3 replies to this topic

[Naga]

Hi everyone! First post, so if I make a mistake, please let me know.

I am almost 18 years old, and I've been using Tazorac .05% gel and (I think it is) 1% Clindamycin for the past 3 or 4 months. I've definitely noticed an improvement, but I still regularly get 1 or 2 painful pimples, and I still have some residual acne (my cheeks also have reddish blotches, if that means anything,) particularly blackheads on the nose and, to a much lesser extent, the chin and cheeks.

I'm supposed to apply the Tazorac every night, and the Clindamycin every morning. I wash my face 3 times a day: once right before applying the Clindamycin, once when I get home from school, and at once at night, right before I apply the Tazorac.

How much longer until the residual acne and blotches start to disappear? I'm also adjusting my diet to reduce sugar and caffeine intake, in case that might help.

Advice? Comments? Please, anything is welcome.

[AsiaXiah]

If by "red blotches" you're talking about acne scars, those take an extremely long time to fade (that is, if they do ever fade with just Tazorac).

If they're pit scars that are red/pinkish, then eventual use of Tazorac (over a period of around 2 ~ 3 months) will get you perhaps really unnoticeable improvements (because the faster shedding of your skin does bring up new layers of fresh skin), but I had used Tazorac for nearly one year and still had my reddish marks.

If you're really concerned about those red marks (if they're scars), you should try Fraxel Laser treatment (one of its primary purposes is to deal with acne scarring).

Good luck!

[Midnite8]

You shouldnt wash 3x a day, irritates your skin. Make it 2x.

[Addie]

I still haven't cleared on close to your meds with the addition of bp 5% and 100 mg minocycline. However, AHAs (for me, Aqua Glycolic cleanser and Lac-Hydrin Five lotion) have really helped fade red marks and heal acne more quickly.

When I washed 3 times per day, my face got irritated more easily leading to more redness, itchiness, and burning, but I think it actually helped with the acne. I have extremely oily, yet sensitive, skin and now I only wash 2 times per day.

I did it for other reasons, but I have observed my acne for months at a time on 4 cups of coffee a day, 8 cups of coffee a day, 0 cups of coffee a day, and 2 cups of coffee a day. It didn't seem to make a difference. That's me, though; lots of people on here report improvements with cutting out caffeine. IMO, if you're heading off to college and/or the "real world" fairly soon, caffeine might be a handy option to have around, though . . .