8 replies to this topic

[tii]

Hi there. I'm abit confused at the moment about what to do with my skin...

My doctor gave me Diffn cream around 2-3 months ago, just said to apply it and that was about it. I have no idea, how much to use, how long to use it for, when to use it etc. He basically just prescribed it to me and sent me on my way.

I also have doxycycline, have been on minotabs(minocycline?) before (these worked in the past from what I remember but my last cycle didn't have as great a result)

So I'm basically sitting here getting fucked off because my skin has got worse over the last week, I don't have any crests just little inflamed ones, a stack of red marks.

I have these sitting in front of me:

st Ives facial scrub,
doxy pills
differn cream,
cetaphil cleanser for oily skin ( I think i have oily)
5% BP cream
10% BP cream (these are both quite thick)

From what I have read I can use BP and Differn together?
Do i need a moisturizer? (My skin hardly peels, although it did after a big night on the town last weekend?)


I basically just wanna no what to do aye I'm just so fed up with having bullshit skin... I know that training at the gym with heavy weights and eating a lot of protein can't be the best for my skin but if its effecting my self-confidence dramatically I should try and sort it out. Maybe I'm over reacting for but 3 years I've been on pills, creams and I'm just getting frustrated.

Heres some photos of it and a poser one make me feel a lil better heh

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[ashaaley]

Hi, im on differin so i can tell you what my derm said. use only a pea size amount over all your face and only use it at night. thats all you really need to know about that. i wash my face with bp in the morning and use differin at night. i dont know what those pills you said are but if you want to avoid an initial breakout, being on an antibiotic helps. i know minocyclin is an antibiotic but i dont know if doxy is. i typically had really oily skin but i needed to use a moisturizer because differin dried out my skin. also, i would only use st ives scrub like once a week. its very harsh and can do more damage than good if it is overused. hope this helps!

[Soapybubbles]

Doxy is an antibiotic. Usually people are prescribed to take it twice daily. Most antibiotics say that you're supposed to take it on an empty stomach, but if it bothers your stomach too much, then take it with a meal. However for maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to take doxy no less than two hours before or after eating food.

Also, I heard that st. ives facial scrub is too hard for people on retinoids (like differin). I would recommend not using the scrub and all and just trying to get dry skin off while you are washing your face with the cetaphil wash by gentle rubbing the areas with dryness. Usually the dry skin will just ball off. If you are still having problems with dry skin, be sure to use a non-comedogenic (does not clog pores) moisturizer. I use cetaphil lotion, and it is really thick, but it's the only thing that keep my skin moist.

It is also imperative that you use a sunscreen during the day. I always put olay moisturizer for sensitive skin spf 15 on over the cetaphil lotion in the morning. This is also non-comedogenic.

If your skin continues to peel, every other day just gently rub your skin with a tooth brush with extra soft bristles (it should say on the box if the bristles are hard or not. I would use a child's toothbrush) while you are washing with your cetaphil cleanser.

Yes, use a pea size of the differin every night, not in the morning. Moisturize if you need to. Conversely, you will be using the BP only in the morning, not a night. Don't rub the BP in, it will only irritate your skin. Just put a thin layer on and let it dry. Then moisturize and apply sunscreen. Personally, i would not use the 10% BP while on differin. Differin thins the skin and it might irritate it. My doctor prescribed me 5% BP and that's what I use. If you feel your skin does not react to the 5% after a couple of weeks of use, then I guess it would be safe to use the 10%. But I would give it a good three weeks before I moved up.

your skin is likely to get worse for awhile (during week 3-6) b/c that what differin and other retinoids do. Right now I am in the middle of my initial breakout on retin-a (another retinoid like differin), and I just got prescribed some oral antibiotics to help. However, with time, your acne should clear up.

Good Luck!

[hollydeena]

my doctor prescribed me both the doxycycline and the differen too like a year ago. the differin really did nothing for me but the doryx on the other hand did wonders. but when i came off it it all came back 10 x worse. it's not a good long term thing. i would see a dermatologist if i were you then they could give you some accutane or something worthwhile.

[tii]

yeah it just kinda seems like all the things I'm on are quick fix solutions...

I mean even though differn is a retinoid, once I stop using it I will get breakouts again right?

grrrr

[Yvette2]

Hi -

Your acne doesn't look too bad to me. Kinda mild - moderate at most.

Differin or other retinoids are often prescribed for acne. It may take a few months to see results, as they often purge the skin. A gentle cleanser is good for day/night. Another topical you could inquire about for day time use is Finacea. It helps lighten/fade marks and helps with acne. And then use the retinoid nightly or every other night. Another thing, do you take probiotics? These are very helpful in keeping "good" bacteria in your body and can help with digestion (whether constipation, diarrhea, yeast issues, etc.) that can cause acne and skin issues. I recently bought Dr. Ohhira's probiotic (pricey at $30.00 for 30 pills) but in two weeks my skin is clearer - no lie. And I was on Accutane last year too. My mild acne came back recently. Anyway, you can google it on the internet. It's an award winning formula, and it does say it can help skin issues, like acne and eczema. Also, low dose antibiotics can be good for longer term, have you heard of Solodyn or Oracea? The come in as small as 40mg (the lower the better for your body) and often can be taken long term with little or no side effects.

Good luck.

Yvette

[tii]

hate this shit ay,

I dropped off the differn last few days because my skin has been getting worse since i first posted. I have exams on at the moment, which apparently can lead to an increase in cortzol or whatever which causes more oiling.... but it felt like maybe everything was to much for my skin?

I feel my forehead and nose and it feels perfect... I feel my problem areas and they feel like, less smooth probably oily.. like its not so easy to glide my fingers over them.

basically now I'm just gonna apply differn to one side of my face and see what happens.

I've been putting lemon juice on at night, apple cider in morning, trying not to touch or aggravate skin so much.

Gonna go to the doctor on wednesday and force him to give me Fincea(sp?) cos it sounds perfect for my kind of 'bleeding acne'

Been eating heaps of carrots, spinich, vit C, cucumber cutting down on processed, no protein powder.... blargh..

oh yeah and the mark on my neck isn't acne related

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[tii]

actually fuck it.

after my ball on Saturday I'm just go on the differn and give it another month.. if this is the intial breakout (super delayed anal initial breakout) then I'm gonna ride it out and see if the grass is greener after giving it another month.



Oh yeah and its kinda lame you can't upload more than a 1000k per thread..

[tryingtothinkpositive]

how are you getting on with the differn? did you stick it out? I am in week 7 of differin, and still purging!