32 replies to this topic

[allasmomma]

Thank you LionQueen for the advice. You seem like a smart lady who knows her stuff!

Well, this is Day 2. I noticed last night I had developed a tiny, tiny, tiny little whitehead, which is weird. Usually they're big inflamed red dots that turn into whiteheads after a few days, so I didn't mind the little guy. Again there was some drama about the amount to apply (of Differin). I squeezed out somewhere between a pea and dime sized amount and then dotted it all around my face and rubbed it in which was a tip I read on this board somewhere. This morning my face felt fine. I did however develop a second tiny, tiny, tiny little white head.

The antibiotic I roll on my face stung a bit, but again an hour later my skin wasn't dry at all so I went without moisturizer.

I also started taking a fish oil caplet and primose oil caplet with every meal and I have been drinking grean tea in the morning.

For once I'm not totally depressed. Yesterday I thought to myself, after receiving some complaints from my boss about my work (which I believe are due to me being depressed)... I thought - I can either sit here in this rut and feel sorry for myself and sink further and further or I can suck it up and just be happy and not lose my job over it. So, that's what I'm doing.

[LionQueen]

Good for you.

BTW, fish oil helps to fight depression too. It's good stuff. And I would advise 2 capsules per meal (I was reading up a little bit on it in the D/H forum yesterday).

[allasmomma]

Good for you.

BTW, fish oil helps to fight depression too. It's good stuff. And I would advise 2 capsules per meal (I was reading up a little bit on it in the D/H forum yesterday).

How many MG? My capsules are 1200mg, I think those are very big.

[Pandora3co]

I've discovered through personal trial and error that the products we used as teens on our faces are probably not the products we should be using as adults. Our skin changes over time typically getting more dry as we get older.

Probably that soap you used as a teen maybe to harsh on your skin now.

I would seriously try the most gentle products you can find. I've had acne since I was 8 years old. The regimine i'm on now has made my face look the best it has in years. I'm not 100% clear but my acne went from looking just like your pictures to only a couple pimples here and there. My skin tone and texture is better now than it was 10 years ago.
I would strongly encourage you to try a very gentle regimin with maybe one chemical acne product only in it. DO NOT rub or scrub your face. The jojoba oil is great. I've found that an ACV solution is the best and least irritating exfolator i've come across (thank you Acne.org!) There are threads on it but you can try a mix of 25% Apple Cider Vinegar 25% Lemon Juice and 50% water - it makes a great toner/exfoliator.... and will do wonders for your skin tone.... I swear by it. The smell isn't the best but the results make it worth it for me.

Good luck !

[allasmomma]

I've discovered through personal trial and error that the products we used as teens on our faces are probably not the products we should be using as adults. Our skin changes over time typically getting more dry as we get older.

Probably that soap you used as a teen maybe to harsh on your skin now.

I would seriously try the most gentle products you can find. I've had acne since I was 8 years old. The regimine i'm on now has made my face look the best it has in years. I'm not 100% clear but my acne went from looking just like your pictures to only a couple pimples here and there. My skin tone and texture is better now than it was 10 years ago.
I would strongly encourage you to try a very gentle regimin with maybe one chemical acne product only in it. DO NOT rub or scrub your face. The jojoba oil is great. I've found that an ACV solution is the best and least irritating exfolator i've come across (thank you Acne.org!) There are threads on it but you can try a mix of 25% Apple Cider Vinegar 25% Lemon Juice and 50% water - it makes a great toner/exfoliator.... and will do wonders for your skin tone.... I swear by it. The smell isn't the best but the results make it worth it for me.

Good luck !

You know, that is a very good point about the soap I used as a teen. I was getting so frustrated with it, because it had worked so well six years ago. My boyfriend's right though, too. I didn't have major breakout problems until two-three years ago anyway. I have been using that 10% soap on my back after I rinse out my conditioner and it works great there to dry up that hair residue.

Right now I'm doing strictly what the doctor told me to do for 8 weeks. Improvement is VERY slow if at all at this point. Today is day 5... 2 days from my week 1 picture! Ick, I'm not sure if I wanna do that. But I MUST, for the sake of science.

My doctor's regimen has been going fine. My face isn't dry at all, or oily that much. It seems like my pimples are healing and though a few have sprouted I've been zapping them with my Zeno and 99% of them are retreating. The one on my chin resisted, but it is also healing now.

I've been trying SO hard not to touch my face. When I have an itch I'll grab a clean towel to scratch it with or if I'm at work a kleenex. I used to touch my face ALL the time up until a couple weeks ago and now I do not touch at all, unless I scratch an itch and right after I make contact I'm like CRAP!

I've been changing the pillow cases every single night. I've been taking 3600mg of fish oil a day (spread out, not all at the same time) as well primose oil, zinc, a multi-vitamin and calcium supplements since I've cut WAY back on the dairy. I have also been applying make up at the bare minimum. I dot on mineral concealer on the red dots I can't tolerate having red all day and then of course mascara and eyeliner and a quick stroke of blush to give me some color.

My hair dresser was telling me (as I had her chop off my hair and give me bangs to hide my forehead) that her sister has been breaking out since she got pregnant (which is what happened to me). She said she's been doing facials like once a week or two weeks I can't remember and it has really helped her. Has anyone reading this tried facials? Did it help? I just don't know if I want to risk breaking out...

[allasmomma]

QUESTION:

I want to incorporate my 2% beta hydroxy acid (paulas choice) into my regimen. This is what I do right now:

Morning:
Cleanse w/ Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Cleanser
wait 20-30 minutes and then apply my RX antibiotic (cly-something. It's liquid and you roll it onto your face)
Apply squalane with a cu-tip to dry spots only

Evening:
Cleanse w/ Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Cleanser
Apply pea-to-dime-sized amount of Differin to entire face
wait 1 hour and go to bed

I want to know when I should use the BHA. In the morning after my antibiotic? Or at night before the Differin?

[LionQueen]

I would use it at night before the Differin. Try to wait 30 minutes between the two if you can.

[allasmomma]

I took LionQueen's advice and applied my BHA last night 30 minutes before the Differin. It (BHA) stung a little when I first put it on, but that went away quickly. This morning when I woke my dry areas had more wide-spread flakes than usual. Instead of dabbing squalane I used some Paula's Choice moisture gel.

I don't know what the heck is going on with the pimple on my chin. Every night it loses its whitehead and every morning it has grown it back... the same pimple! It has done this for three or four days now. I want to pop it sooo bad, but I am resisting.

Tomorrow is picture day... I'm so not ready!

[Nem13]

Hi

Glad to see you're using Differin. I've almost finished my 12th week on it and my improvements have been amazing! I'm also on Diane 35 and Doxycycline but once I added the Differin it made a huge difference The first six weeks weren't much fun but after that it all evens out and your skin starts to clear up. It doesnt really help with red marks though.

Good luck Hope you have a similar experience to me with Differin.

P.S - You're acne doesnt look bad to me

[allasmomma]

Hi

Glad to see you're using Differin. I've almost finished my 12th week on it and my improvements have been amazing! I'm also on Diane 35 and Doxycycline but once I added the Differin it made a huge difference The first six weeks weren't much fun but after that it all evens out and your skin starts to clear up. It doesnt really help with red marks though.

Good luck Hope you have a similar experience to me with Differin.

P.S - You're acne doesnt look bad to me

Thanks! I hope I do, too. I know it is going to be a long road ahead...

Here is the pic I promised. This is actually Friday which would be Day 3. I'm having problems with getting my pics up, but I will asap, I swear!

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[allasmomma]

Okay, here's today. Day 8. Please never speak to anyone of this horrible, horrible picture of me.

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[MasterThief]

I think your face has improved significantly. It also looks vibrant and healthy.

[allasmomma]

Thank you Master Thief for the compliment many moons ago.

I'm posting this new post to let everyone know that I'm finally clear, except for ONE zit that popped up during my period last week.

How did I do it?

The doc put me on differin and a topical antibiotic. After two months I'd improved significantly, but was still unhappy. The doc then added an oral antibiotic and one month later I am clear.

I used to put so much crap on my face and now the answer is so simple. This is what I do:

Morning: Wash with Paula's Choice Recovery Cleanser
20 minutes later apply topical antibiotic

Lunch time: Take my oral antibiotic

Night time: Wash with Paula's Choice Recovery Cleanser
Apply thin layer of Differin
Wait 1 hour before going to bed

That's it. I am also on birth control which has helped me a lot. I used to be really tired and depressed and now I'm happy. I wish the same luck for everyone here! The key to it is finding YOUR own answer! Doctors know more than us silly people.

Take Care Everyone!

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