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Gender: female
Age: 19
Current skin: mild comedone acne, redness
Previously: moderate (much more active acne- pimples, zits, whiteheads), worse red marks
Acne History
I started getting acne around 13 or 14. I picked more than I should've. DON'T. PICK. Just don't do it.
I tried several things over the years. Several.. stupid.. things.
1. Washing face with a hot washcloth. And by washing I mean scrubbing.
2. Plain soap
3. OTC products: OXY pads, Neutrogena, Olay, Cetaphil, Vichy, Avonlea Organics, things I've probably long forgotten about
4. AcneFree (sort of Proactiv-esque)
5. Dan's regimen (I had a very adverse reaction to the BP, so I have no opinions to offer on its effectiveness as I couldn't continue)
6. baking soda/olive oil/lemon juice concoction I've been using for the past year+.
It was after I had a mega bad time with the BP that I quit OTC products altogether. I never wanted anything unnatural touching my skin again; it was just a horribly unsatisying experience and I think my cracking point. After that I just bought some natural products and got really into diet. I guess my theory was.. 'well, I can't do a damn thing about my acne. And I don't care to try anymore. So I'll just try to have a healthy body (skin included) and ride out this hormone train, try not to scar, and fix what skin is left over when the time is right.' Well, I guess the time is right.
NOW- my first visit to a dermatologist
I told them I was unhappy with the texture of my skin (especially my forehead, which I messed up itching while on BP) and tone (red marks). I didn't really moan about acne that much because it had decreased significantly, and remember I lost the will to care.
They did a skin examine and said I have mild comedone acne, and mild rosacea?? The rosacea bit sent me for a bit of a trip. Didn't peg myself as a rosacea person. I suppose they said that because I 'flush easily'. Meh.
WHAT THEY SUGGESTED: 2 Jessner peels and 2 laser treatments. They also mentioned Retin-A. I'm not sure that I'm gonna go there. Heard bad things. Don't care about my acne enough. And I absolutely loathe being perpetually sun sensitive like that.
Current regimen! yaay
STARTING (officially): NOVEMBER 1, 2008
Vegan diet - lots of water/proper rest/gentle exercise (just to have healthy skin overall, from the inside out)
Jessner peels (help acne/texture)
Laser treatment (redness)
cleanser: I'm either gonna stick with my baking soda/olive oil/lemon juice thing, or use a very mild cleanser from the derm. Haven't decided yet.
Peel #1
Day 1 - October 30th: It stung a little, an 8/10 I'd give it. When I left, my skin was very very soft. My forehead was so smooth looking and tight. I was ecstatic! Complete improvement from the screwed up disaster it used to be. It felt like she was rubbing it good though lol; I guess cause I made such a big stink over it. Later on my forehead/nose got pretty oily and I had a brief yellowish tinge but it went away. Derm told me not to wash my face or anything that night- wait til the next day, and that after 48 hours I'll start to peel and continue for 4-7 days, and not to pick it as it could lead to scarring.
Day 2 - October 31st: Tonight my chin is starting to peel.
NEXT APPOINTMENT: November 24th - 1st laser treatment
*they took before pictures at the derm. I'll try to get them, I'm sure they're more wicked than mine. I'll try to dig up some old ones I took myself though. I had a really good (bad?) one of when my red marks were horrendous. I hope I didn't delete it out of horror. I'll get some natural light pictures up tomorrow instead of glowy light ones.
OCTOBER 31st: DAY AFTER JESSNER PEEL
RIGHT SIDE
LEFT SIDE
FOREHEAD
