56 replies to this topic

[bronzeneo]

Hi my name's Marti, I'm 26 and I live in Victoria, Australia. Boring part as follows:

My first pimple erupted with a vengeance at the tender age of 9 - it wasnt large by any means, but my mum bought me aapri apricot scrub to try and combat it. If you ever used that stuff (circa 1991) - it was like getting the roughest sandpaper and trying to remove your face with it.

Since then, I have had an ongoing battle with "accers" - almost 18 years. I've been on differin, minomycin, diane (contraceptive), benzac washes, otc washes, creams, spot treatments - anything that promised something, I bought. I've tried proactiv - but luckily I only used it for a month or two (gift from a friend) before it could have any lasting effects.
I've had glycolic peels, been poked and prodded, lanced and squeezed.
I can't do roaccutane because of some problem with my lipids/triglycerides/cholesterol - diane actually took my cholesterol to 12-13 (meant to be between 5-6) and triglycerides to about 80 (meant to be 2-3 or something similar) - and my doctor still thinks Im a medical marvel, I had nurses staring at me at the dermo because they had never seen a LIVING person with those kind of levels... but I digress.

I ordered DKR on 7 Feb 09 and I'm anxiously waiting its arrival. I've gotten to a point where I'm sick of feeling like I have concentrated sunburns on my face, sick of wasting money on things that just.dont.work. and so tired of crying in the mirror when I wash my makeup off. My partner suffered SEVERE acne in his teens and early to late 20's, but its hard to listen to him when he says "It'll clear up on its own, or it may never, you'll just have to wait and see". I dont WANT to wait, I want it to be gone. I'm sick of it ruling my life, sick of not being able to go get the papers on a sunday morning without making up my face...
My doctor has also put me back on minomycin - 2x50g a day, so maybe that will help work on the inside while I focus on the outside...

When I get DKR, I'll post some pre-DKR photos up before my first use and update weekly - to do it daily would be like watching paint dry. I know it wont happen straight away - lord knows I've waited long enough. Maybe no-one will read my log, maybe they will - and if they do I hope that if this stuff works, it convinces them to STOP buying otc stuff...

Anywho! I'll update when my goodies arrive!

Thanks for reading... whoever you are!

[VIChick]

Hey there, I have had acne problems from the age of 14 and I am still battling acne to this day. I am on day 2 of the regimen and I am hoping and praying that this works for me.
Acne is a horrible thing and I hope that you have success as all these other people on this site has. GOOD LUCK!!!

[halon2]

Man, it sounds like you've been through the ringer with acne and that you've tried so much stuff! I really sincerely hope that the DKR works for you. People have said it's working for me (been about a month) but I'm still getting hormonal acne.

My only advice is that you give it as much time as you can. Don't expect results fast, even within a month, that way if it happens, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Hopefully all this will be worth it in the long run!

Good luck!!

[bronzeneo]

Big thanks to halon2 and VIChick - I actually read through a couple of your stories before I ordered DKR and thought if you guys could do it and share your journey, so could I!

This one's a long one - I was absolutely BORED at work today...

So I spoke too soon yesterday when I posted my first entry! I got home from a late shift at work and my partner presented me with a brown box - huzzahhh!!! It had arrived. Stupid me though, I was running out of my regular face wash (Garner Pure Anti-Bac Cream Wash) and decided I'd buy another with the reasoning to my partner "well the store did say it could take 1-3 weeks to arrive, but any money DKR will arrive the next day!". Sure enough - it did.

But, before I do go on, I probably should detail what I WAS using prior to slathering myself in BP last night .

Morning: Garnier Pure Anti-Bac Cream Wash, followed by garnier SOS spot pen or some AU$3 tea tree cream in a tube with a stick that seemed to be working, then nivea control it! gel-creme (did start using garner pure lasting oil control, but really they should have called it "never-ending oil slick and out of control", that and it ended up making me break out even more.
*Since I found this website, I've been loosely following the regimen with products I already had - ie waiting "X amount of time" between washing/treating/moisturising - just to get in the routine so it would be easier to follow when I actually got the stuff.
Makeup: Concealer : Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Concealer, Loreal True Match Mineral Powder (switched from Almay Blemish Healing Makeup because, surprise surprise - it was awful, Id tried it before and thought previous acne treatments were the cause of breakouts from hell, but this was the culprit), Bayonelle Bronzer.
Night: Garnier wash, followed by nivea toner and then savlon (australian antiseptic cream) slathered all over my face and occasionally nixoderm (they really should call that "the seven fires of hell in a green tub", because it smelt and felt EXACTLY like that...

Isnt it funny how you hear from so many people (sometimes with acne or past sufferer, most times without) and they tell you, oh you should try this or you should try that - how it sticks in your head?...One hairdresser told me I shouldnt leave conditioner in my hair dripping down my back in the shower because it would give me back-ac', so what was I supposed to do? I tried tipping my head forward and waiting 1-2 minutes for it to work its magic, but thought - err, isnt this putting the conditioner on my face?... A beautician once told me I should not eat any dairy whatsoever because humans were never meant to eat another animal's milk by-products and all of the milk, cheese and stuff would end up coming out of my face because it had nowhere to go (would really like a professional's opinion on that one)....Or the toothpaste remedy....
Or the not-so-nice comments from people... I dont know how many times in high school someone would walk past me and exclaim how clearasil worked for them...
Last year I had my mum walk into the bathroom when I moved back home, I was doing my makeup for a night out and was applying concealer (aka warpaint) to every conceivable centimetre of skin on my face and just stood there watching me, then started crying and apologised because she wished I had inherited her skin and how she wasnt able to "fix me".

But I digress - a lot of these things I can explore in later entries and anyone who's reading this would be banging their head on the keyboard screaming "Yes, yes yes, BUT DOES DKR WORK?!?!?!?!" - truth is, I think *tiny spark of hope rising* that it just might...
I followed the steps to the letter (thank god I invested in moisturising hand wash - palmolive milk and olive handwash is the bomb), possibly using a little more BP than necessary (I'm sure I havent been the only one) - and this morning I wasnt dry, itchy, flakey (usually in the past with BP the night I put it on I get all itchy and feel gross) and my partner, without prompting, looked at my face and said I didnt look as red anymore.

So now, my new routine is as follows:

Morning: DKR Wash + DKR BP (spot/area treat only) + DKR Moisturiser
Makeup: As above
Supplements: Minomycin (50g), Amoxil (wisdom tooth infection), Blackmores Hair Skin and Nails (1 tab), Cenovis chick's multivitamins and Mintec IBS tab.

Night: DKR Wash + DKR BP (full face = 1/2 or less pump) + DKR Moisturiser
Supplements: See above except multivitamin.

Anyway - so I did say I'd post some photos up of my before shots (after washing with DKR face wash, but nothing else was applied before the photos were taken) - I dont know if I'll do daily or weekly yet, I might try to aim for every monday or sunday night.

PS. I know I'm waffling - but this is a lot of stuff I've been keeping on my chest for so long, I've finally found a group of people that I hope can appreciate/understand exactly where I'm coming from.

Alright - well, I probably need to go and do something less waffle-y
Cheerio - marti

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[bronzeneo]

Day 2 / Evening 3: Something Itchy This Way Comes...

So today was the first time since starting the regimen that I have gotten itchy - but in saying that, I dont know if its anymore itchier than normal when I've had my acne healing.

Last night I posted a rather large entry - but I neglected to mention that when I got home and went into the bathroom and looked at my face while washig my hands I had MAAAAAASSIVE flakes. Not just your usual drying bits and pieces, but where there were healing or active acne all the surrounding skin was lifting off like a bad sunburn. Sure it was ugly, but this morning those places on my face have less swelling and redness - impressive.

I know that you should be patient for results with this stuff, but I was just so surprised that after 2 nights of sleeping in this stuff my face seems to be improving. I'm trying not to look for it, but my partner again said this morning you could see a difference. To me, its just that my face doesnt hurt as much as it was - you know those pimples that just feel like theres a tiny army stabbing a part of your face with a thousand swords (a little bit gulliver's travels)? - and its now just an annoying itch.

Gargh! Lanced some god-awful red thing that was on my cheek - mistake? We'll see in the morning. Put a little AHA on it and on some simmering pustule-y things and its itching like mad. But I've tried nixoderm before - so its not so bad. Less huge flakeys today, so I'm happy about that.

We'll see what tomorrow brings...

[bronzeneo]

So I have officially reached one week on the regimen, and I know I started off too quick too soon. I have gross peeling (like something from an episode of Dr Who) on both sides of my mouth near my chin and on my right cheek near my jaw. Gross - but I did manage to pick up some jojoba oil from a local health food store - it DID cost me almost $10 (including a dropper bottle) but Im okay with that, didnt want to buy too much in case it didnt work. All I can say is thank god for long hair and call centre head pieces covering my face up.
Only downside is that I'm a little bit greasey now - after being here for 10 hours - its a small price to pay to keep the flakes at bay.

I THINK I can see a difference, I'll post some photos with this entry - let me know what you think.

The itching was driving me MAD on the weekend, and I decided I'm only going to use BP on the areas of my face that are affected at the moment and then when it comes time to moisturise, moisturise the un-BP'd areas first then the rest of my face, as it seems to get itchier when I move my fingers over to sensitive places and takes the BP with it. Interesting thought - and it worked. My face felt less irritated today, however after almost 8 hrs I did go on a scratching fest with the flakies on my chin. For five minutes, pure relief - then it all came back with a vengeance. Luckily I've been made busy at work or I'd be picking my face all day *naughty naughty!!*

Im not giving up though - no matter the flakes, no matter the itch. I've continued to research all weekend on acne.org, reading reviews and recommendations. Reading how some people give up because of what I'm experiencing at the moment, and reading how those who have gone through it just stuck it out. If they can do it, so can I.

So anywho - here are the photos.
Week 1 : The Flake-en-ing....

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[bronzeneo]

Day 15 - The Hopelessness

Well I officially hit the beginning of week three with a hormonal tirade of grossness.
I was feeling pretty good about myself and forgot all about that part of the month that brings forth hell on face (yes, to all the girls out there - I DID forget, you would think after almost 14 years Id know...).

Its just so frustrating because prior to this week, you start to hope though I know its only been two weeks - but a girl's gotta have dreams!

Good news is, the flakiness has subsided somewhat - I still have patches and my EYEBROWS (of all places) are the most itchiest at the moment.
I've also 'ramped up' the amount of BP I've been using - was a little under half a pump, now almost 3/4 of a pump (a little less in the morning at this stage).

I've decided to move all my progress photos to my gallery - though at this point, I've been flipping through the photos I've taken so far and I really dont know if I can see any improvement.
My best friend told me my face looks calmer, and the following day so did my mum - it certainly feels better, but I just dont know - is that because I'm the only one who really focuses on my face?

Anyways, hope the pics come out alright as Im really shocking at attaching, uploading, bla bla bla

xx Marti

[adamrodriguez]

i think your really beautiful/HOT with or without acne.. frankly

[bronzeneo]

Gosh, I cant even begin to comment - thanks adamrodrigue ! Thankyou!

Day 29: Walking on sunshine, covered in SPF...

I think I'm starting to get more than just a TOUCH excited about this whole DKR thing. Im at the beginning of my 5th week, and yeah I've gotten my purge I think. Roughly 4 pimples are parading on my jawline like some terrible angry marching band and there's one small pimple RIGHT in the middle of my forehead. When I say right in the middle, I dont think even a mathmetician or architect could have planned this one better. And its round and raised, like some sort of beautiful sphere... err... what?

Anywho - I started using AHA on the weekend for a trial run. Friday night and I thought what the hell, Im only going to get my hair done tomorrow, how bad can it be? WELL - BURNING, FIRE, PAIN, ITCH - for about 15 minutes I thought I was going to put myself into shock then it all went fine... and I woke up in the morning and my face felt nice and calm and smooth and real perty-lookin'.
Used it last night and the same thing this morning - I've noticed that when I wash my face at night too, it feels awesome.

I've ordered the huge BP and cleanser as I think I'm going to last between alternating the moisturiser at night with AHA every 2nd or 3rd night and my nivea oil free moisturiser in the morning.
I've noticed my oilies are no longer oily too - so my makeup sits a-ok on my face.
I'm up to one full pump day and night (sometimes a little less in the morning if Im flaking).

Anyways - I've put up some pics (one here and the rest in my gallery) for your perusal and comment. Pay no mind to my mad scientist hair do, I was in the middle of straightening my hair and I tend to get easily distracted/excited and totally forgot I looked like Pebbles from the flintstones!!

xx thanks for readin, marti

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[halon2]

Hey you're looking much better! The old stuff is fading and you definitely can't see as much new stuff (sorry about the forehead one. I got one of those last week).

Keep on going, cause it seems to be working! How's the jojoba oil working out for you?

[bronzeneo]

Day 42:

I had to slap myself on the back of my hand for forgetting to update this thing - had a lot on my plate recently and I've been avoiding the computer like the plague. I've had 3-4 days off sick this week with the flu and I feel like death warmed up.

I have some photos up from day 36 (links below):
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090323001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090323002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090323003.jpg

I'll have some more for you tomorrow night when I start week 7. I have a gross pimple on my cheek (stupid, stupid hormones) its not painful or got a head on it, the BP killed it, but its just there and I know its going to be ages before it fades.
I've been reading a few girls' posts about pimples on certain cheeks (on the face) - I was told by a beautician once that when you ovulate, the ovary thats doing its the thing most, on that same side is were you'll get more pimples - but I dont know if thats a myth or not...?
I have one on my chin growing and one creeping up from my eyebrow (err... uncomfortable much????) - but we'll see how they go, I'm putting AHA+ on tonight (in face as soon as I finish this post).
These pimples MAAAAAAAY have something to do with the face that for almost 7 days straight I ate foods with cheese in it (only because my partner is away and he HATES stuff with cheese in it, apart from pizza...go figure).

I've decided I am a-ok with a pimple here and there, I'm not holding out for picture perfect flat smooth skin - I can deal with one or two pimples every now and then. Its easier to cover and I know after using DKR for a while, they're going to go away a LOT faster than they used to and not come up with a gross head that begs to be popped then scab over and bla bla bla.

ANYWHO, there's a moth annoying me in front of my screen, and I THINK one of my cats has left me a present in the corner of the office - must investigate...

xx marti

[Wynne]

It looks like you are mastering your skin! Congratulations on the great improvement. The red marks will begin to fade, too.

Once you're adapted to the full dose of BP and have been using it for a month, then you could consider adding in the AHA+. The alpha hydroxy lotion really helps fade red marks. It is however best to wait until you're completely used to the BP before adding in the AHA, and then add in the AHA slowly so as to prevent irritation.

[bronzeneo]

Hey Wynne - thanks for the support! I've been using the AHA for a while, it didnt take me too long to get used to the BP which is good, and I've described my progress below
Thanks again!!!



Day 43 - Start of Week 6:
I know I did a massive entry last night (I was bored, it was late, yadda yadda) but for continuity I thought I really should continue with posting each Monday night.

Used the AHA+ again last night - for anyone who is thinking of using it, or who has used it once and wanted to scratch your face off like a patient in a psych ward from a horror movie - stick with it. That initial burning and itching after the first use (possibly due to using a smidge too much) - you'll get over it.
I started using it about 2 weeks ago and I've tried to use it every 2nd or 3rd night - its magic. And because I've since increased my BP to one pump and a bit, my face was getting a lot drier, but now that I'm using AHA, it seems to have combatted that a lot.
My advice - just work through the itch, its worth it. And after 2 weeks, it only slightly itches and lasts for 10 minutes (keeping in mind it slowly subsides in that time) - HUZZAH!!

Honestly, after some thinking and waiting, I really think my acne is stress and hormone related. Although I've been giong through an uber stressful and hormonal time, for 3 whole days I had no really active acne and then the hormones kicked in again and I've got one active one on my chin - and the gross monstrosity on my cheek.

Im just trying to stay positive though - I figure after so long battling with weight issues, skin issues, confidence issues and all the psychological trauma that comes from all of that - one or two active pimples is really not that much comparatively.

Anywho - here are, as promised, recent pics:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090330001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090330002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090330003.jpg
(I think they look a little more red than the last lot as those were after I'd washed my face and waited, these onces are after I've washed my face, applied BP and about to moisturise)

PS - I've heard a lot of people talk about hyperpigmentation - but dont actually know if its something I have? I mean, some parts of my face SEEM lighter, but I think that's just my scars slowly going away as opposed to some areas of my face that arent blackhead/pimple affected anymore... hrrmmm...

[deletemyaccount]

Hi there!

I saw your post on Electric_feel's thread about the makeup you use- Maybelline dream matte concealer and mineral makeup? So, this works pretty good for you? I am looking for something light and won't make me break out. I was looking online about this and it looks promising. Thanks for you input and glad to see the regimen is working for you. I'm on (Dan's) too. I'm just having SO much trouble looking for a light makeup. Thanks so much!

[bronzeneo]

Hi there!

I saw your post on Electric_feel's thread about the makeup you use- Maybelline dream matte concealer and mineral makeup? So, this works pretty good for you? I am looking for something light and won't make me break out. I was looking online about this and it looks promising. Thanks for you input and glad to see the regimen is working for you. I'm on (Dan's) too. I'm just having SO much trouble looking for a light makeup. Thanks so much!

I've searched ALLLLL over the shop for a concealer - it seems to be the only thing that doesnt make me break out and stays on ok. You just need to make sure you dont use a lot and I also use loreal mineral makeup, ive tried a few (cant afford expensive ones) and that seems to be the best for me. With that, you just have to be careful you dont apply to heavy or it can look like a mask.
I'm all about sharing what works for me - if it works for you, its a bonus and if it doesnt, its one less question you have to answer!
Good luck!!!
xxxxxxx

[deletemyaccount]

Hi there!

I saw your post on Electric_feel's thread about the makeup you use- Maybelline dream matte concealer and mineral makeup? So, this works pretty good for you? I am looking for something light and won't make me break out. I was looking online about this and it looks promising. Thanks for you input and glad to see the regimen is working for you. I'm on (Dan's) too. I'm just having SO much trouble looking for a light makeup. Thanks so much!

I've searched ALLLLL over the shop for a concealer - it seems to be the only thing that doesnt make me break out and stays on ok. You just need to make sure you dont use a lot and I also use loreal mineral makeup, ive tried a few (cant afford expensive ones) and that seems to be the best for me. With that, you just have to be careful you dont apply to heavy or it can look like a mask.
I'm all about sharing what works for me - if it works for you, its a bonus and if it doesnt, its one less question you have to answer!
Good luck!!!
xxxxxxx

Thanks so much! I'll take a look when I decide to go shopping for makeup. I want to clear up a little bit more before I decide to take on makeup "again".

TY again!

[Sunbear]

Hi
I feel your pain with your acne, mine is similar.
I understand what it's like to not feel up to going outside at all, even if it's just a few metres.
Hope your clear skin progresses

[SRH]

Wow, keep it up Marti! It really does look like things are starting to perish! I mean from here, comparing the first set and last set of pictures, there's less bumpiness on the latter, the red marks look much more faded and the skin looks far less traumatized. I hope that you are using the sun to your advantage too! Heh, I know I would be if I were living in Aussieland.

[bronzeneo]

day 64 - start of week 9: the slacker

I have been somewhat remiss in updating this thing - big thanks to SRH and Sunbear for support, Im just sorry it took so long to say it!!
I've had a lot on my plate - as with one of my last posts - this whole global economic crap-sis is really starting to test my patience, with my work (i work for a government department) and home life. Its hard when you cant separate work from what's going on at home because no matter where you go, there are people doing it hard. Thats my whinge completed for the day.

I guess its a good thing I've forgotten about this in one way - I havent really focused on my acne for so long (I cant believe its been 9 weeks already) - but in another, I've forgotten to update you all on how I'm going.

Here is me today, and to highlight how far I've come, the third pic is my left cheek now and the fourth is my left cheek I think after less than a week using the regimine - I showed my partner when he walked in just 5 minutes ago and the only thing that came out of his mouth was one big expletive:

Front : http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090420001.jpg (today)
Right : http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090420002.jpg (today)
Left : http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bron...o/090420003.jpg (today)
Left : http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/bronze_neo/0902242.jpg (24th Feb 2009)

I had a couple come up over the last week or so - one on my forhead, one on my right cheek and one on the left side of my chin.
The one on my forehead reared up and I err... squeezed it.
Its funny - the ones I do squeeze tend to heal up quicker and fade quick, but the ones that dont "head up" end up lasting ages before they go away - has anyone else experienced that?

Anywho - best be off so I can prepare for another day in the trenches,

Happy healing everyone - Marti xx

[le désir]

Wow, seeing really good results, you are beautiful! Keep going!