felt myself being more dry than usual after washing. I waited the 15 minutes and then put on Dan's BP. For BP, this is very good quality. I especially like the gel format and not the white cream crap everyone else sells. I tried to spread it evenly as gently as I could to my entire face and neck, only using about 1/3 of a finger. The funny thing is that I actually felt like it was a lot of BP haha. I can't even imagine what it will feel like when I get up to a full finger. I waited another 15 minutes and applied Cetaphil moisturizing lotion. I did apply sparingly as I do not want the bp to irritate my skin too much.

Some thoughts:
After applying the BP, I did notice a slight tingling / burning sensation. It has been a while since I have used a BP product so it will take some getting used to. I jsut hope that it does not get too bad to where it is untolerable. I had to stop using a Rx cream called Benzaclin a few months back because I felt like all it did was dry me out and make me burn like hell.
While I was applying the cetaphil lotion, it felt like my face was still "tacky". I waited 15 minutes but it was almost as if the BP was not completely absorbed or soaked in yet. Tomorrow night I will try to rub the BP in for a longer period of time and then wait an extra couple minutes for it to dry completely.

Well, 1 day down and I sense a lot more to go! Wish me luck!

[femme25]

::::sending good luck/healthy vibes your way::::



I think you'll be pleased with the results

[thorn]

::::sending good luck/healthy vibes your way::::



I think you'll be pleased with the results

Aww, thx jdub. I appreciate your "healthy vibes" If this doesn't work I don't know where I may end up. My biggest fear right now is that it will just become worse than what it is at now. I don't mean within the first 2 weeks but in the long run. But hey.... that's not going to happen.. right?!?!?!

[femme25]

^ no, thorn I dont see how it will get worse. BP is AWESOME at treating inflamed acne which youve said is what you have. I think with patience and persistence this will be your end-all, be-all of acne treatments

[femme25]

and PS - I used to have cystic, inflamed acne like no one's business...its gone down 98% because of BP

[thorn]

God jdub, I am starting to love you more and more every day. Haha

<3

[femme25]

God jdub, I am starting to love you more and more every day. Haha

<3

[Brandy]

how's day 2, thorn?

[thorn]

Day 2
Well, I woke up this morning to see mild flakiness, which worries me since it is only after 1 treatment! My skin has been on so many different products over the last few years, and after accutane it seems it is always just dry, dry, dry. I am hoping that by gradually increasing the amount of BP, my skin will ease into it and at least be able to take on a full finger without much irritation after a while.

I washed again tonight with Dan's cleanser and waited 15 minutes, applied Dan's BP, and waited about 20 minutes this time, and then applied Cetaphil moisturizer. Still noticed the stinging sensation and redness but it is not overly concerning. Also, rubbing in the BP took me less than like 2 minutes, easy.... I am hoping that it is only because of the small amount (one knuckle length) that I am using. I was not rushing it or anything but it seemed like my skin was actually DRY while I was rubbing it in. Last night, however, it still had a tacky feel to it when I was done, and even when I went back to moisturize, granted I did use a tad bit more BP last night. Maybe last night's BP just really dried my skin out leading into today? No idea...

What do you guys think about me adding in Jojoba oil for all the dryness? Should I wait a bit and see how this goes so I don't have too many variables? Or should I just jump in, buy some, and start using it? Any advice would be appreciated! Thx guys!

As a final comment, You know... as I was in the bathroom.... I couldnt help but start thinking. Maybe this regimen will work wonders for me and finally give me the relief that I have been searching for these past 8 years. But on the other hand, maybe it won't. Maybe this will not improve my skin at all. But you know what, just having this website and these forums keeps me hanging on to some sort of hope... And that its not just me out there with this "problem". Screw that.... this DISEASE. Just makes me feel a little better that hey, people do care and all you can do is try to get it better. All you can do is try....

[thorn]

Day 3
More of the same after today. The flakiness and peeling is a little more today than it was the past two days. However, the majority of the stinging is gone. I can still feel a slight tingle but that is it. I have not bumped up the amount of BP I am applying yet, still only 1 knuckle's worth, so about 1/3 of my finger. I managed to rub it around a little more tonight, although I am stil finding it rather difficult to rub in for a long period of time, as it feels like the BP is already absorbed after a while and I am just rubbing over dry skin which serves no real purpose. I imagine that once I get up to a full finger's amount it will hopefully take a little longer to rub in. Other than that not much else to report... The BP seems to be drying up some of the active acne, now I just have to wait and see if anything new pops up, and to what degree it arises. More to come!!

Also- I have still not started to apply the BP in the morning as I feel it is too soon for that. I have just been doing a 10 second wash with Dan's cleanser, waiting 15 minutes and then applying Neutrogena Oil Free Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.

[gerik]

Hey Thorn- keep it up. We are almost at the same page with you of starting this miracle cure. I'm only 3 weeks is in it. What is your acne looks like today?
Also, about JOJOBA. I read sooo much about it as well as tea tree oil, and the bes use of it seems to be applying 1 drop of tea tree oil +1-2 drops of jojoba to lotion (i.e. cetaphil) and rub it in small area (like forehead or left or cheek or neck). Anyways I use it on my body and it looks fantastic. MY ASS is so BABY looking (before it had pimples) as well as the back.... So, It might will do a trick with the face. So far, it works magic with dryness on my face-and these 3 weeks were hell of dryness due to jumpstart on BP.Now I use about 2/3 of a finger.

[thorn]

Hey Thorn- keep it up. We are almost at the same page with you of starting this miracle cure. I'm only 3 weeks is in it. What is your acne looks like today?
Also, about JOJOBA. I read sooo much about it as well as tea tree oil, and the bes use of it seems to be applying 1 drop of tea tree oil +1-2 drops of jojoba to lotion (i.e. cetaphil) and rub it in small area (like forehead or left or cheek or neck). Anyways I use it on my body and it looks fantastic. MY ASS is so BABY looking (before it had pimples) as well as the back.... So, It might will do a trick with the face. So far, it works magic with dryness on my face-and these 3 weeks were hell of dryness due to jumpstart on BP.Now I use about 2/3 of a finger.

Hey gerik.. thanks for the reply man. My acne does not look too bad, I dont have many new pimples (don't be fooled, I still have left over acne). Anyways, thx for the advice on the jojoba, do you know where I can get some of this? And is there a specific kind I need? Thanks!

[femme25]

Anyways, thx for the advice on the jojoba, do you know where I can get some of this? And is there a specific kind I need? Thanks!

Do you have a trader joes or another similar health food store that sells organic stuff? Sometimes even GNC has it, but Desert Essence is the brand everyone on here buys. It's organic and doesnt clog pores or cause breakouts...nice stuff. Its about $7-8 a pop. Cheap in comparison to some of the moisturizers out there.

[thorn]

Thanks jdub, I wil definitely check around my local stores and see who has it

Day 4
Not the best day on the regimen... I woke up with a small whitehead just above my upper lip, and a tender pimple that is rather red right at my forehead hairline. I also got a few deep pimples that flared up around each lower ear / jawline. I am hoping that it is just my skin getting purged by Benzoyl Peroxide, but lets be honest, even if I had not started the regimen 4 days ago, these pimples were still going to surface regardless, since they start forming a week or two in advance to them showing their ugly heads. (Before I started the regimen, my break out "schedule" was very weird. I would go a few days looking decent to all the sudden a huge flare up on my neck and lower jawline area. Then those would calm down again for like 4-5 days, and then bam another flareup. Looking back over the past few months, I cant even count how many times this happened. Anyone have any opinions on this?) So, I am trying to not get too down about this new fleet of pimples, as I feel they were inevitable. One thing that does bother me though, however, is that my upper back has started breaking out quite a bit more the past few days (I have been applying BP there also). They are just very red and inflamed. I am not trying to say I had no acne there before 4 days ago, but it just seemed as it was to a lesser extent. Once again, I am hoping that over the next few weeks things will start to calm down.

On that same note, REALISTICALLY, how long do you guys think a person should wait to see results before deciding the regimen may not be for them? I know you can sit here all day and tell someone that the regimen may take "months" to work and to just be patient, but come on. If someone is just getting worse and worse by the day, when do you think it is appropriate to call it quits? I dont plan on doing this, but you never know what will work for a particular person (even myself).

I keep telling myself: This WILL work!

[gerik]

Man, I feel you on that. I keep saying myself DKR will work constantly - THIS IS WHAT ALL OF US SHOULD SAY TO OURSELVES. Cause if we won't believe in success-who will? It's just like everywhere in life.
For the DKR effects - personally, I'll stick with it for 3-4 months (today I'm starting week 4). For me, first 3 weeks were hell, but last couple of days- its UP and DOWN. So I think it's starting to work.
I know how desperate we are to find a cure, but so far I think this is the simplest and most effective way. We just need to have a patience.
Expect a lot of dryness-moisturize.
For your back I REALLy suggest you mix lotion-jojoba-tea tree oil. Worked magic for me(hopefully for you too).
Keep it up bro! You've got a family here!Peace!

[femme25]

Thorn,

Because this regimen is similar to proactiv (in the way that they both use 2.5% bp) it took my skin about a month to calm down and start healing up. My gut instinct is to suggest maybe these flare ups you are seeing are Initial Breakouts or purges. Your skin will shove out all the bad stuff as its healing - mine did that too. Its annoying to say the least - but I would give the whole shebang about 30 days at the least to start determining whether or not it'll yield results for you. I'm sure you've heard lots of claims for miracle cures but you know they dont work or there would be no reason for a market of acne products. I truly believe this regimen works, its just a matter of being diligent, loyal to the products suggested, and of course patient. The latter is the by far the hardest part - but think about it - everything that is worth it takes time to do. Even building stuff takes some frustration...Blood sweat & tears.

I really wish I had some before pics to show you - or anyone for that matter - of how bad my skin used to be. I mean REALLY bad - IN FACT! Get this! Two years ago I had a cyst on my cheek that was so incredibly bad, so HUGE and deeply rooted, that it actually altered my smile. Forever changed how my smile looks. I am not kidding, there was a bump so deep that it took antibiotics to kill it and when it finally was gone it left me with what looks like a dimple. I guess the outcome could be worse, sure - but this is just an example. Let me see if I can find a pic that illustrates that stupid "dimple" I have now, because it should give you some sort of point of reference to see what I mean...At that time I was in a photoshop class which worked out nicely because I learned how to effectively edit out my blemishes...but anyway: aww I just found a pic of my old car *sniff* I miss her. Ok...son of a...they must be on my other computer...crap...ok well I'll look when I get home sometime this weekend just so you can see.

I am the worlds biggest skeptic when it comes to acne meds because I've suffered thru so much trauma on my face that pretty much everything makes me run away screaming in the other direction. The dermatologist (I think I butchered the spelling of that but whatev) is on my shit list, I'll tell you that much. Anyway, point is - when things start to get tough try to remind yourself that the payoff will make it all worth while. If anything, just look at these boards - it will at LEAST clear it up some. Maybe not 100%, everyone is different. But I think you are right about those bastard pimps <--hahaha! anyway...pimples showing up are ones that have been in-the-works for a couple weeks...

And yes: gerik is right. You have a support system here and we care! I care!

[thorn]

Gerik and jdub, you guys have no idea how happy I was to read both of your comments! I am the same way and I just hate getting my hopes up about a lot of things and am ALWAYS skeptical about any product I erver try, which includes the countless number of presription meds I have been on. Also, since coming to this website I have told myself I will never re-visit the Derm again for acne-related problems. I think its a joke TBH and all they do is prescribe 1 med after another, and then sometimes throw in a pill to take also. It is kinda ridiculous to me. Anyways.. thanks again guys!

Day 5
Well, today i noticed a little bit more redness on my face, not really sure why, however, as I haven't changed anything up since I have started the regimen. I am hoping it will calm down soon. I just had a huge Organic Chem Exam friday so I have been really stressed lately, I hope that doesnt complicate things!! Other than that, much of the same. Still have a few deep, painful pimples on each side of my neck and into my jawline. Also, had a small white head flareup on my front, high hairline. Can't wait for BP to zap these bastards!! I am going to Trader Joe's today to get some Jojoba Oil.... any particluar kind I should get? Also, when should I be bumping up to a half a finger a day instead of 1/3 finger?

TTYL!!

Note: I posted this on the morning of Day 6, as I had no time to do so last night

[jimithng23]

Gerik and jdub, you guys have no idea how happy I was to read both of your comments! I am the same way and I just hate getting my hopes up about a lot of things and am ALWAYS skeptical about any product I erver try, which includes the countless number of presription meds I have been on. Also, since coming to this website I have told myself I will never re-visit the Derm again for acne-related problems. I think its a joke TBH and all they do is prescribe 1 med after another, and then sometimes throw in a pill to take also. It is kinda ridiculous to me. Anyways.. thanks again guys!

Day 5
Well, today i noticed a little bit more redness on my face, not really sure why, however, as I haven't changed anything up since I have started the regimen. I am hoping it will calm down soon. I just had a huge Organic Chem Exam friday so I have been really stressed lately, I hope that doesnt complicate things!! Other than that, much of the same. Still have a few deep, painful pimples on each side of my neck and into my jawline. Also, had a small white head flareup on my front, high hairline. Can't wait for BP to zap these bastards!! I am going to Trader Joe's today to get some Jojoba Oil.... any particluar kind I should get? Also, when should I be bumping up to a half a finger a day instead of 1/3 finger?

TTYL!!

Note: I posted this on the morning of Day 6, as I had no time to do so last night

i moved up to just over a half finger yesterday, day 3...i burned more than usual and i noticed today that my chin area was a little more red than usual as a result. i would highly recommend using desitin, or some form of this topical cream to help the red spots. i have noticed a HUGE difference using that stuff. i have had blackheads and clogged pores on my nose and cheeks for as long as i can remember and after the first night i used this stuff, they were clear. amazing.

just my .02

your mileage may vary!

see ya...

jimi

[gerik]

Hey Thorn, you can buy Jojoba Oil in Trader Joe's from 'Desert Essense'-same with tea tree oil if you want. It's all cheap -under $5. For your BP increase to a 1/2 of a finger- it's up to you-I think it doesn't matter much for the first month how much you put BP on your face-it will be dry anyways. As for me, I'm about 1/2 to 2/3 of a finger in my week 4 - and my face is still flaky.