52 replies to this topic

[Kramerica]

I had my first consult/treatment with FRSCC last Thursday. I live on the East Coast but was in CA for a business/pleasure trip with my husband and decided to make an appointment for a consult with FRSCC and then continue as a long-distance client after reading great reviews on this site.

I was very nervous going in as I had never had a facial before, nevermind extractions, and am OCD about people touching my face. Laura is such a warm soul and soon put me at ease and I began to relax. She told me I had non-inflammed acne, congested, dry skin, and tested some products and my skin was not sensitive at all to the higher concentrations of glycolic. The extractions did hurt some, but were more of a pinching. I thought it would be a lot worse.

Laura did what felt like about two dozen extractions, a few of them being milia. Of course I freaked out when I looked in the mirror afterwards at how red my face was and bumpy where the extractions were, although I did expect it somewhat. Laura said it would probably take the rest of the day for the redness to go down, which after a few hours the bumpiness was much, much better.

We experimented after with their mineral makeup line. I liked their line very much. I thought it went on a little heavy, but it wore great the rest of the day. I'll probably end up purchasing!

So Laura wants to wean me off of the BP I have been using because of the dryness of my skin and put me on the following regimen for the next few weeks:

PM: (every other night)
wash with FR silica scrub
tone with FR salicylic toner
2.5 BP all over

PM: (every other night)
wash with FR silica scrub
tone with FR salicylic toner
apply Vivant Derm-A-Gel
wait 15 minutes
apply FR Hydrating Emulsion
apply FR Cranberry Cream

AM:
wash with FR silica scrub
tone with FR salicylic toner
Paula's Choice 2% liquid BHA (since I still have a bit leftover)
(spot treat BP if I wish)
apply FR Hydrating Emulsion
apply FR Micro-TZ SPF 17

Laura is planning on eventually replacing the BHA with a 5% glycolic and I'll also start using the Derm-A-Gel every night in a few weeks and no more BP.

I'm liking the regimen so far. The extraction sites are flat, but still a little red. I'm sure it will take a couple months for all the current non-imflammed sites to disappear, but the goal is to keep them from forming in the first place. I have a couple micro zits on my chin, but the good news is I have had zero flakies on my skin since starting, which is a feat in itself! I love love love the Hydrating Emulsion so much. It goes on completely matte and totally hydrates my skin. The jury is still out on the cranberry cream. I love the smell in the jar, but I think it's a little overpowering for me since I'm not much of a fragrance person. (I never use perfume and use fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner). I'll give the cranberry cream a few weeks and see if I get use to the smell; if not I'll see if I can take it out of my regimen.

I'll continue to post my progress with FRSCC.

[willow569]

Sounds like things went well with your appointment. Glad to hear that! The extractions were less of a big deal than you first thought, right? I love getting spots extracted - they heal so much faster than if I wait for them to go away on their own. I hope the rest of your visit went well. Did you enjoy Napa?

[Kramerica]

Absolutely loved Napa! Stayed in Yountville, such a cute little town. Visited Satui's Castle and did the tram up to Sterling as you suggested. Loved both, thanks for the tip! Also went to Monterey one day and did the 17-mile drive and walked around Pebble Beach, definitely the highlight of the trip for my husband since he's such an avid golfer!

[Kramerica]

Willow, how many pumps of the Derm-A-Gel do you use? I used the one pump, but it didn't seem like enough to cover my whole face. Is two pumps too much?

[willow569]

Willow, how many pumps of the Derm-A-Gel do you use? I used the one pump, but it didn't seem like enough to cover my whole face. Is two pumps too much?

I think 2 pumps should be fine. I generally use whatever it takes to lightly cover my whole face. If my skin is too dry, I will make a point of using a little less though.

BTW - I like how you described Laura as being a "warm soul" - perfect way of describing how she is with people!

[Kramerica]

Week 1 update...

I've been on the FR regimen for a full week now. Sad to say my right cheek is breaking out a bit. I've got two medium-sized pimples on my middle right cheek that came out Wed evening, just in time for Thanksgiving... They look like they'll be sticking around for a while, too.

I'm also still having a lot of congestion and non-inflammed acne on my inner right cheek nearer to my nose and also on my chin. The micro zits on my chin depleted back down to non-inflammed spots, but they're still there.

My forehead is completely clear, which is great. I have just a few non-inflammed spots on my left cheek, and the overall texture of my skin looks good. I've also experienced absolutely no dry, flakey skin on the new regimen.

[willow569]

Week 1 update...

I've been on the FR regimen for a full week now. Sad to say my right cheek is breaking out a bit. I've got two medium-sized pimples on my middle right cheek that came out Wed evening, just in time for Thanksgiving... They look like they'll be sticking around for a while, too.

I'm also still having a lot of congestion and non-inflammed acne on my inner right cheek nearer to my nose and also on my chin. The micro zits on my chin depleted back down to non-inflammed spots, but they're still there.

My forehead is completely clear, which is great. I have just a few non-inflammed spots on my left cheek, and the overall texture of my skin looks good. I've also experienced absolutely no dry, flakey skin on the new regimen.

Sounds like a typical place to be at week 1. It really takes a couple months before you start seeing major improvements. It sounds like you are tolerating the products well so far, which is great!

[The Great Reizo]

She has you mixing BP and SA? Am I the only one who's panicking for you at a distance?

[willow569]

She has you mixing BP and SA? Am I the only one who's panicking for you at a distance?

A lot of people use both - it works quite well as long as you get your skin gradually adapted to the products. I was using 10% BP, salicylic toner and 10% glycolic serum when I first started there. Only a little dryness and peeling - got me clear in 8 wks though!

[Kramerica]

She has you mixing BP and SA? Am I the only one who's panicking for you at a distance?

Why are you panicking, you think it would be too drying? I've experienced zero dryness issues thus far.

I think the salicylic toner only has a very small percentage of BHA and the 2% BHA liquid I'm using in the a.m., I'm only spot treating with 2.5 BP afterward.

[willow569]

She has you mixing BP and SA? Am I the only one who's panicking for you at a distance?

Why are you panicking, you think it would be too drying? I've experienced zero dryness issues thus far.

I think the salicylic toner only has a very small percentage of BHA and the 2% BHA liquid I'm using in the a.m., I'm only spot treating with 2.5 BP afterward.

Yeah, the toner is really mild. None of that sounds terribly drying to me. There is sort of a myth floating around on the boards that you absoultely cannot combine BP and SA. Not quite true though.

[Kramerica]

She has you mixing BP and SA? Am I the only one who's panicking for you at a distance?

Why are you panicking, you think it would be too drying? I've experienced zero dryness issues thus far.

I think the salicylic toner only has a very small percentage of BHA and the 2% BHA liquid I'm using in the a.m., I'm only spot treating with 2.5 BP afterward.

Yeah, the toner is really mild. None of that sounds terribly drying to me. There is sort of a myth floating around on the boards that you absoultely cannot combine BP and SA. Not quite true though.

I've been combining the two since around July when I started using Paula's Choice BHA once a day and have had no adverse reactions. Paula's website on battle plans for fighting blemishes actually suggests using both together day and night. I'm sure that would be too much for people with sensitive skin.

[Kramerica]

Day 11 update...

I'm a little over a week and a half into the new regimen. I still have the two beet red inflammed zits on my right cheek, and they still don't look like they're going away anytime soon. I hate, hate, hate cheek zits because they leave red marks for months after they're gone.

My forehead which had been clear since a day or two after starting the regimen now has a flat inflammed spot smack dab in the center of my forehead as well as a few non-inflammed spots.

I also have developed some small spots on both sides of my nose. My chin remains the same with the depleted micro zits and non-inflammed spots, but I have developed some new non-inflammed spots along my jawline on both sides.

Now the good news... My right inner cheek nearer to my nose which is usually very congested looks a lot better and I still have had zero dry, flakey skin and my skin remains totally hydrated. In fact, I seem much more oilier during the day than usual. Not sure if this is due to too much moisture? I'll have to ask FR when I check in in a few days.

[willow569]

Day 11 update...

I'm a little over a week and a half into the new regimen. I still have the two beet red inflammed zits on my right cheek, and they still don't look like they're going away anytime soon. I hate, hate, hate cheek zits because they leave red marks for months after they're gone.

My forehead which had been clear since a day or two after starting the regimen now has a flat inflammed spot smack dab in the center of my forehead as well as a few non-inflammed spots.

I also have developed some small spots on both sides of my nose. My chin remains the same with the depleted micro zits and non-inflammed spots, but I have developed some new non-inflammed spots along my jawline on both sides.

Now the good news... My right inner cheek nearer to my nose which is usually very congested looks a lot better and I still have had zero dry, flakey skin and my skin remains totally hydrated. In fact, I seem much more oilier during the day than usual. Not sure if this is due to too much moisture? I'll have to ask FR when I check in in a few days.

Sounds like all those spots are just coming to the surface (which is ultimately a good thing!)

Have you been icing the inflamed zits? It can help the redness and inflamation a lot. I have also had good luck with using Zeno on some inflamed zits. It doesn't work all the time, but often enough that I think it was worth purchasing.

[Kramerica]

Day 11 update...

I'm a little over a week and a half into the new regimen. I still have the two beet red inflammed zits on my right cheek, and they still don't look like they're going away anytime soon. I hate, hate, hate cheek zits because they leave red marks for months after they're gone.

My forehead which had been clear since a day or two after starting the regimen now has a flat inflammed spot smack dab in the center of my forehead as well as a few non-inflammed spots.

I also have developed some small spots on both sides of my nose. My chin remains the same with the depleted micro zits and non-inflammed spots, but I have developed some new non-inflammed spots along my jawline on both sides.

Now the good news... My right inner cheek nearer to my nose which is usually very congested looks a lot better and I still have had zero dry, flakey skin and my skin remains totally hydrated. In fact, I seem much more oilier during the day than usual. Not sure if this is due to too much moisture? I'll have to ask FR when I check in in a few days.

Sounds like all those spots are just coming to the surface (which is ultimately a good thing!)

Have you been icing the inflamed zits? It can help the redness and inflamation a lot. I have also had good luck with using Zeno on some inflamed zits. It doesn't work all the time, but often enough that I think it was worth purchasing.

I'll try the icing. Do you do that before or after toner? Just looked up the Zeno, $185, that's steep! Maybe Santa will bring me one...

[willow569]

Day 11 update...

I'm a little over a week and a half into the new regimen. I still have the two beet red inflammed zits on my right cheek, and they still don't look like they're going away anytime soon. I hate, hate, hate cheek zits because they leave red marks for months after they're gone.

My forehead which had been clear since a day or two after starting the regimen now has a flat inflammed spot smack dab in the center of my forehead as well as a few non-inflammed spots.

I also have developed some small spots on both sides of my nose. My chin remains the same with the depleted micro zits and non-inflammed spots, but I have developed some new non-inflammed spots along my jawline on both sides.

Now the good news... My right inner cheek nearer to my nose which is usually very congested looks a lot better and I still have had zero dry, flakey skin and my skin remains totally hydrated. In fact, I seem much more oilier during the day than usual. Not sure if this is due to too much moisture? I'll have to ask FR when I check in in a few days.

Sounds like all those spots are just coming to the surface (which is ultimately a good thing!)

Have you been icing the inflamed zits? It can help the redness and inflamation a lot. I have also had good luck with using Zeno on some inflamed zits. It doesn't work all the time, but often enough that I think it was worth purchasing.

I'll try the icing. Do you do that before or after toner? Just looked up the Zeno, $185, that's steep! Maybe Santa will bring me one...

Do it after you wash your face, before applying any products. I usually do it in the am and pm. Yeah, the Zeno is pricey, but it has saved me several times with getting rid of bigger, under the skin spots. There are different versions - the one that is $185 might be the Zeno Pro. The regular Zeno may be a little less expensive (but its still over $100).

[Kramerica]

Two week update...

I've been using the Face Reality products for two weeks now. Not much new to report since my last post. The two inflammed zits on my right cheek are still there with no sign of going away. I have been icing them daily to no avail.

My right inner cheek was looking better a few days ago, but the congested skin and small flesh colored bumps are back. I've also got about a half dozen new flesh colored bumps on my forehead now. My left cheek, jaw line and chin look the same with the same old non-inflammed spots.

I've seen no improvement thus far except the overall texture of my skin seems smoother. I've experienced absolutely no dryness whatsoever. In fact, I'm much more oiler than usual.

I'm still on the same routine as my first post. I will check in with the clinic by email today for my two-week update and see if any part of my routine will change.

[willow569]

I wouldn't really expect to see improvement in just 2 weeks (that's true of any regimen, really). So, don't feel discouraged! Remember that any acne you are getting right now started developing several weeks ago, so you really can't tell if a regimen is keeping you clear for at least 6-8 wks. I wasn't anywhere near clear at 2 weeks, so what you are experiencing is totally normal.

[Kramerica]

Thanks, Willow. By no means was I expecting any significant improvement so early. I know it's going to take a few months to see consistent results. I'm just happy I'm not experiencing any dryness!

[Kramerica]

So after checking in with Face Reality Clinic for my two-week update, my routine is going to change a bit. It is now as follows:

P.M.
wash with FR silica scrub
tone with FR salicylic toner
apply Vivant Derm-A-Gel
wait 15 minutes
apply FR Hydrating Emulsion
apply 2.5 BP

AM:
wash with FR silica scrub
tone with FR salicylic toner
Paula's Choice 2% liquid BHA (since I still have a bit leftover)
(spot treat BP if I wish)
(apply FR Hydrating Emulsion or Cranberry Cream if feeling dry)
apply FR Micro-TZ SPF 17

In a couple weeks I'll also be replacing the Paula's Choice BHA with FR's 5% glycolic serum.